Meadows in the Sky Parkway, Mount Revelstoke National Park

• Posted on August 1, 2009 at 1:40 AM
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My family and I are currently on our summer vacation travelling through BC. We recently arrived in the town of Revelstoke, BC, and as our National Park annual pass expired at the end of July, we decided to make use of it one more time and visit Mount Revelstoke National Park. The Meadows in the Sky is the combination of a driving tour for the firsrt 25km and an easy hike for the last 1km to the summit of Mount Revelsoke.

The driving tour climbs into the subalpine wildflower meadows of the national park through numerous switchbacks. There are numerous viewpoints along the route allowing you to take in some great views of the town of Revelstoke and the surrounding area. There are also interpretive signs at some of the viewpoints, including one remembering an internment camp created in Mount Revelstoke National Park during WWI to house people believed to be "enemy aliens". The views were incredible even with all of the smokey haze created by the forest fires being fought throughout BC.

At the end of the 25km driving stretch there is a parking lot where you can leave your vehicle and get onto a Parks Canada shuttle for the last 1km, or you can hike it. Well the shuttle was done for the day by the time we arrived at the parking lot so we opted to hike it, which we planned on doing anyways. Our first priority was BUG SPRAY! Lots and lots of bug spray! I am no bug expert but most of the buzzing pests appeared to be horse flies and black flies. I haven't noticed any flying pests down in the town, or at our campsite, but here at the parking lot they were plenty and annoying! Once we were ready to go we headed out with my 2 year old son in our backpack carrier and my golden retriever on a short leash, especially after passing the "bear in area" sign at the trailhead. We headed out and enjoyed a nice 1 km hike through lots and lots of varying flowers of different sizes, colours and shapes. It was very peaceful and relaxing (minus the constant buzzing from the flying pests). There was some elevation gain but nothing unbearable. We could have hiked up the roadway used by the shuttle, but we opted for the trail.

The summit wasn't quite what I was expecting, still lots of tall trees blocking a good portion of the views of the surrounding area, but it was still enjoyable. The summit is also the starting point for other hikes that continue on to other areas on the mountain top. After taking in the views and a quick visit with another couple, we made our way back down the trail to the parking lot.

The only other event worthy of mention was spotting a black bear on the road as we were descending back to the main gate of the park. We were a fair distance away and he/she quickly dashed off into the woods, but I enjoy getting to see wildlife no matter how brief the encounter. The Parks Canada staff I spoke with at the main gate believes the bear is possibly the same one being seen repeatedly in the summit area.

Although this trail is by no means gruelling, it was a relatively easy hike able to be done at a pace suitable for carrying a squirmy 2 year old in a backpack carrier with a woman who is 23 weeks pregnant. I enjoyed the hike and I look forward to possibly fitting in some hikes in Glacier, Yoho or Banff National Parks on our way home.