News from the North

To join us for a walkabout hiking trip to Redfern Lake is to experience spectacular backcountry, good northern adventure and hospitality. Our aim is to provide a safe experience at the fitness and outdoor level that is comfortable for all participants. To do so is to provide some day trips as a group and some days we will offer two choices to meet the challenge needs of all group members. If you are an experienced hiker let us know and enjoy hiking independent of the group but enjoy the benefits of our base camp accommodations and meals. Most of our hikes require average level fitness but during the course of the trips we offer mountaintop hikes and 2-3 day overnight backpack trips. Our trip adventures allow shorter treks for young families to enjoy the backcountry as well. We are your hosts to help you enjoy a mild but wild adventure at Redfern Lake. Here's a sample five day trip.
Day One

   
Flight into Redfern Lake... Flights leave from, Fort St. John. The flight offers a 75-90 minute scenic trip into camp. Once you arrive in camp you'll get settled in. We orient you to our camp routines, safety precautions and your surroundings. Lunch the first day is usually a snack tray and supper is served between 7:00 and 8:00pm. Depending on how the day goes we'll take a 60 minute walk along the Lakeside Nature Trail. If you like fishing please let us know as fishing licenses are required and the fishing in the evening is always a favourite. Campfire stories are a nightly ritual and finding a comfy place to read is too. We have those long daylight summers til 10:00pm and it never gets totally dark overnight.
Day Two

Breakfast 8:00 to 9:00am. We are always up earlier with the coffee and tea on. My husband, Paul, is our breakfast cook throughout your stay with us... it is a true northern style breakfast of pancakes, eggs and bacon. I always have muffins, yogurt and fruit for the lighter eaters, but Paul's breakfasts are so tasty I tend to find myself being the only light eater. You can take my muffins for lunch!! If you have joined us to relax... please do so and sleep in, but you are on you own for breakfast. Someone is always around camp if people choose a quiet day closer to camp or return early. You will always find interesting activities occurring around the camp.

If you will be joining the group hike we will be going to the end of the lake which is a ten minute walk; then crossing the mouth of the lake in one of the row boats. The start of the trail is along the lake and then into the Falls. It's an easy trail to follow up to Fairy Lake which is hidden from the camp by a mountain. This is truly my favourite trail as it follows the falls and then opens up to views of the lake and the mountain peaks surrounding. We cross at the mouth of the lake and head up to check out an old pioneer cabin. The history of the cabin is interesting to listen to. Lunch will probably be along Fairy Lake. For those who like to fish, stay with Paul. The rest can accompany me to an upper bench overlooking the lake. Remember to keep your eyes open as we often see moose or caribou on the way. We will rejoin our group at the lake to head back across at the mouth of Fairy Lake and down the original outfitter's trail. Along the way Paul will regale you with his bush experience and the history of the trail. Last summer we came across a mother grouse with her 2-3 day old chicks... what a treat.

We arrive back in camp in the late afternoon. Depending on the weather it is always nice for the group members to pursue their own time just prior to supper. We have a kayak and an inflatable canoe, and I'm always keen to explore the lakeside with you. After supper (food always tastes better in the out-doors and this is one place you don't have to worry about your waistline) we'll head down the lower lake for twenty minutes for an evening of wildlife viewing... moose, beaver and wood ducks to name a few; and you might see a deer on the way home. In fact, last year we startled a deer when returning to camp. He was after our bar of soap from the outside wash basin and had eaten 3/4 of it.
Day Three

   
We like to maintain our morning routines and try to be out of camp for our group hikes by 10:00am. We always put on breakfast and have lunch makings out for everyone to use. Rain or shine we head out of camp for our hike unless we're in the midst of a total downpour. Today we will head back across the lake and hike up to the head of Fairy Lake keeping to our side of the lake this time. This is a two hour hike along level terrain. There are two old vacated trapper cabins with some history and folklore of villainy. I am inspired by these pioneers who made their way into the area by their own means to make a living off the land. I enjoy this trip as it follows the lake with awesome views all the way. At the end of the lake we'll lunch and often spy some mountain goats. For those of you who don't want to make the trip all the way to the end of the lake Paul is always keen to stop along the way for some 'catch and release' fishing. Or, just relax in nature and read a book or reap Paul's vast knowledge of bush experience.

After supper there is always the option to stay in camp or join a group for more wildlife viewing. Or just paddle and fish along the lake. I love the mountains... from the air you breath, the fresh wind in your face or just the 'awe' of the majestic peaks around.
Day Four

It's another morning and maybe today fresh fish is on the menu with our pancakes and eggs. MMMMMM! Today you have a choice; either a mountain trip above the tree-line above Redfern Lake or along the horse trail to the end of the lake on even terrain and back on the more open trail. The 'high' trip is beautiful with alpine meadows of wild-flowers and lots of sign of caribou and sheep. The 'low' group will visit the mud flats and often get views of mountain goat and moose. Both groups will explore up some creek beds which provide good access and usually will find a game trail to investigate. Remember we always keep the hikes to the fitness level and experience of the group members. Back at camp share your trip with the other group. Your suggestions for evening activities are welcome.. or how about a nap before supper? I have two mountain bikes for some to venture out on to the trails with. Who is brave enough for a quick swim in our glacier-fed lake? Anyone for the hike along the nature trail again? Or how about a game of cards or a relaxing time with a book.
Day Five

It's our last day and we might even get to the Mineral Lick before the plane comes to pick you up. All the new friends we've made call for an exchange of addresses as we may have pictures to share with each other. I look forward to your return so that I can take you up into some hanging valleys which we didn't get to this time.. or you may want to come back to do an overnight trip up to Fairy Lake or Petrie Creek. It's all there waiting for you to explore.

Our seven and eight day trips would include the hanging valleys and some trips up into the ridges and peaks along with a two to three day tip to Upper Fairy Lake and/or Petrie Creek. Remember that we have shorter trips for a beginner to the outdoors. Breathtaking and closer than you think.

All images and content © Redfern Lake www.pris.bc.ca/walkabout