Boivin Creek Trail And Bare Hill

BOU AVENUE
Boivin Creek Trail And Bare Hill

On 19 March 2022, Zosia Zgolak and I checked out the cross-country ski trails along Boivin Creek just on the outskirts of Elkford, British Columbia. This small network of ski trails plus a couple of warming huts (including wood stoves and outhouses) are maintained by the Elkford Nordic Ski Club. With recent warm temperatures and no fresh snowfall in the area, Zosia and I did not have high expectations for the quality of skiing here, but we decided to check the trails out anyway and were fully prepared to pull the plug if conditions were truly horrible.

Starting from the trailhead kiosk (along Natal Road 1.1 kilometres west of the intersection with Fording Drive), Zosia and I followed the groomed trail westward along the north bank of Boivin Creek. The snow here was so crusty that we opted to use our climbing skins right off the bat, but after shuffling for a little over a kilometre, I removed my skins and slapped on a sticky wax instead. I probably should have just left my skins on as we began a steady uphill ascent shortly after. Despite the marginal snow conditions, coverage was good, and the track-set trail was still quite skiable. We eventually reached Boivin Hut without too much grief, and after a brief stop, we continued along Lower Boivin Trail to Wildcat Hut further up the valley to the southwest. Zosia ended up skiing all the way to Wildcat Hut before removing her skins.

Clear-cuts in the vicinity of Wildcat Hut offer some opportunities for yo-yo skiing, but since Zosia and I only had light touring gear, we were content to just turn around and head back to the trailhead. For our return, we took Upper Boivin Trail which is slightly longer but also offers more scenic views. There are a few steep sections along this trail, but most of them were more fun than scary. After intersecting our original approach trail along Boivin Creek, we turned right and followed it back to the trailhead without any problems.

Despite less-than-ideal snow conditions, Zosia and I still enjoyed skiing Boivin Creek Trail. Many sections in the upper valley are unexpectedly scenic, and there is just enough hills to make the skiing exciting without being terrifying. We did not explore the ungroomed and less-traveled Boivin Creek North Trail on this day, but I think there is a lot of potential for expansion of the trail network in the future.

	Zosia passes a restriction sign near the start.
	Despite marginal snow conditions on this day, the trail coverage is still quite good.
	Zosia checks out Boivin Hut.
	Near Boivin Hut is the start of Boivin Creek North Trail which appears to be ungroomed and, consequently, less popular.
	This slope beside Lower Boivin Trail appears to have potential to avalanche.
	Scenery in the upper valley opens up with views of Phillips Peak at right.
	Zosia prepares to depart from Wildcat Hut after taking an extended break there.
	Sonny enjoys a thrilling descent after leaving Wildcat Hut. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Zosia takes Upper Boivin Trail on the return trip.

That ridge at centre is just begging to be skied!

Zosia stops along Upper Boivin Trail to admire the view of distant peaks including Mount Lyall at far left.

	Zosia begins to descend steeply into the valley.
	Zosia skis back to the trailhead alongside Boivin Creek.
	Total Distance: 15.5 kilometres Round-Trip Time: 5 hours Cumulative Elevation Gain: 414 metres GPX Data

Upon returning to our hotel, Zosia and I took a long and relaxing break before venturing out again late in the day to hike up unofficially-named Bare Hill on the northwest edge of Elkford. There are multiple approaches for this diminutive bump, but due to the abundance of deep snow, we chose to start from a snowmobiler's access on Natal Road (650 metre west of intersection with Fording Drive). We followed a packed snowmobile trail northward for about 600 metres before heading straight up the open west slopes of Bare Hill. The packed snowmobile trail was easy enough to walk on, but we had a lot of difficulties sinking in deep snow on the open west slopes. Had we planned this ascent better, I would have seriously considered bringing my AT skis here. Fortunately, the ascent is neither long nor complicated, and we simply muddled our way as best as we could up to the scenic high point. Our descent was much easier, and we had no issues returning the way we came.

Capping off a busy day, Zosia and I were greeted by three very friendly deer when we returned to our hotel in the evening.

	Sonny starts hiking to Bare Hill (background centre) on a snowmobile track. The red truck probably has not moved all winter. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Zosia easily hikes along the snowmobile track.
	Zosia climbs up the west slopes of Bare Hill on a single snowmobile track.
	Sonny ascends the same snowmobile track. Behind him at upper far right is unofficially-named Wapiti Mountain. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Sonny and Zosia take a selfie on the high point of Bare Hill (1384 metres).
	Wapiti Ski Hill is visible across the valley as Zosia descends the west slopes of Bare Hill. Also visible at distant left is unofficially-named Profile Mountain.
	This car at the Hi Rock Inn has a funny-looking hood ornament.
	The deer in Elkford are not shy.