It was a great turnout last Sunday for a collaboration group hike between KelownaNow and HikingAddiction. Almost 60 people showed up bright eyed and ready to hike at the base of Sugarloaf Mountain, with the sun coming out to join us.
The hike up Sugarloaf Mountain was a first for many of us, and the trail did not disappoint. Winding up steady switchbacks through a dense, mossy forest, we soon broke out onto an open ridge and took in the view before continuing up the mountain.
From the top, we looked down to Okanagan Lake both towards Kelowna and Vernon in a stunning panoramic view. It was the perfect place to sit, catch our breath and enjoy a snack. From there we trekked along a rocky ridge and had various lookouts into a vast canyon.
Making a 4 km loop, the trail makes its way down some steep switchbacks before merging with the trail we came up on. It took about two hours total, and was the perfect place to spend a Sunday morning with great people.
HikingAddiction is a great resource and community that is maintained by a small number of volunteers. When founder Josh Hoggan first moved to Kelowna, there was no outdoor activity group that catered to the younger adult demographic, so he quickly stepped up to fill the gap. Free to join and no commitment required, the group has been steadily growing in popularity since 2011.
Not only are the group hikes a great way to meet new people and explore new areas of the Okanagan, but Hoggan has also put together a comprehensive GPS map package to guide you through local trails. So, if you want to check out Sugarloaf Mountain on your own this weekend, it may be a good idea to check out some of the resources available through HikingAddiction.
KelownaNow wants to thank everyone who came out for the event, and to those who participated in our #kelownanowhike photo contest. Tianna Bourgeois won the Ikon Adventures helicopter ride for three, Craig Davis the Ion Bluetooth speaker, Grace Yves a backpack from The North Face, and Eric Martinen and Brittany Hartfelder both won The North Face waterbottles!
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