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Westbank,BC and the Westside
 Introduction to the Westside and its growing businesses and amenities.
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 You don't have to cross the bridge to find us - a showcase of businesses, products, and services available on the Westside.
Experience the Outdoors
 Walking and hiking trails, water fun, and winter adventures in Westbank, BC, the Westside and surrounding area.
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Experience Westbank!
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Glen Canyon Regional Park (North of Highway 97 in Glenrosa) - a world unto its own
This huge, 74 hectare park is an example of the foresight of community leaders in setting aside a truly important place. Glen Canyon is home to several ecological subsystems both high and dry, and moist and mysterious.
Glen Canyon is home to lovely Powers Creek, sculptured cliffs, hidden canyons and glens filled with jade-green reeds. In sandy soil or moist places, you may see the prints of deer and coyote, as well as those of a handful of large, more famous predators. You’ll see a multitude of birds you might not see in most places. This park could attract a dedicated wildlife photographer with a set of special lenses and the patience to stalk the Wild Things for days on end...
Powers Creek pours down toward Lake Okanagan from the slopes of three different mountains - Mount Last, Carrot Mountain and Whiterocks Mountain. By our map, it looks as though it’s fed by several lakes, including Dobbin and Lambly.
Glen Canyon Park stretches some distance up into the mountainside. It could take weeks and months to explore.
How to Find it?
The larger portion of Glen Canyon Regional Park is located north of Highway 97. There are several access points to this natural immersion park.
- The Aberdeen trailhead: is located off Webber Road in Glenrosa – Webber being the first righthand turn as you head uphill on Glenrosa. Aberdeen Road is the third right-hand turn. Where it curves, there’s a small fenced staging area, and a memorial to RCMP Constable Neil Bruce. * You’re at one of the trail heads to Glen Canyon Regional Park, mountain section. Beyond the fencing, go down a lane and into the enchanted forest… for the brief tour, a good first visit, keep to the right, following the creek as it heads downhill. For a longer, more vigorous exploration, head uphill to the left.
DID YOU KNOW ?
You can also get here by Kelowna Transit bus, which lets you off just a half-block
from the trail head.
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- Blue Jay trailhead: Go up Glenrosa Road past right turns Glen Abbey, McIver and Parkhurst. McGinnis is next- turn right. On McGinness, after a few minutes the road will split;
bear right onto McLeod. At the end of McLeod, turn left onto Blue Jay. Whew! After that, you’ll be ready for the woods.
What should "WE" bring ?
Deborah says we’re writing “we” here for a reason. Glen Canyon Regional Park is in most areas pristine, natural, undisturbed, wild, wonderful - and not always perfect footing.
Unless you’re best friends with "Survivor Man" and he taught you all he knows, this is the kind of precious place that should be explored with a friend. Sure, that hard-core outdoorswoman (not me!) or seasoned wildlife photographer might be out there solo, but most of us need to get home for dinner on time.
In warmer months, we suggest that you bring insect repellent or wear something that thwarts mosquitoes. (There are a few natural repellents as well as the poisons, and certain clothing is less attractive to mosquitoes or harder to get at you through.) The Okanagan has fewer mosquitoes than many other parts of the country- in the dry areas. When you get into a nice, shady forest with water around, you’ll see and feel ‘em!
Emergency Kit. You should bring a few emergency kit items.
Bring some water, your camera, and clean-up bags for your dog. Dogs are required to stay on a leash so they don’t bother the wildlife - or tempt the wildlife to bother YOU!
Deborah says she’s a “timid safety nut”, and usually takes her cell phone. Be warned though - cell coverage is inconsistent up in the hills.
Did we say “Bring water” ? It’s not a good idea to drink from the creeks and streams, because human bodies have lost their immunity to some of the little micro-critters that might be present along with all those healthy minerals. You can get little gadgets, filters and drops to take with you to disinfect natural water.
What should we wear?
The right clothes at the right time make all the difference when you are exploring the hills. You never know what kind of weather you may experience as the hours go by. Be prepared.
It’s good to dress in layers that are easily on-and-off as you get hot or chilly going in and out of wind, shade and sunshine and up and down the hills.
A lightweight packsack or hip pack is handy, so you can stash the items you’re not wearing at the moment.
Wear hiking boots or good runners or athlete-type sandals with a deep tread - there’s mud in some places, a few steep hills with rolling rock in others. Your feet will thank you.
“Always wear a hat “, some purists will say. We’re not always purists.
A certain woodswalker we know wears a brimmed straw hat in summer and an eccentric-looking cowboy hat in winter. Many members of the Naturalist Club wear canvas brimmed hats, like the famous ones by Tilley. Young people look great in baseball caps.
A hiking pole - or a pair of them, if you really want to move it up the steep sections - is helpful, especially if you have weak ankles or a tricky hip or knee. Go ahead and balance yourself with a sturdy stick or an old ski pole - lots of people do.
Disclaimer: Please remember to hike safe. Consider your level of fitness, the terrain, the weather, the wildlife, and the expertise/age of those you are hiking with. Since conditions of trails change over time, we do not guarantee the accuracy of our information. Hike at your own risk.
Go back to Westbank and area "Walking and Hiking Trails" page
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