Exploring the Northern Rockies during Winter

A couple of weeks ago a friend and I went to explore some of the Northern Rockies in Northern BC, and to relax in Liard River Hot Springs. It was one of the best long weekends I have had in a while.

Azouzetta Lake a couple of hours north of Prince George BC.

Northern Lights just south of Fort Nelson BC Canada.

A section of the road heading towards Muncho Lake Provincial Park where our home base would be at the Northern Rockies Lodge.

The swamp just before heading into Liard River Hot Springs. I really loved this reflection.

The amazing view from our room in the Northern Rockies Lodge at sunrise.

The very large Muncho Lake at sunset.

A Stone Sheep grazing on the side of the Alaska Highway in Muncho Lake Provincial Park.  

Majestic mountains at sunrise along the Alaska Highway heading to the hot springs.

Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park on a cold morning. After soaking in these hot springs I had never felt so relaxed.

Also located in Liard Provincial Park is the Hanging Gardens, which come to life in the summer. 

Trout River along the Alaska Highway.

Another angle of Liard River Hot Springs at sunrise.  

A Wood Bison along the Alaska Highway. They are majestic and large mammals and a species at risk.

A wild jeep, in its natural habitat, or just hanging out in the mountains.

Just me enjoying the view before we make our way back to reality and home. Mountains are the best.

Snowshoeing in the Ancient Forest of Northern BC

I hadn’t been to this unique park in the winter yet. One of my little sisters tagged along with me for this day trip. I wasn’t sure if the ancient forest could get anymore beautiful and peaceful than it already is, but it managed to do just that.

My younger sister and I left the Prince George in the morning and drove east for approximately an hour to the Ancient Forest/Chun T’oh Whudujut Provincial Park and Protected Area. Winter would be my second favourite season, next to summer, and this park is stunning in all four. Looking at these photos one can tell that this new British Columbia provincial park is beautiful. Towering ancient cedars and hemlocks, a waterfall, different types of moss and part of the trail is wheelchair accessible, just not during the winter.

If these photos don’t inspire someone to pick up a pair of snowshoes to explore the Ancient forest, then I don’t know what will.

 The beginning of the trail.

 Getting further along the wheelchair accessed boardwalk.

 Nicknamed "Treebeard" due to its uncanny resemblance to the Ent in LOTR.

My tattoo and a creek/swamp right beside the highway on the way back from the park.

Bucket List

I am creating this list so I can come back to it and cross off ones that I have completed. Maybe this list will inspire some people to add to theirs or to create their own. Some of these things on my list I hope to accomplish in 2017 and others might take a little longer.

Let me know in the comments what your bucket list goals are, short term or long term ones!

My Bucket List

1. Visit Salmon Glacier and Granduc Mine.
2. Hike the Berg Lake Trail in Mount Robson Provincial Park.
3. Summit Fang Mountain near Prince George BC.
4. Hike to Raven Lake in Sugar Bowl Grizzly Den Park.
5. Visit Liard River Hotsprings.
6. Explore/Hike in Yosemite NP.
7. Road trip thru Oregon and Washington State, hiking to a bunch of waterfalls and explore the coastline.
8. Family vacation in Hawaii on the Big Island.
9. Get in better shape and lose some weight.
10. Have a photo of mine published in a magazine.
11. Print some of my photographs and have them displayed in businesses. 
12. Road trip to Yellowknife, NWT to see crazy Northern Lights and hike.
13. Outfit my jeep so it is an over-landing vehicle with a rooftop tent and other things.
14. Finish my university schooling and work on starting my career.
15. Get more tattoos.
16. Camp on Haida Gwaii.
17. Explore Nisga'a Lava Bed Memorial Park.
18. Go to Iceland.
19. Visit Indonesia.