The Trans Canada Trail; The Great Trail

The Trans Canada Trail

The Great Trail

 

Trans Canada Trail logoI was honored to be invited to partake and speak at the fourth Ladies hike of the Trans Canada Trail (TCT) soon to be known as The Great Trail.

Trans Canada Trail Ladies Hiking Group

Valerie Pringle, Laureen Harper, Deborah Apps – TCT CEO, Andrea Cohen-Barrack, Cate Hyde, Wendy Southall, Simone Hicken – TCT VP Resource, Alix Nicoll, Megan Whittingham, Trisha Beaty, Nancy Laughton, Julie Sleeman, Susan Hawkins, Mercedes Nicoll, Jessica Maga, Karen Elliott – Squamish Council

Quick Facts About The Great Trail (The Trans Canada Trail)

Trans Canada Trail map

  • Launched in 1992 as a legacy project of Canada 125
  • Six preferred uses: walking/hiking, cycling, paddling, horseback riding, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling
  • When fully connected in 2017, Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation, the Trail will be nearly 24,000 kilometres long and a natural stage for Canadians to celebrate the milestone year.
  • After 2017 it will continue to get better, with loops and spurs already being discussed, a few of them in the area we will be visiting
  • Today, the Trail is 86% connected, with approximately 3,300 kilometres to be connected
  • The Trail impacts many facets of Canadian life:
    Creates a sustainable gift for future generations
    Promotes health by inspiring active living and transportation
    Protects the environment by preserving green space and promoting conservation
    Deepens awareness of our history, culture and natural heritage
    Stimulates economic development through tourism and job creation
  • Today, the Trail is 86% connected, with approximately 3,300 kilometres to be connected

 

Friday Afternoon: The Sea to Sky Gondola

Last weekend, June 15-17th 2016 was a busy one. Ladies Hiking group was stacked with power house women from family friend and all time star Valerie Pringle to CEO of the Trans Canada Trail Deborah Apps these ladies were up for a hike!
Starting off with a trip up The Sea to Sky Gondola taking in the stunning views. We were in good hands following our trusty guide John along with Squamish council woman Karen Elliott, hiking up to take in some more spectacular views of the how sound and surrounding mountains and walking over their suspension bridge for photo opportunities. If you haven’t been up there it’s a must do!

The Sea to Sky Suspension Bridge

We all enjoyed a delicious VIP dinner on the deck of the Summit Eatery and Edge Bar while leaning from local native Alice Guss  who welcomed us with songs and had all of us up dancing as wolfs, eagles and whales. A hard act to follow I was happy to share my Olympic experiences of perseverance.

Squamish Cultural Ambassador Alice Guss and Mercedes Nicoll

Saturday Morning: The Great Trail (The Trans Canada Trail)

Saturday morning was time to fuel up and take to the TCT sporting our new The Great Trail shirts! We took in the beautiful brandywine falls following Parks and Trails Coordinator for the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District, Allison MacDonald. Taking the TCT trail north towards Whistler.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BGzUS_vrC_y/?taken-by=andreacbarrack

 

The TCT is 86% complete with only 3,300 kilometres to be connected! There is one man that will have almost completed walking the trail read about Dana’s coast to coast to coast walk here:

Trans-Canada Trail explorer to be first to walk from coast to coast to coast

Trans Canada Trail

Saturday Afternoon: The Audain Art Museum

Audain Art Museum Architecture

Whistler has so much to offer now it has even more! Inside this amazing piece of architecture is the massive permanent collection art from Mr Audain. The Audain Art Museum holds up to three temporary exhibitions a year as well.

Finishing up the evening with some well deserved lobster by the wonderful host Andrew Prossin, Manager Director of One Ocean Expeditions.

lobster

See all the photos from the trip on my

Facebook Photo Album

xoxo

Mercedes

 

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