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Harrison hikes featured in bestselling new book

105 Hikes in and Around Southwestern British Columbia shines a light on local gems
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It might not be a surprise to locals and avid Fraser Valley hikers, but two Harrison-area trails have taken up spot #60 and #61 in a new book titled, 105 Hikes In and Around Southwestern British Columbia.

Author Stephen Hui grew up in Vancouver, frequently hiking the North Shore. But as his adventures expanded across the lower mainland, so did his appreciation for the Fraser Valley and all of it’s hidden outdoor gems.

“I think that people in Vancouver are so used to going North that they don’t often think about going East,” Hui said. “The hikes in the Valley – there’s so such a variety and there’s so many. The trails by Chilliwack Valley are rugged and spectacular.”

The hiking enthusiast had always kept track of his B.C. adventures, and it wasn’t long before he had enough material to put together a book. In the footsteps of David and Mary Macaree’s iconic 103 Hikes in Southwestern British Columbia – one of the most popular and trusted guidebooks in the area for nearly 50 yearsHui carried on the legacy with an updated version of his own.

The first of Hui’s Harrison hikes, #60, is Campbell Lake. Known amongst locals as the Harrison Grind, Hui recommends the six-hour hike during ‘shoulder season,’ the period of time just outside peak summer hiking season.

“It has a fantastic viewpoint out to Harrison Lake, and then you get that come down to the lake destination.”

Number 61 is Bear Mountain, a hike with remarkable views, according to Hui.

“It’s got one of the most fantastic, most amazing view points waiting for you at the end. It really hits you in the face – that view,” he said.

The hike is fairly long – about seven hours – and quite onerous, said Hui. But the ending – stunning views of the Valley, Cheam ridge, the Fraser River and fields of colourful wildflowers, one of which is a bright purple flower called Davidson’s Penstemon – makes every gruelling second worth it.

“It’s a tiring hike…but the destination is rewarding.”

The Bear Mountain hike offers incredible views and fields of wildflowers. Hui said he loves the variety of landscapes and scenery in Fraser Valley hikes.

From Pitt Meadows to Hope, Hui has gained an appreciation for the Fraser Valley and shares it with readers in his already best-selling book. Learn more about the new guidebook and the 105 hikes within by visiting 105hikes.com.