Elk Mountain

July 1st, 2025 - Elk Mountain Trail 
Trip Report by Monisha Shukla

10 enthusiastic BOC hikers woke up early on Tuesday, July 1st to ensure they reach Burnaby City Hall by 7:00 am. Once there, many showing our Canadian pride dressed in red and white, we pooled together into two cars and began our drive towards Chilliwack. The early morning start helped us secure convenient parking spots and we began hiking the Elk Mountain trail at 8:30 am.Just before 10:00 am we stopped for a snack break and at 10:00 am we joined a couple of non-BOC hikers that we had met along the way, to sing O Canada, like many other proud Canadians across our great nation.The Elk Mountain summit and ridge provided us with views of countless vibrant wildflowers, Chilliwack River Valley, Cultus Lake and Mount Baker.After having lunch, and singing Happy Birthday to Canada with some former BOC members, that we met along the way, we took some BOC group photos at the peak.Six of the ten BOC’ers continued our hike along the Elk-Thurston Ridge while the other four hung out on the summit, taking in the spectacular views and relaxing. On the ridge, we enjoyed more breathtaking scenery. At 1:00 pm we turned around and got back to the parking lot at 3:30 pm.It was a fantastic way to spend Canada Day. We piled back into our cars, feeling content and grateful - one very satisfied hiker among us having climbed higher and longer than ever before - reaching her “personal best” so far. Huge thanks to our drivers Yoko and Sandy for helping us continue the annual BOC tradition of hiking the Elk Mountain trail on Canada Day.