Description

The Valley of Shaddai is a little valley on the east side of the highway across from Murrin Park. This hike will go up an open ridge with some views of the valley and Murrin Park across the highway and then descend into a shady valley. Come back along the “Enchanted Forest” trail. Distance is 7.5 km with 500 m elevation gain. I expect this to take 3–4 hours, depending on our pace and stops.

Bring clothing for a variety of conditions, lunch, water, and snacks. The valley trail may be muddy, and there will be some rock slabs on the hike, although we should be able to bypass them.

I will bring a GPS track and will also have the Trailforks app on my phone. I will also bring an InReach device and a map and compass. I’ll have a small first aid kit.

Meeting

Meet in Britannia Beach at Goat Ridge Drive parking spot at 9 am. To get there, turn off Highway 99 at Britannia Beach at the lights. This puts you on Copper Drive. Follow Copper Drive through a few winding turns up the road. Then turn left onto Goat Ridge Drive. Go straight on Goat Ridge Drive until you reach a cul-de-sac (do not turn up the hill). Park there. We should do our best to carpool from Squamish and Vancouver because this parking lot is very small and is also used by people climbing in this area. If it looks as if we’re going to be bringing too many cars, perhaps we can meet at the mining museum and carpool up the hill.

Hazards

Please read the full list of hazards below, but some special considerations for this trip are the following:

• Travel on rough trails with loose dirt, rock slabs, unstable rocks, and poky branches.
• Wildlife, including bears and ticks.
• Weather conditions: hot, sunny, rainy.
• Getting lost: the trails are very convoluted and we might go off route and be out longer than expected. Bring enough food, clothing, and water to be out longer than planned.

Potential Hazards

Rockfall

What are the risks: Rockfall can be caused by natural forces or by people travelling through the terrain (e.g.
climbing/scrambling/hiking)

Communication and rescue

What are the risks: Communication can be difficult and in the event of an accident, rescue and treatment may not be available| Adverse weather may also delay the arrival of treatment and transport out of the field | If an injury occurs in challenging terrain movement to an evacuation point may be slow

Terrain

What are the risks: Cornices | Crevasses | Trees, tree wells, and tree stumps | Cliffs | Creeks | Rocks and Boulders |Holes and depressions below the snow surface| Variable and difficult snow conditions |Snowcat roads and road ranks | Fences and other human-made structures | Impact or collision with other persons, vehicles or objects | Encounters with domestic or wild animals | Loss of balance or control | Becoming lost or separated from the group | Slips, trips, and falls

General Hazards

What are the risks: Slips trips and falls indoor or outdoor| Equipment failure| Infectious disease contracted through viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi which may be transmitted through direct or indirect contact| Negligence of other persons, including other guests| Negligent first aid| Negligence of the guide including failure to take reasonable steps to safeguard or protect you from, or warn you of risk, dangers, hazards, on participating in ACC activities