| Smithers
Community Forest is a popular destination visited
by outdoor enthusiast intended to provide information on how timber,
wildlife and recreation values can work together. It was established
in 1988 on the south slopes of Hudson
Bay Mountain covering 4, 620 hectares and exploring
many different types of eco systems.
The Smithers Community Forest enjoys an interpretive
nature loop trail that explores different ecological habitats
and leads to the Pine Creek Cross-Country Ski Trails neighbouring
the Ski Smithers Ski Hill.
The trail includes other trails within the outer loop route. It
is a well marked trail system crisscrossing, back and forth, with
connecting trails exploring over creeks and bridges passing through
bogs and wetlands leading to a viewpoint of the valley.
The concept park is a working forest which involves
activities like planting trees, thinning underbrush , maintaining
wildlife enhancement projects, demonstration and activity trails.
The glacial soil is, for a large part, responsible for the diversity
in vegetation and wildlife living on the mountain. For example,
climate and soil, have an impact on the type of trees growing
at different points along the trail. The tree planting combined
with older trees has developed various eco systems with various
trees spread across hectares like Lodgepole Pine, Black Spruce,
Hybrid Spruce, Black Cottonwood and alder trees.
While exploring the hiking trail keep an eye out
along the route for various flora and fauna. It will be hard to
miss the fern and moss on the ground... but more effort is involved
in identifying shrubs like Devils Club, Thimbleberry and False
Box... and herbs like Kinnikinnick, Dwarf Dogwood and Queen's
Cup.
The activity park is best viewed in the spring
and summer on foot with a plant and tree identification guide
because of the various species living in the forest. The winter
seasons, much of the landscape is covered in snow, including the
trails. This attracts the cross-country and telemark skiers and
snowshoers to the Smithers Community Forest.
The Smithers Community Forest interpretive Trail
is an ideal route for birdwatchers also. There is a good variety
of birds that visit the park including the Northern Goshawk, Boreal
Chickadee and the Downy Woodpecker to name a few. Some of the
other wildlife (the never feed or approach kind) has been reported
in the area like the moose, coyote and bear.
Contact information for
the local Smithers, BC accommodations, tours, guides, golf
courses, attractions, eco activities, artists, transportation
companies, realtors, etc. are posted under the links listed
to your right. =) |
How to
get to the
Smithers Community Forest: 10 minutes west of
downtown Smithers. From Highway 16 turn south onto Toronto Street
and continue down the road taking a left onto Railway Ave. and
drive to the very end turning right on Dahlie Road. Make a quick
right onto Hudson Bay Mountain Road and stay right as road changes
to Ski Hill Road. Continue to the parking lot.
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Community
Forest 
Smithers