Aberdeen Snowshoe Trails
Description of the Aberdeen Snowshoe Trails
Over a period of many years a network of snowshoeing and hiking trails has been developed in an area along the northwest side of the Aberdeen Forest Service Road (FSR) between about kilometers 9 & 14. The Aberdeen FSR (a continuation of Bluenose Road) is an active resource road. Be aware of and follow the protocols for using BC government resource roads – visit https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/natural-resource-use/resource-roads/local-road-safety-information for information and advice.
The Vernon Outdoors Club (VOC) organizes group snowshoe outings on these trails. Excellent for newcomers to the area or the sport. Check out the snowshoe calendar on this website for more info.
The snowshoe trails can be accessed from the Aberdeen FSR via short sections of old logging road that connect with the Aberdeen FSR at three points near kilometers 9.5, 10 and 13. The 9.5 km access has a large off-road parking area where Craster Rd joins the Aberdeen FSR and provides access to the trail system. The 10 km access has 2 wide pullouts, one opposite an old logging road that facilitates trail access, and one less than 100m before the logging road. Together these pullouts can take about 6 vehicles. Just before the 13 km marker on the FSR, an open area marks the beginning of an abandoned logging road that connects to the western section of the trail system. Five or six vehicles can be accommodated.
Winter access to the trail system is usually limited to the trailhead at 9.5 km because the FSR is not consistently ploughed beyond that point.
The trails in this system are not technically difficult and are suitable for most outdoor enthusiasts. The terrain in this part of the Aberdeen Plateau rises gradually from an average of about 1235m at the trailheads to a high point of about 1320m on PETE’S TRAIL, about one half of a kilometer north of the junction with SNOW LADY. Slightly steeper climbs get you to similar elevations on ABERDEEN VIEW and HILL TOP View/Loop. TWO HILLS presents a somewhat greater challenge as it requires two climbs to over 1360m. By far the steepest climb in the system is the 20m rise over the first 100m of ROUND ABOUT starting from its southern junction with PETE’S TRAIL. Individually any one of these trails could be rated as “Easy” but, given that most snowshoeing or hiking will likely involve one or more of the trails, the total distance a trail user is considering will govern whether for them the trip will be “Easy”, “Moderate”, or “Hard”. Snow conditions can often turn an “Easy” snowshoe outing into an especially “Hard” outing.
Each snowshoe trail is marked in the field with its own unique flagging. Please see the map for the flagging used for the trail you are planning to snowshoe, and make sure you follow this flagging in the field. The map also indicates the length of each trail. Trail users should be aware that many other users regularly use this area, motorized and non-motorized. Others have marked trails with a variety of flagging. While the VOC has provided additional signage at locations where a trail user might confuse one of these trails for a part of the Aberdeen snowshoe system, use of navigation aids is highly recommended so you know where you are at all times.
Disclaimer
Use of this information is entirely at your own risk and the VOC accepts no liability whatsoever for your use of any trail information on this website. VOC clears and flags trails to facilitate group events lead by a VOC member. Hazards may exist on the trails and route-finding skills and navigation aids such as a GPS and/or map and compass are required. You must assess your own ability and readiness to use any trail mentioned on this website. The Aberdeen area is a backcountry area where cell service is not available, and you should make appropriate preparations to safely recreate in this area.
Maps
There are two maps available for this area. One is a printable version. The other is a geo-referenced map that can be downloaded in PDF-Avenza and used for navigation using a GPS equipped mobile device and the Avenza app. You will need to download the Avenza app from your device’s app store. Once you have the Avenza app on your mobile device, click on the Aberdeen-Avenza map link and open it in Avenza.
A copy of the trail routes is also provided in GPX format for users of Garmin devices and other apps that can import GPX routes.
A link is also provided to the geo-referenced maps provided by BC Parks for the snowshoe trails in Silver Star provincial park. This info is maintained by BC Parks, direct any enquiries to them.
DOWNLOAD GEO-REFERENCED SILVER STAR MAP
Driving Directions
- Drive east from downtown Vernon on highway 6 towards Lavington.
- At the intersection of 15th St/Middleton Rd and highway 6 zero your trip odometer.
- At 12.2km turn right onto School Rd. in the hamlet of Lavington. This is a good place to carpool from Lavington Park if you are with a group.
- At 13.2km turn left at the T junction onto Learmouth Rd
- Continue generally east on Learmouth – it’s twisty!
- At 16.5km turn left at the T junction onto Whitevale Rd
- At the 18km point the road surface changes to high quality gravel and the road name changes to Aberdeen Main FSR. (Bluenose Rd on some maps) Set odometer to zero.
- At around 4km you pass the trailhead for the Bluenose hiking trail on you left. Keep going to the switchback at 9.5km and park at the trailhead. This is the junction with Craster Road on your map.
Road conditions: Expect winter driving conditions. Road is generally plowed to the 9.5km trailhead. The gravel portion is generally well maintained. At any time in the winter there may be a fairly deep layer of fresh snow on the roads – use your own judgement about whether it is safe to proceed or more prudent to turn around and go home.