By: Magi Scallion
There are lots of great places to run in this great wide world and I’m sure many of them are absolutely spectacular, too. I can’t even count how many trails I’ve been on that have made me stop and breathe in the beauty surrounding me. We’re lucky to live on this great planet and have the health and fitness to get out and enjoy it.
All that said, my absolutely favourite trail run is at Nipika Mountain Resort, deep in the Kootenay Rocky Mountains. I go to Nipika quite frequently so this is not, to me, a special run or anything out of the ordinary. It’s the loop we call the “south loop” and is about 15 km in length – 10 km of double track and about 15 km of single track.
The loop starts on double track with some gradual climbing along the bench of a mountain. As you slowly climb (you feel like a hero because the grade is negligible) the trail opens into some meadows and you get some nice views across the valley. Eventually you start descending on some single track that runs parallel to, yet high above, Cochrane Creek – one of the many glacier fed rivers in the area. Cochrane Creek joins the Kootenay River and the trail continues upstream along the Kootenay and back toward Nipika.
Most of the single track is on a high ridge above Cochrane Creek or the Kootenay River. Never a run passes without some wildlife far below enjoying what the river has to offer – bears, deer, elk, eagles and more. It’s quite special.
Although I’m sure I’ve been on many more spectacular runs, this one is just very accessible to me and probably why I consider it to be my favourite. It’s a 15 km loop, easy to do, and I always feel better when I’m back in the Nipika Meadow.
Get out there!
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Born in Nova Scotia and emigrating to British Columbia via Ontario and Alberta, Magi has been running the entire way. Primarily defined as a cross country ski racer, Magi has competed nationally and internationally in that sport. The highlight of her career was competing in the World University Games and the World Cup races in Canada in 2007. Cross country skiers rely heavily on running for cross training and Magi has become an accomplished trail and mountain runner, representing Canada at the World Mountain Running Championships in 2005 and the winning numerous national championships medals.
Today Magi runs for fun… and it’s a lot of fun! Epic mountain runs, city cruises with friends, and more keep her happy and occupied outside of work and school.
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