Posted coords are for parking only - cache is NOT located here.
NO BUSHWACKING REQUIRED AT ANY TIME. - ALL stages are ON the trail.
Paradise Meadows is approx. a 160 ha. portion of Plateau area on east side of Strathcona Provincial Park, which is a 250,000-hectare wilderness area and the oldest provincial park in BC.
Beyond the meadows a well-marked route takes visitors over groomed trails and boardwalks with some steps and gently rolling hills.
This sub-alpine plateau features many lakes and a large variety of trees, bushes and flowers, which produce a splendid display of colour in the fall.
Visitors often see friendly Gray Jays, sometimes called whiskey jacks, and the occasional Black Bear. The endangered Vancouver Island Marmot is sometimes spotted on the adjacent ski slopes of Mt. Washington.
Best Season - Summer for flowers, early autumn for colourful foliage and migrating birds.
Facilities - Wilderness Centre open July- Sept.; Trail signs; Parking lot ; Camping; Picnic area at Centre; Outdoor amphitheatre; Plant signs in summer; Drinking water in summer; Pit toilet; Accessible indoor washroom in summer; accessible boardwalk loop trail.
Snow can fall by the end of October and can linger into the summer months so check conditions before you go.
Main Access From Highway 19, take Exit #130 west, follow Strathcona Parkway for 17.5 km, then turn left & follow the Nordic Rd. for 2.4 km. for Parking at BC Parks trailhead.
The trailhead is at the parking lot at the Strathcona Park Wilderness Centre next to Raven Lodge.
From there, follow the 1.5 km long Centennial Loop, suitable for all mobility devices.
There is a further 1.2 km Paradise Meadows Loop that continues on to wander through a large meadow, fen and forest passing numerous ponds. (boardwalk, trail & some steps)
» For more Centenial Loop Trail information, go to: Centenial Trail
» For information and maps of Strathcona Park trails go to: Strathcona Park.
» For information about the Trees & Flowering Plants in Paradise Meadows, go to: Trees & Plants.
» For information about the trailhead Information Centre, hours of operation, and Programs offered by the Strathcona Wilderness Institute, go to : Strathcona Wilderness.
» Park at the posted coords in the trailhead parking lot near Raven Lodge Nordic Centre.
» Follow the Centenial Loop Trail down and around the Meadows.
» PLEASE, STAY ON THE TRAILS AND BOARDWALKS.
» At 10 places along the trail as listed in "Additional Waypoints" you will find a marker.
» You are looking for 1" x 2" metal tags fastened to the inside of the boardwalk railing.
» Each tag has a letter = number combination on it. (i.e. X = 5.)
» Plug these numbers into the this coord formula:-
» N 49° A D K . F F G
H
» W 125° C B K . J E A
H
» Return to the Parking Lot area before looking for Final Cache Location.
» Cache Final is accessed from Parking Lot -- NO BUSHWACKING required at any time.
» The trail, all stages, and the final cache are all wheelchair accessible.
» 1st, 2nd, & 3rd to find prizes.
» There is a special FTF package for the first to find in a wheelchair.
Please take your time and enjoy your stroll in beautiful Paradise Meadows.