Across British Columbia, the autumnal shades of copper, bronze, and ruby offer world-class beauty and colours as rich as any imagination might conjure.
One of the rarest and most unique autumn treats in Boundary Country are the Larches, which for less than one month of the year turn into a magical golden hue. It is the only conifer which behaves like a deciduous tree, shifting colour and losing its needles for the winter.
“There are only a few places to see the larch, and a short period of time in which these deciduous conifers’ needles—technically leaves—turn their signature golden hue,” states Destination BC, a provincial Crown corporation, which markets BC as a tourist destination.
The window typically begins in late September and ends with the first mountain snowfall in late October.
“Seeing them requires investment and commitment, but the rewards are worth the trouble,” Destination BC affirms. “While you have to hike into the alpine in the fall, when the weather is chilly, the alpine is at the height of its beauty at this time of year once the bugs have fled the scene and so have the summer crowds.”
Along the Crowsnest Highway spanning southern BC lie special opportunities to discover larches, including several throughout the Boundary.
You’ll be able to see some from the road, but to truly appreciate these magnificent wonders, we recommend hiking or biking on trails for better Golden Larch access. Look closely to find these splendours dotted along the Kettle Valley Trail, as well as in groves throughout high-elevation areas like Phoenix Mountain and Midway Mountain.
Photo by Woodfin & Co.
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