Find Masks in the Trees on This Unique Trail
Hiking Trail Review: Spirit Trail Loop (Shxwell xá:lh), Harrison Hot Springs, BC
Location: East Sector Lands, Harrison Hot Springs
Park here: McCoombs Drive
Park hours: 7 a.m. to sunset
Facilities: Two picnic benches; one outhouse
Hike distance: 1 km loop
Elevation gain: Minimal
Hike duration: 20-30 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Learn more: Click here
Finding the Trailhead
Heading south from Harrison Lake, follow Google Maps to a small parking lot on McCoombs Drive.
The Hike Itself
What makes this trail so special is not only the beautiful second-growth forest, the enjoyable smooth trail or the lack of crowds in the off-season—it’s the stunningly unique handmade clay masks that adorn the trees, breathing new life and personality into the majestic conifers.
Local artist Ernie Eaves is a retired schoolteacher who taught woodwork and drama. He started walking his dog on the trails in 2007. When a fellow hiker remarked that the trees around them seemed like they had individual personalities, the chance encounter sparked an idea—Ernie began creating wild and wacky masks for the trees.
As you wander through the enchanted woods, count the masks—I found nearly 50. Discovering the faces as you stroll the easy-to-follow loop trail is a fun activity for kids and adults alike.
The masks allow you to peer into the trees’ spirits. I felt the presence of eyes watching me. It gave me goosebumps, but I didn’t feel afraid or unwelcome.
The trail itself is hard-packed gravel; gnarled roots intersperse the pathway. When we visited, wet leaves stuck to the dirt and cushioned our footsteps. Our heads were constantly turned upwards; the masks are all placed around the same height, making them easier to spot amongst the bark, foliage and moss. Sometimes, the faces seemed to come out of nowhere, materializing before our eyes; other times, we could spot the smiles and grimaces from far away. The wide array of emotions displayed were, at times, frightening, funny and familiar. Some even resembled fantastical beasts.
In other spots, nature has begun reclaiming the art. Moss grows between teeth like stuck spinach and spiderwebs knit together to form sticky beards. The trees seem to be absorbing the masks, wearing the faces against their bark like a burl.
Wander, stop to ponder and take photographs or videos, and you might find this trail takes double the time. Follow the arrows and trail markers, and let your imagination run wild—this unique type of outdoor art is a special experience.
When You Go:
- Stop by Muddy Waters Café for breakfast or lunch. All of their sandwiches, drinks and pastries are fresh, tasty and delicious.
- Pick up a chocolate Sasquatch Foot at Rocky Mountain Chocolate to reward yourself for finding this hike.
- Learn more about the area and find Bigfoot at the Harrison Visitor’s Centre and Sasquatch Museum.
- Stay in a cabin at the Lodge on Harrison Lake for a relaxing overnight adventure. Pour a bubble bath with views of the lake, cold plunge into the waves and warm up in the wood-barrel sauna.
