Six hikers and one dog enjoyed a three hour hike on Heriot Ridge. The weather was cloudy and threatened rain but none materialized, and we were even treated to occasional weak sun behind the clouds. Starting at the Hopespring trailhead, we walked up to the height of land, then headed south off-trail along the bluffs of Heriot Ridge. Our first stop was the location of the new North Island communication tower. From there we dropped off the south end of the ridge and proceeded through the woods to High Bluff viewpoint where we stopped for a break and snack. The Vancouver Island mountains were hidden from view, but we had closer views of Gowlland Harbour and Georgia Strait to the west and south. We returned north along the ridge’s open bluffs at a lower elevation, stopping to admire a rare grand old Douglas fir tree and wonder about a large pile of feathers, probably belonging to an unfortunate grouse. Back at Hopespring Trail, we headed north along Heriot Ridge Trail, and were treated to a frog chorus at a small wetland along the way. We connected to the Thompson Trail and proceeded down the trail to Thompson Road.

Janis

Hiking – Heriot Ridge and North Loop – 21 March 2018