Eleven of us, and one very polite dog, had a beautiful, sunny, cool day for this hike through varied forest to see some of Quadra’s biggest old growth trees. The first part of the hike skirts Vic’s Marsh through open forest and meadows passed Vic’s barn-like house. We stopped briefly at the bluff overlooking the open water part of the marsh to enjoy the view. The next section follows a narrow, flagged trail which undulates, often along a creek or below bluffs and heads into Main Lake Provincial Park. After the T-junction with the logging road, the right turn leads more or less north with a gradual grade and wide allowance, though very wet at this time of year. This area has the feel of a very remote rainforest, with lichen, moss and lungwort. After crossing a small creek, the trail ascends to the glade with old growth Douglas fir and cedar. We stopped for lunch in the grove and three followed the loop around the glade before returning the way we had come.
Some of this trail is actively maintained and the flagging on the rest is very helpful. The Club had not done this hike in nearly four years and it’s good to see the trail condition is not too bad and that people are using it to see into the old Main Lake Park forest. 11.4 km round trip, 5 hours.
Debbie
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- Vic’s Marsh
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- Bluff over the marsh
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- Old Man’s beard lichen
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- Along the old logging road
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- By the big Douglas fir
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Quadra Island Outdoor Club 