Our group of six and a dog hiked up to see the Nugedzi Lakes and viewpoints.  The weather forecast called for rain, but there was very little, so we were glad we went anyway.  We stopped near the top of the old logging road to see the northeast viewpoint which had considerable cloud.  Further on, the water level in the Lily Pond has been seriously reduced by the recent drought.  The southeast viewpoint looking down the Strait of Georgia beyond the pond was also quite cloudy, but clear enough to see a long way.  We took the initiative to remove the white plastic tarp which covered cement bags turned to concrete over a decade ago and bring it down in a garbage bag.  We continued on to Nugedzi Lake for lunch.  Although the weather was improving, no one was tempted to swim.  We also visited the western viewpoint over Discovery Passage before returning and making the short side trip to Little Nugedzi Lake, then heading back down the hill to the vehicles. This is a great, highly varied hike and good exercise.  10.8 km; 365 m elevation gain; 5½ hours.

Julie

Thanks to Norris and Les for the photos

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Nugedzi Lakes and Viewpoints – 29 August 2018

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

Six hikers went to the end of Leishman Road and up the woodlot road to a spot by the bridge to park. There is large, gnarled, old growth fir near here that is worth looking at. We hiked up the old road to where it joins the official trail at the beaver pond. The beaver lodge shows well this time of year. We turned right and went up to Blindman’s Bluff trail. The trail is in good shape but one needs to watch as to not wander off it. There has not been much traffic on it so moss has grown on much of it. It was a mixed cloud and sun day so the views were spectacular over Gowlland Harbour and south. The wind was chilly though so we sat out of the open to have lunch.

After lunch we continued back to Eagle Ridge Trail and up to the top of it. There were great views over Discovery Passage. We then returned via the same route to the vehicles.

Les

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Hiking – Blindman’s Bluff and Eagle Ridge – 14 March 2018