Five women met at the Thompson trailhead for a two and a half hour hike.  Having missed the threat of snow the previous day, we had a dry and sunny morning, with the temperature a bit above freezing and light wind from the north.  We headed up Thompson Trail to the first viewpoint.  After stopping to take in the views north and east to gloriously snowy mainland mountains, we walked north down the open ridge, dropping to the forest floor at the big maple tree.  From here, we followed a deer trail north to the B&B trail, turning south on the B&B at this point through pleasant second-growth forest and along a deeply-cut unnamed stream.  Reaching the Thompson Trail junction, we followed it south to the second viewpoint.  Climbing to the top of the ridge, we stopped for a break in the warm sun, again taking in snowy views to the east.  From here, we followed a rough off-trail route east and north down the ridge, eventually connecting to Thompson Trail and back to the vehicles.  The weather and company were perfect for a stunning December hike.

– Janis

hiking-thompson-bb-trail-loop-20-dec-2017

The morning was quite dry, but since it had rained over 100 mm in the last four days, everything was very wet.  And we were still expecting more.  The eight of us hiked this lovely loop on maintained trail, which is quite protected in bad weather.  The fall colours were still strong, and everything was green and lush from the rain.  The maples, cliffs and overhanging rocks, the old growth fir, creeks and moss make this a beautiful walk.  5.3 km; 2 hours.

Debbie and Julie

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Hiking – Hopespring-Thompson Trail Loop – 15 Nov 2017

The hike to Mt. Becher was postponed due to super hot weather, poor visibility from BC forest fires, and ferry overloads. Instead we opted for a cooler, local hike to Kanish Bay and Darkwater Lake. After a long drive over rough logging roads, with a few stops for lake views and wildflowers, we parked and walked to Kanish Bay along a somewhat overgrown old logging road. It was pleasant and cool in the forest and there were still more wildflowers. Views of Kanish Bay don’t come easily, but we bushwhacked down to a gravel beach for lunch, views and a breeze.

We walked back to the vehicle and drove toward Darkwater Lake. The walk is very short, through open understory forest, to the mossy peninsula. We sat on the rocks by the lake and Julie swam in the cool water.  4.0 for Kanish Bay; 1.4 km to Darkwater; 2½ hours total without the driving.

– Norris

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Hiking – Darkwater Lake & Kanish Bay – 28 June 2017

We had four different trips scheduled for June 28th at different times. It was like musical chairs; the weather just wouldn’t cooperate. In the end, five of us hiked to Eagle Ridge from the end of Leishman Rd.  The logging road we walked makes a good approach through mostly mature open forest. There is one spectacular old growth fir near the road. We joined the official Eagle Ridge trail at the wetlands and hiked up to the open ridge with great views of Discovery Passage and the Vancouver Island mountains on a beautiful sunny day.  On the return trip, we appreciated the eagle, dragonflies, song sparrow and mama duck with 11 ducklings in the pond. And the wildflowers were amazing: lupine, foxglove, sedum, ocean spray, twin flower, arnica, yarrow, daisy, pussytoes, and more.  4.9 km; 2¾ hours.

Debbie

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The scheduled Beech’s Mountain loop was postponed due to a weather forecast of showers. Instead the group of eight hikers and two dogs hiked the Shellalligan trail. As it turned out, the weather was fine – cloudy and a bit breezy in exposed places, but no rain. We walked along the open rock shelves adjacent to Hoskyn Channel, with good views eastward to Read Island and Dunsterville Island. Further along, we had long views south to Marina Island, Mitlenatch Island and beyond. As the trail turned west and inland a bit we entered Village Bay. Sitka spruce made an appearance along the trail, and numerous very large and gorgeous maple trees greeted the group.   We dropped down to a rocky beach on Village Bay for lunch. The second half of the loop took us through varied forest of different species and age classes, very lush and green at this time of year. Trip time was three hours; 4.7 km. We convened at the home of Valerie and Allard Van Veen in Open Bay for tea and cake, with great views of Open Bay and good conversation. Thank you Valerie!

Janis

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