Seven of us set out on a hike to Waiatt Bay on Sunday. It was overcast and cool but just right for a long hike. The road from Granite Bay to the trail head is much better due to the logging road expansion. The trail in to Newton Lake is in good shape and the uphill hike makes for a good warm up. We stopped at the swimming spot for a snack and to admire the blue/green aqua color of the lake. As we descended to Small Inlet we passed the waterfall from the lake, which was gorgeous as usual. As we passed the head of the inlet we took the inland route which seems to be the preferred route now for hikers.  The tide was out at Waiatt Bay so made for a variety of spots for lunch.

On the return trip we took the portage trail to Small Inlet. It is in poor shape and much in need of some chainsaw work. It is always amazing though to see the bubbling spring near the ocean. From there we returned the same route in sunshine. The total trip was 14 km and took about 5 and a half hours.

(click on photos to view larger)

Hiking – Newton Lake, Small Inlet & Waiatt Bay – 17 May 2015

The weather forecast for this trip had been “60% rain” for a long time, so we had a back-up plan in place for an alternate destination. On the day of the trip, we awoke to rain. But by the time we arrived at the meeting place, the rain had stopped and it looked like it would be a nice day. So, back to Plan A. Seven of us went up the North Chinese Mountain trail to the flagged route up the ridge parallel and to the northeast of the Beech’s Mountain ridge. We followed Beaver Lake logging road for a while and then the flagged route to Noel’s Pizza lookout for lunch. Great views from there even though the mountains were in cloud. After lunch we went up the ridge to the upper cairn (475 m), descended to the saddle and took a short-cut to the flagged route to Beech’s Mountain. We enjoyed the views from the top, then down the maintained trail to the parking lot. 8.0 km; 5 hours. The moss is already dry, but the wild flowers were superb: columbine, wild bleeding heart, monkey flower, blue-eyed Mary, chocolate lily, coral root orchid, death camas, wild rose, yellow violets, penstemons, and many more.

(click on photos to view larger)

Hiking – Nole’s Pizza Peak – 13 May 2015

The weather cooperated this time and gave us a nice day for a lovely walk in the woods.  The first leg of this trip heads west along Vic’s Marsh, after that it turns north and heads into  Main Lake Provincial Park.  The trees are plastered with lichens and moss making it an enchanted forest.  There are very impressive trees scattered along the whole walk, including a gigantic white pine, and there are some huge stumps from before this area became a park.  The destination, the old growth grove, has some big trees!  We didn’t think of it, but we should have taken a tape measure so we could say how big they are. We would also like to know how tall they are and how old they are.

The trail and trail flagging is in good condition, other than all the fallen trees that you have to climb under or over or go around, and except for the little loop that goes through the grove.   13.4 km round trip, 5½ hours.  12 hikers.

(click on photos to view larger)

Stramberg Old Growth – 1 April 2015