It was forecast to be another scorching hot day, so we moved the start time an hour earlier.  Instead of taking the usual hiking trail up South Chinese Mountain, the four of us took a climbers’ path, which goes steeply up to the base of the rock wall.  From there the path is less steep and goes up a swale between the south peak and a minor southeast bluff.  We took a side trail which goes up that bluff for excellent viewpoints, a rest and a snack.  We continued on the path back down to meet the main trail at the “mud hole”.  Coming back down the regular trail we took the new “scenic route” trail which avoids a badly eroded section of the original trail.  Then we took another scenic route, which avoids another part of the main trail which is more stream bed than trail.  The second scenic section is not marked or flagged, but it is a very nice alternative route.  It rejoins the main south bluff trail near a viewpoint.   3.4 km; 2½ hours; 220 m elevation gain.

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Hiking – Alternate Chinese Mtn Loop – 24 Aug 2022

Six of us set out for Manzanita Bluff on one of the hottest days of the year, so far – about 34° C.  The view at the top is worth it, and the hike up is in the shade of an open forest with some fine Douglas fir trees.  We hiked up the 250 metres in 1½ hours and had lunch enjoying the great view from the bluff.  We descended quickly and took the side trip to Darkwater Lake for a well deserved swim in this excellent lake.  5.3 km; 4¼ hours

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Hiking – Manzanita Bluff – 27 July 2022

Our small group parked off of Copperhead logging road, now that the culvert has been replaced.  We descended to the wetlands before meandering up through the forest and bluffs to Eagle Ridge.  The day was overcast and humid, after a few days of heavy rain.  Just before we reached the high point of the ridge a Night Hawk flew across the trail onto the bluff and then into a tree.  We assumed that this was to divert us away from a ground nest and moved on to the high viewpoint.  After a brief stop on the ridge we returned the same way and noticed that there was a single egg alarmingly close to the trail.  Our second destination was Blindman’s Bluff on the hill to the south of Eagle Ridge.  Both of these are excellent walks with lots of variety and views.  We stopped for lunch at the main viewpoint overlooking Gowlland Harbour and Discovery Passage before heading back.  5.7 km; 3½ hours

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Hiking – Eagle Ridge and blindman’s Bluff – 6 July 2022