After some discussion about the most advantageous direction for doing the loop around Nugedzi Lake and Mt Seymour (lake-then-summit won) 8 hikers set off, did a quick car drop-off and started up the Nugedzi Lake trail. It is steeper than the approach from the Granite Bay Road, and we were happy to do that climb before the day got any hotter. Brief stops were made at a couple of viewpoints, and before noon the group was settled on the “mermaid rock” by Nugedzi Lake. A couple of hikers plunged in for a quick swim. We ate our lunch enjoying the breeze across the lake, and then made our way along the path that skirts the rest of the lake. With more sun exposure, but also more breeze, headed up to the ridge toward Mt Seymour summit. It is not a substantial elevation gain from the lake, but after about 30 minutes of sinuous up-and-down along the ridge one is always thinking “alright – I am ready for the summit”. Once at the top, there was a bit of overcast to temper the sun as we enjoyed the view. The trip down to the Granite Bay Road was a gentle descent, on a pretty mossy trail with welcome shade. We were out by about 3 pm.  10.6 km; 5⅓ hours.

Kathryn

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Hiking – Mt. Seymour – 19 July 2017

Nine people and a dog hiked the classic Morte Lake loop.  The weather was good and the trail was in good condition.  A few people went for a swim. 9.5 km; 3½ hours.

Julie

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Thanks to Jonathan for the photos.

Hiking- Morte Lake Loop – 12 July 2017

With the arrival of a strong high pressure ridge and the first day of summer, the time was right to hike the Beech’s Mountain loop. Eight hikers and two dogs climbed Beech’s Mountain via the South Chinese Trail. Beech’s trail follows a series of rock bluffs between fir and hemlock forested sections, with arguably the best views of any trail on the Island, scanning the far distance to the south, west and east at various viewpoints.   The dry weather was welcome, since there are several steep sections on rock. After numerous photo stops and a rest at the top, the group continued on a route only, descending the north side and dropping down to an old logging road. After about fifteen minutes on the road, we followed a convoluted route over another series of bluffs which brought us to the North Chinese Mountain trail. From here, it was a straightforward walk down the steep trail to the parking lot.  The second half of this loop is not recommended unless hiking with someone who knows the route down the far side of Beech’s Mountain. The Davidson’s penstemons at the top were sadly all but finished blooming, but there was columbine, yarrow, saxiphrage, brodiaea, yellow monkey flower and veronica along the way. Total time was four and a half hours; 6.9 km.

Janis

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Hiking – Beech’s Mtn Loop – 14 June 2017