Category Archives: Strathcona Park

Trip Report – Mt. Elma – 25 Sept 2025

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Nine of us took advantage of an overcast, but gentle day to make this lovely hike to Mt. Elma.  It has been a very dry summer on the Forbidden Plateau and the autumn colours were not as intense as some years, but deep reds nonetheless.  We walked through Paradise Meadows on the boardwalk and continued up to Battleship Lake where we admired the views from the various platforms.  We carried on past Kooso and Lady Lake before turning off on the now well worn trail up to Mt. Elma.  The route is increasingly steep as it nears the ridge and then flattens out as it meanders through the excellent sub-alpine terrain with great views and foliage.  We stopped for lunch at the south end of the ridge and managed to eat most of what we had brought, in spite of very aggressive Canada Jays.  We returned via Helen Mackenzie Lake to make the trip more varied and then were quickly back to the parking lot.  As we reached the vehicles, we saw Sandhill Cranes flying overhead and circling around. 14.7 km; 500m elevation gain; 6¼ hours.

Debbie

Thanks to Carrie, Jim and Norris for the photos

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Mt. Elma – 25 Sept 2025

Hiking – Mt. Elma, Strathcona Park – 25 Sept 2025

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The date for this hike has been changed!

Activity Hiking
Destination Mt. Elma, Strathcona Park
Date 25 Sept 2025, Thursday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info dmquigg@gmail.com or 3710; Please contact the coordinator by Monday evening.
Description We will hike from Raven Lodge up to Battleship Lake and continue on the Forbidden Plateau trail, passing Lady Lake.  The trail up Mt. Elma is not an official, maintained trail.   The Mt. Elma summit  is 1,420m and will have good views in all directions, weather permitting.  Approximately 14 km, 420 m elevation gain, 5+ hours.
Meeting Place QCove ferry terminal
Departure Time 8:00 ferry.
Difficulty
 Moderate to challenging
Costs Ferry and fuel
Trip limits 10
Dogs? No
Notes: If you wish to car pool, please make your own arrangements.  We will not do this trip in poor weather.

Hiking – Century Sam – 12 July 2025

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This hike is postponed!

Activity Hiking
Destination Century Sam Lake
Date 12 July, Saturday
Trip Coordinator Louise Squire
Contact Info lsquire@sasktel.net
Description This trip is hard to schedule because it needs good weather and the access is through a gate which is only unlocked for 12 hours on Saturday and on Sunday. Mosaic says on Thursday if the gate. will be unlocked.  Once passed the gate, the access is via a logging road which eventually has water bars. The hike itself is on a heavily used, but not really maintained trail. The creek crossings are on logs. To the lake is about 8.3 km (return) and 400m elevation gain; to the ice caves is about 13.6 km (return) and 570m elevation gain. The hiking time may be about 7 hours. The trail will likely be very busy.
Meeting Place QCove ferry terminal
Departure Time 7:00  am ferry
Difficulty
 Challenging for the length of the day, altitude, elevation gain and poor quality of the trail.
Costs Ferry, shared fuel costs.
Trip limits 8
Dogs? No
Notes: We will not do this trip in poor weather.   Come prepared for mountain conditions.

Snow – Mt. Washington – 6 Feb 2025

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This trip was cancelled

Activity Snowshoeing
Destination Mt. Washington
Date 6 Feb, Thursday
Trip Coordinator Louise Squire
Contact Info lsquire@sasktel.net or 306-539-3813
Description Mt Washington snowshoe excursion leaving from Raven Lodge through the meadows, passing by Battleship Lake and Helen MacKenzie Lake to return. Approx distance of 7.5 kmAs Thursday is Cortes guaranteed sailing, we will be taking the 8:30 ferry to Campbell River. Snowshoes can be rented if needed and there is a $16 day pass that is required.
Meeting Place Quathiaski Cove Ferry terminal
Departure Time 8:30 ferry.
Difficulty
 Moderate.
Costs Ferry, fuel and $16 Day Pass
Trip limits 10
Dogs? No
Notes: We will not go if rain is forecast at 1,000m. Bring lunch and gear appropriate for the weather.

Trip Report – Mt. Washington – 8 Jan 2025

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Seven of us put on snowshoes and wandered around the Mt. Washington official snowshoe trails in two groups, one more ambitious than the other.  The day was sunny and warm and the trees were raining as the snow in the trees melted.  There were the sounds of “tree bombs” around us as clumps of snow also fell out of the trees.

The more ambitious group did Rossiter’s Rise, Tree Beard, Crooked Creek, Lookout and some of Old Cabin Loop .  (7.3 km, 3.5 hours, 215m ascent)

Norris

Thanks to Jim and Norris for the photos

(click on photos to view larger)

Snow – Mt. Washington – 8 Jan 2025

Trip Report – Quinsam River West – 9 Oct 2024

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Three of us had a great hike along the west side of the Quinsam River on a beautiful fall day.  The trail along the low bank of the river was very busy with the salmon run and many people fishing.  We started on the trail from the bridge on Quinsam Road and followed it up stream to the salmon hatchery.  From there we hiked up into the forest following mountain bike trails to the high bank area.  The maples were at their peak of colour and the forest is quite varied as it meanders up stream.  Mostly the trail was in good condition and drier than expected, but unfortunately the motor bike abuse is causing erosion of the trail and bank in places.  Occasionally the brush had grown in, but this might deter the motor bikes.

We reached the bend in the river where the bank is especially high and the view down to the river is excellent.  We could see the bench where we have lunch on the east side of the river.  We continued briefly on the trail following a side ravine, until we reached a logging road and electrical poles.  We returned to Eagle Bluff for a lunch stop in the dappled sun before heading back down the river.  This area is often overlooked because of the popularity of Elk Falls and the Campbell River, but it is very accessible and well worth the walk.  (11.6 km; 4 hours)

Debbie

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Quinsam West- 9 Oct 2024

Trip Report – Forbidden Plateau – 18 Sept 2024

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Eight members met at the Q-Cove parking lot to head out to Mt Washington to embark on one of the longest hikes completed so far in 2024. While weather forecasts called for rain and clouds, Mother Nature provided a beautiful day no showers and the clouds clearing to allow us to catch glimpses of the beautiful mountain ranges and peaks.

Starting at Raven Lodge, the group easily walked through the wheelchair accessible part of the Forbidden Plateau Loop. Once past that, the trail was well maintained to hike past Battleship Lake, Kooso Lake, Lady Lake and finally arriving at Croteau Lake for a much needed break and lunch.

After lunch, the hike to Kwai Lake was completed and a decision made not continue the loop to the west of Helen Makenzie Lake due to past rains and the steep, slippery sections we were to encounter with no great views. Therefore, the hike changed from a basic loop to a bell-bar hike and instead of heading back towards Raven Lodge we carried on completing a small loop around Mariwood Lake and back to Kwai Lake. Here we retraced our steps back past Croteau Lake, Lady Lake, Kooso Lake and then crossed over to the other side of the loop walking past breathtaking view of Lake Helen Mackenzie. Here we completed the second part of our bell-bar and closed the loop back up to Raven Lodge.

September was a beautiful time to enjoy the cooler temperatures and fall colors, along with the mushroom and blueberries. (20.5 km, 7¾ hours, 600 m cumulative elevation gain)

Louise

Thanks to Carrie, Jim and Norris for the photos

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Forbidden Plateau – 18 Sept 2024

Hiking – Forbidden Plateau Loop – 18 Sept 2024

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Activity Hiking
Destination Forbidden Plateau Loop, Strathcona Park
Date 18 Sept, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Louise Squire
Contact Info lsquire@sasktel.net
Description Due to longer hike, we will be meeting at the Q-Cove parking lot to ensure we are on the 8:30am ferry to travel Mt Washington. We will be starting at Raven Lodge. While there are actually three potential loops, we will be taking the larger loop through Paradise Meadows, past Battleship Lake and carrying on past Croteau Lake and eventually making our way around Kwai Lake and back to Raven Lodge. September should be a beautiful time to enjoy the lower temperatures and fall colours. There will be 2 or 3 km to the west of Helen Mackenzie Lake that will be harder, so the decision of which way we decide to complete the loop will be finalized once we have arrived. Bring lots of water and a lunch and snack as the trip will be about 6-7 hours, plus driving time and 18km.
Meeting Place Q Cover Ferry Terminal
Departure Time 8:30 am ferry departure time
Difficulty
 Moderate for long day and elevation
Costs Ferry costs and shared fuel
Trip limits 10
Dogs? No
Notes: Car pooling to be organized in advance to limit vehicles and costs. Please let me know if you will be driving or if you would like to carpool with someone else.  This trip is weather dependent.

Trip Report – Gold River Area – 15-17 July 2024

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Day 1: There were six of us for the hikes to the Upper and Lower Myra Falls in Strathcona Provincial Park.  We had a beautiful, but very warm day, and enjoyed the drive out along the Upper Campbell and Buttle Lakes.  We started hiking at 11:30 and made our way along the well maintained trail through a mature forest and occasionally large boulders, arriving at the Upper Falls within an hour.  The falls had lots of water pouring through.  We had lunch near the end of the trail and then headed back down.  (7.4 km; 1.5 hours; 220m elevation gain)

(Click on photos to enlarge)

We drove a short way to the Lower Myra Falls parking area.  The hot weather made this a popular and busy destination.  We walked down to the viewpoint and then out to the falls.  While we had seen no one on the Upper Falls trail, there were lots of people here.  These falls are more accessible and very beautiful, but completely different from the upper falls, with a series of smaller cascades and wide open rocks to get close to the water.  We left without swimming.  (1.4 km; 0.75 hours; 60m elevation gain)

Four of us continued on to Gold River and set up camp at three neighbouring sites along the Gold River.  It was lovely, shaded and peaceful.

Day 2:  We had an intentionally leisurely start and some of us explored the trails from the campground along the river in the early morning.  We began hiking around Antler Lake shortly after 10:00 on an even hotter day than Monday.  This well-constructed trail has quite a lot of variety with lake views, boulder fields, quirky trail decorations and truly impressive old growth trees.  We took our time to appreciate all that it had to offer.  (4.3 km; 1.75 hours; 100m)

We had lunch at a picnic area by Antler Lake and then drove out to the Upana Caves stopping at the Cala Creek Falls for the view.  There are fives caves in the Upana Cave system.  The trails between them are quite short.  The maps are very interesting, but not always easy to visualize once you are in the cave.  We visited all the caves, but did not have the enthusiasm for slithering in the mud or getting very wet.  We missed some of the loops in the caves inadvertently. (0.8 km; 1.75 hours)  It was 33° C on the drive back to Gold River and we were happy for our shaded campsites.  There was some exploration to a swimming area on the Gold River in Peppercorn Park, used by locals.

Day 3 – We mostly headed home, but three of us hiked the short walk from the Gold River bridge to the junction with the Heber River and up along the Heber Gorge, which is quite impressive.  The trail is unmaintained, but has a chainlink fence along much of the way where the trail is narrow and exposed.  (2.9 km; 1.25 hours; 85m elevation gain)  On the way home we stopped for photos on the Upper Campbell Lake and for lunch at the Echo Lake Rec Site.

There was at least one new area to explore for everyone that came on this trip.  The weather was photogenic, if hot, and there was great variety with the varied falls, the lakes, beautiful forests and fascinating caves.  There is lots to explore near to us on Vancouver Island.

Debbie

Multi-day Hiking, Camping – Gold River area – 15-17 July 2024

Trip Report – Century Sam Lake – 13 July 2024

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Five of us hiked to the picture postcard called Century Sam Lake.  It’s named after a character that Sid Williams played.  Must have been quite a character to have a lake like this named after him.  We wanted to hike to it when it was in full sunshine, to show off the deep blue-green.  The trade off was that it was very hot.  But the crowd that was there was fully into swimming and diving off cliffs, so it was perfect weather – cloudless, a bit of breeze.  The Lake is located below the Comox Glacier.  This contributes to the other attraction of this hike which is the ice cave.  It wasn’t as good as on a previous trip, maybe too early in the season, but still very interesting.  And the wildflowers were excellent.

The Lake is in Strathcona Park, but the approach is not.  Trail maintenance is ambiguous, but someone had just clipped the aggressive brush, including Devil’s Club, so that was good.  The route is rough everywhere and steep in the headwall up to the Lake.  The access to this trail is on a logging road through Mosaic lands and the gate is only unlocked on weekends and only when Mosaic is not logging and the fire danger is low.  We timed it well, so all was good.  (11.3 km; 7.5 hours; 423 m elevation gain)

Norris 

Thanks to Louise, Jim and Norris for the photos

(click on photos to view larger)

Hiking -Century Sam Lake – 13 July 2024