Category Archives: trip photos

Trip Report – Heriot System Loop 11 Mar 2015

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Due to the forecast storm, this was proposed as a last minute substitute for the hike to Maud Island. As it turned out there was only a bit of wind and some drizzle in the last half hour. The six of us hiked along the Hope Spring trail to the Gowlland Harbour trail. We admired the old growth fir trees and then took the side trip to the old growth grove. We continued along the Thompson trail and then returned to the cars via the Heriot Ridge route. We stopped for lunch on an open mossy bluff. These trails are in good condition for the end of winter, with noticeable volunteer maintenance. 2 ¾ hours; 6.1 km.

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Trip Report – Blindman’s Bluff & Eagle Ridge 4 Mar 2015

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It was cool in the morning when the five of us left for Eagle Ridge. It was a great sunny day for a hike though. We were surprised to find that the beaver pond was nearly dry on the way there. The ridge was covered in may shades of beautiful green moss and the views of the island mountains great. We returned on the same route and then hiked Blindman’s Bluff Trail. We saw one deer and the bald eagles entertained us why we ate lunch.

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Blindman’s Bluff & Eagle Ridge – 4 March 2015

Trip Report – Hiking Ucluelet 2-4 Feb 2015

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After arriving at the vacation rental in Ucluelet around noon, we had lots of time on Monday to walk to Florencia and Half Moon Bay at the south end of Pacific Rim National Park. The hike took us through beautiful old forest, along boardwalk, and down stairs to the long sandy beach at Florencia and then up and down again to the more intimate beach at Half Moon Bay. (9.7 km)

On Tuesday, we hiked the Lighthouse loop on the Wild Pacific Trail in Ucluelet in the morning (3.0 km) and after lunch we hiked from Big Beach to the Cedar Grove and back. (8.5 km) This is a beautiful, rocky coast, which contrasts well with beaches in the Tofino area. The lighthouse, islets, surge channels and wonderful trees are incredibly scenic.

On the last day, we spent about an hour exploring Tofino and then walked the length of Chesterman’s Beach before heading home. In all three days we never had more than a brief bit of drizzle, and sometimes we had sunny breaks.

We also had fun in the evening at the house we rented on the Ucluelet Inlet. We had a wonderful seafood feast on Monday with mulled wine, Oysters Rockefeller, BBQed salmon, roast vegetables, salad and chocolate cake. On Tuesday, we had lasagna with homemade noodles, with all the trimmings. The house had an exceptional woodstove and book collection. The nearly full moon lighted the inlet each night.

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Hiking Ucluelet – 2-4 February 2015

Trip Report – Mine Lake Bluff 27 Jan 2015

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We parked at the trailhead on the Surge Narrows Road and followed the trail to Camp Homewood’s summer campsite. The trail follows the shore of Mine Lake closely and has some lovely views. We knew it would be wet, but in a few places even gumboots weren’t enough and after one person got water over the top, the rest of us bushwhacked through the forest in the wet spots.

There is a sign to the northwest of the camp pointing to the trail up the Bluff. The trail ascends very steeply through the forest and then involves scrambling up rocks and moss to reach to top of the Bluff. This is definitely better done in dry weather since it is somewhat exposed and can be slippery. We were fortunate to have clear skies over Quadra and the views from the top were great. We had a warm and leisurely lunch before exploring the views to the east and west. The group then descended by a flagged trail to the north, which travels under the very impressive cliffs on the west side of the Bluff before re-joining the trail to the camp. We returned to the vehicles, but it was tempting to relax in the sun by Mine Lake for the afternoon. 5.5 km; 3½ hours.

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Mine Lake Bluff – 27 January 2015

Trip Report – B&B Trail Exploration 21 Jan 2015

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With Janis’ help we explored the B&B trail and routes on the nearby ridge. We started on the Thompson Trail and turned off at the first viewpoint. We scrambled to the top and enjoyed good views of Hyacinthe Bay and islands to the northeast. The day was overcast, but on a clear day the views would be excellent. We continued down this mossy, open ridge following a flagged route to the north. The trail off the ridge into the forest descends steeply into an area of huge old big leaf maples. The left-hand flagged route joins up with the B&B trail, which winds up the creek and re-joins the Thompson trail. We then explored another flagged route, which goes south on the ridge, more or less paralleling the Heriot Ridge Route and later descends to the Hope Spring Trail. This also follows lovely open, mossy ridges with occasional views to the east. 6.4 km, 3¼ hours.

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B&B Trail – 21 January 2015

Trip Report – Mt. Washington 14 Jan 2015

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Five of us went to Raven Lodge at Mt. Washington and hiked their snowshoe trails. We were way above the fog, so it was sunny and warm (9°C).  It was spring skiing conditions, with only about a foot of packed snow, which was enough for snowshoeing.  Only four snowshoe trails were open, but we did all of them, about 8.5 km, about four hours.

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Mt. Washington – 14 January 2015

Trip Report – Morte Lake Loop 7 Jan 2015

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This trip was scheduled on short notice, after the postponement of the hike to the Stramberg old growth grove due to snowfall. There was virtually no snow on the Morte Lake trail, most of the snow was in the parking lot. The four of us took a leisurely pace on the gradual walk up the old logging road leading past lovely forest, glowing moss, creeks and ponds. It was very quiet and foggy. We stopped for lunch at the picnic area on the south shore and took the side trip to the viewpoint on the southeast. Near the end, we crossed the creek and returned to the parking lot on the mountain bike trail. About 4 hours; 10.8 km.

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Morte Lake Loop – 17 Dec 2014

Trip Report – New Thompson Trail Loop 30 Dec 2014

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The group of eight met up on a beautiful, cold day to hike a loop consisting of official and unofficial trails, new and old logging roads. We hiked in from the Thompson trailhead to the recently renovated B&B trail. We took this briefly until it is crossed by a new logging road which we followed as it passed by some great mossy bluffs and occasional views. After a few junctions we took a left-hand turn onto an old logging road and then turned left again on the Gowlland Harbour trail. A few in the group took a side-trip down a mountain bike trail, but we all met up for lunch on Rousseau Ridge. The sun and the views were great. We continued on the Gowlland Harbour trail making a side-trip to the old growth grove, which is always impressive. We returned to the Thompson trail making our way back to the cars. 9 km, about 3 hours.

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New Thompson Trail Loop – 30 December 2014

Trip Report – Kay Dubois Loop – 17 Dec 2014

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At the last minute, the destination was changed for the convenience of the participants. The forecast called for rain, but it held off until later in the day, though the forest was definitely saturated. We started at the entrance to the woodlot on Cape Mudge Rd and walked logging roads until we met up with the trail to the beach. We continued on the trail north along the shore and then up hill at the big sitka spruce tree. We returned to the cars following logging roads. Two hours.

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Morte Lake Loop – 17 Dec 2014

Trip Report – Back Door-Silk Stocking 3 Dec 2014

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The group of seven and two dogs hiked a series of mountain biking trails on a cold and mostly clear day. The loop was new to everyone on the trip. We started on North Gowlland Rd and hiked up Cash Only to an old mining site. We continued on Back Door and Silk Stocking through mostly open forest past some interesting old mining operations, complete with old cars and rails. We met up with two mountain bikers who were very gracious about our using their trails.

We stopped for lunch at an open copper mine. Instead of continuing on the planned route over Bite the Bullet and Sam’s Shorty, we backtracked a bit and returned via Little Black Dress. This route was recommended to us and had the advantage of avoiding the logged area and the walk on North Gowlland Rd. Little Black Dress is under construction and in some places only a flagged route. Most of the loop winds through open forest and high bluffs with peekaboo views of Gowlland Harbour, and Vancouver Island and mainland mountains, with quite a bit of up and down. After we joined up with Back Door, we used the old logging/mining road to return to the vehicles. 13 km, 3 3/4 hours.

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Back Door – Silk Stocking Loop – 3 December 2014