Island Hiking

I belong to an outdoor club in Victoria. Since the start of CoVid, I have not hiked with them, mostly because I choose not to drive and did not wish to be in a car with others. Lately however my friend Alice and I have been together in her car. So when the club advertised that they had planned a 6 day hiking trip to Courtenay and Nanaimo, Alice and I jumped at the opportunity to get out of Dodge.

The idea was that the 23 or so hikers share accommodations and transport with 1 buddy, that worked for us. We also decided (since CoVid numbers were rapidly rising) to bring our own food and eat in our room instead of chancing restaurant dining. The CoVid vaccine passport was not yet in use.

We drove the 3 hours up island to Comox, stopping at Rathtrevor campsite to visit my brother and his partner. In Comox we made our way to Goose Spit where we found 4 others of our group. We enjoyed a sunny walk down the long spit, always welcome after a long stint in a car. The weather was warm and sunny. We then made our way to downtown Comox to meet with the other hikers. After touching base with the group we were free to check in to The Old House. For our first dinner I had prepared a meatless loaf, salad and potatoes, there were free cookies in the lobby which we enjoyed for dessert each evening. Alice is so kind with her effusive compliments over my simple cooking.

Paradise Meadows

September 10 2021

Early the next morning we drove up Mt Washington to hike "Paradise Meadows, Kwai Lake Loop and Cruikshank Canyon" with about 11 others. For some reason I was having stomach issues but thankfully I was better just as we set out for our hike. I am so thankful that I did not miss this spectacular hike!

The day was perfect, much better than predicted. To start the trail was mostly boardwalk. One could see that the terrain was usually boggy, although that was not currently the case due to our long summer drought. 

The fall colours were the star of the day. Golds, purples and reds of the blueberry and other berry bushes were vibrant.

Blueberries were plentiful and delicious.

Of course that meant that bears were as well.

We did not see a bear that day but hikers close behind us had seen 2 on the trail.

Cruickshank Canyon was spectacular after much fairly flat hiking.

One can see kilometres down the valley. I avoided taking photos of all the nearby logging, we were on the edge of the park. 

I am grateful to those folks of long ago that had the foresight to put aside parkland. In this case Strathcona Park is immense. 

We stopped for lunch at the Cruickshank Canyon viewpoint... But only a quick lunch as the hike was long and one did not want to be caught out in the dark.

The Whiskey Jacks soon found us and our lunches and they provided great entertainment.

Heading back.

More September colour.

Lovely Reflections

21 Kms of excellent trails, good company, amazing scenery and glorious colour made for the perfect day of hiking.

Alice topped it off with a delicious dinner of Ratatouille for us both. My tummy was still not 100% but I tried my best.

September 11 2021 

Alice and I were staying at the Old House in Courtenay, situated on the riverfront. Before our simple breakfast we walked for 45 minutes along the tidal river... along with many residents and their dogs.

A Great Blue Heron surveying the scene.

Puntledge River, Nymph Falls

I had heard of the Puntledge but had no idea where it was. The park is owned by BC Hydro, they have just opened up a new hydro electric dam at the trail end of Comox lake.

Today we were a large group so we split into 2.

The walk was easy, mostly along the river. This was very enjoyable as were all of the days. What a great pastime to be enjoying new hikes on Vancouver Island along with a group of new friends. I had met only a few of the hikers previously but I felt very welcomed and I enjoyed the company of these like minded women.

A couple of shots of the falls.

Alice

An amazing carving job along the trail.

I am unable to find any information regarding the maker.

Another amazing carving enroute.

It was still very early when we finished the hike, it was made shorter than expected as the end of the trail was closed due to the soon to be opened hydro electric dam at Comox Lake.

We got caught up in our leaders (Chris) enthusiasm and followed her to nearby 

Brown River Medicine Bowls 

for another hike.

There we hiked uphill along a derelict gravel road at the end of which we found some folks boondocking. They showed us where to descend to the river to see the beautiful rock formations. The trail was difficult but worth the effort.

Next we drove to the funky town of Cumberland which neither of us had previously visited but we both enjoyed. Somehow I did not take photos.

Back to our little room and appetizer time ... nachos (done in the microwave ~ I must try this at home, it is delicious!) and guacamole. Second course was Quinoa Soup, we ate very well!

September 12 2021

That was the end of the Courtenay section of our short getaway. Now off to

 Nanaimo.

 Now I had never considered Nanaimo a hub of hiking opportunity but was I wrong.

But on the way we had a short stop at a place Alice used to frequent with her kids, 

Spider Lake.

Piper's Lagoon

the first of 3 short hikes

The sun was out full force but so was the wind. We all bundled up to explore this gorgeous park very close to Departure bay.

and then just up the road another quick visit to equally gorgeous,

Neck Point Park

The tide came from both sides of this sandbar.

Then for the trifecta ... up (also nearby) 

Sugarloaf Mountain

 to enjoy great views of Nanaimo.

I had to crop the folks out of this shot as I had not asked permission to post their photos.

In 

Nanaimo

we stayed at the Coast Bastion Hotel. I had not done my due diligence to discover that we did not have a kitchenette suite. So while Alice joined the group at the Nanaimo waterfront I walked to Value Village where I invested in cups, plates and cutlery so to enable us to finish the huge amount of food that we had brought with us. I also was able to borrow a kettle from the front desk.

On the menu this day my version of an Ensalada Mixta.

Later we enjoyed a lovely walk along the Nanaimo waterfront, giving me a better appreciation of Nanaimo.

September 13 2021

Extension Ridge, Abyss Trail and Creeper Ridge

We were just a small group this day as most of the 23+ hikers were going to Newcastle Island.

A woman named Cheryl who lived in Nanaimo pitched in to lead the hike. She was previously a triathelete and kept saying that we could ask her to slow down but somehow no one else seemed to need to and I was too shy. So this was a very fast hike.

This is the ominous sounding Abyss, caused by an earthquake, many dogs and kids have been rescued from the very deep crevasse.

Our OCV leader Mary set up this fun shot.

We were a small group so lots of opportunity to get to know our fellow hikers.

We were walking through logged land, logged many years ago. The only advantage was that the view (this one to the east) was fabulous.

Now on the Creeper Trail portion of the hike, we explored this cave ... complete with bats! Can you see the bat in the photo? 

We admired the interesting rock formations along the trail.

The Abyss, on our return, in the afternoon light.

Due to our quick pace the hike was finished by about 1:30. Too early to return to the hotel so Alice and I decided to do some more exploring.

Colliery Dam Park

was nearby.

There were many happy dogs chasing each other and jumping into the water at this one area.

There are many forested trails in this urban park.

Another snack break.

Winding down

Maple Mountain

September 14th2021

Originally we were meant to hike Nanaimo's Linley Valley on the last day. Mary, our hike leader was to drive from the Cowichan Valley but, since Alice and I were the only 2 hikers that had not canceled and the weather was predicted to be wet, Mary came up with the alternate plan of meeting us closer to her home. Since we were planning on returning to Victoria post hike anyways, that worked well for all. We connected by cell first thing, even though it would be wet Alice was all for hiking. On the outside I readily agreed but inside I was not looking forward to hiking in the rain. As is usual, I was thankful that we did go. The hike was strenuous with great views (to where Carli and Chris got married) and even a bear sighting! Mary and her friend Sue were good company. At one point Mary and I were in the lead, Mary turned to me with her finger on her lips and said "Don't scream but there is a bear straight ahead." My first reaction is Yippee, let me see but I presented a calmer version, the wee bear was straight ahead on the trail, it soon scooted off. I mentioned that I thought the bear was small and together we both thought, "Oh Oh, where is momma?" We cautiously gazed in the direction the cub had ran and sure enough, there they both were, about 1 metre off the ground each in their own tree. 

What an enjoyable time we had both had. I was very thankful that Alice had agreed to travel with me (she had had many other offers but mine had been first). We travel well together, enjoy similar food and activities. And after not being away for so long we were doubly grateful.