Salt Spring Island is just a 35 minute ferry ride from Vancouver Island. It is small but quite mountainous and excellent for hiking.
Thirty Two members signed up for between three and five hikes each of four days. One evening we also met for dinner at a pub in Ganges. The other meals were enjoyed in our comfortably rustic cabin at Cusheon Lake Resort.
Day 1: This is our beautiful hike, led by C, up and around Mt Maxwell.
These are apparently called calypso orchids. So dainty and pretty. We saw many beautiful specimens.
A morelle mushroom.
This part of the hike was through an open forest, it was quite unusual how little underbrush there was. We were later informed by a local that the deer take care of the underbrush.
Small Flower Woodland Star
We hit about six viewpoints, all of them stunning.
Looking down on Burgoyne Bay. Saturday's hike will be up that slope.
And a bit further east, this photo shows a typical SSI scene, lots of farmland and lots of trees.
I did not note the exact results but the hike was advertised as 460 meters and 11km, great day!
Now off to the resort to move into our accommodation.
We were very pleased with our cozy cabin right on the lake shore. We could hear and occasionally see red wing blackbirds. Also see and hear many children, they were part of a school group which thankfully left the next day.
A and I each have a comfortable king size bed in our own bedrooms, the kitchen is well stocked with everything we need and we have a nice size table where we enjoy our meals and play Bananagrams.
Day 2
As we prepared our packs for the day and ate our hearty breakfast we were downhearted about the pouring rain. However once we got outside the vehicle we found it was not bad.
The scenery at Ruckle Park was still lovely even in wet, misty conditions.
A was the leader for this hike, we had done the reccie a couple of weeks earlier.
I over compensated with not only my gortex jacket but a poncho as well. At first I found the poncho an issue as when I was hiking downhill ...I could not see my feet. Eventually I clued in and used the hip belt on my pack to rein in the excess fabric.
Three of our small group of five.
I am the overcompensator in the middle.
My dear Mom asked who was the dumpy one in the middle.
The calypso orchids were in this area as well.
A soggy colony of mushrooms
The very Mossy Rain Forest.
Day 3
Very calm Cusheon Lake from our deck
Burgoyne Bay, led by L
It is always a treat to hike with L, especially this time of year when the wildflowers are so abundant. She is very happy to share her wealth of plant and mushroom knowledge with her fellow hikers.
note the slug enjoying ...not sure what ...the mushroom or perhaps water within the mushroom cup?
Once again, stunning views rewarded us at our (not THE) summit.
We walked along this ridge and sat down for Elevenses
It turned out that these rocks were not as stable as they appeared. C's foot dislodged a wee avalanche. She calmly backed up to safety with no sense of panic.
We came across several recently caused landslides.
Western Trillium, according to L they turn purple if they have been pollinated.
We say many of these beautiful indigenous signs carved onto cedar boards.
This ended the Burgoyne hike portion of the day. 11.3 kms and 485 metres.
The entire group was inspired to keep walking at the end of the Burgoyne Hike.
We hiked Daffodil Point which is located on the other shore of Burgoyne Bay, at the base of Mt Maxwell.
Here the leaders discuss photos of a rather large colony of Calypso Orchids.
A very beautiful destination tho we did not stay very long as a cool wind had come up.
Camas, which is currently in full bloom, was a major food staple of our indigenous peoples.
We saw a few old wrecks along the way.
Daffodil Point was 3.2 km and 117 metres
Another great day!
Day 3 a half day hike up Mt Erskine.
An A1b hike so we were accompanied by our elders of the group, many in their 80s and still strong hikers. I hope I can continue hiking into my 80s!
Salal flowers at the viewpoint
looking west towards Crofton
On our descent we were charmed by this Fairy Door
Knock Knock, who's there?
Hike over, we all rushed to get into the expected long Sunday afternoon lineup at Fulford Harbour ferry. Amazingly the line was non existent and we were all home for dinner.
A warm thank you to all that organized and led the many hikes. You all did an amazing job. I loved every moment of the four days and look forward to the next multi day excursion.
