Wonderful walk this morning on the One Spot Trail. A large group of us were out for 1 hour and 45 min. on the very walkable trail. Quite the schoolmarm tree that CV Nature has nominated! Some of us went for the debrief at Bigfoot Doughnuts where we indulged in treats and good coffee. Photo credit: Dawn and Karen
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Another new route for us in the Cumberland Forest. This hike featured Fiscal Cliff and Fuji Jim Mountain. While Fiscal Cliff is only part way up Nikkei Mountain, we were treated to beautiful views of Courtenay, Comox, the Strait of Georgia and the mainland mountains. Photos by Cathy, Stan and Bill. Walk was from Hardy Road, Seal Bay and the weather was better than expected. We were sheltered from the wind and happy to be out. Debrief was an The Country Market.
What better way to start April Fool’s Day than an early morning exploratory hike that was completely new to our hiking group? Initially 4 signed up but with some late additions we went with 9. We travelled north of Campbell River and after a short drive on a logging road we found the trailhead. Within minutes of starting the hike we were treated to our first waterfall and things only got better as we continued along Mohun Creek. The hike delivered on the promised 4 waterfalls and in fact most people felt we saw 5. Lunch was spent overlooking Mary Lake and the group debrief was at FoggDukkers. Photos by Cathy, Lindsay, Peter and Bill. This was another route that was new to our group. We hiked by the Colliery Dam Upper Lake, Granny Falls, the Abyss, and along Extension Ridge. Any one of those features would have made for an enjoyable hike. Adding the Creeper mountain bike trail turned this into an amazing, must repeat experience. We spent much of our time on Creeper gazing at the rock features above and beside us. Photos by Lindsay, Tannis and Bill. Lucky enough we were to have rain at night and not on our walk! Starting from the rocks on Noel Ave., we ventured along the trail paralleling Brooklyn Creek and into Mac Laing Park and to the ocean. Calm and peaceful there. We walked by the ocean and to the alpaca farm. Then we changed from our usual route. We walked beside the golf course and eventually to the Cottonwood Greenway, which was new to many of us. Thanks to Patti and Karen B for leading us there. Walk was over 1 1/2 hours but under 2. Debrief at Beninos where the long table could accomodate us all. Photo credit: Cheryl and Karen
Today's group enjoyed a walk from the Courtenay Airpark to the south end of the Courtenay Riverway Heritage Walk. There were a few drops of rain along the way and the day was cooler due to the brisk breeze, but the conversation was just as brisk and the hour flew by. Hot drinks at the Bayside Bistro followed.
Lantzville Lookout and Copley Ridge looked like interesting destinations that are fairly close together. Maps showed lines between them that might allow us to hike a loop. So we set out on an exploratory hike. Trails were good up to the magnificent views at Lantzville Lookout. Not long after that we were bushwhacking through thorns to a logging road. We had to endure logging roads for a few kilometres until we found the Copley Ridge trails. There we found creeks and a waterfall in the forest. I think more exploration in Copley Ridge is in order. Photos by Cathy, Lindsay, Cindy and Bill. What a beautiful warm morning to walk the Royston Seaside Trail and Marine Drive! We started from the picnic shelter. Beautiful wild flowers perhaps scilla, grew at the sides of the road and trail. With the Royston coffee shop closed on Tuesdays now, we drove to town to sit outside in the warmth of the sun at Beans Around the World. Thanks to Dawn for photos.
Surrounded by the City of Nanaimo, this 13 kilometer figure eight alternates between lakes and creeks in the bottom of Linley Valley and high rocky ridges. Most of the time there is no evidence of the city around us. Photos by Tannis, Steve and Bill. The Intermediate walking group enjoyed a sunny walk in Seal Bay exploring the back trails off of Mitchell Rd.Our birding group headed to the Trent River Estuary trail system off Carey Place on Friday afternoon. It was a truly lovely day - warm and sunny - making it a pleasure to be out wandering the trails and shoreline and making up for the rather disappointing bird species count of thirteen. Most of us adjourned afterwards to the Royston Roasting Company for coffee and conversation, completing a pleasant afternoon. Species noted: Anna's Hummingbirds, Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Golden-crowned Sparrows, Dark-eyed Juncos, Bald Eagles, gulls, Mallards, American Wigeons, Gadwalls, Buffleheads, Northern Pintails, Common Goldeneyes, Great Blue Herons Photos by Rob R. and Dawn M. Climbing to the summit of Mount Benson is the most challenging hike our group takes on. While the 720 metre climb is exhausting, it's actually the first couple of kilometres of the descent that hits most of us the hardest. That was certainly true this time. Once we reached the snow on our way up it was mostly frozen hard. It got warmer after our break on the summit, resulting in soft slippery snow underfoot and snow from the trees falling on us as we hiked. I think in the end that we were all glad that we did it, and happy that it was over. Photos by Cathy, Lindsay, Cindy and Bill. Just like SpaceX rocket launches, sometimes outings need to be scrubbed and such was the case two days prior. A big dump of snow the night before and just not enough players to share the trailbreaking on the challenges of Great Big View and Finger Glades trails. This alternate date drew the minimum number of participants that can be called a group, but it was a stellar outing nevertheless. A bluebird day, just the right amount of exercise, and some great conversation. Photos by Sylvia. |