This week we walked Puntledge Park to Ruth Masters Park, First St. Park and Morrison Nature Park. Walk was changed since this is the time of year where there is an abundance of wildflowers. Trilliums, fawn lilies, bleeding hearts and a few woodland violets! Of course, the company is always worth the walk. Debrief was at Bigfoot where it could accomodate a large group. Thanks to Dawn for the photos.
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On a cool day for mid-April, the Intermediate walking group explored various forest trails between Copperfield trail and Arden Elementary, discovering new growth and old relics. Afterwards, most of us adjourned to Tin Town Cafe for hot drinks. Our bird outing took us to the Little River Ferry area Saturday morning. This locale is good for finding a variety of birds as our route takes us through a number of landscapes, attracting a good cross-section of birdlife. Despite a cold wind whipping about us along the shoreline sections, we enjoyed our outing; highlights were spotting Horned Grebes in their breeding plumage and the sight of a Bald Eagle attempting to fly off with a prize bit of something which he had grabbed out of the water. He made three different tries before flying off to a piling to dry his feathers. In all, we sighted 25 different birds: Spotted Towhee, Anna's Hummingbird, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, House Finch, European Starling, American Robin, Red-winged Blackbird, Northern Flicker, American Crow, Common Raven, Bald Eagle, Turkey Vulture, Killdeer, Belted Kingfisher, Bufflehead, Mallard, gull spp., American Wigeon, Horned Grebe and Great Blue Heron. photos by Rob and Dawn Cathy led us on a new route that twisted and snaked around Bevan Creek, some ponds and through the forest on mountain bike trails. Creative plotting resulted in an easy 11 kilometre hike in a remarkably small area. Photos by Cathy and Bill. 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
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. |