Once more, the hikers formed two groups. Group 1 headed up to Campbell River to check out our Elk Falls trail system (Canyon View, Millennium and Elk Falls), having heard that the Millennium Trail is open once more. It was a pleasure to pace its paths again, as we got caught up on the changes that have been effected there since the new hydro-electric system started operations. The John Hart generating station has disappeared, with a display area (complete with two totem poles) taking its place. We are back to using the original trail now, amended with the addition of a new staircase stretching from the display area up to the established trail above. At the far end of our trail system (above Moose Falls), the day use area complete with picnic tables, outhouse and parking lot has disappeared; we now will be using the newly expanded picnic area to the side and above Elk Falls. This is all rather hard to explain - have a look at the photos below...
The Pink Salmon are running at the moment in the Campbell River so both fishermen and gulls were lining the banks, in anticipation of a catch. All in all, it was an interesting outing, with plentiful sights of nature to enjoy.
The Pink Salmon are running at the moment in the Campbell River so both fishermen and gulls were lining the banks, in anticipation of a catch. All in all, it was an interesting outing, with plentiful sights of nature to enjoy.
Group 2, Mt Washington Mine:
This was a new destination for our group. We hiked up a haul road now closed to traffic to the remediated site of the Mt Washington copper mine. Along the way we were treated to views south down the Straight of Georgia, across to Desolation Sound and north up Discovery Passage. At the mine site we found the remains of a few small building to speculate about and colourful rock formations. On the way back we took a side trip to McKay Lake and the base of the ski resort's Boomerang chairlift.
Photos by Lindsay Sparks, 2 Steves (Ray & Hill) and 2 Bills (Boham & Jorgensen). To see all of Bill Jorgensen's pictures from this adventure click here.