Next Hike

The next hike will be on Saturday, 27th October.

We meet at the Ballpark in Gillies Bay at 10:00am

Last week we drove south along Bell Road and passing the Bell Farm meadows and First Lake we parked at the old roadside gravel pit next to the the gas pipeline right of way.  We then started the hike by walking south on the pipeline the short distance to the first turnoff on the right where we had thought there might be much water crossing the old logging road and wondered if we would have to change our planned route to Plateau Mountain.  We could see that recently the force of the water had flattened the grass in places, but now the water had gone and the road surface was dry as a bone!  Soon we reached First Lake and again made use of our new hiking trail that skirts the north end of the lake.  There is nothing especially dramatic about this fairly large but shallow lake, but it's quiet and rather remote and I suspect few people even know it exists.  My photo this week was taken right on the trail. The top of Plateau Mountain is forest covered, but there is a choice of viewpoints where one can enjoy views in different directions while having a snack.

JD.

The north end of Third Lake with the forested flat top of Plateau Mountain in the distance. The area of brown grass was quite dry enough to walk on. 

Next Hike

The next hike will be on Saturday, 20th October.

We meet at the Ballpark in Gillies Bay at 10:00am

Last week when we gathered for the hike the morning turned out to be just perfect for hiking and we needed to take full advantage of it by heading for a high point with wonderful views.  So the circular Mt. Grant Trail was a very good choice and, as my photo shows, the view towards the north-east with Nelson Island and the entrance to Jarvis Inlet in the middle distance the visibility was exceptionally good.  No trace now of that smoke that was such a problem this year for so long back in the summer!  

JD.

A clear view of some of the coast mountains from Mount Grant.  This view is from the Matterhorn rock on the north route to the top.

Next Hike

The next hike will be on Saturday, 13th October.

We meet at the Ballpark in Gillies Bay at 10:00am.

Last week we drove south along Davie Bay road and past Shingle Beach through the areas of recent forest cut-blocks to the parking place at the Cook Bay entrance gate.  This time we started down the trail that goes to a beach cabin and then took the first trail on the left that provides the quickest access to the very extensive area of bluffs to the west of Cook Bay.   Reaching the usual side trail up onto the open areas we quickly ran into problems with missing flagging and unpleasantly slippery slopes and so we concentrated on rerouting and reflagging two of the trails in the area.  My plan was to design a new shortcut trail that would be quicker and easier way to reach the coastline on future hike days. I also wanted to avoid straying onto private roads and property. We made some progress with that and also found a nice new spot for lunch and viewing the nearby Lasquiti Islands and the distant mountains.

My photo today was taken from the lunch spot and gives just a glimpse of the headland called Partington Point. In my photo you can just make out the red and white navigation marker that sits part way along the narrow Sabine Channel, a popular route for some of the largest cruise ships in the world.

JD.   

A glimpse of Partington Point south of Cook Bay from high on the Cook Bay Bluffs. 

Next Hike

The next hike will be on Saturday, 6th October.

We meet at the Ballpark in Gillies Bay at 10:00am.

Last week we figured the clouds were high enough that it would be safe to pick one of our higher mountains and have clear views of distant mountains.  The choice of Twin Peaks does mean a long drive before actually starting off on foot, but while the climb to the peaks is extra steep the distances are quite short.  As usual we turned north at the col between the peaks where the trail divides and we headed to the North Viewpoint before backtracking and climbing a bit higher to the South Viewpoint for lunch.  Some of the hikers were doing this particular hike for the very first time  For hikers who have never done this one before the views in both directions, towards Vancouver Island in one direction and the great sweep of the Coast Mountains in the other, are especially impressive.  There was still snow on the highest peaks on the mainland and with fewer clouds and clearer air it all made for a special treat.

JD.

 

The view south towards Nanaimo from the north viewpoint on Twin Peaks.