Hiking Archives - Island Mountain Ramblers

Crest Mountain: a Ridge Ramble success story!

On June 17, 2017

In Activity, Club, Hiking, mountaineering, Regional Districts, Strathcona Regional District

–submitted by Ken Warren

Twelve of us set off for Crest Mountain from the trailhead on the Gold River Highway. The forecast was for good weather and the sky was promising. The trail is well-designed and built, but gains 1100 meters in the first 5km. We didn’t hit snow until the 1400m elevation shortly before coming onto the plateau by the first tarn. The tarns are still 3/4 frozen with blue water pooling among the snow and ice. A forty minute hike in the snow from the tarn saw us gain another 100m and the cairn marked summit.

Mount Benson : The Outer Route

By Matthew Lettington

On June 11, 2017

In Activity, Club, Hiking, Nanaimo Regional District, Regional Districts

submitted by Mary Hof

Sunday June 11, 7 hikers signed up for Mt. Benson car shuttle doing the Outer route. After many emails making sure the car shuttle would work and we have enough cars, so no one had to wait, it worked out 100%.

Mt Horne, Mt Westly and Westley Ridge traverse

By Matthew Lettington

On May 28, 2017

In Activity, Club, Hiking, Nanaimo Regional District, Regional Districts

-submitted by Mary Hoff

7 hikers met and make the car shuttle for Mt Horne, Mt Westley and the ridge. It was a very hot day views were awesome. Hike took 7.5 hours we did follow the quad trail in places. I kept reminding people to drink we had couple people that ended up with leg cramps but mustard seems to help. I am going to carry some now, LOL

Great group and I enjoyed leading.

Magical Meares Island

By Matthew Lettington

On May 16, 2017

In Activity, Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, Backpacking, Club, Hiking, Regional Districts

On the summit of Lone Cone with a marvelous view of Clayoquot Sound, Tofino, and surrounding islands.

I had wanted to visit Meares Island 20 years ago or more, and didn’t, but this winter when I was planning trips for the spring, I looked into it once again. I found the site to the “Lone Cone Hostel and Campground,” with information about climbing adjacent Lone Cone Mountain, and further details about the nearby Big Tree Trail. I was stoked! I listed it on the Rambler’s website, and before long I had 10 other eager hikers.

Meares Island : Lone Cone & Big Tree Trail

By Matthew Lettington

On May 14, 2017

In Activity, Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, Club, Hiking, mountaineering, Regional Districts

Read the full report on Matthewès blog

To early European explorers, the western edge of North America must have been an overwhelming place to visit. We humans navigate by landmarks, known places with names; explorers applied names to many places, making them easier to identify on maps. At some point, it must have been really overwhelming to provide names to so many different places, or perhaps they lacked the creativity to do so; thus, we ended up with names like Elkhorn South Mountain. The name itself isn’t an issue, except that Elkhorn South is immediately south of the much grander Elkhorn Mountain, and shouldn’t be confused with the south peak of Elkhorn Mountain, which is completely different. Even the name Vancouver Island has caused issues for travelers who mistake the location of either the island, or the city of Vancouver. But this post isn’t about Vancouver Island’s haphazard naming structures – it’s about Meares Island.

Wesley Ridge Traverse, 04-29-17 (An Island Mountain Ramblers’ Outing)

By Matthew Lettington

On May 7, 2017

In Activity, Club, Hiking, Nanaimo Regional District

–submitted by John Young

The forecast for the day was not promising – showers starting in the late morning with rain moving in in the early afternoon. Highs of about 10 degrees, and since we were hiking up to about 900 meters above sea level, we expected to see some snow. And we weren’t disappointed! Although, the rain never materialized, and we did have some wonderful views. Overall, another wonderful hike on Vancouver Island.

Mt Benson: The Outer Route

By Matthew Lettington

On May 7, 2017

In Activity, Club, Hiking

–submitted by Bil Derby

Eight of us met at Morrell Sanctuary to make introductions, do the paperwork, and shuttle cars to the Witchcraft Lake trail-head. We were on the trail at 09:00 heading up the northernmost trail towards the creek crossing, the ascent to the climbing wall and first or many viewpoints. Unfortunately, two had to turn back, one for who the trail was more strenuous than expected and one who graciously cut her day short to escort the first back to Witchcraft Lake.

Mount Tzouhalem

By Matthew Lettington

On April 30, 2017

In Activity, Club, Cowichan Valley Regional District, Hiking

–submitted by Jamai Schile

Perfect weather for a wonder! A little breezy at the Cross, but trail generally sheltered as we navigated our way from the Ecological Reserve, Cross look out to Mad Dog Bench look out. From the Bench, the group decided the weather was to fine to miss and the housework would wait. We decided to extend the hike by following Cyclops until it linked up with Field of Dreams and the return trail Old M/L bringing us out again onto T-Road and the parking area.

Newcastle Island Hike – April 22, 2017

By Matthew Lettington

On April 22, 2017

In Activity, Club, family, Hiking, Nanaimo Regional District, Regional Districts

–submitted by Sherry Durnford

We caught the first ferry of the day at 10 am to Newcastle Island, entertained by tales of Captain Hans. We knew, thanks to Peter’s meteorological research that rain was about to beset us but it had held off so far. Very casual, we had lots of stops to admire views and breathe in the salt air. Small wildflowers abounded and low tide conditions revealed many sandstone formations. After a brief snack break circumnavigation of the island continued…then circumnavigation of Maillard Lake, then lunch break overlooking the float plane base. Ah, the postponed rainfall started and left us scrambling for our waterproof gear. After lunch, we visited the sandstone quarry and enjoyed reading the great historical signage in the quarry. Then, back to the ferry for a 2:30 sailing back to Nanaimo. Wet but not cold, we trotted back to our cars, happy to have had a leisurely stroll on Newcastle!

Moonset and Sunrise

By Matthew Lettington

On April 9, 2017

In Activity, Club, Cowichan Valley Regional District, Hiking

–submitted by John Robertson

The moon was shining, and the pre-dawn night was just beginning to brighten when we set out under the light of headlamps on the White Pine trail, just south of the Nanaimo River. Within 20 minutes, the twilight had brightened enough that headlamps were unnecessary, despite the disappearance of the moon behind a bank of cloud.