February 15, 2026
~ submitted by Matthew Lettington
Getting the family outdoors can be a real challenge. Between busy schedules and competing priorities, it’s often a matter of simply deciding to make it happen. This summer we have big ambitions: hiking the North Coast Trail together as a family. After my experience hiking the West Coast Trail with my son last year, I learned that success comes from putting in the hours ahead of time. Time on our feet matters. That’s what inspired this recent trip up Mount Benson.
I’ve decided to host a series of easier conditioning hikes to help build the kids’ fitness leading into the summer season. Choosing the standard route up Mount Benson felt like a safe bet — after all, it hadn’t seen much snow all winter. Of course, Mother Nature has a sense of humour. A late cold snap rolled in and dusted the mountain with several inches of fresh snow, adding a little extra spice to the day and making some of the more complex routes less appealing.
This trip followed an overnight in Strathcona Park, and unfortunately Hemingway developed a cough afterward and had to sit this one out. We missed him, but I was grateful to have two brave souls join us for the climb to the summit.
We set a steady, conversational pace, limiting breaks and focusing on consistent forward progress. Around 600 metres elevation we began encountering about three inches of fresh snow. The cool air and crisp white landscape made for beautiful conditions, and my daughter absolutely thrived in it — smiles from trailhead to summit.
We paused at the summit flag for the obligatory photos, taking in the wintery views over Nanaimo, then wisely dropped to a lower elevation to enjoy our snacks out of the wind before making a smooth descent back to the car.
Another set of winter miles in the bank — and one step closer to summer on the North Coast Trail.