Living the best adventure life, since 1958
January 3, 2026
~ submitted by Matthew Lettington
“Wet” pretty much sums it up.
How wet was it? Wet enough that two people took one look at the trailhead and decided they’d had enough adventure for the day. When we arrived, rain was absolutely hammering down, pooling across the parking lot in what could only be described as a proper deluge.
Continue reading “A Very Wet Snowshoe to Mount Elma”
~November 30, 2025
~ submitted by Su Castle
Beautiful late fall weather day for this trip up Green Mountain. We drove up logging spur K15 until the creek crossing. (approx 49.04447 124.34843), snow started 1100m.
We hiked steadily upwards, using micro spikes near the summit. There was more of a crust on the snow the higher up we got. Ice formations on the foliage were beautiful!
The last 100m of elevation gave us the adventure we were seeking, as the snow wasn’t consistent enough to create good steps, and there was just enough ice on the rocks with a bit of a drop off below us to make it a super sketchy choice!
We descended the summit a slightly different way. We were back at the vehicle and out of the last Nanaimo Lakes gates by 3:00.
Trip length: 7.5 km Total elevation: 450 Total Hike: 4 hours
November 29, 2025
~ submitted by Evan Martin
Winter is coming, which for me means ski trips and gulley climbs. However, after coming off the summer high and dipping into the fall low, I needed to start getting out again to build the necessary fitness. The Sooke Hills are a convenient place to train and keep up the fitness for those of us on the South Island. I had spent a lot of time exploring the area a few years ago, but the North West corner of the park was closed due to the Old Man Lake fire of 2024. Hence, this trip gave me an opportunity to get out into one of the last parts of the park that I haven’t yet explored.
I was joined by three other Ramblers and a special guest from UVic. It was a good mix of participants – some seeking fitness, others checking off the Sooke Hills challenge. Our guest was gathering data on risk in outdoor activities as part of an Anthropology course, which led to some interesting discussions during the trip.
Continue reading “Sooke Hills – Black Bear & Trafalgar Mountains”
October 25, 2025
~ submitted by Matthew Lettington
On October 25, only four members were brave enough to face the forecast. Although the trip was originally quite popular, a half-dozen people backed out in the final hours—and honestly, who could blame them? The weather looked downright grim.
Still, the four of us met at the head of the logging road, determined to take on the predicted 50 km/h winds, driving rain, and fresh snow. Our plan was to climb Mount Cokely via the Saddle Route and return along Rosseau Ridge.
Continue reading “Mount Cokely”
November 8, 2025
~ submitted by Brian Cross
Great afternoon, cloudy but decent temp and no wind.
The trail was wet, muddy, and slippery. We took a mini tour of Bamfield after.
November 8, 2025
~ submitted by Jaime Crucil
Seven Island Mountain Ramblers met at the Sooke Hills parking area for a rolling stroll through the foothills. For those who know the area, the Sooke Foothills host a maze of intersecting and sometimes faint trails—so naturally, I managed to lose the route within the first 100 feet on a very wide and obvious trail. Fortunately, a quick correction had us back on track in no time. Continue reading “Run Ragged in the Sooke Foothills!”
November 15, 2025
~ submitted by Sarah Duncan
7 of us met at a reasonable time at a park and ride to convoy to Cottonwood main where we used gate keys to let us onto the main extinguishing the need for the long haul walk up the logging road.
October 31, 2025
~ submitted by Mel Peters
On Halloween evening, a small group of friends, Island Ramblers and Club Treaders set off in the howling wind and rain to spend a couple of nights at Blueberry Cabin on the Kludahk Trail. Continue reading “Hallowe’en Weekend at Blueberry Cabin, Kludahk Trail”
November 11, 2025
~ submitted by Mary Hof
What a beautiful day to hike up Mt Prevost for the Remembrance Day Service. I was happy to be able to lead this service, and it was so good to see so many people coming up.
Continue reading “Mount Prevost Remembrance Day Hike and Service”
November 1, 2025
~ submitted by Matthew Lettington
While we didn’t have all the weather, we definitely experienced multiple seasons. We went up in the fall and came down in the spring!
Driving to the trailhead, I could barely get my vehicle up to the speed limit — it was hydroplaning so badly. Fortunately, by the time we regrouped at the trailhead, the deluge had settled into a steady drizzle.
The three of us took our time gaining the ridge, pausing often to enjoy the misty views and admire the towering trees.
