Living the best adventure life, since 1958
June 7, 2024
~ submitted by Leslie Gardner
This was Day 2 of the Salt Spring Hiking Fest and one of two hikes that were offered that day. Nine of us set out from Burgoyne Bay with the goal of bagging two summits – Mount Sullivan, 3rd highest on Salt Spring at 609m, and Mount Bruce, the highest at 709m. We lucked out with the weather – warm and sunny throughout the day.
Continue reading “SSI Hiking Fest – Two Summit Hike”
April 13, 2024
~ submitted by Clint Millar
We made our way up the CPR trail continuing on the east side of the Arrowsmith lookout Loop. We were in and out of fog and cloud. It eventually blew out and we had clear blue sunny skies.
As we continued toward to west side of the loop, by the old ski hill road we hit the snow and it was quite cloudy again and cold. Making our way along the west side back to the CPR trail the skies opened up against and we enjoyed a beautiful decent. The whole hike was amazing.
Look forward to posting it again and taking another group up!Â
April 5, 2024
~ submitted by Mary Hof
Well I don’t think I have ever led a hike on Mt Prevost where conditions and views were like today. The hike was offered through the Outdoor club of Victoria and the Ramblers. Only one from each club came.
Continue reading “Mount Provost”
April 6, 2024
~ submitted by Pete Hrkac
We parked at the trailhead for the new approach to the Main Gulley route. Conditions we’re fairly good; overcast/foggy weather, light snow on the ground turning into a supportive crust.
Continue reading “Mount Arrowsmith – Main Gully”March 30, 2024
~ submitted by John Robertson
Seven Ramblers connected at the trailhead. Some were old hands and some were new to the club. We started out on time, gradually making our way up the mountain in the near-perfect conditions. We paused for views as we encountered them, benefiting from the excellent visibility.
Conversations waxed and waned as the path became more moderate or more steep. A snack at the summit, then the descent to Christie Falls (approached from the “other” side), and another snack.
Then more descent, and a climb up onto Camas ridge. The Camas were out, but not yet blooming. Another snack (one can’t have too many) then off the ridge, and a bit of a wander in the woods below.
Back to the cars on time, and satisfied with he morning, we bid each other goodbye until the next adventure.
March 10, 2024
~ submitted by Mary Hof
Well, it turned out to be a beautiful hike that I led for the Ramblers today. I had 11 cancel and 1 no show, but to those that came we had a wonderful day.
Continue reading “Maple Mountain”
January 13th, 2024
~ submitted by Su Castle
The intended trail head (parking lot #2/Sooke Potholes) that would have us closer to our intended destination was locked (icy, windy, steep road); so we changed plans and started off from the Charters Creek trailhead.
Through -5 temps, clear skies, snow and ice underfoot; 4 humans and one dog tromped up Monument instead. We had a brisk pace with very short stops to stay warm.
Coming down off the hill towards the north, we caught icy winds in the face for a short time. We stopped to admire the frozen Grassy lake before returning down Grass Lake trail.
We wanted to include Devastation Hill, but the creek crossing was a little larger than we wanted to attempt.
Took us about 3 hours to hike 12.5 kms with 550 metre elevation gain.
January 1st, 2024
~ submitted by Greg Deabler
Our New Year’s Day stroll up Becher was thoroughly enjoyed by seven Ramblers: It was +2 at the trailhead with slight traces of snow along the plowlines of the road up and no snow at the parking lot.
Given that there had been rain during the previous week and little fresh snow, we made the decision to leave the snowshoes behind and trust our microspikes. A good decision, the snow was hard and supportive all the way to the summit. No wind and and lots of fog as we ascended and came down served to negate most of the views but made for perfect hiking comfort conditions for the day.
A lingering lunch on top, a few photo shoots involving an igloo constructed by a group who had spent the night, as well as the resident and persistent whiskey jacks made for a nice stop. Headed down at a good pace and arrived back at the cars by 2:15 pm.
A great day with even better company!
We left a vehicle at both trailheads and commenced the10km ridge hike at Caleb Pike, taking 3 hours with stops for photos and a detour to see both Cascade Falls and the extremely high tide at McKenzie Bight. While there was wind on the ridge, there was no rain! Elevation gain travelling in this direction was minimal, only 400m.
