Peak 5040

August 3, 2024

~ submitted by Evan Martin

I met Christine, Dean, and Sarah at the start of Marion Creek FSR at 10:00. After quick introductions we proceeded to drive to the trail head. We took two vehicles – a small truck and an SUV – neither of which had any trouble on the FSR. It was in very good condition. We parked at the large pullout on the right hand side at the top of the hill near the 10km mark. After gathering our gear we proceed to walk another 400m up the road to the trail head. It was 10:30 by the time we left the trail head. Not quite the alpine start Dean was hoping for, but coming from Victoria I was happy to have a good night sleep.

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Mount Cokely from the CPR Trail

June 20, 2024

~ submitted by Ken Warren

The weather was good. Mostly sunny with some clouds, but nice and cool.

I mean what can I say about Mount Cokely via the CPR Trail other than it’s longer and steeper every time I do it … oh, and there are killer views. Dean joined us for the first part of the hike before moving on ahead. Trail conditions were good until the snow on the final approach, and really the snow was aesthetically pleasing.

Three of us summited and lunched at the top and enjoyed the view – Arrowsmith is beautiful from Cokely.  The descent was uneventful. We all enjoyed the day.

CPR Trail – Arrowsmith Lookout Loop

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! 

Mount Apps

September 30th, 2023

~ submitted by Mary Hof

Today I led a group of 8 on a hike to Mt. Apps for the Island Mountain
Ramblers.

Mt Apps is the second highest summit in the Beaufort Range and overlooks the east
coast of Vancouver Island as well as the Alberni Valley to the west and south.
It also presents excellent views of the southern part of Strathcona Provincial
Park to the northwest. We could see forever today.

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Steamboat Mountain

–submitted by Dean Beaulac

~14.7km/1620m (+/-)
Steamboat Mtn falls inside the Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks, A donation was made to the Tribal Park Guardians on the way through.

Up at stupid o’clock by all, had us all together and on foot for 6:30 am. An eager group of 6, we set out on what was planned to be a full day out. How quickly the gentle start of an easy spur trail to distract you fades away, leading to progressively tighter and tighter trail, until the forest consumes you completely and spits you out the other side! Up old creek beds, steep forest, around wasp nests, under logs, over logs, repeat and repeat again and eventually you’ll find yourself at a nice unnamed lake maybe halfway up. A chance to ditch some pack weight, refill water and have a quick snack.

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Splendor Mountain, member trip report.

–originally published by Eryn on her Facebook Account
What follows are Eryn’s words reporting her recent ascent of Splendor. Her final peak needed to complete her Lifetime Climbing Objective.
Splendor! How lovely. I headed into the backcountry for 5 days with Barry Hansen out of gold river, canoed across Matchlee Bay and up the Burman river until we could go no further, hiked logging roads for another 12ish km then unto the unforgiving bush filled with ground wasps and thick bush. People often ask me if i’m scared of wildlife such as bears and cougars, but really is those stinging tiny little *ssholes underfoot that truly terrify me. Within ten minutes of the end of the logging road Barry had stirred up a wasp nest and I suffered two stings, on my elbow (that turned into an arm with no elbow definition) and my butt (which resulted in half a brazilian butt lift.) The redeeming factor of the bush (and the subsequent bush on the next few days) was the overabundance of huckleberries and blueberries.

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