April 30, 2025
~ submitted by Mary Hof
Five of us went up to Hammer Hill off the Heavenly Trail, in the Sooke Hills. Yup, there is a hammer up there.
Sooke Wilderness Hike
Sooke Hills – Emperor Loop
January 1, 2025
~ submitted by Su Castle
New Years Day 2025 promised a little rain and cloud. Our hike was planned for 8 am; it was no surprise we lost most “will attend” members when January 1st arrived.
We started off at a good clip up the Peden Lake trail up from parking lot #2 at Sooke Potholes. Misty and chilly, we were soon warmed by our efforts.
Continue reading “Sooke Hills – Emperor Loop”Maple Mountain
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”Tower and Meadow Cabin Loop
March 3, 2024
~ submitted by Evan White
We started the day by parking on Jordan Main when the snow levels were too high to continue.
We hiked to Tower Cabin where we met four ladies that were on their way out from an overnighter. From there we headed to Meadow cabin, breaking trail in up to 3 feet of fresh snow. We arrived at Meadow cabin, made a hot lunch while melting some snow to replenish our water supply.
From Meadow Cabin we broke more trail while heading out on Matty’s trail in more waist high snow.
Our day was a total of 9.5 hours with 6 hours of moving time over 19km. A good day was had!
Monument Mountain to Grassy Lake
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.
Ridge Rambler- Gowland Todd One way
–submitted by Su Castle
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.
Finlayson Arm 28k Route
September 1, 2023
~ submitted by Su Castle
We started at the Prospectors Trail in Goldstream and followed the route for the 28 km Finlayson Arm trail run route, at a hike pace.
Hike time was just under 8 hours, breaks about 40 min in total. Weather was fantastic.
Sooke Hills Ramble
June 17, 2023
~ submitted by Mary Hof
I led (with Ray Billings help) a hike for 8 Island Mountain Ramblers that took us 9 hours and 15 minutes. 1100m elevation gain and 22km. This hike was a Ridge Rambler hike. The weather was good, the wind kept us cool.
Mt Homes to Fork Lake
–submitted by Mary Hof
I led a hike from the trailhead of Mt. Holmes to Fork Lake, on the Gowlland Todd Provincial Park. It was 20km and 750m elevation gain. Hiked included the whole ridge, which gave outstanding views. We stopped at Jocelyn Hill, Squally Reach, and Mt. Work for longer breaks.
Seven Summits: Goldstream Park to Thetis Lake Park
April 29, 2023
~ submitted by Christine Hunter
After a quick car shuffle the 5 of us hit the trail up Mount Finlayson starting toward our first of seven summits.
Continue reading “Seven Summits: Goldstream Park to Thetis Lake Park”