Living the best adventure life, since 1958
On January 29, 2022, we finally caught a break. After what seemed like weeks of rain, it relented for a Saturday of hiking through the Sooke bumps. I relied heavily on the beta provided by a friend who frequents the area in planning the trip. I trusted he would provide us with some good routes to highlight some of the best features. He didn’t disappoint!
January 23rd, I led 6 Island Mountain Ramblers, and 6 Outdoor Club of Victoria members, (I am a member of both); to a hike in the Gowlland Range.
The Gowlland Range is just east of Saanich Inlet and south of Brentwood Bay. I started at the Emma Dickson trailhead. We started in fog and even had some hail dropping on us, at times we got some sun. We were above the cloud, which made for beautiful views. I usually don’t take this many people, but I knew that on some of the trails I would take, we would not see anyone on them. It all worked out well.
November 1, 2021
~ submitted by Mary Hof
The hike today was wonderful. Lots of waterfalls, leaves were beautiful, and we even had a beautiful view of Mt Finlayson from Lookout Rock.
Continue reading “Goldstream Park Trails”
October 23, 2021
~ submitted by Mary Hof
Our Saturday Oct 23 hike to the 3 Bears, Peden Ridge and Peden Lake was great. The forecast was for rain, but a few days before I asked the group of 10 did they want to hike in rain and they all said yes. Oh my goodness, I think people know me, I like nice weather lol, but as a leader I thought I will not cancel.
July 10th, 2021
~ submitted by Mary Hof
It was a hot day to hike 16km, 850m elevation gain in the Sooke Hills Saturday, July 10th. Lead the hike for Island Mountain Ramblers and the Outdoor Club of Victoria.
We hiked from Charters River fish hatchery up Monument Mountain, had a well-deserved snack, and then headed to Grassy Lake, where the lilies were a spectacular sight. A quick break here and off to Mary’s Peak, 3 hours from when we started. A well-deserved lunch and I told them how I got a name on the map. I told them many years ago there was not much of a trail there, and at a difficult time in my life, I found peace there never seeing anyone there. After few times of going there, I mentioned to a few people how I just felt so good here, and the next thing I knew Mary’s Peak was on Open Street Map.
I have led many groups up here, and each time I am here a feeling of happiness comes to me, and I think everyone on the hike shared that happiness with me today.
After some pictures, we hiked back to Grassy Lake and heading down the Grassy Lake Trail back to our vehicle. It took us 6 hours.
It was good to share the day with so many that have never hiked here before, some that came from quite the distance. I have been leading hikes for over 25 years and I am always thankful to show people the beauty in every hike I lead.
July 5th, 2021
~ submitted by Mary Hof
I led this group for the Island Mountain Ramblers and the Outdoor Club of Victoria.
June 5, 2021
~ submitted by Bil Derby
We met at the Aylard Farm trailhead at 08:00 under somewhat promising skies and nearly ideal hiking temperatures. Depending on the weather forecast source, we were either in for a wet day, consistent with a “Bil Trip” as Mike points out, or a dry day and warming temperatures. We were not disappointed – were able to enjoy both forecasts throughout the day.
~ submitted by Quinn Park
May 4th, 2019
East Sooke Park is an amazing place that folks go to learn. They learn to hike, they learn to rock climb, slackline, they learn to navigate, and they learn about west coast beach ecosystems.
On this trip, on this corner of Vancouver Island, I tasked myself with learning to lead a trip. And it began before the trip with the logistics of organizing IMR members and non-members alike interested in the trip. On the morning of the hike, nervousness struck – what would I forget? First-aid kit? Sunscreen? Water? Did I forget to email anyone?
How funny the nervousness is. Is it pointless as nothing pertinent was left behind? Or is it a beast that helped me not to forget anything?
~ submitted by Mary Hof
April 20, 2019
A beautiful day for a hike on Empress Mountain in the Sooke Hills.
Six of us set off at 9am, by 10:30am we arrived at Grassy Lake. After a snack, we headed up to Mary’s Peak, then Puzzle, Dumbbells, then steep down and up again to Empress.
