Category: Cowichan Valley Regional District

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Mt. Tzouhalem – from a different way

March 2, 2025

~ submitted by Mary Hof

It was a beautiful day to do a hike, meeting new Ramblers. The group kept a good pace. Parts of this hike are seldom used so it was nice to show people the huge rocks that are along the trail.

The hike was 4.5 hours with an elevation gain of 650m. Thanks for the opportunity to lead.

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Upper Cowichan River (Part 3) – Lifetime Hiking Objective

–submitted by Su Castle
 
Part 3 Cowichan River Trail. ✅
 
By previous accounts, I thought parts of this trail was going to be really gnarly with bad bushwacking. We did follow a previous hiker’s track to keep us in line when the ‘trail’ was more elk than human. Most of the hike was lovely and obvious. The frozen ground helped to keep feet dry. Some areas typically would be pretty mushy. My shins bear the tale of walking into hidden branches along the ‘make your own adventure’ sections!
 

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Maple Mountain – Pink Route

December 15, 2024

~ submitted by Mary Hof

The weather was perfect on this December day. I decided to lead the New Pink Trail on Maple mountain having just done is few days before. This hike does take you through a high cliff area, with a couple of tricky parts.

We started on this route all going well until one person just did not feel she could do it. It was decided we would all head down and bush walk to find the other pink. Finding it was no problem, we then continued our route to the top and down to Darell Bench and ridge and headed to a couple cars we had place on Arbutus Drive.

A fun day and enjoyed by all.

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Mount Prevost

November 3, 2024

~ submitted by Mary Hof

It was a beautiful November day to hike to the summit of Mt. Prevost. We made the two peaks,  where we could see the fresh snow to Mt. Whymper, El Capitan, Landale and Mt. Service.

We stopped at the War Memorial Cairn for 2 minutes of silence. Coming down we met a group of 4 hikers that had heavy packs, they were going to hang glide down. It was a great day, with a wonderful group of hikers. 

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Mount Hayes, Christie Falls, Camas Ridge

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.

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The Central Walbran Valley — August, 2023

This August, I made two trips to the Central Walbran Valley, on August 2-3 with Chica, and on August 22-24 with three friends, and Chica, naturally. I had been wanting to get into this area for a few years, ever since my friend Rishi raved about it, and I finally did it. And I plan to return! Wow!

The area is jam-packed with hundreds of monumental red cedars, especially in the spectacular “Castle Grove,” which is perhaps the most extensive stand of near record-sized cedars on Earth. (Ancient Forest Alliance)

The road going in, however, is a deterrent, and it degrades appreciably in the last ten kilometres. Slow going, so slow, that I only averaged 22 k an hour for the two hours on the return. 

 

Slow going or what!

Untitled photo
 

The reason for the slow progressThese photos were taken going in and returning on my first trip. 
 

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Mt. Prevost-Remembrance Service

–submitted by Mary Hof
For 21 years the Cowichan Hikers have been doing a Remembrance Day Service at the cairn on Mt. Prevost, on Remembrance Day. I invited the Ramblers to join. Starting with a welcome as we watched 6 planes flying below, it was very moving. We followed with the trumpet recording of the The Last Post at 11am. We had 2 minutes of silence followed by trumpet playing the Reveille. Flanders Fields was read followed by a Prayer.

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Mount Landale Loop

October 7th, 2023

~ submitted by Su Castle

We started up Cottonwood main just after 7am. Beautiful day, unusual warm and dry October.

Very sad to see Mosaic has come in to fix the road – bridges are in, ready to log again. This way may not be so appealing in the future….

I have looked at the Landale Loop on a map for years. After a satisfying summit, (fall colours! warm rocks! views!) We descended off the ridge on a lovely, marked, easy to find trail. Maybe 500 m to the top of he logging roads.

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