Christie Falls, Thistle Mine, Camas Ridge

—submitted John Robertson
February 6, we opted for a circuitous route to Christie Falls, via the old railway, and Arroyo Road. Conversation made the kilometres pass quickly, and we were at the old cabin  in three quarters of an hour. From there we continued to the falls. Several of the hikers had never seen them, and were suitably impressed.
We then continued to the abandoned Thistle mine. Those that wished to, entered and explored the mine. We had a snack, while idly searching the tailing pile for stray pieces of copper ore.
Next, we headed to the North end of Camas Ridge. The green of the moss was brilliant beyond words. As we continued along the ridge,the sun finally joined us, giving us bright warm sunbeams through the Arbutus trees.
On the way back to the cars, we diverted slightly, to the site of the old Regan resort, to explore what ruins remain.
Then we were back at the cars. We said our goodbyes and carried on with our Sunday.

A Mt. Benson Ramble–November 21, 2021

Just enough snow to make it more beautiful, but not so much to make it a laborious hike. We took the trail to the far right of the main parking lot, crossed the creek below the waterfalls, and up to the west ridge. A steep trail at times, but well-marked and with some great views.

Crossing McGarrigle Creek

Untitled photo

A steep trail at times

Untitled photo

Continue reading “A Mt. Benson Ramble–November 21, 2021”

Cragging at Darkside

August 22, 2021

~ submitted by Quinn Park

Quick trip cragging, 5 of us playing on some of the classic routes at Darkside, and trying some new ones!

It was fun to get out and play on the ropes. Even in the hot August weather, it was good conditions thanks to the shade and being so close to the river.

Photos by Jes Garceau

Mount Apps

–submitted by Matthew Lettington; originally posted on explorington.com

Most folks will agree that it’s more enjoyable to hike under clear skies than cloudy, but sometimes it rains. Let me make a case for the dreary day adventure. Though the views from the top of a mountain may be vast on sunny days, those sunbathed landscapes lack the drama and character that appear –like fitful apparitions– when the clouds descend. The wind ripping through the trees goes unseen unless clouds and fog come with it. And the sea of hills blends into each other unless cloud pours through the valleys, billowing around features allowing only the top of the peak to emerge from the top. And even in a whiteout, one must marvel at our own insignificance in the scope of the situation.

all by herself

On September 26, we all had a chance to witness these unique –but otherwise dreary– characteristics on our short hike to the marked summit at Mount Apps.

Continue reading “Mount Apps”

Marmot Mountain

–SUBMITTED BY MATTHEW LETTINGTON; ORIGINALLY POSTED ON EXPLORINGTON.COM

When I posted Marmot Mountain to the club schedule, I enticed members with the promise, “Participants should be willing to participate in moderate bushwhacking to get through the lower areas of this route, and a few of the upper areas… and why not some more in the middle too?”. The trip lived up to my promise.

some of the ol’ cut block standards. There are three people in this photo

Marmot Mountain Route

Continue reading “Marmot Mountain”