Rambling along the Lower Cowichan River Trail

What a wonderful day! 

–submitted by John Young from his blog.

My fellow hikers were very amiable and kind enough to wait up for me! The last time I did this hike, five years ago, the total hike was an hour less. But not any more beautiful!

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Some great infrastructure, some great stairs and bridges

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But some of the boardwalk is in disrepair

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And the bridge at Holt Creek is gone

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Luckily, though, the creek was low enough for us to easily cross

A beautiful forest

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I love the sound of the fallen leaves crunching underfoot

Marvellous views of the river

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I wonder what the attraction is in this activity! But at least they’re outside.

Yes, a beautiful hike, but it ain’t gettin’ any easier!

A terrific trip on the Tatchu Peninsula – June 13-17, 2025

–submitted by John Young

After a five-hour drive from Nanaimo on Friday, with the last two hours on a sometimes narrow, winding logging road, we embarked from Fair Harbour aboard the Voyager with Leo Jack at the helm.

Where is Fair Harbour anyway?

The turn-off is just past Woss on Hwy 19, through Zebalos, and it’s out on the coast near Kyuquot, where Leo Jack lives.

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June 13

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Rambling along the west coast

–originally published on John Young’s blog

Keeha and Talpatos Bay with the Island Mountain Ramblers – May 23-25, 2025

 

These gems are located a short distance from Bamfield, at the end of a now completely paved road, cutting off 1/2 hour of travel time.  Just north of the storied West Coast Trail, and part of the Pacific Rim National Park. 

 
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We certainly didn’t set any speed records on this hike, and when you see the photos you’ll see why!

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A beaut of a Beachcomb on the Tatchu Peninsula

July 8-13, 2024
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On July 8th, the six of us in our group drove in two vehicles to Fair Harbour, the last two hours on logging roads, going through Zeballos before driving to Fair Harbour. The resort there provides safe parking, for a fee, of course. From there, it was a 25-minute boat ride with Voyageur Water Taxis to Rugged Point. From Rugged Point, we hiked as far as the bay just before Yellow Bluff, and back. Leo Jack, our captain, picked us up on schedule on the 12th. Yes, we had farther to drive than going from Tahsis (another option), but our boat ride was much shorter and more sheltered. Some people opt to take a float plane in, hike one way, and be picked up at the other end. I’d much rather avoid taking a float plane, and the trail is short (about 20 k , so you might as well do an out-and-back. And the direction we went is preferable, too, because the last section south of Tatchu Creek is rugged; best done without overnight packs. 

 

A smooth ride to Rugged Point on July 8th

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Juan De Fuca Trail — Multigenerational Hike

–originally published on John’s blog.

The trail’s east end is about 75 kilometres from Victoria and extends from Jordan River to Botanical Beach, near Port Renfrew.

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Our Itinerary

  • March 20 – China Creek to Bear Beach — 9 k, 6 hours
  • March 21 – Bear to Chin Beach – 11 k, almost 8 hours
  • Marh 22 – Chin to Sombrio Beach – 9 k, 6 hours
  • March 23 – Sombrio to Payzant  Beach – 10 k., 7 hours
  • March 24 – Payzant to Botanical Beach Parking Lot – 7 k, 5 hours

We certainly didn’t break any speed records hiking this trail, covering the 47 kilometers in five days, and a total of about  32  hours, including breaks. The mud, downed trees, and bushwhacking slowed us down.

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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!

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

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Wrangling on Nootka Island with the Island Mountain Ramblers

–submitted by John Young; originally published on his blog
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The Elk River Trail– A Great Plan B!

–SUBMITTED BY JOHN YOUNG; ORIGINALLY POSTED ON HIS BLOG

We had originally planned a trip to Flores Island, but with Highway 4 being closed we came up with a Plan B–hike up the Elk River Trail to the second gravel bar camp on Wednesday, Thursday a hike up to Burg Lake and back, and Friday hike out. And what a great alternate hike it turned out to be! Perfect weather, great company, and some beautiful forest and mountain scenery.

Wednesday–A beautiful trail to the second gravel bar camp

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