Living the best adventure life, since 1958
When I posted this hike I had hopes of a snow free trail and sunny views from the summit. A weekend of snow and changing weather forecasts made me consider cancelling, but optimism took charge, and the enthusiasm of the hikers, and we went ahead. We hit the first snow within 15 minutes and were spiked up within 35. We had overcast skies, drifting fog, and occasional blue sky.
It was around 3 degrees when we hit the Raven Lodge trailhead, but it only took minutes on the trail before the temperature dropped below zero. There was frost on the boardwalks and the ponds were iced over. However it was a beautiful clear day that quickly warmed up, reaching 18 degrees around 2 pm. We saw few people on the trails and none past Kwai Lake. Mariwood Lake and Lake Beautiful were still and beautiful, and the views of Castlecrag and Comox Glacier were outstanding. The return trip was uneventful and we had a great day. Thanks to my hiking companions for their part in my enjoyment.
March 14, 2026
~ submitted by Ken Warren
A great day in good weather. We followed Chilco to blue, yellow, blue to the end, Mill Bay pink, Summit, Maple Syrup, Story Connector, Xylem, Tony’s Arbutus, Mary’s Lookout, nnamed trails to m710, to Chilco. 16+ km, 1000+ m. Good company. Thanks. |
June 27, 2024
~ submitted by Ken Warren
Well the weather was better than forecast for our mountain adventure. Five of us headed up Benson from Morrell at a respectable speed.
By the time we got to the viewpoints the fog obscured our views. We ground on with only a few wrong turns and made the summit by noon. We sat around as the fog got thicker and the temperature dropped. Our wildlife sightings were limited to frogs  and grey jays.
We made good time on the descent and arrived at the parking lot tired, stiff, and quite happy.
Thanks all for your company.
June 20, 2024
~ submitted by Ken Warren
The weather was good. Mostly sunny with some clouds, but nice and cool.
I mean what can I say about Mount Cokely via the CPR Trail other than it’s longer and steeper every time I do it … oh, and there are killer views. Dean joined us for the first part of the hike before moving on ahead. Trail conditions were good until the snow on the final approach, and really the snow was aesthetically pleasing.
Three of us summited and lunched at the top and enjoyed the view – Arrowsmith is beautiful from Cokely. Â The descent was uneventful. We all enjoyed the day.
June 13, 2024
~ submitted by Ken Warren
We had a few hiccups early in the hike. I forgot my phone with the map track at home and I promptly led us on to the wrong trail followed by one of my patented bushwhacks. But by 9:45 we were on the trail going up on a beautiful sunny day.
Continue reading “Crest Mountain”
May 13, 2023
~ submitted by Ken Warren
The weather was gorgeous, if a little warmer than expected. Trail conditions were excellent with no snow on the trail, solid footing, and improvements on the lower section.
October 23, 2022
~ submitted by Ken Warren
As we approached the trailhead on Sunday the temperature dropped, frost formed in the slash, and wearing shorts was obviously a mistake – but onward and upward. With only four we kept a good pace up to the first tarn which was still liquid, although frost was forming around the edge.
April 11, 2022
~ submitted by Ken Warren
The drive to the trailhead was rather threatening as the temperature dropped and the slush from the morning’s snow covered the highway. We had to wear our rain jackets when we first set out as the snow was melting out of the trees, but within an hour the skies had cleared and the trees were no longer dripping.
March 28, 2022
~ submitted by Ken Warren
When I posted this hike the forecast said sun … unfortunately that was not the case. However the rain was light and didn’t last too long.
The trail was mostly clear and we didn’t spike up until near the summit. The wind and fog kept us from lingering too long at the top.
We saw only five other people on the mountain making it the quietest day on Benson I’ve had in many years.
It was a good hike with good company and my first hike with Ravi. Welcome to the club and I hope to see more of you.