Tag: Strathcona Park

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Paradise Meadows to Wood Mountain — A long established trail in Strathcona Park

— Submitted by Matthew Lettington

Strathcona Park is loved by many for the diversity in mountaineering it offers. It has something for every type of adventurer: short & long day trips, traditional routes, climbing,  and mountaineering. If one is looking for adventure in the Alpine they can find it here.

Several of the hikers crossing one of the water crossing on the Paradise Meadows to Wood Mountain Route
Hikers crossing crossing a creek  on the Paradise Meadows to Wood Mountain Route

Sunday May 14th I led a group of 9 Island Mountain Ramblers and guests on a long day hike through a portion of Strathcona. We hiked from Paradise Meadows, starting at Raven Lodge through the rolling low alpine meadows, beside many ponds and lakes and lightly treed regions to Wood Mountain, frequently called the Forbidden Plateau.  Paradise Meadows is by far one of the most visited places in the park. It is the launching point for many day hike and multi day adventures. Many hikers will be familiar with the Wood Mountain/Forbidden Plateau Parking Lot as it is the usual launch point for hiking Mount Becher, Boston Ridge, Mount Drabble and more.

Map from Paradise Meadows to Wood Mountain
GPS Route to Wood Mountain with Photographs

Total Distance: 26 km
Total Elevation Gain: 730 m
Total Time: 8 hours

This is my third hike on this route but the first time I appreciated the historic nature of the hike. The hiking club to which I belong, Island Mountain Ramblers, have a lifetime objective hike that I’ve yet to complete, Mount Becher to Mount Jutland and much of the day’s route is included in this section of the trail. I suspect the objective has a lot to do with the fact the trail was the main route to the region of the park where, now, many people adventure to familiar mountains like Mount Albert-Edward.

View the full report on his blog…

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Mt Brooks, Late Autumn 2014

–Submitted by Dean Williams

We went up Mt Brooks today with a couple of friends, up the north side which went through some really wet bush, and then down the ridge to the saddle between Brooks and Elma which was much nicer, not so bushy and dry.  Not a bad day out but the view was still quite obscured by cloud. We did get some peekaboo views over to Albert Edward, and the lakes looking back toward Becher,  and the berry picking was still excellent.

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A Dangerous Duo do a day drip up Albert Edward!

–Submitted by Matthew Lettington

Saturday October 4th 2014 saw Dean and I making a early morning attempt at one of the most visited peak in Strathcona Park.  No, an extra early start. I was in the Subaru and on the road by 5 am. Dean and I were heading up to Raven Lodge, embarking on a Paradise Meadows to Mt. Albert Edward hike. The round trip would be taxing, mentally and physically.

GPS Route with photographic annotation

Total Horizontal Distance:  34 km
Total Elevation Gain: 1923 m
Starting Elevation: 1097 m
Maximum Elevation: 2093 m

Vancouver Island’s geopgraphy is such that there is no mountain significantly higher than 6000 ft (1828 m). Mt. Albert Edward is one of the mountains that exceeds this altitude. It’s also considered by many to be one of the easiest 6000 footers to summit, it’s a walk up. Following the established route means there is no exposure,  minimal scrambling and very little route-finding. The barrier to most hikers is the horizontal distance required to make the summit.

Read the entire post on Matthew’s Blog….

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Cruikshank Canyon, a fall feast of colour for the eyes…

A view of the mountains as you look out from the view point

Early fall is often the nicest time for hiking. I often joke with my hiking companions about those who don’t take advantage of the outdoors, they find winter too cold, spring too wet, and summer too hot. There are three ideal weeks in our Vancouver Island year that are perfect for heading outdoors, when spring is converting to summer and summer converting to fall, there are about 9 days at each change that are perfect for hiking! This past weekend must have been that weekend!

Total Horizontal Distance: 21.3 km
Total Time: 7 hours 30 minutes
Elevation Gain: 873 m
Starting Elevation: 1060 m
Max Elevation: 1269 m

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Heart Lake

Here are some pictures from Mike’s trip up to Heart Lake and the Holland Creek loops which ran on July 9th.  Look carefully at the lake and you will see three very refreshed hikers.  It was a great day.  Thanks to Mike and looking forward to the next one.  Present:  Mike H. leader, Nicki, Hazel and Janice.