April 5, 2023
~ submitted by Mary Hof
I love this hike as that is where it all started for me 30 years ago.
Mount Tzouhalem
Mount Menzies Endless Plateau of Fun!
February 11th, 2023
~ submitted by Matthew Lettington
We called this hike after the name of the feature and what we hoped we would find: an endless plateau of fun! Well, maps lie. I suppose it’s not that they lie as much as contour lines can hide a lot of terrain.
Continue reading “Mount Menzies Endless Plateau of Fun!”Nile Creek
February 12th, 2023
~ submitted by Ross Burnett
Led by Ross Burnett and John Young; Distance – just under 12 km return; almost 4 hours exactly including our lunch break.
Four IMR members met at the end of Charlton Drive off 19A in Qualicum Bay (or is it Bowser?) to enjoy the full length of Nile Creek up to the waterfalls. Well – not the full length, it would be interesting to see if there is a trail route possible right from the mouth. Of course, there was never any thought of starting at the Inland Highway, as that would be cheating. Plus, it’s about the journey, not the destination, right?
Continue reading “Nile Creek”Mount Richards
February 4th and 5th, 2023
~ submitted by Mary Hof
I am writing this blog for both hikes to Mt. Richards for Feb 4th and 5th. I offered the same hikes for both days, because at the beginning I saw so many people on the wait list, and I saw many were first timer, and I didn’t want them to miss the opportunity. In the end 7 hiked on Saturday and 8 on Sunday. Saying all that, I am happy I kept the two days of hiking on Mt. Richards and that I was able to lead for many that have not been there before.
The weather was dreary both days, but we got some views both days also. Lots of history on Mt. Richards with the Lenora railway and we got to walk in history where the track once was. We saw beaver lodges and freshly cut trees cut by beavers.
The Saturday group got to do some off trail hiking lol, which everyone enjoyed, but wasn’t planned. But what is a hike if no bushwalking is involved right?
Thanks Ramblers for a great two days of leading hikes.
Finlayson to Jocelyn and return (Ridge Ramble)
January 21st, 2023
~ submitted by Matthew Lettington
We had a bleak forecast but I hoped the day would still be enjoyable. With the turnover to the new year, I’ve sought trips with a “good” amount of elevation and distance to get in shape for the spring and summer. I scoffed at the forecast – snow?!
Continue reading “Finlayson to Jocelyn and return (Ridge Ramble)”Mount Elma Snowshoe
December 11, 2022
~ submitted by Brian Fleming
Mount Elma – 12.8km, 367m elevation gain.
Total time 6h 45m.
I had thought we could get both Mount Elma and Mount Allan Brooks as one big loop but with all the fresh snow in the last few days, we would have to settle for Mount Elma.
Blackjack Ridge (Ridge Ramblers Challenge)
December 3, 2022
~ submitted by Brian Fleming
First winter hike of the year!
A group of seven Island Mountain Ramblers made our way up to one of the ridges in the Nanaimo First and Second Lake area.
Maple Mountain Ramble
November 5th, 2022
~ submitted by Mary Hof
It was a beautiful day for a hike today (Saturday) that I led for Island Mountain Ramblers on Maple Mountain. For the hikers that showed up, we had an awesome day.
Crest Mountain Sunday Stroll
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.
Forbidden Plateau Traverse
September 17th, 2022
~ Submitted by Julianna Wells
After much participant-list shuffling, in the few days before the trip we went from 8 participants and 12 on the waitlist to a new trip leader and only 4 other participants arriving for the hike.
The group met at the old Forbidden Plateau ski hill parking area, switched into one vehicle, and made the drive together to the Raven Lodge parking lot where we started off at a good pace for our long hike across the park.
