June 28th, 2020
~ submitted by Christine Rivers
The group met at the bottom of the road that goes up to Mt. Washington, drove in two high clearance vehicles to the trailhead.
Indianhead Mountain
Green Mountain sub-summit and trail work
June 27, 2020
~ submitted by Matthew Lettington
On June 27, under dark grey skies, six club members set off to trim out the Sno Bird Trail between K-15 branch and the verdant meadow on the west side of the Green Mountain massif.
Green Mountain summit via Sno Bird Trail
June 13th, 2020
~ submitted by Matthew Lettington
On Saturday, June 13, 2020, six adults and my two kids summited Green Mountain. If you’re familiar with the hike to Green Mountain, we used the older -less frequently used- Sno Bird Trail. It’s much different.
Hansen Lagoon Bust
Mt. Arrowsmith – Unjudges Route
June 14th, 2020
~ submitted by Greg Deabler
After watching the mountain forecast for Arrowsmith all week, we decided to move our trip up the Unjudges route to Sunday and take advantage of the partial sunshine forecast – haha. 5 of us met at Whiskey Creek and picked up a sixth at the Alberni summit hump. We dropped a car at the judges route and took 2 cars to the unjudges trailhead.
Continue reading “Mt. Arrowsmith – Unjudges Route”Mt Richards
June 7, 2020
~ submitted by Mary Hof
Having said I would lead an official hike under the new normal for the Island Ramblers I kind of felt a bit apprehensive. I knew 5 of the 6 people (4 were members, and 2 were guests and no other member emailed) but for some reason I had this feeling that I never had in the 24 years I have been leading hikes.
I arrived at the Mt Richards trailhead early and with clipboard in hand I made sure I had everyone’s emergency contacts cell numbers. Usually I just pass the clipboard around but with COVID, I held on to it and took the information myself. I then carry that paper with me in case it’s needed. It always amazes me (not this hike) but some hikes that people don’t have a emergency contact they can give me, once I even had someone gave me their lawyer I mentioned their office was closed how would I reach him Lol.
Today, once we made a circle and everyone introduced themselves, I felt good to go. It was a beautiful hike using my new trails on Mt Richards, hitting many few points and so many beautiful flowers, ferns, lake, and pine trees. We even had a photo shoot with some beautiful foxgloves flowers.
The hike was 11.5km and took 4.5 hours and the company was awesome. I love where we live and hike.
Helen Mackenzie Snowshoe Trip
March 14, 2020
~ submitted by Matthew Lettington
On Saturday, March 14, I led a small group on a snowshoe trip to Lake Helen Mackenzie. It was two families, me with my two children, and Jes with his son Trace. It was Hemingway’s first-time wearing snowshoes to walk, even though the conditions didn’t require it. We had very sunny conditions but cold air that kept the snow very dry and the sky clear.
Mount Benson Rambler
March 14th, 2020
~ submitted by John Young
Snow in the trees, again! My sixth excursion in the last two months, and each time has been beautiful, and always in different ways. This one, we had clear skies with snow decorating the trees, and glorious vistas, not only from the summit, but from the viewpoints along the way.
Mount Becher Snowshoe
March 8th, 2020
~ submitted by John Young
Lucky or what? My fifth time snowshoeing in the last 2 months and each time the trees have been adorned with snow! Some years, you might never get that, as the snow melts off or is pelted off with untimely rains.
This time, we had snow on the trees right from the parking lot, and although the skies were clear when we set out at 9:45, cloud moved in, limiting our view from the summit.
Ascending Wood Mountain:
Spring Forward Sunrise
March 8th, 2020
~ submitted by John Robertson
It was cold and dark when we set out from our parking spot near the highway. The moon was low, shining through light cloud. Our headlamps made the frost and ice sparkle. We made quick time on easy trails, making quiet conversation.
