We were six hikers, one of them a new not-yet member and one of them a new member on her first hike. We had wonderful sunshine from 11 am onwards. The route took us through forest trails, on small roads and eventually to the beach, Taylor Bay at Twin Beaches Provincial Park, where we had lunch. Two opted to go back to the ferry and the rest hiked to the Malaspina Galleries and from there to the Haven. At 3 pm there was a concert of Handel’s Messiah. One of us participated in the choir and the remaining three were in the audience. Everyone went home afterwards and we agreed that we had a pleasant day.
Christie Falls, Thistle Mine via Camus Ridge
–Submitted by John Young
9 of us had a wonderful 5-hour ramble to Camus Ridge, Thistle Mine, and Christie Falls, thanks to the amiable guidance of John Wells.There was a lot of logging road travel, some on the Trans Canada Trail, but the above-named attractions more than made up for it. The mine shaft isn’t long, but is interesting, with traces of ore veins in the rocks and rails still in the tunnels. The falls were quite spectacular, even when they weren’t going full bore. I’d like to go back when they’re full! We did see, too, a wonderful canyon in Bush Creek festooned in ferns, an old cabin, and some experimental forests. The only downer was the abundance of garbage at the trailhead!
Matthew Lettington also submitted a trip report, read his on his blog.
East Sooke Park — A Sunny Sunday Stroll
— Submitted by Matthew Lettington, read the full report on his blog
 |
| A Beautiful Cove |
Oh the west coast of Vancouver Island. Why are so unpredictable! They say, if you don’t like the weather just wait five minutes….. How true they are! November on the west coast is not known for is ample sun, warm days, and gorgeous sunny views. Rather it is common to find oneself mired in light drizzle and a bone chilling coolness. On November 24th, I led a group to the south western edge of the island to hike along The coastal route in the East Sooke Park.
 |
| Gnarly! |
This route is one of the best coastal day hikes on the island. The terrain has its ups and downs and does travel through second growth forest but the second growth is 60-100 years old and there are still several giants. PARK MAP
 |
| GPS Route with 48 Photographic Annotation |
Total Horizontal Distance: 12.7 km
Beginning Elevation: 14 m
Max Elevation: 96 m
Total Elevation Gain: 800 m
Time: 6h 30 min
In total 12 hikers made it out for the day, including three guests. I’m normally not one to obsess about the weather, heck I grew up in Nanaimo! I, like many from the area am acclimated to the region. I don’t walk with and umbrella, I don’t spend much time looking at the forecast, however, as a trip leader things are different! The days leading up to the trip, I checked the weather at least once a day The night before the trip I awoke to the sound of driving rain beating against my window and roof. The wind was howling as it buffeted my windows. I was worried that I would awake to discover a dozen emails, sending regrets
Mt Tzouhalem from Genoa Bay – BLAZING SUN!
— Submitted by Matthew Lettington, Read the full report on his blog…
If you are hoping to do a hike with great views of are not interested in driving logging roads and would rather instead a drive through idyllic bucolic landscapes, consider hiking Mt Tzouhalem. The hike is an easy one, with a max elevation somewhere around 475 metres it gives amazing views of Cowichan Bay and Genoa Bay. On a clear day a hiker can see several small towns and some of the gulf islands.
 |
| View of Cowichan Bay, Duncan |
The month of November has been very kind to the folks of Vancouver Island. The weather has not turned on us, in fact a few days of heavy rain not withstanding, it has been very dry. Though there have been several days as cold as -5 Celsius, the cloud cover has been limited and there has been plenty of sun. The forecast for November 16th was for sun and good visibility. Excellent conditions for this hike.
 |
| GPS Route with Photographic Annotation |
Total Distance: 10.5 km
Starting Elevation: 6m
Max Elevation: 490 m
Total Elevation Gain: 898 m
Time: 5 h 35 m
We met at 8 am at the Southgate Tim Horton’s and traveled south, taking a left at Herd Road, and eventually working our way down Genoa Bay Road. In my opinion Genoa Bay is the only way to hike this route. Though many do the hike from the Old Stone Church, those folks, in my opinion, are destination seekers. Conversely, starting the day from Genoa Bay gives spectacular views and is better for folks who believe in the mantra, the journey is the destination.
Vancouver Island Spine Trail Association, Networking Conference Recap
— Submitted by sitting IMR President Ken Rodonets
The 2014 Vancouver Island Spine Trail Network Conference was held on May 31st. in Royston at the Kingfisher Inn.
The day started at 8:30 am with an introduction by Andrew Pape-Salmon for the first half hour. Keynote Addresses were made by Philip Stone ( Vancouver Island Adventurer and guidebook author) and Trisha Kaplan ( Trail Development Manager, Western & Northern Canada, Trans Canada Trail ) Both talked about trails and showed slides.
10:30 am Success Stories
Reports (speeches) were made by:
- Tom Cameron from Gabriola Land & Trails Trust & formerly with Alberta Trailnet & TransCanada Trail Foundation
- Amanda Ridgway, Founder & Managing Director of Drift Mt. Biking & Director of the Mt. Bike Tourism Association
- Martin Littlejohn, Executive Director of Western Canada Mt. bike Tourism Association)
11:30 am Workshops
There were 2 workshops to choose from. I sat in the Private Land Issues.
- Robert Gunn from th e Alberni Valley Outdoor Club talk on the private land owners and how VISTA is slowly working with them to get an agreement.
- Scott Glaspey from Sunshine Coast Trail & Powell River Parks & wilderness Society, Gave a talk with slides.
- Rachel Forbes, Principal at Sharp Six Services, former local government, Aboriginal & environmental lawyer, gave a talk along with slides.
After Lunch… More Workshops
We carried on with another workshop. I picked out the Land Issues : Public Focus. Our speakers for this were:
- John Hawkings, Manager of Trails, Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations)
- Kevin McPhedran of Parks and Outdoors Recreation Coordinator, for the Village of Cumberland
3 pm Guest Speakers
We had 2 other guest speaker talking about the Partnerships and Development : Tying together social, community and economic success.
- Dr. Nicole Vaugeois from BC Regional Innovation Chair in Tourism & Sustainable Rural Development, Dept. of Recreation and Tourism Management at Vancouver Island University
- Ken Melamed from Sustainability Champion, former Mayor of Whistler, former board member of Tourism Whistler, Whistler Chamber of Commerce and more.
4 pm, the Closing Remarks
All agreed that it was a great day to “network” with everyone. Questions were: What is next ? What do you want out of today ? What can we do ? Further discussion necessary. How ? How to stay best informed ? We need some form of information, Divying up some of the roles/effort. Rep. from each group to be on VITN ? Straight facts on the web site.
Future Plans:
- On June 1st, People taking part in the support ride, run or hike for the Spine Trail met in Cumberland at 11 am at the Cumberland Rec. Hall. People who were mtn. biking left to do their ride around the trails.
- There was around 6 mtn. bikers. Seem to be around 30 to 40 people who took part in the running part of the trails. I did the hiking part with around 25 to 30 people. We hiked along an easy trail and made our way out to Comox Lake to enjoy the sunshine and then back to the rec. center were everyone enjoyed some refreshments, bananas, muffins, cookies.
All in all it was a great weekend. To bad that I had to sit inside on the Sat.! That is it for now, from your President Ken R.
Wilderness First Aid Recap
The Wilderness First Aid Course put on by Ridge Wilderness was a huge success. We had 11 participants, 8 Ramblers and 3 non-members. The weather cooperated, and we were able to enjoy the outside portion of the course.
We’re thinking of doing the 20 hour Advanced Wilderness First Aid Supplement for anyone who took the basic course last January or this November. If interested in that, you can contact John Young.
Mt Hooper
— Submitted by Matthew Lettington
November 15th, I joined up with Rod Szasz and a few other hikers, many from the Island Mountain Ramblers for a trip up a rarely summited peak in the Nanaimo Lakes Region/Cowichan Lake Region. Mt Hooper tops out around 1490 metres. For me, an most interesting aspect of the hike is that the weekend before I climbed the peak immediately across the valley. Folks who follow my blog will note that summit is Sadie Peak.
 |
| GPS Route with Photographs |
Total Horizontal Distance: 9.8 km
Starting Elevation: 795 m
Max Elevation: 1490 m
Total Elevation Gain: 865 m
We met at Rod’s place at 6 am, the thermometer on the car read -5 Celsius, the sun was not yet breaking on the horizon. 5 hikers piled into the truck and we picked up a 6th on at nearby elementary school . The six of us drove south turning off to meet the final group of hikers at the Youbou Firehall at 8:25.
From HWY 1 we drove about 80km reaching 800 m of elevation, before we started walking. After leaving Youbou we continued west to north shore road, which eventually turns into Nitinat River Main FSR. We continued well past Cowichan Lake, following the Nitinat River and ultimately turned up an old logging spur. The road along the entire spur was excellent, very few deep dips. The bigger issue is the encroaching alder. The farther up the road we moved the narrower the road becomes. Before long, the trees were scratching and clawing at Rod’s vehicle. Eventually we parked the vehicle and carried on, on foot.
The Obscure Sadie Peak
— Submitted by Matthew Lettington, read the full report on his blog
 |
| View from the summit of Sadie Peak, looking North |
Many of those who read my blog will know that I live in Nanaimo BC and that most of my hiking trips take me to the mid and north island. If you know your geography at all, you will also know that Nanaimo is wedged between the ocean and the mountains, a magical sort of place. However, that place is being held ransom by timber companies. The relationship between hikers and the land-holders is complicated. Though we would love to see the mountain left untouched, the reality is that most of the access to the peaks we want to climb is provided by the roads that are built and maintained by the forestry companies.
 |
| View GPS Route with photographs |
Total Horizontal Distance: 11.4 km
Time: 8 hours
Starting Elevation; 885 m
Max Elevation: 1460 m
Total Elevation Gain: 1087 m
In the past I have written of the challenges of getting into the areas around the Nanaimo Lakes Region. I believe that many folks who live on the Vancouver Island have little concept of how the land owned by Island Timberlands has shaped their concept of where communities are located on the central Island.
Majestic Mt. Wesley, November 8th, 2014
–submitted by Dean Williams
Seven of Island Mountain Ramblers met at the Cathedral grove parking area, and we were on our way by 9:30, a short walk through the park leading us to the gravel roadway that leads to the cabins along the lake shore and the trail head.
We were met at the Mt. Horne/Wesley junction by John, who had come up from the Horne lake side, and we again set off towards our objective. We had blue skies and some nice views down to Cameron lake, and then over to Horne lake and Georgia strait, which was getting cloud covered by then. We reached the majestic summit about 12:15, signed the register, and walked a bit farther along to a fine viewpoint where we had lunch, and were treated to a cup of hot chocolate that Bill kindly cooked up for us, replete with marshmallows! Thanks again for that Bill!
After a leisurely lunch we made our way back, and were down to the cars by 3:00. It was another great day in the outdoors on Vancouver island with a really nice group of people. Thanks to all who came along.
Linley Valley Fall Frolic
13 adults and two children, joined in on the meandering route through Linely Valley. The route was easy with a small amount of uphill. We left John’s house at 9am and we were back in time for lunch
The potluck created a small feast for everyone! It was great to enjoy the sunny view of Departure Bay and Mt Benson, while we socialized and enjoyed the food. Thank you to John Young for hosting this event, again this year!
 |
| Shot from the outlook in Linley Valley |