David Kidd
Gazette contributor
During last month’s challenging weather, the Cowichan Lake Retreads hiking group has completed some challenging hikes.
April saw a combined group of Lake Cowichan and Duncan hikers climb all the way up Mount Prevost to the outstanding view from the war memorial. Hikers proceeded all the way down through a new trail and a roadway to the cars near the bottom of the mountain.
A week later the group tackled the more gentle Fisherman's Walk and are happy to report the group did not even get lost.
In fact, participants could not understand why an earlier group did get lost. It got members thinking that you need to know where you are heading when you venture into the bush.
Last Wednesday saw the Retreads hiking up to Stony Mountain near Genoa Bay.
On a clear day one has a view down the channels past Arbutus Ridge toward the Victoria airport and further around you look out on the channel that goes up past Salt Spring Island to Maple Bay. The group faced light rain and the view was not that great, but they were out exercising and did not melt away. They finished with a warm coffee at the coffee shop at Maple Bay Marina.
The subsequent Sunday saw a group of eight head out to Port Renfrew area to find the now famous Avatar Grove.
Hikers drove past the turn off across the San Juan river to Port Renfrew and then across a high bridge over the gorgeous Gordon River. Another 1.5 kilometers and a small bridge and participants found the trail markers indicating the entrance.
Hikers scrambled down a steep embankment holding a rope, made their way over tree roots and small creeks to the lower level where they saw the gnarled ancient trees.
During this visit, hikers became aware of the possibility that these magnificent old trees could be harvested and the need to add our voices to the number of people bent on saving these valuable old trees.
The Ancient Forest Alliance is spearheading this attempt to have these trees protected.
A recent hike through the Wildflower Reserve at Honeymoon Bay was a gentle one.
It took time as members stopped to admire the flowers, trillium, pink fawn lily and so on, and take numerous pictures.
Future hikes will include a hike to Robertson Falls and a hike up Cobble Mountain.
For further information contact Jean Cozens at 250-749-6156.