It was another day that might tempt one to stay indoors, but on March 28, ten members of the Cowichan Lake Retreads again took to the trails.
This time we drove up to the south end of Ladysmith and hiked along the Holland Creek trail. This is a lovely path that follows Holland Creek up almost three kilometers where you can cross over and come down the opposite side. The path is well maintained and well sign-posted with rope supports set alongside some of the steeper pitches. It winds up and down through the forest past weirs built across the creek in the early 1900s to create reservoirs for a nearby colliery.
Along the way we passed Crystal Falls which is rushing with water at this time of year. We noticed in the low-lying areas that Western Skunk Cabbage (Swamp Lanterns) plants are beginning to bloom. A sure sign of spring.
Once we started back, we branched off to hike up to the Rotary Lookout here we enjoyed our lunch as we savored the vista looking down over Ladysmith, past the Gulf Island and across the Strait of Georgia. As we were eating, it started to sprinkle but by the time we got back to the parking lot it was pouring rain. We made our way to a café in Ladysmith; a perfect ending to another good outing.
— Submitted by Willa Suntjens