December 13: A Walk Up the Mountain

Road to Warburton Pike
Saturday, December 13
Rendez-vous at 1 pm, Corner of Harris Road and Staples Road
(just below Money Lake)

Bring water and a snack, wear good walking or hiking shoes.

Come and walk up the road to the summit of Mount Warburton Pike.
It takes about 2.5 hours return, and the weather forecast is promising...

See you Saturday!

NOTE: This is the last walk of 2008. The next walk will be in January.
Happy Holidays!

December 6: Monarch Head, Nothing Less!

Monarch Head - Short hike up, Big Views!
Saturday, December 6
Rendez-vous at 1 pm, end of Narvaez Bay Road,
at the Park gate.

Bring water and a snack, wear good walking or hiking shoes.


It's a busy time of the year, so the consensus was to choose a walk that doesn't take too long... This one is a short hike up to the top of a cliff, where you come out of a dark forest to a spectacular view of distant islands.

P.S. If some people have the time and energy, it's possible to add the Narvaez Bay loop to the above excursion.

See you Saturday at 1 pm!

A Quick Circuit at The Beach

Hike Report: We thought it was going to rain... but it didn't, not really. Just a very grey day (hello, this is the West Coast)... A large group of people got together and walked a short circuit - under an hour - from the vineyard to the beach, and back.

Above: the road to Thompson Park, Saturna Island

Down the road we went. At one point, our two advance scouts were surrounded by goats, which were being chased by a dog. I won't say whose dog it was. My lips are sealed. Unfortunately, the photographer got there too late for action shots... The scouts reported that it was quite exciting to have a herd (troupe? gaggle?) of goats stream by you. Sorry I missed it.


The park is bordered by a small pebble beach, with this highly bent fir tree at water's edge. Some people have described it as a "culturally modified tree" or CMT, which was bent at sharp angles to signal the presence of freshwater nearby. These are trees that First nations people have used, and modified, without killing the tree. For an interesting side trip in the archaeology of BC forests, click here.

Above: Rose hips, dripping with moisture.

I wanted to catch the drop falling off the rose hips... but again, my timing was awful. It would have taken some time, and all the while, the group continued to march down the road. Hard choices...

Above: There is indeed freshwater at Thompson Park

At the old home site on Thompson Park, you can see the remnants of an orchard, the few bricks of an old chimney... and a hand pump. One of the participants demonstrated the art of pumping water the old-fashioned way. It takes some elbow grease and good timing. I am trying to imagine pumping water for every cleaning, watering and other chore that people had to do... a long time ago. After using one of these contraptions, they certainly didn't need to go to the gym to keep their arms and shoulders in shape. Note the hot pink gloves!

Above: Saturna vineyard in November

And finally, on the way back to the vehicles, we walked along one of the fields, with a nice curvy view of the vineyard. Did I write that it was a grey day in November? Ah but we are hardy souls, we can't be stopped that easily. All in all, a good, quick circuit on a Saturday afternoon.

November 29: From the Vineyard to the Beach

Thompson Park Walk (about 2 km return)
Saturday, November 29 - Rendez-vous at 1 pm
at the Saturna Vineyard parking lot.

Wear waterproof footwear and raingear (you never know)
and bring water and a snack...
and don't forget your binoculars: birds might be around!

Above: Thompson Park beach and its famous crooked tree

Come visit the "other side"... from the Vineyard to Thompson Park.
We'll follow the road and admire the vineyard all draped in netting.

Above: The fruit is protected by netting, a "formal" look!

Then we'll continue back to our cars. Allow about 2 hours.
See you Saturday!

Sunny November Day on the Mountain

Hike Report: Sunny November... perfect day for the top of the mountain. Several women, one man and one dog went for a walk. At then end of the circuit, they met another group of people, who'd come to enjoy the sunshine at the top. Great Day!

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves...

Above: Three bald eagles doing aerial manoeuvres, celebrating a sunny day

Above: One of the eagles perched nearby, cute behind, no?

There are some very large Douglas firs (pseudotsuga menzii) left on the island, and this is one of them. A volunteer stands in front to give you an idea of the scale.

The walk was brief but very pleasant, and we'll think of something else for next Saturday. Hope to see you there.

November 22: Brown Ridge Yet Again!

Brown Ridge Trail, from the top of Warburton Pike
(about 3 km return... one hour's walk in, and then the return!)
Saturday, November 22 - Rendez-vous at 1 pm
at the Warburton Pike Summit parking area

Above: A Summer Shot of the view from up top... fall views are "moodier"

I know it's a busy season, with guests and the Chritmas Market... but we offer an outdoor option to all of you. Check out the details on the November 8 post below.

See you Saturday.

Brown Ridge on a dramatic day

Hike Report: Saturday looked like it was going to be miserable... Windy, rainy... cold. Despite all that, some adventurous women went up the mountain... in two groups. The afternoon on top of the mountain was actually beautiful.

Below, some pictures to give you an idea of that experience.

From the parking area, the trail can be found by "hugging the treeline", as someone explained it to me last year. This brown line (above) is a goat path... More like a goat highway, well used.

Very quickly, there is a magnificent payoff: the views are spiritual. The cloud cover on Saturday added drama...



Still on the goat path, about an hour in on the trail.


Above: A crow aerial ballet. The crows were bored and followed us along the ridge, very curious about us. They kept wheeling back and forth, above our heads. Almost dizzying to watch.


At some points on the ridge, you can look directly down - it feels like you're looking out the window of a tall building... Below, the Campbell Farm pastures... sheep in the late afternoon. Very pastoral.


And while returning to the car, the sun came out again. All in all, a very mixed-weather experience.

Hope to see you next Saturday, at the Salmon Barbecue at Lyall Creek! High Noon!