Hike Report: It was a fantastic day for a hike, with sunny weather and incredible visibility. Three women and a dog walked the Brown Ridge trail (it's really more goat path than a trail - and the goats are not averse to walking really close to the edge of that cliff...). Thanks to modern technology (cell phone), one of us was able to summon a ride back to the car at the end of the trail, so instead of returning to our car by hiking back along the ridge, we had lots of time for a lovely picnic in the shade of a centuries-old fir tree.
Above: the start of the trail/goat path, near the parking area of Mount Warburton Pike. Finn the Mascot carries his own water and snacks. That little brown line in the grass is the path we will follow.
When I say goat path, I mean it. In some spots, the trail is perilously close to the abyss. Anyone suffering from vertigo is not going to be comfortable here...
We enjoyed the shady bits of the trail, because the sun was surprisingly hot on Saturday afternoon. During the summer, it will probably be a good idea to walk this trail in the morning, before it gets baking up there.
Above: Camas lily
This lovely flower is a Camas lily (camassia quamash), a native plant. I was surprised to see it on the ridge, because it's such a dry place, and the voracious goats mow down just about everything to golf-green height... If you are interested in native lilies of the West Coast, here's a link to the Sunshine Coast Botanical Society. Very nice website with lots of info on the topic.
Above: This is the reason we went to Brown Ridge - magnificent views (click on the picture to enlarge it). In the distance, the southern tip of South Pender island and Blunden Islet, and further, some of the San Juan islands, in the US. The day was unusually clear and we could also see the Olympic peninsula, dramatic mountains on the horizon.
The above Douglas fir (pseudotsuga menzii) caught our attention because of the light colour of its bark. We had to go take a closer look, and some pictures. The quilters among us were interested in its texture.
Say hello to the Venus stump! Do you see a resemblance to the Venus de Milo? I do. On their way to disappearance, decaying trees can take some fascinating shapes.
Above: golden eagle in flight
There were many vultures riding the thermals in front of the bluff on Saturday, but this eagle soared way above them. After a bit of discussion, we decided that it's a golden eagle (aquila chrysaetos). There was a pair of them, but I could only get a fairly clear shot of this one.
For more pictures and info on golden eagles, check out this University of Michigan webpage. And this other webpage, by the Three Rivers Avian Center of Virginia. Interesting birds: they are monogamous for life, and in the nest, the oldest eaglet usually kills the younger siblings... to ensure more food from mom and dad. (Especially for my seven-year old buddy J., who regularly asks me how long animals, birds and reptiles live, I am happy to report that golden eagles have a lifespan of up to 30 years in the wild, and 46 years in captivity.)
Above: Another panorama from the trail, looking East. The two rocky little islands in the middle are the Java islets (part of the Gulf Islands National Park). They are a protected area that is off-limits in order to let the birds and sea mammals have a break from human contact).
Above: the feral goats of Saturna
While the Three Graces were picnicking - at the end of the trail - goats finally made their appearance. When you are up on the mountain and the ridge, you know there are goats because of the countless trails that weave up and down the alpine slopes, and of course, the droppings they leave behind. But they are discrete creatures. Unless the wind brings up their scent, which is unmistakable...
We concluded our hike with a ride down the mountain, thanks to the very gallant husband of one of the Three Graces, who wanted to try out his four-wheel drive vehicle, I think.
Next week's hike will be posted on Wednesday. Stay tuned.
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