Unexpected and Fantastic January 27, 2013

The week previous we planned to hike Sleeping Beauty/Slatechuk today ... we are ever optimistic. Yesterday was sunny so we were even less expectant ... at 9:30 the first call to cancel came and a few more later but the 3 hardy over the hillers headed up the hill.

The night before was a beatiful full moon, the snow was virually all gone from the top of Sleeping Beauty ... who thought that when we got up that there would be snow down low on the mountain!

Off we went wondering about the roads ... no problems though so we parked mid road at the "Y" turn-off and headed up the trail ... calm, with a few inches of snow.

On we went it was amazing, as on Friday, we had talked about missing snow while we watched Conflict Tiger [the inspiration film for John Vaillant's The Tiger].

There were just us and tracks in the snow ... we neither saw nor heard anything.

An hour or so later we stoped at the benches for a delicous muffin snack while HH continued on a bit to find the geocache, by now we were in snow occassionally up to our knees ... HH broke trail for us so she deserved to find the cache, which she did.

It was magical, and so unexpected ... the best part is no snow in town.

The knees held up on the way down and we shared some amazing fire stories ... strange as it wasn't cold.

Once back to town, we instituted our Plan B as well ... lunch and movie.
Great way to spend a Sunday.

Jan. 20 Hiking to Geocache Duncan's Vision

Lots were busy today but a few enthusiasts decided to head out ... the weather was mild and dry. So we looked at Branch 10 B, C and D as well as Stanley Lake Rd ... then went back to 10C and headed in to find the geocache, Duncan's Vision, hoping to the first  [FTF - first to find is special]. So remembering the clues we were able to find it.

The "trail", a long ago abandoned logging road was pretty good, fairly dry with only a few trees down and it was quite easy to get though them. Much work has been done on these trail to make them accessible for hikers and runners but not for vehicles ... signage is coming, please be patient these trails are maintained by volunteer visionaries.

Only one squirrel was heard, the rest of the chattering was us. Never saw another person nor vehicle!We just went to the cache site ... 4+k round trip.
Totally calm, restorative day .... Sleeping Beauty Slatechuck is on for next Sunday.

Rained Out December 6, 2012

Doesn't happen very often ... we did head out on Nude Beach for a beach hike but we didn't go that far as it was kind of wet! Fortunately, there was food involved so that made everything wonderful even if more calories went in than out!

First of the Year Jan. 1, 2013

Again that forecast ... but again it was fine for a hike ... no sun, no rain, no wind. So the rumour was that Spirit Lake Trail was open ... some of us didn't know it had been closed ... so off we went it try it.

At least 100 trees have fallen, many huge, some small ... but all over the place there are trees down ... part of the trail is still closed. Frost patches and icy spots are still on some of the bridges ... care is needed. 

Most everything is open but there are at least 2 very scrambly places spots where huge trees and root wads have come down and the detours over and under as well as around are necessary.

Totally calm today ... and we only ran into a couple of other hikers.

Several times we stopped in admire the skim ice and the vivid reflections.
Great beginning to the hiking year. Special thanks to the folks working on repairing the trail ... you are appreciated.

Last of the Year December 31, 2012

Never totally believe the weather forecast ... always have plan B and sometimes Plan C is necessary. Today was such ... forecast for rain and wind. Well, at the last minute as the weather looked wonderful, a few of us took off, not far, to do the Honna Loop. Just had to clear out the cobwebs of 2012! Perhaps this isn't the most exciting walk, along the logging road but it was beautiful today ... we headed northward first which meant we came around to the west and down onto the beaches, where the sun's warmth and brilliance was really enjoyed.

Only one vehicle was noticed and they too were hiking in the area.

Unfortunately, both stops we made on the beaches were marred by the disrespectful people who left deer carcasses at these spots which were developed for people to enjoy without, mess, from decaying animals, or danger, from bringing bears into the area!

Perhaps between Conservation and the Village a "single place" could be developed where people could take deer carcasses to be disposed... instead of them being abandoned everywhere.

2012 Boxing Day Hotdog Roast at Gray Bay

2 loaded cars crossed on the 10:00 ferry heading to Gray Bay ... this time it was decided that we would head to Secret Cove first as so often when we left it to the end we would miss it when rushing to the ferry.

So straight to the Secret Cove turn off, then through the woods and down to the beach ... with the high-ish tide and the crashing waves, yet no wind - it felt like the healthiest place in the world! After checking out the beaches, for fresh shells; the woods for newly downed trees, and the cliff for lost shells ... we headed to Gray Bay for Hot dogs!

The men got the fire going, we don't usually have the luxury of a chainsaw, so very quickly with the dry kindling, a nice crackling fire was blazing ... the ladies headed to the beach for some photos and combing!

Lunch was the usual feast, 3 kinds of dogs with all the trimmings, 2 kinds of homemade buns, chips, chocolate and a couple of desserts, along with a variety of drinks.

We did run into snow at the turn off to Gray Bay and we did run into another family enjoying the area. When deciding which ferry to take home one car decided to take in the Spit to see if they could spot some Owls ... but no owls today!

Great trip as usual, lots of fresh air, delicious food, and beach combed loot.

In Search of the Snowy Owl ... Nov. 26, 2012

The rumour was out that there were Snowy Owls visiting in Sandspit ... so finally we had a chance to get over to search them out! The 11:00 ferry gave us plenty of time so we headed right for the Inlet side of the Spit walk ... we were fortunate to run into our Island expert, Margo who gave us some tips and helped with identifications too!

The tide was quite high and the beach was kelp covered so it was a bit of a slippery hike out to the end where we cut back onto the roadway around the runway .... on the Inlet side we immediately saw gulls,  Can. geese and snow geese [visitors too], turnstones, sanderlings and a lone sandpiper ...

Once at the end of the Spit we saw our first Snowy Owl, perched on beachside stump ... continuing on we saw a Harrier hawk, more snowy owls apparently of differing ages considering their plumage colours and then some Snow Buntings ....

It was a wonderful calm, quiet hike ... no wind, no rain, no breakers ... just birds everywhere ....

We made it back to the airport for a nice lunch and in time to get one of our hikers on the plane heading to Snowy Ontario.


Before catching the ferry we made a stop at a new geocache site near the old Aliford Bay dock to confirm that the recent 7.7 earthquake and westerly hurricane force winds, followed at last week's 133 km southeasterly did indeed dislodge the Stravaner Cache site - soon to be replaced. We also checked out the memorial and the trailhead ... it will be on a 2013 hike list.