We're off ...

Dave and I are off to the Pennine Way, so we haven't organized a hike for April. If anybody wants to plan one, let me know and we can post it. Or just send out a group email.

Marion

AVATAR GROVE

POST FROM DEVON:
Hello Everyone! I have been looking forward to this hike for months. I am so excited to go out on a real exploratory hike with all of you to a place that none of us have ever been to and many people are never lucky enough to experience. We are so fortunate to have such beautiful places right here on the Island!

• WHERE: Avatar Grove
• WHEN: 8:00AM at Serious Coffee at Westshore/Canwest Mall.
  We will be leaving there very soon after 8:00AM so it is important that everyone be there on time. If you are going to be late, please call me at 250.415.2565 to make sure we don't leave without you.

Here are the details you all need to have a very successful and fun day:

• Clothing: It will be wet whether it is raining or not. It is always wet and muddy in this area. Please bring all your rain gear. Rain jacket and pants will be super helpful if you have them. Boots are best for feet but you can wear whatever you want as long as you put plastic bags over your socked feet before putting them into your shoes.
• Bus bag: Please make sure you have dry clothes in the vehicle for when you get back from the hike. This is very important. There is nothing like warm, dry clothes and clean socks when you are back from a day of exploring in the woods.
• Food: We are not stopping for lunch because there is nowhere to stop. You MUST bring lunch with you. This is soooooo important. If everyone is lucky and I am feeling generous (which I have been feeling lately) I will bring some crack (for the new folks that is the code word for candied salmon). Perhaps others will want to bring some stuff that is easily shared.
• New Club Mud entries: I would like you all to welcome Ian's nephew Zach who is almost 10 years old. He is staying with Ian for the weekend and has talked about nothing but this hike for the last couple of weeks. Wellesley and Dave have been around so you all probably know them. My mom will be coming along with us. Please welcome her as she has never been out with Club Mud before. This will be super fun! If there is anyone else that others are bringing along I would like to welcome them as well. see you there!

What else is there? I think I have covered most of it. Oh, except that Marion and Dave are going to be taking photos and sending them with letters to the Prov Govt to help save the land. We should all get together on this one. The letters don't have to be long or complicated. A few lines are all it takes. Let's do this!!!

I have included some instructions to get to Avatar Grove. I don't have any toner in my printer. In fact, that gives me something to do on my lunch break tomorrow. I will print off a copy for Saturday. Then we can take the directions with us.

Please let me know if you are unclear of where we are going before we leave Canwest on Saturday. We have to make sure we all make it. The drive will be about 2 hours so we should carpool as best we can. Here is the information:

How to Get to the Avatar Grove in Port Renfrew, BC

• Drive to Port Renfrew along West Coast Hwy #14.
• Immediately upon reaching Port Renfrew turn RIGHT onto Deering Rd.
• Cross the big bridge over the San Juan River and continue down Deering Rd. staying to the right.
• You then cross a small single lane bridge and reach a “T” in the road. Turn LEFT at the “T”.
• Stay on the main paved road and after approx. 5 km. you will hit a “Y” at which you go LEFT and cross a tall, beautiful bridge over the Gordon River.
• After crossing the bridge keep on the Gordon River Main for about 1.5 km. staying to the right at the next “Y”. You will pass a small white 42 km. mark sign and then shortly after cross over a small bridge at Baird Creek. Park on the right immediately after the bridge. Watch for pink ribbon.
• An entrance to the forest on the right will take you to the Lower Grove which is full of giant burly cedars and some large Douglas fir.
• Also check out the amazing Upper Grove across the road to see “Canada’s Gnarliest Tree”!

Check out the website for more photos and information. Check this out:
http://www.ancientforestalliance.org/