Cowichan River Trail

                                                                    

For those who did not make it we had a great walk on the weekend along the Cowichan River Trail. Parking along Riverbottom Road at Mile 66 Trestle we walked over the river where we had some incredible views. Once over the trestle we then  went off the Trans-Canada Trail and took a trail going downstream along the Cowichan River through some second growth forest. The trail was fairly easy with very little change in elevation as it meandered through the mixed forest.

Thanks to our hosts Devon and Ian we had some great discussions concerning the evidence of bear scant on the trail the last time they walked here. It was during the salmon run in the fall and there were lots of half-eaten carcasses of fish littering the forest floor and riverfront.

At the end of our hike we all agreed that it was well worth the trip up to the Cowichan Valley and this great hike.

The weather proved to be perfect with temperatures at around18 degrees Celsius. Lunch was along a long stretch of the Cowichan River, although we did not see any bears this trip we did happen to encounter some ducks swimming playfully in the river.

It was suggested by Ian that the next time we come to the Cowichan River rather than go downstream that we go on the upstream section of the trail. That sounded like a fantastic idea and I hope Club Mud can do it in the near future

Hike - Sunday April 13

 Ian and I were up in North Cowichan (Chemainus) this weekend and it just convinced us even more that the Cowichan River is the right place to go this coming Sunday. Cowichan is blooming with spring and the warm valley is calling us. The trail is really scenic, relatively flat (rail grade on the return part of the loop) and the drive there is not long (shorter than out by Port Renfrew for sure).

Time: 8:30AM meet and leave by 9:00AM
Place: Serious Coffee - Can West/Westshore Mall in Langford

Carpooling: let's be sure to carpool from the Westshore to keep fuel (and carbon) consumption tight.

I will bring some birding books and the plant identification book. These will be fun to play with along the river. Last time Ian and I were there was with Nathaniel and another friend and it was during the salmon spawn. It was fantastic!

Send me an email if you have any questions!!

Sunday, Feb 23 - A note from Gary

Just a reminder about the hike on Sunday. I guess we are meeting at Serious Coffee about 8:30 am for coffee and a chat, plan to leave there at 9 am.

We all might want pack something to snack on as well as rain gear, it could be ugly. Also some good boots for a  possible snowy trail.

All the usual stuff that Club Mud prepares for.

Feb Hike: Sunday the 23rd

Gary has a great hike planned for us. To quote:

" I was thinking that exploring up the Terra Nova trail then going towards Mount Braden would be interesting.

Researching the trail on the web mostly deals with the trail being used for mountain biking, but I have seen lots of hikers going up it and then going towards Mount Braden.

Good description of hike:

http://www.trailpeak.com/trail-Mt-Braden-Loop-near-Victoria-BC-6709

http://www.clubtread.com/sforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=42661

http://www.rollingonward.com/blogs/ititw/2011/06/19/hike-mt-braden-metchosin-bc/

This link has a track in it for Dave and GPS

http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM9RY9_Mt_Braden_Sooke_Hills_Sooke_BC

Here are a few links regarding mountain bike for information:

http://mountainbikingbc.ca/trail/terra-nova

http://thelazyrando.wordpress.com/2012/08/03/terra-nova-trail-sooke-bc/

Looks like the return hike could take between 4 to 5 hours.

Gary"

Let's meet at our normal Serious at 8:00, head out at 9:00 am.

Sunday, January 26

Hi Everybody,

Our January hike is on Sunday the 26th. Let's meet at Serious (Westshore, as always) at 8 am, and leave at 9 am.

This will be a morning hike - probably Mount Work, so we should be finished around noon.

Looking forward to seeing all of you!

Any guesses on BYRP?

Sunday, January 26 BYRP

Hi Everybody,

Our January hike is on Sunday the 26th. Let's meet at Serious (Westshore, as always) at 8 am, and leave at 9 am.

This will be a morning hike - probably Mount Work, so we should be finished around noon.

Looking forward to seeing all of you!

Any guesses on BYRP?

December 21st get-together

Hi everybody,

Please send me a note to confirm whether or not you are joining in on Saturday evening.

France is putting together a "please bring" list for fondue.

Does anybody have an extra fondue pot they can bring?

Marion