Porpoises on the Inlet - July 8 & 9

My parents came to visit us in Sechelt and brought their new kayaks and an adventurous spirit. We did a tonne of hiking and paddling and had plenty of fun evenings playing cards and watching movies. My Mother, Heather and I have done some backcountry camping, however my father has, to this point, been adverse at the notion. We gave him no choice and we headed up the Sechelt Inlet for a one-nighter.

We got off by about 9:30am after I had to head back to get our paddles, are they a necessity? It was interesting to see how layed-back packing is when your jumping point is only 15 minutes away. It was a misty day and all of us feared the signs of rain.



We only explored the shoreline a little as the gloomy day sapped our creative spirit. We landed at some of the pocket beaches with marine camping sites, however, the goal was Halfway Beach and setting up camp before any rain reared it's ugly head. Heather and I paddled the Two Dogs, Dad rode Mango and my Mom sizzled in Red is Best.


Here is a shot of the Mango Man!



The two yak's taking a rest on Halfway Beach



Misty group shot looking up Salmon Inlet with the Tantalus Range in the distance

Luckily, the rain did not come. I was chomping at the bit to get in one of the kayaks and when everyone laid down and took a nap I took Red is Best and played in the tidal water. Mango could not be contained so my Dad joined me.


Here is Mango, posing.

We had fun setting up camp with my folks.


My Dad pitching Trusty Green.


Heather went to show my Dad how to pump water. It looked like the sun was coming out so my Mother and I went to see. As we walked back to camp my mother turned back and remarked "What are those, are those the porpoises you have been talking about?". In fact it was! So I ran back to the creek to inform the water-makers and we dropped what we were doing and loaded up - Heather took Red, PJ had Mango and Mom and I floated Two Dogs.


Mango and Red got there first and waited for some action.

It wasn't long and the porpoises were jumping and playing. It was amazing, they were beautiful and friendly and came quite close to the boats at times. The harbour seals had to make an appearance as they were not to be excluded from such fun. Good snaps were hard to come by as the porpoises were very quick. Heather had the most luck as they initially surrounded her. Below are only a few of the hundred or so shots we took.


The only head on shot taken -- nice!



Nice side shot.



Up close.


After the porpoises headed up inlet we decided to paddle across the Salmon Inlet to Kunechin Point and the bird sanctuary. There are a couple of camping spots and the area is host to many scuba divers as there is an artificial reef here (old war ship).


My Dad taking shots of the black oyster catchers, harbour seals, cormonts, and bald eagles.


Quiggs with Snappy taking pictures in the background.



Oliver and my Mom

We headed back and had steak and camp potatoes with Heather's corn tortilla sugar desserts. We played some euchre and hit the sheets as we just finished a big day of paddling.

We woke up to a beautiful day with calm waters and bright skies. This was what we were looking for. We got moving earlier to take advantage of the calm water. We crossed the convergence of Salmon and Sechelt Inlets to Nine Mile Point and marveled at the surrounding scenery.


Here is my mother with the Tantalus Icefield in the distance.


It doesn't get much better.


The inlet truly is a beautiful spot.


We took in sea anemones sea cucumbers, crabs, starfish, sunfish and other marine life along the way. I was tempted by many of rocks on our route home.



Great trip folks! Cannot wait for the next....

Bushwhacking on the Sunshine Coast Trail - June 24-26, 2007

Heather and I have been wanting to check out some of the SCT since we got here last September. We had three days off in late June before my parents arrived and we decided to take a break from deck building and take in the Tin Hat Mountain section of the SCT.

~DAY 1~

We took the first ferry from Earl's Cove (Sunshine Coast) to Saltery Bay (Powell River Penninsula) to give us enough time to check out the town of Powell River and get on the trail in the morning. It started out as a misty day and we were fearful that we would get caught in the rain all day, but were happy in knowing that the first section of trail was all under tree cover.

Here we are pulling into the berth at the Saltery Bay ferry terminal.

We headed up Goat Main Logging Road to get to the start of our section. These roads are home to active logging and care should be taken when driving. I later found out that many people rent a radio so that they can hear when the trucks are coming. Luckily, we did not run into any trucks. Along the way you could see extensive logging in the area, which offered a few views of the surrounding lakes -- many of them part of the Powell River Forest Canoe Route.


Views of Lois Lake from the foothills of the Smith Range provided by a cut-block.

We used the trail guide by R.E. Walz and found it very descriptive, but, not always the most accurate. We were able to follow Goat Main to the Tin Hat Jctn, but, got stuck for about 2 hours, searching for the trailhead described in the book.



The book describes passing by the 4km mark and hitting a road to Lewis Lake with a trail shortly after. We passed a road that had a sign indicating "Lewis Lake", however, there was no trail in the vicinity. After the searching and walking up and down, we decided to drive further up the road and stumbled across an area that looked like the trailhead. We now realized that the trail guide should have said 4miles, not 4km....arrrghhhh!



So we suited up and hit the trail skirting Spring Lake with the final destination for the day being the Lewis Lake Forest Site.



The trip started with a well beaten trail and was easy to follow. We were happy to finally hit the trail and enjoyed the thick forest canopy and lush floor with oodles of course woody debris (CWD) -- hahaha.



However, as we got further into the trail the ferns started to make the trail more difficult to follow. Glass half-full, this allowed us to exercise our route finding skills. Additionally, this was my first overnighter using my new GPS, so I was interested to see how this new gadget would fit into the traditional compass and map tools that we generally use.



Our route finding skills were not finished being tested as we came to a section that lead to a logging road that was not on the map. Both sides of the trail were thick with fall-down and debris from the road development. So we wrestled our way to the new road and pulled off our packs and had a drink. We bushwacked on the other side and came up to what appeared to be an old cart-path. We could hear water lapping not too far away, and were confident that this was probably the trail that lead to the camp -- and we were right.


Our new MEC Apollo tent was nice, however, the tent pads were very firm and difficult to knock in our tent pegs.


The site also had a long dock, as the new logging road gave easy access -- I assume there is probably good fishing in Lewis Lake. We made dinner and hit the sheets with our eyes on a full day to the top of Tin Hat Mountain and back to Lewis Lake.

~DAY 2~

We started with breakfast and hung our food and were off by 9am. We headed back along the cart path and connected with the trail. This section was said to be completed in 2003, however, all we knew for sure is that the route has been marked. The beginning of the trail around the south tip of Lewis Lake was very well developed and made for an enjoyable start. There were reminants and many reminders of the areas old growth past.


Heather posing by a fallen monster -- now that's some CWD!

As we progressed we came upon more and more blow down. It was apparent that this section had not been cleared yet -- I knew I should have brought my bow saw! We took everything in stride and took in some of the neat things this forest had to offer.


Heather was taken by this fungae and took some cool pictures.

It was not long before we were again amongst some very heavy blow down. We realized that the trail was now skirted by a new logging road, which opened up the area for the winds to blow. There was also alot of "scrap-brush" and "leftovers" from the road development. By this time there was no trail and we were climbing up and over everthing. After about an hour we finally got to the logging road to reasess.


Here is a view of the "trail" that we were following.

We decided to look for a small creek which would eventually hook back up to the trail. We walked along the logging road and picked up the creek. Of course there was immense blow down along the creek, however, at this point we were feeling good about our route finding skills and felt we needed an advanced test. We whacked up the creek until we came upon a pink flag on the other side of the creek, and a beautiful tree being used as a bridge. We had picked the trail back up -- yahoo!


This is Heather finally enjoying being able to walk without the constant barrage of fallen trees - this tree was to our advantage!

We took a flagged route, which by our calculations was running in the right direction. We hit a small series of Lakes/Ponds after about 2km and were happy to come upon Lac Godeau, Sofia Pond & Cranberry Pond within about a half hour. We stopped at Sofia Pond and took a dip and had a snack. After about a half hour break we suited up and were ready for the approximately 800m elevation gain to the top of Tin Hat (1150m). We continued to follow a slightly logical flagged route, however, after about an hour of zig-zagging, with no apparent purpose we headed for the ridge that would lead to the top of Tin Hat. We gained the ridge and started our ascent. Again there was no trail on the west access to Tin Hat, and we found ourselves whacking up the side of the mountain. We finally picked up flagging again and at this point seemed to be following a much more logical route. We finally reached a few rocky outcrops and turned around for the beautiful views of Lewis Lake (front), Ireland Lake (middle right), Dodd Lake (middle left) and the meeting of Horsehoe Lake & Nanton Lake (back) -- all part of the Powell River Forest Canoe Route.





We continued up the mountain, still heavy bushwhacking and wanting the top more than ever. There were a few more lookouts and views as we worked our way up the mountain.


Views of the Georgia Strait and Texada Island on our way up.


Views west of the Knuckleheads and Mount Freda area (Mount Freda is the snow-topped center left & Diadem the sharp point just left of that)


Views north of Beartooth Mountain on the Rainbown Range

As we got closer there were a few rocky sections which allowed us to test our scrambling skills. We have not done a tonne of scrambling, but have always enjoyed the little that we have done.

Here is Heather smiling in the enjoyment of some easy scrambling.

We rambled through a few small meadowy sections filled with Heather and enjoyed the more open country as we started to get above the tree line. There were views everywhere we looked and too many pictures to post. You could take in most of the Canoe Route, which was neat.


I am already planning the trip on the Canoe Route -- next summer!

We pushed further and now had views of the cairn at the top of Tin Hat. By this point our legs were weary from the bushwhacking, yet still anticipating the views from the top.


Heather making the final push with the cairn in the background.

We passed through a few snowy sections and were at the top with the happy Leprachaun (cairn) -- we figured the cairn was for the heli-pad which consisted of two peices of lumber lying on the ground with "HELI-PAD" etched into them.


The summit provided 360 degree views that our pictures will not do justice. It was getting late and the bugs were out on top so we had a quick meal, took some pictures and decided to head east to hook up with an old logging road that lead to the more traditional access trail to Tin Hat. After 8 hours of whacking (for a planned 3-4 hour return trip), we were not in the mood for whacking any longer!

Here are a few pics from the top....

Quiggs enjoying the views.


Oliver is such a poser! Beartooth Mountains in the back...


Heather and Quiggs.


Goofing around on top.


Heather and I


We headed back to our camp along the "rubble-rich road" as it is described in the trail guide. An old logging road, wide and clear, which was fine with us. We ate and crawled into bed. Day three consisted of getting out and catching the ferry.

Happy Trials and Trails!

Rainbows on Spipyus Peak

Got home from work and the sun was out. As it has been cloudy for the last couple of days I decided to grab the dogs and go for a ramble up to Spipyus Peak. Spipyus Peak is in the fairly newly appointed Spipyus Provincial Park and is also home to Mt. Hallowell from 103 Hikes. The park is on the Caren Range which takes up the majority of the Sechelt Penninsula. The area surrounding the park is under active logging which provides easy access to the park. The main artery, Trout Lake Road, takes you right to the parks doorstep. There are a tonne of lookouts offering views of the Sechelt, Salmon and Narrows Inlet as well as the Georgia Strait. If you simply drove up to the park and made a base camp you could easily spend a few days day hiking to visit all of the road spurs, trails and lookouts. I would suggest picking up the Sunshine Coast Super Map for all your planning. There are also a variety of sub-alpine lakes to visit and fish if that is your thing.

I hit Trout Lake Road at about 6:35pm and headed up the park hoping to get some sunset views. The first half of the road is in incredible condition (maintained my Pan Pacific Aggregates) and is posted for 50km/hr.

After that there are some rougher patches, but, still decent -- 4x4 is recommended.

On the way up I stopped at the hydro lines to take in some views of the Georgia Strait (Texada Island in the distance). These hyrdo lines run all the way down the Salmon Inlet to the Clowhom Lake and the hydro dam.



As you enter the park you jog right and get a glimpse of the gentle ridge leading to Spipyus. There were patches of snow starting at about 1000m.



I parked at the road spur (about 7:15pm) that lead to a lookout and the climb to the forested peak. You could drive up to the lookout, but, that would take all the fun out of it. I have day hiked up here a few times and yet to run into any other humans. The dogs were glad to get out and stretch their legs after the bumpy ride.



The trail is wide and allows for enjoyable side-by-side hiking if with another. I first headed to the lookout as I knew I wouldn't see much from the forested peak and wanted to maximize my time with the sun for picture taking. Along the way there were images of this areas old growth past. There are supposed to still be some ancient and giant yellow cedars in the area. I am determined to find them this summer.



There are a variety of views as you head out to the end of the trail. The most notable is of the convergence of Salmon and Sechelt Inlets.



It was a little misty and wet (no need for raingear) and as I came around a bend towards the lookout I was rewarded with a beautiful rainbow. The dogs enjoyed the 25 minute ramble full of sniffs and tender lush grass to nibble on.




That is Quiggs at the end of the lookout in the distance.

We headed back to hit the trailhead that leads to the Peak and the dogs became quite excited as they spotted heavier snow.



They love the snow and have not seen it for about a month. They dashed off and enjoyed wrestling and rolling in the white stuff. Oliver and Quiggs seem to get a spring in their step when they see snow (especially if it has been awhile). It was neat to see all the bedding grounds in the snow for what appeared to be a group of deer or elk.



The trail ends and there is about 300m of a bushwhack to the top. There are no views but your ending elevation is 1250m.
On the way back to the main spur you get glimpses of the Georgia Strait and Texada Island.



As I approached my parking spot I got views of the sub-alpine Lyons Lake. There are trails that lead to the lake, Heather and I will have to bring our rods back to see what we can find.



Back safely to the truck by 8:45.