Originally published at: Mount Service Hike from Cottonwood Main (B2) – Alpine Club of Canada Vancouver Island Section
Trip Leader/Contact: Sharleen James at sharleenj11@gmail.com.
IMPORTANT: If interested, please send your ACC# (due to the gate key, only members can join, no guests) and emergency contact. Please let me know if you would like to carpool from Victoria.
Trip Description:
Meet at Cottonwood Main gate at 8:30 am and we will carpool from there.
Distance: 5km (exact distance will depend on how far we are able to drive with the new logging)
Elevation:850m
This will be an out and back hike up to Mount Service from Cottonwood main. We will get the key to the gate so we can drive up the logging road. It appears there has been some recent logging at the base of the mountain so expect to start the hike by walking through some fresh slash. Once past the slash there is a marked trail for us to follow.
This is a shorter hike distance wise but very steep. Expect some scrambling.I expect a slower pace due to the elevation gain and terrain but hikers should be fit enough to move through this terrain at 1-2 km/hr with short breaks for water. Once on the ridge there should be great views of the surrounding mountains and hopefully the fall subalpine colors will be out. We will enjoy a break and lunch on the summit before heading back to the car.
As this would be a less pleasant hike in the rain, I will reschedule if the forecast changes to call for heavy rain.
Equipment Requirements: good comfortable hiking footwear and 10 essentials
Hazards: “General” type: slips, trips, falls, environmental due to weather, Infectious disease contracted through viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi which may be transmitted through direct or indirect contact.
Max. Participants: 5 people (can increase to 8 if someone else is able to drive up logging road)