As part of the Mar 1 - 2 , 2025 ACC-VI Volunteer Appreciation and AGM weekend we thought it might be fun to put a classic Sooke Hills Sunday hike on the schedule. Even thought the weather outlook wasn’t that positive, the uptake for this day trip was!
Peggy, Roger, Yvonne, Rachel, Dave, Tracy, Vivian, and Karly joined me on a triple-header in the hills: Mt Wells, Mt McDonald, and The Bumps. We started at 9:00am and had a fine 11km up hill, down dale, bushwhacking and a bit of route finding for about 900m of elevation gain.
On Mt Wells. L-R: Rachel, Karly, Roger, Vivian, Peggy, Mary, Tracy, Dave, and Yvonne. Photo by Yvonne.
Of course we were on the hunt for wildflowers - and top on our list were Satinflowers. I’m happy to say both Mt. Wells and McDonald didn’t disappoint, especially on the more open, sunny slopes. We saw many in bloom with lots and lots more to come!
Rusty-haired Saxifrage and Spring Gold - along with a few beginning Shooting Stars and the buds of Fawn Lilies were also spotted.
Satinflower bunch on Mt. Wells.
Rusty-haired Saxifrage above the “Arroyo de la Muerte” on the Bumps.
I’m pleased to say boulders were preened upon, a few trees were climbed, and lots of fun and laughter ensued. As well as stopping for wildflowers, views, and photos, we all enjoyed elevenses on the steep west slopes of Wells, lunch at Hogwarts on The Bumps, and afternoon snack at Orobanche Rock on McDonald’s SW side.
View from our elevenses stop on Mt Wells.
Trees were climbed! A favourite stop - the arbutus on Alan’s Ledge below Stick Bump.
Classic Sooke Hills Sunday!