Ambitions typically move towards local hikes in the fall and winter, in between those bigger mountain or coastal backpacks in the summer warm weather and the skiing and snowshoeing in the snowy winter months. So, since we hike almost every weekend, Roger and I posted a local Sooke Hills offering on the schedule on Saturday, November 8th and had a wonderful turn out of 8 members (including us).
Our day trip started at the Sooke Hills Wilderness parking lot in cool, but clear weather around 8:30 AM. We headed to Sugar Lump (the bump south of Sugar Loaf via the old southern route of Amusement Park, Camus Col and Fish Ponds trail. We veered left off Fish Ponds on a faint trail to top out on Sugar Lump for glimpses east over to the Olympic Mts. (I will use the John Hasell trail names, as that is what I am familiar with). We only briefly stopped there and then headed north up to Sugar Loaf (group pictured there in photo below) where we took a tea and snack break to fully enjoy the full view over to the Olympics - a glorious view!
After about a 15 minute or so stop we carried on down the steep north side trail (Sue’s Trail) and took a left onto the Jurrasic Trail and another left onto the Jurrasic Park trail to Eagle Bluffs sometime around noonish. This area is particularly wonderful for the larger, and well spaced trees - a delight to wander in. (Roger pictured in one of our favorite climbing trees….sad that Mike is not with him!) At Eagle Bluffs another stunning view over to the Washington Peninsula was beheld and we took our lunch break there. Many in the group had not been to this area, so it was lovely to share this great nook of the local hills with them!
In consultation with the group we decided to skip Mike Hill and instead carry on to Crowsnest via a slightly bushwacky route up up the west slope that went extremely well and was barely bushy most of the way. The summit of Crowsnest was pretty windy, so we just paused for photos and oogling of the great view of Mt. Baker in the distance (photo below from Crowsnest, minus Roger taking the photo. Second photo a closeup on Mt. Baker).
Carrying on, we travelled down the slopes of Crowsnest along the Ambulatory Patients Trail, taking a right on the Secret trail and then right onto the Veitch Carriageway, eventually leading back to the parking area just before 3 PM.
I can say that all enjoyed the route as many had not been to Eagle Bluffs or to Sugar Lump via the old south route and all enjoyed the standout viewpoints we hit during the day. It was a great day out with lively conversation, great hiking, enjoyment of the fall colours, and even some good mushroom sightings. All in all a wonderful day out wandering in our local hills.
Participants: Roger and Peggy Taylor, Ingo L., George U., Jen H. and Jim B., Rachel T. and James W.
How many people can you fit on a rock….(photo below minus James taking the shot)
