A variety of international hikers over the last few days: from the Netherlands, Sweden, France, the UK, Australia, New Zealand - as well as across Canada: Alberta, Saskatchewan, Quebec, Ontario & Nova Scotia. Many Vancouver Islanders also visit, and Comox Valley residents bring their guests up to the meadows to show off the beauty of the park.The guided hiking group yesterday, & various hikers today, reported that the boardwalk loop is mostly clear, but still quite a bit of snow on the Lake Helen Mackenzie circuit - hiking boots are recommended rather than running shoes which will get wet, and hiking the loop in a counter-clockwise direction is suggested as that way the snowiest section near Battleship Lake will be downhill.
Several experienced hikers destined for Circlet Lake turned back due to the snow beyond the Ranger Cabin & camped at Helen Mackenzie where they reported a couple of tent platforms have been cleared. They were still adventurous though, going up Mount Brooks instead!Birds over the last couple of days include Steller's jay, varied thrush, and nuthatches, as well as the previously noted pine siskins, olive-sided flycatcher, white-crowned sparrow, ravens, and hermit thrush. Juncos and gray jays are getting bold enough to visit the deck of the Wilderness Centre!
Flowers now in bloom include pink & white mountain heathers, bunchberry, twistedstalk, Hooker's fairybells, and blueberries, as well as the earlier yellow violet, swamp lantern, shooting star, bog-laurel, globeflower & marsh marigold. Thanks to the botanists who reported these.
Everyone enjoyed the 'Lichen It' walk yesterday, and several new connections & friendships were formed among the participants! Lichens identified included horsehair lichens (Bryoria sp.), witch's hair (Alectoria sp.), beard lichens (Usnea sp.), reindeer lichen (Cladina portentosa), pelt lichens (Peltigera) including P. britannica or P. aphthosa, bone lichens (Hypogymnia sp.), ragbag (Platismatia glauca), and dust lichens (Lepraria sp.).
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