Opening Day

Today was the first day that the Strathcona Park Wilderness Centre was open for the summer 2010 season, and visitors came from near & far - from the Comox Valley & lower Vancouver Island, but also from the Netherlands, Sweden, the UK, and Australia.

Dozens of people stopped in to the Centre, including Valley photographers Chris Carter , who will be guiding a photo outing in the meadows Sept. 12, & Tim Penney, who captured some great creative images: snow shapes & tree silhouettes, still reflections on the lakes, perspectives inside hollow trees and many more. Toward the end of the day, a couple stopped in who looked very familiar - no wonder, as I have seen many of their presentations & read many of their books - Colin & Julie Angus! check out their amazing world-wide adventures at their blog.

Of course lots of hikers don't stop for maps or info but head straight for the trails - so the latest updates are that the boardwalk loop is mostly clear , there is 2' - 5' of hard-packed snow in places along the west side of Lake Helen Mackenzie & lots of snow beyond the lake, with up to 10' of snow at the Rangers Cabin on the way to Hairtrigger Lake. Thanks to all who stopped in with updates.

We heard blue grouse today, as well as golden-crowned & white-crowned sparrows, hermit thrush, olive-side flycatchers, ravens - of course whiskey jacks were also reported along the trails. We also saw a brown furry creature near the roadside on the way up - is it possible that it was a Vancouver Island Marmot??

Jet FM visited for an interview, and the Wilderness Centre July programs are featured on Island Nature magazine - check it out!