Sunny Days Ahead

The forecast looks good tomorrow for the final nature walk of the season at the Wilderness Centre. Margaret Symon will guide a walk around the meadows looking at Lichens & Trees starting at 1p.m. Thurs. 29th.

The last official day for the Centre to be open for information is Sunday Oct. 2.

Wild Weather

The wet & windy weather of the past couple of days has meant some difficulties in Strathcona Park. On Sunday a hiker who had tried to venture up Mt. Albert Edward was rescued after spending the night outdoors, making headlines . A reminder that hikers need to be prepared for all weather conditions & carry map & compass.

For a look back at better weather, check out the Island Nature blog - several postings in August focussed on the flowers of Paradise Meadows.

Rainy Day Hike

The guided hike scheduled yesterday to Panther Lake had a slight change of plans - since the day started rainy, the handful of hardy hikers went to the Kwai Lake area instead. The weather cleared somewhat by later in the day.
The forecast looks better by later in the week, for the final program in the Wilderness Centre schedule: a Nature Walk on Thurs. Sept. 29 on Trees & Lichens with RPF Margaret Symon.  The walk around the boardwalk starts at 1 p.m.

Marvelous Marmots

In spite of the drizzly weather, the presentation on Marvelous Marmots was full to capacity! Alana Buchanan of the Marmot Recovery Centre on Mt. Washington gave an entertaining talk to a couple dozen kids & a half-dozen adults. She is happy to give the talk to any other group interested - contact the Centre at coordinator(at)strathconapark(dot)org to get her contact info.

Paradise Meadows today was actually almost above the cloud - the sun appeared several times & there was a rainbow on the way down the hill! Often when the weather appears cloudy in the Comox Valley it will be nice at 1100 m. elevation.

Valleyview Field Day

A beautiful day for a field trip yesterday, as a couple dozen kids from Valleyview Elementary with parents & teacher came up to the meadows for a day hike.

After a bit of an overview about Strathcona Park, wilderness ethics & Leave No Trace principles, the group looked at some plants & trees around the boardwalk.

The skies stayed blue for lunch at Lake Helen Mackenzie.

A highlight of the day was a flock of Sandhill Cranes flying overhead. This is the time of year that they migrate over the Park - some people think they are Canada Geese, but the croak of the cranes is unmistakable.

Any school group that is planning a visit to the Park is welcome to contact Strathcona Wilderness Institute - with just a couple days notice, we can arrange to have the Wilderness Centre open for information, and perhaps provide a naturalist guide.

The presentation at the Wilderness Centre tomorrow at 1 p.m. should appeal to students of all ages. "Marvelous Marmots" will give you a view behind the scenes of the Marmot Recovery Centre. No worries about inclement weather as the presentation will be indoors.

September Flowers

September flowers are in abundance at Paradise Meadows in spite of occasional September showers! Although the weather has been mixed, it is still great for hiking & exploring.

Sub-alpine daisy

Sitka burnet

Great burnet

White bog-orchid

Mountain arnica

Still some foamflower blooming

Indian hellebore just starting to turn a beautiful gold

A few king gentian are just now starting to bloom. Arctic lupine and white-flowered rhododendron are continuing. Some blueberries are ripening on the bushes - the leaves are not yet turning colour. 

New September Programs

Aiming to extend the summer season, Strathcona Wilderness Institute has scheduled several additional programs at the Wilderness Centre this month.

Thursday Sept. 22, 1 pm:
Nature Talk with Alana Buchanan of the Marmot Recovery Centre at Mt. Washington: a presentation which will appeal to all ages - “Marvelous Marmots: Fun, Fact & Fiction”.  The Recovery Centre is not open to the public, so this event is a chance to see behind the scenes: what the facility looks like, how it runs, and what they do with the captive marmots. The presentation will be indoors at the Wilderness Centre.

Saturday Sept. 24, 8 am: 
Level 3 Hike with guide Julian Brooks  to Johnston & Panther Lakes. This 9-hr. hike will visit an area of Forbidden Plateau less known to many hikers. Meet at 8 a.m. at the Wilderness Centre, wear proper boots, and poles are advisable. The trail is poor in places, and there will be some bushwhacking. Age 16 and over only, no dogs please. In case of poor weather the destination may change. Please pre-register at coordinator (at) strathconapark.org as the group size is limited to 15 people.

Thursday Sept. 29, 1 p.m:
Nature Walk with forester Margaret Symon focusing on lichens, trees, and the sub-alpine ecosystem. Margaret is an engaging presenter for all ages, and her nature walk last year was the most popular walk of that season.

For all activities: dress for the weather, wear proper footwear, bring lunch or snacks, plenty of water, bug spray and sun protection. No pets please on SWI guided nature walks & hikes.  Programs are free, although a donation of $5 –10 is appreciated to help with the Institute’s ongoing activities. All SWI activities start at the Wilderness Centre. 

Augerpoint & Castlecrag

The report of a recent trip by the Comox District Mountaineering Club, combining the Augerpoint Traverse & the Castlecrag circuit, has just been posted on their website. The group had a spectacular trek with  the clear skies & full moon of last week.

Wilderness Picnics

Wilderness visitors of all ages & abilities are greatly enjoying the new picnic tables installed in front of the Wilderness Centre by BC Parks last month.

The Wilderness Centre is obviously a great destination  for the location & the views, even if not hiking. Thanks to Kate for the photo!

Recent Reports

Recent birds reported at Paradise Meadows include Red Crossbills, a family of Olive-side Flycatchers, and a Vaux's Swift. An American Dipper was reported in one of the little waterfalls of Paradise Creek.

Some missing items reported also - a couple of cameras in particular. The Wilderness Centre has a lost & found box if anything is turned in between 9 a.m - 4 p.m - otherwise, Mt. Washington Alpine Resort also has a lost & found - contact them here.

Recent reports from the Buttle Lake area of Strathcona Park, via Gerry Roberts, the SWI director who staffs the Buttle Lake Information Hut:

Marble Meadows - Wheaton Hut  is easily accessible but still lots of snow. Ice-axes and crampons a must if especially if ascending Mount McBride, Marble Peak and Morrison Spire areas.

Marble Meadows: Morrison Spire in the centre,  Marble Peak on the right

Big Interior Mountain - Crampons and ice-axes a must, conditions extremely slippery and difficult even when cutting big deep steps in the ice/frozen snow.
Mount Tom Taylor - Unsafe without crampons and ice-axe.
Crest Mountain Trail - The wasp's nest on the narrow's bridge left handrail has been smashed & treated with wasp killing spray but may still be active or another nest constructed in the area so keep watch.
Cream Lake - Beyond Bedwell Lake towards Cream Lake, the route still mostly snow covered. Little Jim Lake has some open water at the edges. Cream Lake open but Big Jim and Andrew Lakes still frozen and snow covered.
This season there has been more sightings of Cougars than usual, even reports of Cougar in the alpine and on the snow in the Bedwell Lake & Drinkwater Pass area. Here is a link to BC Parks info about safety around wildlife.

Augerpoint Traverse

A quick report of the Augerpoint Traverse from last week - five days, four nights, westward from Paradise Meadows to Buttle Lake.
The route goes over Mt. Albert Edward & down the south-west ridge & then back up to Ruth Masters Lake, then up again to a ridge (with side trip up Augerpoint Mountain) leading to Jack Shark's Augerpoint trail, down to Buttle Lake. Total distance about 35 km, cumulative elevation gain about 2000m.

Castlecrag in the misty morning, on the way up to Mt. Albert Edward

Bonsai arrangement

Sickletop lousewort

Moat Lake & Castlecrag

Red paintbrush

Heading up to the peak of Mt. Albert Edward

Sooty Grouse

Many plants found only in the alpine:

Silky phacelia

Spreading phlox

Western anemone seedheads

Waterfall outflow from Ruth Masters Lake

Skim of ice on Ruth Masters Lake

Some uncommon plants at Ruth Masters Lake:

Columbia Lewisia

Yellow mountain-heather

Tolmie's saxifrage

Mt. George V above Ruth Masters Lake

Mt. Regan & Mt. Albert Edward from Augerpoint Mountain

 

Bonsai on Augerpoint Trail ridge

Buttle Lake from top of Augerpoint Trail

Sedum sp.

Sunset on Augerpoint Trail ridge

Golden Hinde morning

Special Visitors Day

Another day of great weather, and slots of  great visitors!  Comox Valley residents brought guests from Japan & Hong Kong; Canadians  living in Mexico and from the North West Territories came for a visit. Naturalist Hans Boerger from Parksville came to look at the flowers; Gary Schaan of the Strathcona Park Public Advisory Committee came to look at the Centre; Peter Rothermel of the Federation of Mountain Clubs of BC and friends came in to refresh after a three-day trek to Mt. George V. However perhaps the most notable visitor today was Ruth Masters - arriving at the Centre at the same time as a young family who just completed the Augerpoint Traverse from west to east, including a night camping at Ruth Masters Lake!

The guided hike to Lake Helen Mackenzie was popular - thanks to guides Mandy & Charley Vaughan for their expertise with birds, plants & fish along the way.

Art in the Park

A beautiful day for the Art Talk & Walk in Paradise Meadows with watercolour artist Clive Powsey. Participants included local artists Brian Buckrell , Daphne Triggs, and others from the Comox Valley & Qualicum.

Clive shows examples of landscape art- thanks to Kate for the photos!

Hundreds of people were enjoying the long weekend - many from down island, and many locals & familiar faces!
The hike to Lake Helen Mackenzie tomorrow is the last program on the advertised schedule - however there will still be a couple of additional programs (yet to be finalized) in September, and the Wilderness Centre will be staffed most days during the month up until October 2. Check the calendar at the bottom of the page for updates.

Big Hike Week

After five days on a big hike this week (the Augerpoint Traverse - from Paradise Meadows to Buttle Lake) there was a big day hike from the Centre today also! Half-a-dozen hardy hikers joined volunteer guide William Wright of the Comox District Mountaineering Club on a long hike to Amphitheatre Lake. Reports of both to follow!