Art & Animals

Today's Level 1 Hike to Lake Helen Mackenzie was very much enjoyed by all, thanks to guides Mandy & Charley from the Comox Valley Naturalists Society. Charley advises that the beaver previously reported in one of the meadows ponds is more likely to be a muskrat, which have historically been found there. Signs of dam building in meadows

Cumberland artist Clive Powsey also gave a great slide presentation before his guided art walk through the meadows in the afternoon. Much of his landscape work is inspired by Strathcona Park - a selection of images can be found on his website.

A report on the recent CDMC trip around the Castlecrag Circuit is posted on their website.

Several notable birds seen recently at Paradise Meadows were posted on the Vancouver Island Birding Group Yahoo forum: "With a group of visitors from the U.K., I was birding in above-noted areas yesterday and this morning. We started with Paradise Meadows on Mount Washington, which was beautiful on such a sunny day. Almost immediately past the parking lot, we were greeted by two Gray Jays, then a Steller's Jay a little further along. At least four Red-breasted Sapsuckers were seen; at the same location were Northern Flickers and Hairy Woodpecker. A Varied Thrush, which was perhaps the most-desired bird of the visitors, was seen by several people. Two Vaux's Swifts flew above, and a Western Tanager was also up there."

Sandhill cranes should be migrating over any time now. A birder from Victoria this morning added Townsend's warbler & yellow-rumped warbler to the ongoing list at the Centre.

A bear was seen a couple of times along the Strathcona Parkway coming up the hill. Deer are also commonly seen along the roadside early & late in the day. Hikers on the ski hill reported seeing Vancouver Island marmots basking on the rocks.

Black-tailed deer

A few more lost & found items at the Wilderness Centre:
Found:
single key (no chain)
multicoloured hand-knit hat
MEC brimmed hat with Alberta pin
one zip-off pant leg in dark khaki
light gray shirt from Aug. 29 Divers Lake hike

Lost:
women's sunglasses on Aug. 30

From Brides to Bears

Paradise Meadows is a popular place for weddings - almost every Saturday there has been a wedding at Mt. Washington Resort's Raven Lodge, adjacent to the Wilderness Centre. Today there was actually a wedding ceremony in Strathcona Park itself, along the boardwalk loop! Quite a contrast in dress to the hikers, and a tribute to the beautiful setting of the meadows.
For the first time in over ten days, hikers reported a bear sighting, near Lake Helen Mackenzie - possibly a first-year cub. Hikers reported a ruffed grouse (though it might have been a sooty grouse) on the route between Castlecrag & Mt. Frink. Chickadees, nuthatches, gray jays, and juncos were abundant around the meadows, and a red squirrel was caching some nuts under the boardwalk. The air was cool this morning with quite a breeze - so autumn weather is approaching.

The colours are starting to turn in the meadows - hellebore leaves turning yellow, blueberry leaves turning red. Mountain ash berries are attracting birds & blueberries are attracting kids - purple fingers & mouths are a sure giveaway!

Lots of hikers taking advantage of the good weather for the long weekend - the campsites at Circlet & Kwai Lakes were no doubt full by the end of the day.

Castlecrag Circuits

Looks like this is the time of year to do the Castlecrag Circuit!

Strathcona Wilderness Institute has partnered with Island Alpine Guides to offer the Castlecrag Circuit with an expert mountaineer guide, for three days & two nights, from 4-6 September.

From a base camp at Circlet Lake the group will do a day long circle hike reaching the summits of Mount Albert Edward, Mount Frink and Castlecrag to return to base camp and walk out on the third day.

Island Alpine Guides are certified by the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and are members of the Canadian Avalanche Association. $375/person : Price includes guiding only. Transport, equipment and food logistics are organised between the guide and participants. (optional catering for $40/person/day). Please contact Island Alpine Guides directly for details at 250 400 2870 or by email . FMI visit the Island Alpine Guides web site.

There might still be space on this trip so register ASAP.

A posting on Club Tread describes a recent trip on the Castlecrag Circuit: base camping at Kwai Lake, then Castlecrag, Mt. Frink, & Mt. Albert Edward as a day trip.

If you do camp at Kwai Lake, remember there is no swimming allowed in the lake, as it is quite small & used as a water source by campers.

The Comox District Mountaineering Club is planning to do the Castlecrag Circuit starting tomorrow. This trip would be for CDMC members - I will post a link to their trip report after the weekend.