Well, last summer's summer camp certainly uncovered some potential issues for pulling off a successful gathering  - like intense heat, forest fires and smoky air, fire related road closures and loss of access and basic uncertainty surrounding any planned activities.

But, hey, part of resiliency is learning from one's experiences and going forward with renewed focus.  So Don and Diane would love to lead another summer camp. We are putting out a proposal to assess whether there are any like minded individuals who would like to go.  We landed on a closer to home location suggested by Andrea Farmer - Strathcona Park on Vancouver Island, and a somewhat later date hoping to avoid smokey skies.

Proposed Summer Camp 2025 

If camping -  Ralph River Campsite (with its remarkable old growth Douglas Fir) would be preferred.

The other campsite in the area is Buttle Lake Campsite Driftwood Bay group site (about a half hour drive from Ralph 'River)

Hopefully reservations after Labour Day are available.

There are Valley and Lake hikes and there are Ridge and Peak hikes.  Due to the Park's proximity to the coast, one has to hike through the forest for longer to reach the subalpine so if you want to bag a peak you have to hike further to gain the elevation.
Valley and Lake hikes include:

Bedwell Lake Trail     10 km  603 m elevation

Bedwell Lake to Little Jim Lake to Cream Lake 19.6 km  1190 m elevation

Landslide Lake via Elk River  25.7 km 1221 m elevation

Arnica Lake 12.9 km 862 m elevation

Mt. Myra 17.2 km 1503 m elevation

Mt. Tom Taylor 18.3 km 1535 m elevation

Kings Peak 15.1 km 1882 m elevation

Flower Ridge 29.6 km 1801 m elevation

We were thinking 3 or maybe 4 hiking days, so departing on the 7th or 8th.

We have a place overlooking Crescent Channel on Quadra Island.  It is our retreat.  We have a couple of SUPs, a couple of kayaks and a canoe.  And Village Bay Lakes are nearby to swim in.  There are also a number of short hikes on the island for those that aren't hiked out. We are open to hosting the group for a few nights assuming people are willing to supply their own food and drink.

So, North Shore Hikers, let us know if you are interested and what your preferences are re accommodation and and whether you would like to follow up on Quadra for a post camp get together.

PS  Please reply to Don at dfockler@hotmail.com