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Everyone set off for Vancouver Island on September 3 for the 2025 Summer Camp. We were all relieved to leave the smoky Vancouver skies as we travelled North to Strathcona Park.
Most of us set up camp at the Ralph River Campsite. It was deeply calming to pitch our tents amongst the ancient cedars and firs with the cold, clear waters of the Ralph River murmuring by.
At our first evening meeting, introductions were forthcoming as we got to know each other. Due to predicted hot weather, we decided to hike the Bedwell Lake trail the following day instead of the original plan to hike the Flower Ridge trail.
Wednesday dawned with cloudless mildly hazy skies as we carpooled to the trailhead 7 km up the gravel sideroad. We were in three groups with 3 different objectives – Bedwell Lake, Little Jim Lake and Cream Lake.
The trail steadily made its way up through the forest reaching Baby Bedwell Lake after just over 4 km. A pretty lake framed by rocky bluffs on the far shore. Past Baby Bedwell we entered the subalpine. Metal steps carried us up the steeper areas avoiding having to do any scrambling. Soon Bedwell Lake lay in the basin below us.
We wound our way down to the lake and meandered along the foreshore to the South End which was the destination for Group 1. Time for a swim to cool off.
The rest of us carried on along a well-defined trail to Little Jim Lake. Smaller and nestled in a rocky valley with views of the mountains to the west. The day was heating up, so it was definitely time for a swim. And oh, how refreshing it was! Group 2 stopped here, but the stalwarts of Group 3 carried on.
We travelled up along the shoulder of a rocky drainage before passing a number of tarns. One, amazingly, had hundreds of tadpoles churning about. The last stretch to Cream Lake descended down. We were now in awe of the vivid green glacier waters of the lake nestled beneath the towering crags of Mt Rousseau and the snowfield of Mt Septimus forming an impressive backdrop.
After a swim in Cream Lake, it was time for lunch. It was pretty amazing country with very few fellow hikers. A great first day, despite an unintended side trip by one of the hikers that led to a late finish.
The objective for Day 2 was Arnica Lake. The trailhead was just past the Westmin Mine site. The trail was a well constructed trail and steadily switch backed up the steep sidehill at a steady 10% grade. It was magical as we made our way through an old growth forest of massive fir trees. Before reaching the lake, we stopped briefly in a small picturesque meadow. The alpine blueberries were everywhere, so we gorged ourselves on these tasty delights.
We stopped briefly at the south end of the lake and had a short swim before wandering along the trail the extra half kilometre to the north end. There we feasted on more blueberries and had our lunch on a grassy area on the lakeshore. And after lunch, we again had a refreshing swim.
Back at our campsite, we couldn’t resist going for a dip in Buttle Lake to rinse off and freshen up before dinner.
On day 3, some of us set our sights on Flower Ridge. For others it was the viewpoint part way up the ridge and then back down and off to explore Lower and Upper Myra Falls.
It was another hot day but at least the trail up was in the trees. The viewpoint looked across to Phillips Ridge, Mt Myra and Big Interior Mountain. And of course Westmin Mine in the valley below.
Once the ridge was obtained, it was more open with some small tarns and subalpine heathers and junipers along with small alpine evergreens. We followed the trail to the highpoint on the ridge where we took in the 360* views – mountain peaks all around – Albert Edward, Augerpoint, the Golden Hinde, Myra, Big Interior Mt, Septimus, Rousseau, Harmston. Truly the high point of our hikes.
Sunday was a travel day. The campers had been invited to spend a couple of day at Don and Diane’s place on Quadra Island. The weather had shifted a bit so it became like a sleep over of yore so nobody had to pitch a tent.
It rained through the night, but by late morning the rains had stopped, so we all went over to Rebecca Spit for a short hike. On the way back, Don took us to his favorite chantarelle mushroom spot. So, we came back with enough chantarelles for a feast. And a feast we had with Lydia’s excellent preparation of mushrooms, along with roast baby potatoes, baked coho salmon, baked beans and coleslaw topped off with watermelon and vanilla ice cream drizzled with Drambuie for desert and champagne too. Yummy.
So much comradery, so many adventure, such lasting memories.
written by: DON FOCKLER
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