A Short Vertical Walk!

Sat Jun 12th

Red Breasted Sapsucker

We'd been putting it off, having already climbed Pender Hill (1.6km long and 165m high), but could do so no longer. At 4.2km round trip and just under 400m elevation is was going to be a tougher climb.

My early morning walk with Jack was quiet. Nobody else about and a slight mist rising over Mixal Lake. A Red Breasted Sapsucker was checking out a tree on the trail and seemed unconcerned by our presence.

We got to the bottom of the Mt Daniel trail at about 0915 and were the first car there, so we knew we'd have the trail to ourselves unless any energetic runners overtook us. The average climb is 1:5.6, but the first part of the walk was a relatively shallow incline, which meant there were some steep bits to come.

For a well-used trail, parts were quite overgrown with ferns and Jack disappeared beneath the low level canopy. He was on the long lead. After the bear encounter the other day we feel its safer on quieter trails.

Some parts were quite tricky with large boulders, tree roots and loose rock. The climb, which took about and hour and twenty up was worth it.... the scenery was stunning! Coming down was 40 mins.

To the far left is Madeira Park, immediately below us is Pender Harbour. Our afternoon beer-haunt, John
Henry's, is tucked in below us to the right and not visible.

In the middle distance covered in heavy white cloud is Texada Island and faintly in the far distance is Vancouver Island. A slightly hazy day, but without the low cloud and rain we had on the Pender Hill Climb.

Five minutes after we reached the top, the first of many other walkers and runners arrived (all young people we noticed) and by the time we got to the bottom there were twelve other cars parked there.

One chap had decided to do the walk in sandals and admitted that his wife had given him earache when Fred expressed surprise at this chosen footwear.

Jack's long lead is hooked on to my back-pack waistband so I have both hands free. He can be quite helpful going up, but going down can be a bit of a challenge if I have to slow to manoeuvre down a tricky section of trail.

The contour lines on the trail map give an indication of the steepness.

After a quick run to the shops in Madeira Park, well the BC Liquor store actually, we decided to wrap the day up with a paddle around Mixal Lake. The legs were 'done in' but the arms still had juice in them!

It was beautifully still and the surrounding mountains, islands and trees were mirrored across the lake with only the occasional breeze ruffling isolated patches of the surface.

Jack's confidence in the canoe is growing, so when three Common Loons went gliding past he was on his feet whimpering, waiting for the command to 'fetch'. That was not going to happen as we have visions of him tipping us in to the water. Safely back on land and canoe stowed it was time for a G&T and steaks on the BBQ!

A few more images of the day.