Waterless Falls

Jack Sets Sail


Sat Aug 14th
Hopkins Landing in the morning haze

Sun Aug 15th

With Nick and Lizzie here it was going to be a busy weekend!   Hikes to waterless waterfalls, paddleboarding on the Sechelt Inlet, more hikes and swimming - when I fell off the board.  

Saturday morning, while Lizzie ran to the top of Elphinstone Mountain (16k and 1200m elevation), the rest of us wandered up to Dakota Falls on Dakota Creek.  It was the last day of the heatwave and around 30c, though we were in the shade of the forest some of the time it was still hot! 

As we neared the Falls we came across a huge Douglas Fir.  Nick called it a 'mother tree'. You may remember a documentary on UK tv
Calculated circumference of 7.5m

about how larger trees support the growth of younger ones through a subsoil connection of roots that share carbon and nitrogen to aid younger tree growth.



Much of the work was done by Dr Simard, of the University of British Columbia (UBC). 

Forresters now leave these mother trees to encourage growth in areas where felling has taken place.  Quite spectacular!!!

Based on the my 'arm-span' we calculated the tree had a circumference of 7m - 7.5m.  We are still working on the height!  Nick is just under 6' for those that want to have a go from the photo here.

Nick just visible on trail next to Mother Tree
When we got to the Falls, the rock formation that created the ravine that was folded in to the mountain was steep, deep and rugged, but devoid of water.  Tree trunks were stuck in the rocks, clearly the result of water bringing them down in the past, but no suggestion they will be moving any time soon.

The scenery was worth the hike, though a few degrees cooler would have been better.

Back from hikes, Nick and I went off to look at a second car as we're finding one is not enough with our different activities.  We're also probably going to swap the Disco for a small electric vehicle at some point which Fred has been saying she's keen to get.








Sunday saw Nick and Lizzie do a run up Mt Steele - 18k return trip and 854m elevation.  

We met up afterwards at Sandyhook, at a small beach area on the east side of the Sechelt Inlet with a fantastic mountain backdrop - just outside Sechelt this is an area we really love.
Dakota Falls

Nick and I explored the shoreline on the two paddle boards, with Jack at Nick's feet, happily watching the world go by and keeping a keen eye open for ducks or anything else he felt worthy of his attention.

The wind was getting up so we headed back to the beach and paddled across to the other side of the cove to explore, in other words be nosy, this time with me standing rather than kneeling.  A bit wobbly but I made it out and back - almost.


As we got close to the cove shore Nick decided to take a dip (deliberate not accidental), leaving Jack in sole charge of the board.










"What am I supposed to do with the paddle, dad?" (Sandyhook part of Sechelt Inlet)

Surprised to see Nick take a dive and leave Jack on his own, I lost concentration and went swimming.  I suppose you have to learn to get back on in deep water!  Lesson complete.

It's a really quiet area with some lovely properties around, plus it was a good SUP spot so we shall head back there during the week.

Smokey Sunrise from the house


My swimming lesson (in background) while Jack is ferried by Nick!

Dead tree in Sprockids Forest trails

Rotting tree with fungi of various shapes and sizes








 

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