Today we had plans to meet up with a small group of friends to walk 4 km at Little Qualicum Fish Hatchery. To extend that walk, Richard and I began with a 5+km walk in nearby Laburnum Woods.
Trail 1: Laburnum Woods, Qualicum Beach (Map)
Distance: 5.6 km
Walking Time: 1 hr, 15 min
Qualicum Beach
Laburnum Woods is a series of local community trails used by mountain bikers, hikers, walking groups and those who would like to exercise their dog/s off-leash. The area consists of gravel paths and forested trails. There is no parking lot (side of the road parking only) and no signage. One of the main entrances to the trail looks like this:
We used our Alltrails app to track where we were (and how to get back to where we started). Alltrails perfectly picked up even the smallest of paths. This was incredibly helpful as we saw no other passersby when we were there. We did see the remains of a large log that someone had begun to make into a form of furniture. But that project appears to have been abandoned long ago. Don’t ask me why, but I think it might have been started by a guy named Steve.
Trail 2: Little Qualicum Fish Hatchery (Map)
Distance: 4 km
Walking Time: 1 hr, 5 min
Little Qualicum Fish Hatchery was established in 1979 to help improve the freshwater survival of salmon and trout. It is part of the Canadian Salmonid Enhancement Program.
A 4 km flat path from the parking lot follows Little Qualicum River on your right with spawning channels on your left. It is a beautiful walk lined with cedar, alders, maples and fir trees. In October, you can begin to see coho and chum in the spawing channels.
This is an easy, accessible trail that is a favourite of local off-leash dog walkers and community walking groups. I have walked this trail numerous times and never, ever tire of it. How could I with walking buddies like these?
To make an enjoyable morning even more perfect, Richard and I ended our hike with drinks and french fries on the beach. After all, not everything can be about healthy living!
#30hikesin30days
Retirement Reflections 
Hi Donna, A beautiful hike and meeting with friends and walking buddies sound awesome. With all the hiking you’ve done, I doubt the occasional french fries had any negative effect.
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Thanks, Natalie – You are totally right – beautiful nature, friends, walking buddies…and fries Hard to beat all that! I hope that all is well for you and your family.:D
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Gorgeous heading photo, again, Donna. Great information about AllTrails. Too funny, on “Steve.” Looks like the weather was comfortable, a clue, the clothes you are wearing. Always nice to walk with friends!🙂
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Hi, Erica – Thank you for this feedback. I had originally used a photo from our second walk as the header but then changed my mind. I’m glad that you think that this second choice worked out okay.
I’m looking forward to our chat tomorrow. See you then!
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Love those walking buddies and that trail! On my list, especially for spawning season.
Deb
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Hi, Deb – That will be a great time to go. I think that you wil reallyl enjoy this walk.
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Just slightly jealous that almost all of your hikes wind up weaving around water. I could walk for a week and not run into water, unless you count the Rio Grande, which is not grande in any sense of the word. How arrow straight are those trees. Such a lovely walk for canine and master.
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HI, Leslie – You have a very observant eye! 6 of our 7 walks so far included a significant amount of water. This is great insight into my likes and preferences. I was trying to think if there was any water along the Coombs Trail, but sadly, I don’t think that there is.
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Donna I’m always amazed at the quality and detail of your photos,particularly these lead photos as you record your 30 walks. What type of camera are you using? Please don’t tell me its an iPhone as I use that and my pictures never look anywhere near as good as yours’.
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Hi, Luisa – Your comment cracked me up. I have used a phone (Samsung Galaxy 10) for all of my photos in this series. My understanding is that Samsung has a superior camera (at least it has had in the past). The other secret is that I take LOTS of photos and delete more than half of them. 😀
Thank you for your kind words.
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On gosh Donna haven’t done that walk since my 33 year old was a tyke! Where did you go on the beach for your ears? Bet I’ve been there as well!
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Hi, Bernie – We had our drinks and fries at Shores. It’s an open-air, kiosky kind of food place right on Qualicum Beach waterfront. I think that it has been there for a very long time! 😀
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Yes I have been there! Wondered if that’s where you had stopped!
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I love this vicarious sense of enjoyment I get Donna from the photos and descriptions of your daily hikes. Though tinged with a touch of green I have to say! Have a great weekend and happy Canada day for yesterday 🇨🇦
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Hi, Susan – I am so glad that you are enjoying these virtual hikes vicariously. At the same time, I am worried that this means you still have limited access outside of your home. Hopefully things have opened up for you there. My fingers are crossed!
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Now that’s my idea of the PERFECT hike – short and sweet, cute animals, water, trees AND chippies to finish off with – bliss!
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Hi, Leanne – I LOVE hiking. But when it can include a coffee, lunch or snack in the middle or end I am with you in total bliss! 😀
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Enjoyed seeing your pics! Sounds like that app is the perfect thing to use!
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Hi, Dee – Alltrails is an absolutely incredible app for hikers. I can’t believe that I have just discovered it now!
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Hi Donna – well done on your commitment for decent hike too … while the ending sounds good! That trail does look lovely … take care – Hilary
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Hi, Hilary – Wherever possible, we are trying to hike for at least 10km (give or take a km) each day. Thanks so much for following along — I really appreciate it.
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You and Richard deserved a few french fries! Thanks for taking us along on this gorgeous hike. I love how lush and green everything is along the trails. Of course your pictures are stunning. Thanks for sharing Donna!
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Hi, Jill – Thank you for your kind words. These trails have been very easy to photograph. They each have so much rich colour and vivid scenery.
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Those dog buddies! I bet they really add zip to the trail. And after all that walking, I would say that you had earned your fries and drink. You and Richard really are an inspiration to me.
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Hi, Laurie – This is very kind of you to say. And those walking buddies? They truly are fabulous!
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I love happy endings with fries!
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Hi, Kate – I agree. Happy endings with fries or coffee means extra happiness!
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My trips to the mall have to end with either a Starbucks or a plate of fries. Unfortunately, the wonderful Belgium fry place closed during this pandemic. I think the Cinnabon is still there though. There HAS to be a treat of some sort!
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I like your thinking!
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You seem to have hit a lucky run of good weather for your hikes so far! That’s envy talking …
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Hi, Anabel – Sadly not. In today’s (Day 8) post, you may have noticed my thick raincoat, rainpants and rubber boots. Unfortunatly our June-uary is now turning into July-uary. No warm, dry weather on our immediate horizon. I hope that weater for the both of us warms up soon.
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Oh dear, not got to that post yet 😟. We have a faint hint of blue out there this morning: fingers crossed.
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Your leadoff picture is so filled with possibilities. The flowers on the Steve’s trail brightened my day immensely.
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Hi, Lisa – You have a very astute eye. The main trail that you see in the feature photo does lead off to a gazillion other trails. We did lots of “eeny meeny miny moe”, 😀
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Another glorious hike! I sure wish we could join you.
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Oh how I wish that too!
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Sounds like a balanced activity to me! Love the idea of the hatchery & Steve’s tree. Wishing I was there too!
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Wow, if you and Janis could both be here for these hikes, that would be heaven! And, of course, I would ask if you wouldn’t mind bringing your wooden spoon. Just in case cooking was involved afterwards. (You knew I was going to say this, didn’t you?)
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I sure did… 🙂
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I’m enjoying each day with you Donna but I also love that you and Richard are sharing this challenge together. The entrance to the woods looks magical and I can imagine fairy tales and perhaps finding Hansel and Gretel along your walk. xx
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Hi, Sue – I am so pleased that you are joining Richard and me virtually. We didn’t see Hansel nor Gretel. But, come to think about it, Laburnum Woods would be a great setting for this story! 😀
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I am enjoying this Camino. Thanks a bunch.
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Thanks so much, Antoinette. We’re enjoying it too — even more than we thought we would!
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Fun times, Donna. We’ve been wondering: has your own walking buddy been returned? Do you miss him?
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Hi, Liesbet – Sadie was with us for six weeks before going to her forever home. She has a wonderful owner who loves her to bits. Still, we do miss her daily!
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Donna, as you know, I have walked the Little Qualicum Fish Hatchery trails many times with you during my dog-walking days. It I have still never checked out the Laburnum Woods trails.
Jude
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Hi, Jude – The Laburnum trails also allow off-leash dog walking, so the walking group has done these trails on occasion. As they are poorly marked, it is best to go with someone familiar with the area…or use a trail app (which we did). 😀
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