Hiking, Vancouver Island

Day 7: Laburnum Woods and Little Qualicum Fish Hatchery

Retirement Reflections

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

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Laburnum Woods, 764 Laburnum Rd,
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:

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You’re welcome!

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

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Little Qualicum Fish Hatchery, 1405 Claymore Rd, Qualicum Beach, BC

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?

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Did somebody say “treat?”

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

 

 

 

Published by Retirement Reflections

Prior to retirement, I lived and worked in Beijing China for fourteen years (Middle School Principal/Deputy Director at The Western Academy of Beijing). Leaving international life behind, my husband and I retired to Vancouver Island in June 2015. To document both this transition and our new adventures, ‘Retirement Reflections’ was born. I hope that you enjoy reading these reflections, and will be willing to share your own.

47 thoughts on “Day 7: Laburnum Woods and Little Qualicum Fish Hatchery”

  1. 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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  2. 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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    1. 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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  4. 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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    1. 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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  5. 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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    1. 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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  8. 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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    1. 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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  11. 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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  12. 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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  13. 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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      1. 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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    1. 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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    1. 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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  23. 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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  24. 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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