What I Wish I Knew Before I Retired
Trail 1: Jack Point Trail Loop (Duke Point) Distance Walked: 6 km Walking Time: 1 hr, 45 min Trail Rating: Easy Jack Point Park is a fascinating place with much to offer. It is a Geopark, recognized for its geological interest. In particular, the sandstones and mudstones found here display unique erosion features. This park… Continue reading Day 24: A Tale of Two Trails: Jack Point Park and Morrell Nature Sanctuary, Nanaimo
Distance Hiked: 18 km Walking Time: 4 hrs Trail Rating: Easy and Moderate trails are available Location: 4481 Forbidden Plateau Road, Comox-Strathcona History: Nymph Falls resulted from the creation of a fish ladder on the Puntledge River, completed by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and BC Hydro, in the early 1950s.In 1992, the Comox… Continue reading Day 23: Nymph Falls, Comox Valley
Distance Walked: 10.75 km Walking Time: 3 hrs Trail Rating: Easy Map Although a familiar trek for local off-leash dog walkers and community hiking groups, I consider this trail to be another hidden gem. It is not currently listed on Alltrails. Google wasn't much help either. Just before reaching the gate for Pheasant Glen Golfcourse,… Continue reading Day 22: Pheasant Glen Nature Trails, Qualicum Beach
Distance Walked: 7.22 km Walking Time: 1 hr, 45 min Trail Rating: Easy (with options for moderately steep climbs and rock scrambling) Address: 1055 Morningside Drive, Nanaimo Source Neck Point Park is surrounded by rugged rock cliffs and pebble beaches. It offers 36 acres of waterfront forest with several short trails, including a 1.8- kilometre… Continue reading Day 21: Neck Point Park, Nanaimo
Distance Walked: 7.35 km Walking Time: 1 hr, 45 min Trail Rating: Easy (with options for moderate and more challenging hills to up your game) Location: 9 Ranchview Road (one of several access points) An incredible oasis, with seemingly endless paths to explore, it’s easy to forget that neighbourhood subdivisions closely encircle Richard’s Marsh. An… Continue reading Day 20: Richard’s Marsh, Cinnabar Valley, Nanaimo
Trails: Parksville Wetlands, Maple Glen Walkway (The Walkway of ♥) and Surrounding Forested Trails Wetlands Address: 790 Hirst Avenue West, Parksville Access Points: The foot of Despard Avenue or The Maple Glen Linear Walkway at the southern intersection of Magnolia Drive and Chestnut Street Distance Walked: 7.86 km Walking Time: 1 hr, 45 min Trail… Continue reading Day 19: Parksville Wetlands & Surrounding Trails
Trails: Cable Bay, Joan Point Park, Dodd Narrows, Cedar, BC Distance Walked: 7.25 km Walking Time: 2 hrs Elevation Gain: 119 m Trail Rating: Easy Cable Bay is a well-established trail in Cedar, BC (near Nanaimo). It seamlessly merges into Joan Point Park* and Dodd Narrows tidal channel, where fast-moving waters funnel into the narrows… Continue reading Day 18: Cable Bay, Joan Point Park & Dodd Narrows
Trail: Extension Ridge, Part of The Great Trail (TransCanada) Distance Hiked: 11.76 km Walking Time: 3 hours Trail Rating: Moderate The Fissure Extension Ridge Trail first caught my attention due to its fissure. Throw in a fairy circle, sweeping view of the Salish Sea and a lookout dedicated to the soulful love of a lost… Continue reading Day 17: Extension Ridge (The Abyss), Nanaimo
Trail: Englishman River Estuary, Parksville Distance Walked: 4.3 km Walking Time: 1 hr Trail Rating: Easy Trail: Rosewall Creek Trail, Comox Distance Walked: 7.4 km Walking Time: 2.5 hrs Trail Rating: Moderate Combined Distance Walked: 11.7 km We had planned to hike The Abyss in Nanaimo today. We were actually on our way there when… Continue reading Day 16: Englishman River Estuary and Rosewall Creek Trail
Distance Walked: 9 km Time Spent Walking: 2 hrs 20 min Terrain Covered: Rocky Beach, Forested Trail, Residential Streets Rating: Easy Columbia Beach West Columbia Beach East French Creek is a small marine community that lies between Parksville and Qualicum Beach. Although the beach was fairly quiet this morning, oystercatchers, herons, shorebirds and sea lions… Continue reading Day 15: Columbia Beach, French Creek
Retirement Reflections 