Category: Activities

Strait of Georgia Cycling Loop

The initial ‘plan’ for getting away from Vancouver after months of the COVID-19 pandemic was a solo bicycle trip to Quadra or Cortes Island and back by way of Vancouver Island. Plans shifted before and during the trip. By the time it was over, I met up with friends to camp at the Hollyhock Centre on Cortes for five nights, took a water taxi from Cortes to Lund, and cycled the Sunshine Coast back to Vancouver.

The weather was great during travel times. Cycling enabled me to avoid the ferry lineups. With travel restrictions in place, a lot of BCers were travelling within the province. Options for accommodations when booking the night before were limited.

Hanging out with friends on Cortes Island and cycling to new places left me refreshed. Memorable highlights: Sitting on a beach to view a full moon rising over Qualicum Bay; The tailwind on day two; Star/planet/Perseids/satellite watching on the beach; Evening meals at Hollyhock; Water taxi to Lund; The tree house cabin at Strongwater in Egmont.

West Knob, Donut Rock & Eagle Bluff

After a week of unsettled weather, Saturday appeared to be a lovely sunny day in the Lower Mainland. So off for great hike on the North Shore. Not long after hiking up from the western Baden Powell trail head, we were back in the clouds.

It was damp hike up, water dripping from verdant rock faces. A mucky mess and hordes of hikers greeted us on the main trail to Black Mountain above Eagle Bluff. Someone there unfortunately had a very bad day. Along the way we heard grouse, pikas, owls and many songbirds. We returned to the sun in the last 45 minutes of the trek.

Lake Ann Trail

I’ve been living in Vancouver since 2006 and seen the striking Mt. Baker many times from afar. Although many of my hiking friends talked about their trips there, for some reason I’d not considered it as a destination for myself. Thanks to a couple good friends, that changed.

We departed Vancouver wearing shorts. When we stopped in Glacier at Wake ‘n Bakery for coffee and a snack, it was a sunny, breezy day. By the time we reached the Mt. Baker Ski area, we were greeted by cloud, wind and a sprinkle of snowflakes. We laughed, shivered, bundled up and meandered up the Bagley Lake and Wild Goose trails to the Ann Lake Trail. The trail descended through meadows, following Swift Creek. When we reached the junction of the Lake Ann and Pacific Northwest Trails, it was too late to continue to the lake. As turned out, we hiked back through the Bagley Lakes area alone and in the dark. It was peaceful.

The ambience of the weather & area, and conversations of the day were memorable. I hope to return to further explore the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.