THE MOUNT WASHINGTON MARMOT • SUMMER / FALL 2011 11 Forbidden Plateau & Paradise Meadows 2011 MAP & TRAIL GUIDE Strathcona Wilderness Institute offers Weekend Programs & Hikes Photo: Krista Kaptein See page 22 for details, To help with the Institute’s operational costs, a donation of $5 to $10 is suggested for the programs. Want to enjoy the mountain flowers If you would like to help support the and plants at your own pace? Strathcona goals of SWI in any way, please visit Wilderness Institute has placed native the website at www.strathconapark.org, plant markers at numerous locations Or contact the SPWC 2011 Summer along the Centennial boardwalk. Or, visit Coordinator, Krista at 250-650-4304 the Wilderness Centre for a brochure to or [email protected] help you on your self-guided plant identification walk. Strathcona Wilderness Institute is continuing the weekend information BC Parks Map & Trail Guide Strathcona Park Wilderness Centre Photo: Krista Kaptein service at Buttle Lake in Strathcona courtesy of Rick Gibson The Strathcona Park Wilderness Centre at the Paradise Meadows trailhead has a Provincial Park. See page 13 for details. Coordinator on site every weekend during the summer. Information on trail conditions Ph: 250-334-3124 (24 hours) Volunteers are always welcome to help and hiking destinations is available to park visitors. The Centre is open 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Direct: 250-338-1723 at either the Wilderness Centre or the Saturdays, Sundays, and holiday Mondays, from the beginning of July to mid-September. Information Hut. A good knowledge of Volunteers also staff the Centre on occasional weekdays. ‘ Strathcona Park and its trails is essential. SPWC Rental Space The Centre is available for day rentals. The lower level is ideal for The Strathcona Park Wilderness presentations, workshops, or school groups, with meeting space for up to 30 people, a Centre at Paradise Meadows fulfills the small kitchen, and accessible washroom. Reduced rates are offered for non-profit groups vision of Strathcona Wilderness Institute: or schools – check the SWI website for info www.strathconapark.org to create, with community partners, a The Centennial Trail into Paradise Meadows from the Wilderness Centre parking Centre for programs and information area is completely wheelchair accessible. With gentle grades, this 2 km. trail is also on Strathcona Park. Assistance and suitable for seniors and families with strollers. The trail connects into the extensive donations, whether financial or in-kind, trail system leading to Battleship Lake, Lake Helen Mackenzie, and beyond. are always welcome, to help with the ongoing operations and programs of Strathcona Wilderness Institute. FAMILY DINING THAT’S WELL WORTH THE DRIVE! While exploring the Comox Valley take time to visit the vibrant seasidetown of Comox. Enjoy a stroll along the oceanside boardwalk, browse boutique shops and quench your thirst or appetite in an array of cafes and restaurants. Savour our home made soups, sauces and gravies. And best of all, it’s all within a two block radius. Enjoy our locally grown beef burgers and roasts. Treat yourself to our home made desserts. Kids Play Area & Patio • Seniors’ Menu Open Daily 7am - 9pm 2601 Cliffe Avenue, Courtenay, BC 250-334-8087 www.platescatering.com Store: 250-338-0101 Service: 250-338-6553 Eatery & Catering Co. www.comoxbythesea.com Open 7 Days A Week 278 N. Isl. Hwy. Courtenay 12 THE MOUNT WASHINGTON MARMOT • SUMMER / FALL 2011 THE MOUNT WASHINGTON MARMOT • SUMMER / FALL 2011 21 Photo: Neil Havers Raven Lodge Paradise Meadows To Alpine Forbidden Plateau Toilets Hiking Distances Trailhead Ski Resort (in kilometres) Paradise Meadows Camping Trail Centennial Loop Trail Ranger Station Route Rossiter In Case of Emergency... From Albert Edward 1000 Lake 1000 Paradise Meadows Loop Trail To Courtenay • Contact Park Facility Operator in the area. Augerpoint route (not shown on map) Parking Park Boundary 1200 Helen Mackenzie Location of Park Facility Operators may be Distance: 25 km (one way) Core Area Battleship Lake posted on the notice board at the ranger cabin. Loop Trail Suggested time: 3 days • Phones are located at Mount Washington. An extended route through to Buttle • In case of emergency, Phone 911 Harris Divers Lake. From the summit of Albert Edward Lake Lake • To report a forest fire, dial 0 and ask for descend it's southwest ridge to the 1-800-663-5555 1200 drainage divide above Norm Creek and Maps and Guidebook Ralph Lake. Continue up to Ruth Masters Battleship Scale 1:50:000 Nat. Topographic Series Lake (local name) and above to the sad- Lake Lake dle southwest of Augerpoint Mountain. Helen Mackenzie -92 F/11 Forbidden Plateau 1400 -92 F/12 Buttle Lake Continue southwest along the ridge to a Simms Kooso L Special Regulations high point of 1760 m before descending L Hiking Trails III Central and MOUNT Within the Core Area camping is only a long ridge above Shark Lake. Continue BROOKS 1200 Northern Vancouver Island. Sunrise permitted at these designated campsites: northwest along route to reach the begin- Lake Lake Helen Mackenzie MOUNT Lady For Further Info ning of the Auger-point Trail. This trail ELMA Lake Kwai Lake • See Park Facility Operators or go online to 1200 descends steeply for 1400 m before arriv- 1000 Circlet Lake Hike along boardwalk along side high alpine wetlands and lakes with Mount Washington ever JUTLAND ❑ www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/strath ing on the Parkway at Buttle Lake. present in the background. Be sure to wear suitable footwear and bringyour own water along. Amphitheatre No campfires allowed in core area MOUNTAIN 1200 ❑ L STRATA Croteau No mountain bikes ❑ The following guidelines will help MOUNTAIN L Pets must be on a leash and under Routes Garbage - Help keep the back grounds. All drinking water should 1400 control at all times to ensure that the Forbidden Plateau McPhee L Hairtrigger country clean. Pack out all garbage and be boiled or purified prior to con- Whiskey Kwai ❑ Please stay off revegetated areas These routes are suitable for experienced hikers. area remains pristine for all who 1600 Meadows L L Murray please pick up any litter you see. Please sumption. Please avoid swimming in 1200 1400 Thank you People using these routes should have map and com- venture there. Circlet Lake Meadows these areas as it may contaminate the pass skills and be prepared for inclement weather. do not use outhouses for trash receptacles. Mariwood water supply. It is also important to Pearse Hiking Trails - Please stay on Pets - Please keep your pet on a leash at Gem L 1200 L From Circlet Lake use the toilets and grey water pits L designated trails, stay off revegetated all times. Free running pets can harm Netuts L provided to keep these pollutants 1000 Mt. Albert Edward areas and avoid taking short cuts. other animals, irritate other visitors and 2093m from entering the lake. Lake McKenzie Elevation gain: 935m • Distance: 6.5 km Camping can be harmed by wild animals. Do not MT L - Designated camping 1600 Beautiful Panther allow your pet to swim in the lakes as Safety - To avoid bear conflicts REGAN Johnston Suggested time to summit: 5 hours sites are located at Lake Helen Mackenzie, Lake while camping, never leave food, Cruickshank Lake Douglas Follow signs towards Albert Edward from Kwai, Circlet and McKenzie-Douglas this could contaminate drinking water Canyon L garbage or toilet articles in your tent. MT Lookout Circlet Lake intersection. Trail climbs steeply for lakes. Please use the tent pads and toilets sources. ALBERT Groups - Larger groups of people tend Please use pack sack hangers provided Moat Lake first 3 km. Once the first ridge has been reached where provided. If a tent pad is unavail- EDWARD IC D at designated campgrounds. Hikers EFIEL To look for route leading South and follow for 2 km. able choose a site that has exposed soil to concentrate use in an area and cause Elev. McKenzie Wood extensive damage to the fragile vegeta- should make noise when approaching 2093m Meadows It’s another 1.5 km to the summit. or will not easily be impacted. 1200 Mountain blind corners to wa rn off bears and 1200 Parking Lot tion. To reduce these impacts, we recom- 10.7 km Castle Crag 1760m Fires - Campfires are prohibited. mend that group size be restricted to ten other animals. Elevation gain: 620m • Distance: 6.3 km Please pack a campstove for cooking. or less people. Where this is not possi- Mountain weather can change without Hope L Suggested time: 5 hours Cache your food! ble, the larger group should be split into warning, be prepared. Take spare, warm Route begins at the southeast end of Moat Lake. BC Parks has installed new metal food smaller groups which should travel and clothing and rain gear. It is advisable to MOUNT CASTLECRAG Follow route to the small col west of the sum- caches at Lake Helen MacKenzie, Kwai Lake if possible camp in different locations. leave an itinerary of your trip with a FRINK MTN Charity mit. It's a steep scramble over loose rock to and Circlet Lake campsites. Water - Drinking water is available friend or relative. Lake Elev.1760m the top. Caution: This route crosses boulder from the lakes at all designated camp- fields and slopes with loose rocks. Island-style Sports and Fashions Seventeen wounded, injured and ill veterans from the EExplorexplore Canadian and Australian armed forces skied, boarded, and conquered the slopes at Mount Washington during the HHorneorne LakeLake Est. 1990 week-long event. “I had an amazing time. And the capabil- Affordable Family Holidays! ities of your program amaze me!” said CF veteran Jen Suitor. Voted “BEST NATURAL “Last week was the experience of a lifetime.” OUTDOOR SITE IN BC” Opportunities continue to grow each season with The second Sunday in February is the Herb Bradley By Attractions Enjoy riverfront views in downtown Canada Adaptive Snowsports on Mount Washington Coca-Cola Classic (HBCCC), VISAS’s annual fundraiser.