A Classic Trifecta on Hornby Island - Hiking, Mountain Biking and Sea Kayaking

 By Keith and Heather Nicol

Hornby Island is one of favourite places to visit and we are fortunate to be able to get there so quickly from Courtenay - Comox. One of the things we like most about it is that it has very scenic hiking, sea kayaking and hiking and we recently had a chance to do all 3 in one day. We started with a hike around Helliwell Park and we were joined by an long time friend who now lives in Kamloops and her sister from Maple Ridge. This 4.2 km hike is spectacular since it overlooks the ocean and features a grassland - oak forest which is not common in this area. It took us just over an hour to do this hike which included many stops for photos. 

                                                                         Hiking the Helliwell Loop 

Next it was time to hop on the mountain bike and test out some of the great single track mountain biking that Hornby has to offer. It has the most extensive mountain bike trail system of any of the Gulf or Discovery Islands and they have trails for many abilities. We used Northwind and Cold Deck as a climbing trail and then reached the cliff edge via Hot Rims. Our route to descend included Mt Toadès Wild Ride , Tadpole, Chris and Brad's ending with No Horses which put us right back at our car. Perfect. This ride was just over 5 km and our moving time was about 35 minutes. All of these trails and marked as blue and flowed nicely from one to the other.  But these are just some of the trails on Hornby and the trail system has numerous possible starting points. Download Trailforks before you leave to check out all the options.

                                                                The view from Hot Rims and Cliff Trail

The last part of the trifecta was sea kayaking and so in mid afternoon we headed to Whaling Station Bay to do one of our favourite paddles. One downside of Whaling Station Bay is that it has a big sandy beach so depending on the tide you will either have to carry your kayak some distance before launching. We always bring our "wheels" so that we can wheel our boats to the water's edge. From there we turned right and headed along the shore to Flora Islets. These islands are common haulouts for seals and sea lions and we were not disappointed. We saw over a dozen seals on shore as we paddled past and as we rounded the second islet we surprised a group of sea lions who let us know they were there with a few loud roars. We quickly paddled past and returned as the late afternoon sun glistened off the water. The sea was perfectly calm and it was a great way to finish our Hornby Island Trifecta- hiking, biking and sea kayaking all in one day. Our sea kayak route covered 6.2 km in one hour and 20 minutes.  What a great way to end the day and we had just scratched the surface on the hiking, biking and sea kayaking options on Hornby. See you on the trail!

 

Lost Lake Trails at Whistler offer lots of hiking and biking variety

 By Keith and Heather Nicol

On a recent trip to Whistler we first of all checked out many trails in the Cheakamus Creek area and these are covered in this blog post-   https://keithnicol.blogspot.com/2025/09/whistlers-cheakamus-creek-trails-are.html . On our last day at Whistler we decided to hike and bike some of the trails at Lost Lake which is another extensive area of trails that double as cross country ski routes in the winter. On our outing we saw many walkers and cyclists and it looked like this might be one of Whistler's more popular destinations since it is close to the village. We parked in lot 5 and from there is was just abit over 1 km to Lost Lake along the popular Lost Lake Trail South. While some of our group walked this trail others checked out the blue and green mountain bike trails in this area. First it was a climb up Upper Panorama which was not that easy given some steep sections and loose rock. But then the fun begins and we started with Pinocchio's Furniture which has lots of wooden features like bridges and banked corners (see pic below). If you like this type of trail then this one is certainly well made. From there it was on to Dwarf Nebula and then to Zoot Allures. My fav of these 3 was the last one since it was abit flowy and fast. Since these trails were all blue trails, we wanted to try some green trails and so it was back up hill on Centennial which also features loose rock and steep sections to Donkey Puncher and then to Molly Hogan which are both fast enjoyable green runs. This brought us back down to Lost Lake and then it was back on Lost Lake South to Vimy Ridge and a nice section of Tin Pants, another green trail. Whether you are hiking or biking the app Trailforks will guide you around these trails. Check it out at: https://www.trailforks.com/   The Lost Lake trail system has lots to offer and we only touched the surface of trails in this area. And for beginner bikes looking for easy single track this area seems to have the most offerings in the Whistler area. Check it out on your next visit. 

Some of the low bridges on Pinocchio's Furniture- a blue trail at Lost Lake

Whistler's Cheakamus Creek trails are great for biking or hiking

 by Keith and Heather Nicol

We recently had a chance to check out the hiking and mountain biking trails along Cheakamus Creek near Whistler. Whistler is known as a hiking and biking mecca and part of the reason is that it has alot of variety of hiking and biking options. In the past we have hiked in the alpine using the lifts at Whistler and this blog :  https://keithnicol.blogspot.com/2024/08/try-decker-loop-on-blackcomb-for.html.  looks at one of the trips we did last summer. Whistler is also known for its world class lift served mountain biking but on this current trip we decided to check out some other nearby areas. And if you want to hike or bike past a blue green rushing river then the Cheakamus Creek trails should be given a closer look. On this trip we parked at the large parking lot at the Whistler Interpretative Forest Parking lot (which is free) in nearby Function Junction. We hiked on Farside Trail and biked on a variety of the other trails along both sides of the river. These are rated as blue mountain biking trails which means that they are suited to riders with some skill at riding over roots and rocks and the occasional wooden bridge. Over all my favourite trail was Farside for biking due to its proximity to the river but Flashback 2 through 5 were also fun trails but did not have river views. We tended to ride the access rode since it was a fairly fast way to gain elevation but it does have cars on it and it can be dusty. In our case there was little car traffic and next to no dust. Another time we might plan on biking the route to Cheakamus Lake - but since we had hiked it earlier in the summer we decided to focus on the lower trails. It is worthwhile downloading the app Trailforks since it has all of these trails on it and we saw more hikers on these trails than we did bikers. Check this area out on your next trip to Whistler. 

Swimming with salmon in the Puntledge River, Courtenay, BC

 

by Keith and Heather Nicol

On August, 22 we headed to Puntledge Park in Courtenay to check out the salmon in the river. We had seen salmon jumping the day before when we tubed the river so we thought we would see quite a few when we returned on the 17^th with masks, snorkels and a water proof camera.  The day was sunny and warm with temperatures hitting 27-28 C so it was perfect day to see what lay below the surface.  We headed for the pool just off the gravel beach in Puntledge Park and we quickly saw many salmon. We usually see pink salmon at this time in the river and they seem to have a 2 year cycle with every odd year showing a big return. So 2025 should be a good year and we weren`t disappointed.

                                              Salmon are now in the Puntledge River

 The current is strong in places and the rocks are slippery so you need to pay attention. We wear water shoes to protect our feet from the rocks and wade out several meters from shore before diving in and swimming over the salmon. The current will take you down near where Morrison Creek enters the river and then  you need to swim hard to get to shore. You can also swim to the other side of the river where the current is slower and you can more easily stay in one place. With some warm weather forecast for the next several days this is a great chance to swim with salmon. Puntledge Park in located just off of 1^st Street in Courtenay. Check it out if you want to see an amazing show of nature in our backyard. Click this video link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1gdQjx-g8M to see the huge numbers of salmon that are currently in the river (as of late August , 2025 ) . 

 

Checking out the Dale Ball Disc Golf Course in Langley, BC

 by Keith and Heather Nicol

When we travel we often throw in our discs since you never know when you might get a chance to try a new course. On a recent trip to Vancouver we were discussing disc golf courses with family members who play the sport and then said their favourite course of the 10 or so that they have played in the Greater Vancouver area was the Dale Ball course in Langley. This course is laid out in an old gravel extraction area so there are nice open areas with some trees. 

                                                         Keith putting for a rare par on this course

 The holes tend to be long because of this which doesn't work in my favour since I prefer a shorter course with trees since I can't throw that far.  I just played the front nice since time didn't permit a full 18 and holes ranged from 77 to 120 meters. The back nice looks like it would suit me better since it has holes ranging from 41 to 114 meters. Another twist with this course is that the area is an overflow area for rain water so has a different layout in the winter when this area can be pretty wet. I liked the course and now that I have played it once would have a better feel for how to play it next time. 

The course was very popular when I played it...every hole had people on it and most people had pull carts full of discs 

For driving directions simply type in Dale Ball Passive Park in google maps and it will lead you to a large parking lot and the first hole is next to a covered picnic pavilion. I am glad I created some screen shots of the hole layout from U Disc since their is no master map at the start and finding the next hole is not obvious in many cases. You can access those maps from https://udisc.com

                                                   There are nice concrete tee pads for each hole and a map 

Saturday, August 2 was another great day at the Filberg Festival

 by Keith and Heather Nicol

The Filberg Festival opened on Friday, August 1 and featured 140 artisans showing their wares as well as some varied music on both stages. See our previous blog for some tips for helping you enjoy the Filberg Festival (https://keithnicol.blogspot.com/2025/08/movin-and-groovin-at-filberg-festival.html).  On Saturday, August 2 we had planned to get down by mid afternoon to catch some of the musical acts on both stages. It was another classic Comox Valley summer day with light winds and temperatures in the low to mid 20 C's. Given the ideal setting of this festival with the tall shade trees and ocean setting this weather was just about ideal for festival going. 

                                      The Harpoonist had the standing room only crowd up and dancing 

The first act we saw on the Garden Stage were the Backyard Boulevard. They played folksy music that really suits this stage. Then it was time to check out some of the artisans and our daughter picked up a variety of items from specialty teas, to some clothing and art cards. We returned to the Garden Stage to hear one of our fav local groups - Big Little Lions. Again their mix of covers and original material made for easy listening in this perfect venue. With light breezes of the water the setting and temperature were just right. 

                                            Daughter Kristie buying some tea from Urban Earth Teas

We then shifted to the main Rotary Stage to hear The Harpoonist. We had heard him play at this event previously and really liked his hard driving harmonica backed music and he had the crowd on their feet and dancing. By this time the main Rotary Stage was full and behind the stands people had laid out blankets and low chairs so they could hear the music but really couldn't see the performers. I don't think I have ever seen so many people at this stage before.  The final act of the night were the Juno nominated Great Lake Swimmers. They played an easy listening style of folk rock music which went over well with the standing room only crowd! 

                               The Rotary Stage was very well attended on Saturday - playing here are Luna Land 

 But there is lots more music to be played at the Filberg Festival . We are especially looking forward to hearing Lucarno (which we have seen a few times) and many other groups so head on down to  Filberg Lodge Park tomorrow. Also it is a great place to get that unique or special gift. With so many varied exhibitors there is something for just about everyone. And Remember the Filberg Festival is a valuable fundraiser for the Filberg Heritage Lodge and Park in Comox, B.C. For more information on the complete festival schedule see: filbergfestival.com  See you there tomorrow. 

             The Filberg Festival must be one of the nicest venues for a Music - Artisan Festival in Canada 

Movin' and Groovin' at the Filberg Festival

 

By Keith and Heather Nicol

       The Filberg Festival is a huge fundraiser for the Filberg Lodge and Park which has a spectacular location in Comox. This year they have over 140 artisans showing their wares plus 45 musicians performing at 2 stages over the 3 days- August 1-3.  What a great combination! The idea is you check out some of the remarkable work by potters, photographers, painters, jewelry, glass, textile and wood workers and then take in some music. When you get hungry you can buy some specialty food from some artisans or head for the food trucks. So the routine is shop, listen, eat and enjoy !

                               You could not ask for a nicer setting for a festival than the grounds at Filberg Lodge 

        Although the temperatures are suppose to be less than the heat wave that has been affecting the Comox Valley for the last few days, the trick will still be to stay cool.  So we will pass along some tips based on our past experience. Get there early. Not only will parking be easier to find but it will be cooler. Secondly, bring plenty of water so you don’t get dehydrated. Thirdly, dress with light shorts and shirts and bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.  We also brought small foam pads so we could sit on the grass or a low rock wall in the shade if the seats were all taken.  

                                            Railroad Tye and friend played an entertaining set on the Garden Stage

On Friday, August 1 we opted to listen to music at the shady waterfront Garden Stage which some musicians said must be the best stage to sing at in B.C. ! There was a little breeze off the water and with the shade - it was the perfect temperature for listening to music. We caught Railroad Tye and we loved his varied country - bluesy music. Since we were so comfortable we decided to stay and listen to Kye Coski , a young very talented performer from right here in the Comox Valley. He has a gentle voice that works perfectly with the folksy - celtic- country music that he plays. Keep your eye on this performer.  At this point we decided to get up and check out some of the over 140 exhibitors on site before heading home for the day. 

                       Don't leave the kids behind..there is a special area for kids with games, face painting etc.

          But there is lots more music to be played at the Filberg Festival . You still have Saturday, Aug 2 and and Sunday, Aug 3 to come and check it out. We are looking forward to hearing Great Lake Swimmers, Lucarno , Rockcod and many other groups so head on down to  Filberg Lodge Park this weekend. Also it is a great place to get that unique or special gift. With so many varied exhibitors there is something for just about everyone. And Remember the Filberg Festival is a valuable fundraiser for the Filberg Heritage Lodge and Park in Comox, B.C. For more information on the complete festival schedule see: filbergfestival.com  See you there tomorrow. 

     There are some very fine artists attending this year's event- Here is the beautiful pottery of Gordon Hutchens
       

             

                                   

  

Tips for tubing the Puntledge River in Courtenay, BC

 By Keith and Heather Nicol

Summer has been slow to really warm up in the Comox Valley but recently it has turned hot in a hurry and the forecast to looking good for the next couple of weeks. So if you like to swim and cool off then tubing is a great way to have fun at the same time. Tubing is an institution the Comox Valley and for good reason –the Puntledge River is ideal for this activity .With a forecast of 2 more weeks of warm weather ahead it is certainly a perfect opportunity to dig out that tube and head down the river if you haven’t already done so. So far this year we have been done the river a couple of times (most recently on July 30) so here are some tips that we can share if you are new to tubing. Tip 1 -Where to put in? Most people start at the fish hatchery on Powerhouse Road.  Park near the fish hatchery access road and walk around or past the gate. Part way down you will see a sign pointing to “Tubers Trail” and take that to the put in. This trail is steep and slippery in places so it won’t be for everyone-an easier put in with tamer water can be done by going to Puntledge Park and starting your tubing adventure from there. Either way our most common takeout is at Condensory Bridge on the right side but you can tube all the way to Lewis Park.   Tip 2-Good footwear really helps on getting down this steep trail and it will protect your feet once in the river.  We tend you use kayak booties or well fitted water shoes since they give reasonable grip and protection. Tip 3- We sometimes use a kayak paddle to help steer and manoeuvre but most people don’t use one. If you have one bring it along since tubes on their own are not very manoeuvrable. Tip 4- We also have found that putting a life jacket over the mesh on the bottom of the tube keeps your bum and lower back from hitting too many rocks. If you are using a truck inner tube keep your “bum up” when you go over rapids to avoid hitting “bottom” in the shallow sections. We hear people complain all the time about the rocks that they hit and how sore their back or bum is- a life jacket in the bottom really helps.

                                              Tubing through some of the rapids in the upper section on July 30, 2025

 Tip 5- Bring along a real water proof case for car keys or anything else you don’t want to get wet. A ziplock bag likely won’t cut it.  Tip 6-The section from Powerhouse Road to Puntledge Park is abit faster with more rapids than the lower section from Puntledge Park to either the Condensory Bridge or Lewis Park. First timers or those with younger children may want to do just the lower section starting from Puntledge Park and we suggest a pull out just below the Condensory Bridge since the last part to Lewis Park can be slow, especially if there is a high tide or the wind is against you. For newcomers to the Comox Valley,  Puntledge Park is at the intersection of 1^st and Urquhart Avenue and the Condensory Bridge is off of Anderton Avenue. Since the river is dam controlled water levels are often similar day after day which is a real bonus. Tip 7- But note that the river can change rapidly since it is dam controlled and hazards like fallen trees in the river can occur over night. Tubing shouldn’t be taken lightly and accidents do happen on the river. Look ahead and be prepared to get off of the river if you see hazards ahead. Tubing is an institution in the Comox Valley and it is the ideal way to spend a couple of hours on a warm day. Check out this video below before you head down.

 

 

The Brian and Sarah McLoughlin Park is well worth a visit in the Comox Valley

by Keith and Heather Nicol

We recently decided to revisit a scenic beach access that we had not been to in several years. our last visit was in the fall of 2018 when the park was first opened. The Brian and Sarah McLoughlin Park is actually an artist's retreat but has it has interesting gardens and a scenic beach access. The Park is accessed by driving to the end of Tasman Road (simply put in Brian and Sarah McLoughlin Park) in google maps. It is about a 15 to 20 minute drive from most places in Courtenay - Comox. There is parking for a few cars and you can see the entrance by a finger board that has info about the Park. You basically walk down the road that leads to the cottage for 500 m or so and there are several beach accesses on the grounds. Don't disturb the artist that may be there by using the deck but you can walk around the grounds. If you want a loop path you can take the Fern Bench side trail that is well marked. Although the distance is short, the road is steep in places with slippery gravel so people with mobility issues may find this challenging. Hiking sticks might be handy in this case.Our GPS showed an elevation change of close to 80 meters but the route is mostly shaded which is nice on a hot summer day. Check it out the next time you are in the area. See you on the trail. 

         

                                                             Walking down the access road to the beach accesses.

The Parksville to Coombs Rail Trail is a perfect way to visit Coombs

 by Keith and Heather Nicol 

On a recent trip to the Parksville area we decided to check out the multi use rail trail that connects these 2 communities. The trail parallels the E and N tracks and is 3 meters wide so you can easily ride 2 abreast. The trail is made of compacted small gravel and we saw many cyclists and a couple of walkers on our trip. The trail is just 7 km long so makes a nice way to visit Coombs which is often very busy in the summer. When we went on July 24 parking was at a premium with all the visitors so we were glad we had our bikes which allowed made parking a breeze. The trail starts in Parksville at Springwood Park or it can be accessed in Coombs at Station Road. There are a few road crossings but other than that you can bike free from cars. Also since it follows the old railway it is mostly level so is suited to a wide range of cyclists or walkers (see picture below.  Check it out on your next trip to this area. 

 Also nearby is Englishman River Prov Park and it has a nice hiking trail loop which is about 1.7 km long and features a nice view of the Englishman River cascading over a rock ledge. The trail is well marked and is shaded so is very pleasant on a hot day. The trail starts from the day use parking area. At the lowest bridge crossing the route has an informal side trail which leads to the river and we saw several people swimming in the river. This is a fun bonus on a hot summer day but use standard cautions when entering water of uncertain depths. See you on the trail.

  

Check out the Parksville Sand Sculpting Competetion before August 17, 2025

By Keith and Heather Nicol

We recently headed to Parksville to see the  Annual Sand Sculpting Competition and as always it is an impressive event to take in. It is located at the community beach in Parksville and there is alot going on in that area through the summer. For instance when we were there they had a youth beach volleyball event going on and there are regular free concerts as part of the Tim Hortons Summer Concert series. The theme of the Sand Sculpting Competition this year is Circus by the Sea and we really liked the winning solo entry by Thomas Koet of the US. There are entries this year from residents of a variety of countries including the Canada, the US , Netherlands, Russia, Columbia, and the Ukraine. Thomas Koet's entry was titled the Juggler and depicts a mermaid juggling balls ( see below) .  We loved the details in her hair and raised collar of her dress. There are 2 person and solo categories and all the entries are worth seeing and they are on display until August 17. For more information see: http://www.parksvillebeachfest.ca  Before seeing the Sand Sculpting event we hiked some of the trails at Top Bridge Park. On this day we saw several people swimming in the river so bring your bathing suit if the weather is hot. See you on the trail. 

 

The Quarry Rock hike rewards hikers with great views of Deep Cove near Vancouver

 by Keith and Heather Nicol
When we go to Vancouver to visit friends and family we usually like to get out for hike while we are there. On a recent trip we decided to check out the Quarry Rock hike since it is fairly short but gives expansive views at the lookout bluff at the trail's end.  To start the hike you need to drive to Deep Cove and find a parking spot. This can be a challenge on sunny weekends but we went midweek and found a free spot on Panorama Drive in front of Panorama Park. We walked down Panorama Drive and quickly found the access trail to Quarry Rock. The hike in is not long --our GPS showed about 3 km one way --but is a roller coaster of valleys so the trails winds up and down with lots of stairs and stream crossings with bridges.  We had done this hike 10 years ago and we certainly didn't recall all those stairs but this means it is more strenuous than you might think. Our GPS showed an elevation gain of over 250 meters so people with mobility issues or families with young children might have trouble on this trail. The viewpoint at the end is a large rocky bluff which is a perfect place to have a snack and get a few pictures.-see picture below. Check it out on your next trip to Vancouver. See you on the trail.

Saratoga Beach Golf Course has more improvements on the way.

 

by Keith and Heather Nicol

On Thursday July 3 we decided to check out Saratoga Beach Golf Course which is located near Saratoga Beach midway between Campbell River and Courtenay, B.C.  We had arranged a tee time for 10 am and we had perfect golf weather.   Saratoga Beach Golf Course is a 9 hole course that is very walkable since the distance is around 2200 yards and the course is quite flat. But don’t let the short distance fool you, there is still alot of challenge to be had for all levels of golfers. The course consists of 4 par 3’s, 4 par 4’s and 1 pair 5 but the course is generally narrow with water hazards that come into play on many holes.  You need to be able to get the ball in the air and carry some distance or else you will lose a few balls to the small ponds and creeks that flows through the course. Last year we played this course and awarded it the most improved course in the Comox Valley and this year they are working on improving many of the tee boxes. This meant that we had to play on some temporary tee boxes on our round - actually this wasn't too bad since it shortened the holes - but General Manager Jordan Irwin told us the new tee boxes will be ready to go by July 11. We look forward to checking the course out again later in the summer to check them out.                                                                 Heather getting ready to tee off on number 1 Jordan told us that they get most of their business from the local community but also from the Comox Valley and Campbell River. They have a Men's League which plays on Tuesday night and Sunday morning and a Women's League that goes |Tuesday morning and Wednesday night so if you want to meet some new golfers you can contact the clubhouse for more information. Also if you want a steal of a deal book a round on Mondays when 9 holes will cost you only $20.00 . Also if you have got young ones wanting to learn to play they can sign up for Junior Days on Thursdays from 2 to 4 pm.  Saratoga Beach Golf Course has a small putting green and a driving range as well as a small club house, food truck and pro shop. If you want to try a challenging course that will reward the straight ball hitter then see:  http://www.saratogabeachgolfclub.ca/   for more information.

As you can see the picture above - the greens are in great shape

                                                

The fairways are narrow so this course rewards the straight ball hitter

                              

A day trip to Quadra Island with a focus on short hikes

 By Keith and Heather Nicol

    We don't get to Quadra Island very often even though it is just around the corner from the Comox Valley.  So with a couple of friends we recently decided to check out some of the short hiking trails and do some exploring by car. We caught the 10 am crossing and were driving toward the Mudge Point lighthouse by 10:30 after a quick stop for coffee in Quathiaski Cove. We had hoped to do a coastal trail in the area but one of the people we ran into at the RV Park thought that it was not in great shape so we opted to do the Haskin Farm trail which friends had recommended to us. It features a nice walk though the tall trees and has an open area which we assume used to be the farmstead and then the trail gets steeper and descends to the ocean. Here you get scenic views of various islands and the mountains of the BC mainland. Our GPS showed a distance of about 3.5 km return and it took us about 1 hour to whole trip. 

                                           The Rebecca Spit Trail is a Don't Miss Hike!

 By this time we were getting hungry so found a delightful picnic spot at Rebecca Spit overlooking Hariot Bay and then did a gem of a hike to the end of the spit. The trail is a suited to all ages since it is flat and very picturesque. It is just 2 km return and time taken will be determined how many pictures you take or how long you sit on the beach and enjoy the view. Our final hike for the day was one that headed inland and was much rougher than the first two with lots of roots and rocks with an elevation gain of about 100 m. The Hariot Ridge trail (1 km one way)  provides glimpses of the ocean back toward Campbell River but we thought it would give better views to the East. Perhaps trees have grown up but next time we want to try a hike that gives good vistas back toward Rebecca Spit. All of these trails plus many more are listed on the Quadra Island map that we picked up on the ferry. Be sure to get one because it lists many other attractions on Quadra Island and even has the ferry schedule on it. We had time for quick snack at Quathiaski Cove before we boarded the 4:00 pm ferry which put us back in the Comox Valley in time for dinner.  We had just scratched the surface of hikes to do on Quadra since the map we used listed over dozen other options. See you on the trail.

                                                                The beach from the Haskin Farm Trail                                            

Checking out the Medicine Bowls on the Brown's River near Courtenay

 by Keith and Heather Nicol

The so called Medicine Bowls and on the Brown's River near Courtenay offer another way to see this river which is normally hard to access. A previous blog this spring discussed the accessing the water falls lower down on the Brown's River from Piercy Road. If you missed that and want more info - here it is- https://keithnicol.blogspot.com/2025/06/waterfalls-on-browns-river-near.html. The Medicine Bowls are also well worth a visit and like we have discussed in other blogs-if you can ride a bike there instead of hiking then count us in. In this case the river has carved a series of bowls and waterfalls in the rock but actually swimming here should be done carefully as a monument near the site records the deaths of 2 teen age friends that died here in the summer of 2001. 

                                                                            Biking up the access road

To access the Medicine Bowls simply type in "Medicine Bowls Parking" in google maps and it will lead to a large parking lot just off of the Forbidden Plateau Road. Depending on where you live in the Comox Valley the actual distance will vary but from our house it is about 15 km (1 way). From there the trail- actually a road - heads uphill and we opted to bring our bikes since the whole route appeared to be easy to do on a mountain bike. The trail is less than 2 km 1 way so if you don't want to bike it is an easy walk to the access trails down to the river. Once up the main trail we chained our bikes to a tree and then headed down several different trails that access various parts of the Medicine Bowls. These trails are steep and some use ropes to descend so will not be suited to young children or those people not comfortable on steep slopes or using the attached ropes. We went on a dry day but the steep trails accessing the river would likely be very slippery in wet conditions. This is a very scenic spot but use care around the river since in places the mossy rocks are very slippery. See you on the trail.

 

                                           Be careful along the river's edge since there are lots of areas of slippery moss 

Check out the Evergreen Bike Group if you like to cycle in the Comox Valley (and beyond)

by Keith and Heather Nicol

The Evergreen Bike Group has rides on Mondays and Wednesdays and is a great way to meet cyclists and explore the country roads and trails of the Comox Valley and beyond. The Evergreen group is open to cyclists over 55 years of age and the group uses mix of electric , hybrid and road bikes.  The rides on Mondays tend to be longer and it gives us a chance to explore places like Denman, Hornby and Quadra Islands as well as rides in Campbell River and Parksville. For instance, on Monday June 16 twenty cyclists headed to Powell River to check out the cycling in that community. On Wednesday morning the rides tend to be in the Comox Valley and run for 2 to 2.5 hours in length. If you are interested in finding out more about this cycling group contact Ernie at: ejkimball62@gmail.com  The pictures below are of the group cycling in Powell River and along the waterfront in Royston. See you on the trail.

                                                       At a lookout in Powell River

                                                  Along the Royston Seaside Trail 

Locating a Trent River Waterfall using Trailforks in Cumberland, BC

 by Keith and Heather Nicol

 

 We always would rather bike to a scenic viewpoint or waterfall if we can since biking is usually so much faster especially on the descent. So when a friend mentioned a waterfall on the Trent River that they saw from a black diamond mountain bike trail at Cumberland we decided to look into how we could get there without the skill needed to bike a black diamond bike trail. Fortunately with the Trailforks app you can sometimes figure out another way to get to a location using easier trails. It didn't take long to put together a route that would basically involve logging roads or easy green trails since one of group had an old hardtail bike and little experience biking on some of Cumberland's more difficult trails. We started at the main bike parking lot in Cumberland and once on the trails headed to Davis Lake Main East to Trent River Main. We ascended up Trent River Main to Trent Canyon Access Road (these roads are marked on trailforks). We turned left on that road and followed it to the Black Diamond- Trent Canyon Trail Lower and after leaving our bikes at the top of the trail we walked down this trail for a few minutes to a nice waterfall. With snowmelt there is currently a nice amount of water flowing and after getting some pictures we walked back to our bikes and proceeded down Trent River Main to Allen Lake Main then to Allen Lake North to Shaker Road and then down Davis Lake Main West to the car park. Total distance was about 17.5 km and it took 1 hour and 45 minutes to complete. Note almost all of the trails we rode on were wide logging roads except part of Allen Lake North.  Be sure to download the Trailforks app if you want to explore any of the many multi use trails at Cumberland. Remember those trails are not just for avid mountain bikers- many trail runners and hikers also use those trails. See you on the trail.

Daughter Kristie taking a picture of the falls                                                           

                                                                         Kristie and Steve at Allen Lake 

 

Waterfalls on the Brown's River near Courtenay - Part 1

 by Keith and Heather Nicol

We recently decided to check out a waterfall and trails leading to the Brown's River which is normally fairly inaccessible. This hike is very short - less than 1 km 1 way and starts at the Komoks Treaty Lands and Tribal Park and Wildwood Interpretative Forest Park parking area. This is on Piercy Road and on a hot day you can see lots of cars parked along the road for some distance since the informal parking area is very small. We initially thought all these people were walking in the Wildwood trails but then found out that in fact they were heading to the Brown' s River with its eroded pools and small waterfalls which are nice for cooling off in the summer. 

                                                            A falls on the Brown's River 

 So instead of heading into the woods into the Wildwood trails, walk down the powerline on the southside of the road and shortly you will come to a side trail heading to the right. Follow it into the forest and soon will be looking over the Brown's River their are many short trails which descend to the river and now with snowmelt the river is bubbling right along. Some of these trails are steep and have ropes to aid in your descent or ascent. The descents will not be suited to all people so if you have young children or have mobility issues you might have to be content to walk along the trail at the top which still gives good views of the river. This is a fun trail to explore and we want to come back in the summer to check it out for swimming when the river is flowing more slowly. This trail looks like it could be quite muddy and very slippery if it is raining out so it best to go in the late spring , summer and early fall after a day period.
See you on the trail.  

                                                 Walking under the powerline toward the river