Coastal Walking Trails in the Comox Valley- Goose Spit

    By Keith and Heather Nicol

Heather and Linda chat about shore birds

   Goose Spit is a popular recreation area in the Comox area since it offers swimming, paddle board and sea kayaking opportunities and beach walking. On September 8 with sunny skies and more moderate temperatures than the record breaking temperatures earlier in the week we decided to walk around Goose Spit in a clockwise direction. We have done the walk in counterclockwise loop in the past but we think the clockwise option is preferred. Goose Spit is accessed by Hawkins Road in Comox and there is a small car park at 49 39.762 N, 124 54.285 W near the beach entrance.  If this lot is full you can park further back along the spit where there are large parking lots.  We left around 3:00 pm and the tide was about 2 meters and rising which turned out to be a good tide to complete this walk on.  

Several boats have washed ashore at various places along Goose Spit

     The walking surface is good to start – composed of small gravels and sand. You can easily walk at the high tide mark or if the tide is lower as it was at this time you can wonder down over the cobbles to a nice sandy section along the water. Not long after we started we ran into a bird watcher we knew who said she was checking out the shore birds that might be coming through on their fall migration. The spit is a good spot for birding but in this case Linda told us she hadn’t had much luck. Goose Spit is also a place that attracts boats that have been blown ashore by storm winds and after 1 km you come across the first of 5 grounded boats that we counted on this day.  Gradually the shoreline winds to the north and after 1.9 km the gravelly beach changes to sand for 400 or so meters. This section is popular for walkers to have lunch or read in the sun and in the past we have landed our kayaks along this section since it faces south and provides views of the Comox Glacier in the distance. On this day lingering smoke from wildfires made the mountain views abit hazy and they weren’t as spectacular as have seen them.

There is a nice sandy section of shoreline facing Comox Harbor

     After you round the end of the spit the walking surface becomes less consistent. At low tides like we had the best walking is just below the intertidal vegetation on a firm gravel beach. If you are walking at higher tides you will have to walk through the partially established path that runs through this vegetation at the high tide line. You get fine views of the Comox and the sailboats moored at anchor in the lagoon. At around the 3 km mark you have to walk across a boat launch and the edge of a wharf that belongs to the Canadian military (who own the interior part of Goose Spit). Then it is back along the shore (past some more grounded boats) to the car park. The total distance is about 4.2 km and you should allow about 1 hour or longer depending your snack breaks and photo taking stops. Another option which is popular with many people is to simply walk along the outer part of the spit and then return along the same route when you want to finish your outing.  Either way check out Goose Spit since it is a unique geographic landscape with fine views in all direction. 

Along the lagoon side of the spit the walking is trickier through inter  tidal vegetation

Saratoga Beach Golf Course is a short challenging course in Black Creek, B.C.

by Keith and Heather Nicol

The greens were in great shape

    On Tuesday, September 5 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 9:30 am with the idea of getting in a round of golf before lunch (it took 1 hour and 45 minutes). Saratoga Beach Golf Course is a 9 hole course that is very walkable since the distance is just over 2300 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.  We liked the 2 elevated tees which gave some variety to the tee boxes. After a long dry summer the fairways show the lack of water and are quite brown but the greens and tee boxes are in good shape.  

 

There are quite a few houses that line the course so you need to hit straight drives

   The manager Norm McLaren told us that they get most of their business from the local community but also from Campbell River. He also told us that they had an adaptive golfers programme to try to appeal to the whole community. “We have one fellow that plays with one arm which works because the course isn’t that long.” he said. He added that they usually are open from mid March until mid to late October before the fall rains start in earnest.  We would certainly like to come back and play the course when the fairways green up abit. Saratoga Beach Golf Course has a small putting green and a driving range as well as a small club house 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.  

We also liked the 2 elevated tee boxes

Swimming with salmon in the Puntledge River, Courtenay, B.C.

by Keith and Heather Nicol

       On Saturday, September 2 we headed to Puntledge Park in Courtenay since temperatures were in the high 20’s and we needed to cool off. Normally we either swim or tube in the Puntledge River but on our recent trips we have been snorkeling to see if there were salmon returning to the river. Since we had seen so many fish on trip earlier in the week we decided to film them on this occasion. We started at the fish hatchery off of Powerhouse Road where we had seen lots of fish 2 days before and we were not disappointed. Unfortunately it was late in the afternoon and much of river below the hatchery was in shade which we thought wouldn’t produce good underwater video so after 2 quick swims we headed down to Puntledge Park. 

The Pink Salmon run is in full force

     Fortunately this area was in full sun. We headed for the pool just off the gravel beach and in no 

There are thousands of salmon in Puntledge River

time at all we were blown away by the quantity of fish in the water just below the rapids. There must have been thousands of pink salmon in this area alone! The current is strong in places and the rocks are slippery so you need to pay attention to avoid being swept down river. We always wear kayak booties to protect our feet from rocks. Beside that all you need are a mask and snorkel! Be prepared to be amazed at what is lurking below the surface of the water. With a few more warm days forecast you still have time to see this special natural phenomenon and click this link for a video which shows what awaits you! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDF2kmMw2LY

  Just remember that water levels can change dramatically on the river and that currents can sweep unwary swimmers downstream very quickly.

Checking out the Artisans’ Festival at the Kitty Coleman Woodland Gardens

By Keith and Heather Nicol

Most exhibitors are situated in small meadows

     We had not been to the Kitty Coleman Woodland Gardens before so when they were holding their 15th annual artists’ festival we decided to visit this 24 acre site.  With close to 80 exhibitors which featured everything from pottery to paintings to wood work and everything in between there is alot to choose from. The exhibitors tend to be mostly located in small open meadows but some are in enclosed areas like Santa’s Barn. 

Heather viewing some beautiful silk hangings 

     From the map we could see that there are many trails that wind through the forest and so we will have to return for another visit to fully explore the gardens. We did take one side trail to the labyrinth which is a special spot worth investigating.  We also appreciated the musicians who were playing music along the way and each day of the festival there are different people playing at the different venues.  The festival runs from Saturday, September 2 to Monday, September 4 and the event is pet friendly.  There is an ATM and food trucks on site.  The Kitty Coleman Woodland Gardens offers a tranquil setting to enjoy nature and this weekend there is an added bonus of the artisans’ festival.  We are looking forward on coming back to see the gardens when the rhododendrons are in full bloom since they have one of the largest collections of rhodos on the Island.  The gardens are located about 15 minutes north of Courtenay just off the North Island Highway. For more information see:  http://woodlandgardens.ca/ 

Greg Joy playing the hammered dulcimer

Coastal Walking Trails in the Comox Valley- Royston Seaside Trail – Part 2

By Keith and Heather Nicol

Our destination was the lookout platform in Royston

    When we posted information on the Royston Seaside Trail – Part 1 (http://keithnicol.blogspot.ca/2017/08/coastal-walking-trails-in-comox-valley_23.html) we noted that an extension of the trail traversed south toward Marine Drive in Royston. So on August 29 we decided to check that out. You can access this trail from a parking lot at the end of Hilton Road (49 39.143 N, 124 57.180 W).  This trail starts off with a broad easy walking surface for the first couple of hundred meters before branching off toward the beach. The main trail does carry on to Lince Road for another 200 meters or so but if you don`t mind walking along high tide line you can follow it along the shore to Marine Drive in Royston.

Keith walking along the beach with the Royston wrecks in the background

     The beach portion is about 0.8 km and leads to a lookout platform. This section is across a mix of surfaces like sandy beach with small gravel sections and even some flattish bedrock. You have to cross over 2 trees that lie across the trail and there are a couple of short sections which involve traversing around basketball size boulders. You can see the Royston wrecks, Goose Spit and across the Salish Sea to the Sunshine Coast and Texada Island.  As you get closer to Marine Drive you can scramble up on short trails to a picnic site in Royston (49 38.948 N, 124.56.791 W or 49 38.941 N, 124.56.774 W are easier access points).  Once on Marine Drive continue a short distance to the lookout platform at 49 38.914 N, 124 56.656 W).  The total distance 1 way is about 1 km and you can then traverse back along the same trail to your car. Be aware that under some conditions like strong SE winds and high tides that the beach portion might be difficult or impossible to negotiate.If readers know of other coastal walking trails in the Comox Valley let us know at k2nicol@gmail.com. 

Heather at one of the access points to Marine Drive from the beach trail