August Walks in Paradise
July 26th, 2010 | by Dave Ingram | Record a Comment
Published in Central Vancouver Island, Events
Tags: August, British Columbia, Guided Walks, Hiking, Nature Walks, Paradise Meadows, Strathcona Provincial Park, Strathcona Wilderness Institute, Sub-alpine, Vancouver Island, Wildflowers
Summer flowers and insects in Paradise Meadows, Strathcona Provincial Park.
Summer is in full bloom at Paradise Meadows, and the Strathcona Park Wilderness Centre has a full schedule of guided nature walks and hikes to enhance your appreciation of the natural splendor of Strathcona Park – BC’s first provincial park.
The Wilderness Centre building located at the Paradise Meadows trailhead, adjacent to the Raven Lodge, is open to Sept. 12, 2010, on Saturdays, Sundays and holiday Mondays from 9 am to 4 pm.
Strathcona Wilderness Centre at Paradise Meadows
The Centre is operated by the Strathcona Wilderness Institute (SWI), a non-profit Society, which is continuing to offer guided summer programs for all ages and abilities during August & September.
Nature Walks are about 2 hours for all ages, with a guest expert on a nature theme. Level 1 Hikes are 3-4 hours with a guide, for all ages. Level 2 Hikes are 4-8 hours with a guide, for intermediate hikers. Level 3 Hikes are multi-day trips in partnership with Island Alpine Guides.
Sat. July 31, 10 am
Level 1 Hike: Lake Helen Mackenzie
3-4 hour hike with Catherine Watson of the Comox Valley Naturalists Society (no pets please)
Sun. Aug. 1, 10 am
Level 1 Hike: Lake Helen Mackenzie
3-4 hour hike with Mandy Vaughan of the Comox Valley Naturalists Society (dogs on leash o.k.)
Mon. Aug. 2, 9 am
Level 2 Hike: Mount Elma
5-6 hour hike with Heather & Rolf Kellerhals of the Comox Valley Naturalists Society (no pets please)
Sun. Aug. 8, 1-3 pm
Nature Walk: Mid-Summer Flowers
Experience the beauty of a sub-alpine meadow with botanist Fred Constabel
Paradise Meadows Pond
Sun. Aug. 15, 9 am
Level 2 Hike: Croteau Lake
5-6 hour hike with Robin & Jennifer Harrison of the Comox Valley Naturalists Society (no pets please)
Sun. Aug. 22, 8 am
Level 2 Hike: Lake Beautiful & Cruickshank Canyon Lookout
8-9 hour hike with Evan Loveless of the Strathcona Wilderness Institute
Sun. Aug. 22, 1-3 pm
Nature Walk: “I the Tree- We the Forest”
Explore the working of an individual tree & the collective energy of the forest with forester Harold Macy
Paradise Meadows Boardwalk
Sun. Aug. 29, 9 am
Level 2 Hike: Divers Lake
4-5 hour hike with Steve & Marlene Smith of the Strathcona Wilderness Institute (dogs on leash o.k.)
Sun. Aug. 29, 10 am
Level 1 Hike: Lake Helen Mackenzie
3-4 hour hike with Evan Loveless of the Strathcona Wilderness Institute
Sat. Sept. 4 – Mon. Sept. 6
Level 3 Hike: Castlecrag Circuit
With Island Alpine Guides in partnership with Strathcona Wilderness Institute. $375/ per person. Register by Aug. 14. Contact IAG: 250-400-2870 info@islandalpineguides.com
Sun. Sept. 5, 1-4 pm
Art & Nature Walk: Image Hunting with Pencils & Brushes
Bring the media of your choice for an excursion into the meadows with Cumberland watercolour artist Clive Powsey
Sun. Sept. 12, 1-3 pm
Art & Nature Walk: Great Photo-Ops in Paradise Meadows
Look for interesting subjects & compositions (no camera needed) with nature photographer Chris Carter
Mount Washington from Paradise Meadows
For all activities: dress for the weather, wear proper footwear, bring lunch or snacks, water, bug spray and sun protection. Guided nature walks and day hikes are free, although a donation of $5 –10 is appreciated to help with the Institute’s ongoing activities. All walks and day hikes start at the Wilderness Centre.
For more information and the full summer program schedule, visit the SWI website at www.strathconapark.org or contact SPWC 2010 Summer Coordinator Krista Kaptein at 250-338-9962.
For up-to-date information on activities & conditions, visit the blog at http://strathconapark.blogspot.com
