It is a short 800 meter boardwalk through some of the most surreal “Dr. Seuss-like” landscape. Stunted pines grow into twisted bizarre shapes. Small carnivorous plants survive in this acidic and nutrient poor habitat by consuming insects. Water-logged sphagnum moss is also part of the scenery along the Shorepine Bog Trail in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.

Flowers in Bloom in the Shorepine Bog

I love revisiting this short trail over the course of the summer for a number of reasons. On each visit I often notice something in bloom that I missed on a previous walk. Many of the plants in the bog produce small flowers that can be difficult to see. You really need to lie down on your belly to get the perspective needed to appreciate them. From a standing position they are not as obvious.

I also like walking the loop because it takes a little effort and time to truly get a feel for the place. If you’ve completed the loop in 20 minutes you’ve done it too fast (unless the black flies are biting!). Sitting on one of the many benches and admiring the bonsai shorepines is time well spent. Examining the intricate details of sphagnum moss or a delicate bog flower is a meditative experience.

At this time of year there are many flowers already in bloom. During my recent walk I found Labrador Tea (Ledum groenlandicum), Northern Starflower (Trientalis arctica) and Western Bog-laurel (Kalmia microphylla ssp. occidentalis) flowering. I’m definitely going to take another stroll around the Shorepine Bog Trail in the coming weeks to become reacquainted with some of the beautiful plants that call it home.