Rising above Nanoose Bay, Notch Hill offers one of the most ecologically rich and visually rewarding short hikes in the region. Located near Nanoose on Vancouver Island, this modest summit rewards the curious with sweeping views, golden grasslands, and a glimpse into a unique and endangered ecosystem—the Garry oak meadow. This is a destination that I’ve visited before and will likely visit again. The plant communities and photographic possibilities here are fascinating!
Though the trail is just over 2 kilometres round-trip, with about 200 metres of elevation gain, it transports hikers into a different world. The path climbs quickly through second-growth Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and arbutus (Arbutus menziesii) forest before emerging into an open Garry oak (Quercus garryana) savanna dotted with wildflowers and long, dry grasses. The terrain here is exposed and open, with areas of shallow soil and dry moss over rock. The land is shaped by centuries of disturbance—both natural and human-caused.
A Vanishing Ecosystem
Garry oak meadows are among the most endangered ecosystems in Canada. Once widespread along southeast Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, less than 5% remain in near-natural condition. In the Nanaimo/Parksville/Nanoose area, only about 33% of Garry oak habitat remains. Their decline is largely due to urban development, fire suppression, and the spread of invasive grasses and other plants. Fragmentation of this fragile ecosystem stresses it further.
Garry oaks are the only oak species that is native to British Columbia. They do well in the dry, Mediterranean-like climate created by the rainshadow of Vancouver Island. The dry, mild winters of Vancouver Island and the moderating effect of the nearby Salish Sea create ideal conditions for sunshine-loving Garry oak.
I noticed a number of birds calling including Cassin’s vireo, orange-crowned warbler, yellow-rumped warbler, Townsend’s warbler, dark-eyed junco, and brown creeper during my hike. Garry oak meadows are the home to a rich variety of wildflowers, insects, birds and animals.
At the top of Notch Hill, the meadow was spectacular in early evening light. Twisting oak limbs caught the last light of day, casting long shadows over backlit grasses and the broken remains of fallen trees. This is a place to slow down, listen to warblers, and look closely—because some of the most remarkable plants here are small and easily overlooked.
Botanical Highlights of Notch Hill
Three former members of the lily family (Liliaceae) are found in these dry, sunny meadows in the early and mid-summer. Two of the these wildflowers, harvest brodiaea and white brodieaea, are now in the family Asparagaceae. The third, meadow death-camas, is now in the family Melanthiaceae. These beautiful flowers are sometimes hidden in the tall grass of the Garry oak meadow. Look carefully to find them!
Harvest Brodiaea
Harvest brodiaea (Brodiaea coronaria), also known as crown brodiaea, is a showy violet-purple flower. It often appears in June when the grasses have already begun to brown. The long, leafless stems carry star-shaped flowers in loose clusters. What makes harvest brodiaea especially interesting is its role in First Nations diets—the small underground corms were traditionally harvested and roasted. The bulbs tend to be at a shallower depth than other harvested plants like camas. Today, harvest brodiaea is less common, due to habitat loss, and its presence on Notch Hill is a sign of the meadow’s ecological integrity.
Fool’s Onion
White brodiaea, or fool’s onion (Triteleia hyacinthina), gets its name from its resemblance to edible onions. Though it looks like an onion, it lacks the smell and belongs to a different genus than true onions. Its delicate white to pale lavender flowers appear in loose umbels, each petal with a faint purple mid-vein. You’ll find it blooming in early June through to July, often among camas and grasses in open, well-drained areas. At Notch Hill, it was growing in association with meadow death-camas.
Meadow Death-Camas (Zigadenus venenosus)
A striking contrast to its edible cousins, meadow death-camas (Zigadenus venenosus) is a beautiful but deadly plant. With creamy white flowers and grasslike leaves, it often grows near fool’s onion and common camas, which can be a dangerous mistake for foragers. Indigenous knowledge systems included careful avoidance of this plant when harvesting similar-looking bulbs. Its presence in the Notch Hill meadow serves as a reminder of how closely intertwined botany and cultural knowledge are on this landscape.
Notch Hill and Nearby
Notch Hill isn’t a long or difficult hike, but it’s a window into a vanishing world. The Garry oak meadow at its summit is a remnant of what once blanketed the southern island. Each step through this sunlit space brings you closer to the land’s deeper story—one told in twisted oak trunks, fleeting flowers, and the quiet resilience of a rare ecosystem still hanging on.
Consider a visit to the Mount Tzouhalem Ecological Reserve, near Duncan to experience another Garry oak ecosystem. The landscape and wildflower species, including these former lilies, are very similar. Nearby, the trails around Enos Lake offer a forest and pond/wetland hiking experience and a completely different ecosystem. Consider combining Notch Hill and Enos Lake for a full day of botany!
Getting There
The parking area for Notch Hill is on Power Point Road. From the Petro Canada gas station turn off the Island Highway (Highway 19) onto Northwest Bay Road. Turn right onto Powder Point Road and continue until you reach a four way stop. Continue straight as Powder Point Road then becomes Fairwinds Road. Look for the trail head on the right hand side of the road.
