Men's Walking Group

Eleven of us took a chance on the weather and walked about 9 Km from the Mill Bay Off Ramp past Butterfield Rd up and around Rat (Muskrat) Lake and then drove back to Tim Hortons for coffee.  Map and photos below.  --  DeNNis.

We parked the cars along the Mill Bay Off Ramp (bottom right), then through the yellow gate onto the Bamberton-Haul Rd.  Walked up to and around Rat Lake, then back to the cars.  Then to Tim Hortons for a well deserved coffee. 

Were off once we get through the yellow gate.

Looks like preparations for a new development??

Off we go along the Bamberton-Haul road towards Rat Lake.

We are just about at Rat Lake.  Time for a rest.

The lake is pretty low - almost totally covered in Lily Pads.

Must admit they are attractive, though.

The viewing platform at the south end of Rat Lake.
Looks like it has been pushed back into place and leveled.

Looking north from the viewing platform.

There are still lots of
huge trees around the
lake.

Looking back across the lake from about halfway around to
where we started.

This is a couple we met at the start of the path around the lake.
They went around the opposite direction - so we meet again.

Some of the trees taken out by the big wind storm earlier in the year.
These were near the bridge on the north end of the lake.

Some of the windfall wrecked the entrance to the bridge.

However, they were removed and the bridge is still usable.

The trail along the east side of the lake.  Another large tree
down, but hard to see in the photo.

Back onto the Bamberton-Haul road after circling Rat Lake.

A huge excavator working near the yellow gate.

Back through the yellow gate.  Almost back at the cars.

This sign was so far up in the tree that we failed to see it on the way in.

Back at the vehicles and off to Tim Hortons for coffee.

Men's Walking Group

Twelve of us had a pleasant stroll of about 5 Km through Bright Angel Park off Koksilah Rd today.  We then followed Bench Rd back to the Tim Hortons on Hwy 1 where we enjoyed  beverages and goodies.  Map and photos below.  --  DeNNis.

We parked the cars in the lot at Bright Angel Park (center).  Took a little ways before the GPS kicked in.  Also the accuracy wasn't great as you can see from our trace along the river.
However, we crossed over the suspension bridge to the other side of the river where we went downstream as far as we could, then back across the bridge to the west side,, through the park area and around some of the surrounding streets, and eventually back to the parking lot.

Heading down to the suspension bridge.

Across the bridge to the other side of the river.

You need "sea legs" on this bridge.

The water levels in the river are very low.

A unique old split rail fence to keep people out of sensitive areas.

The bridge from down stream a ways.

Lots of room for walking alongside the water.

Reflections.

This tree was either struck
by lightning or was
burnt inside.

The cairn commemorating the
park.

Rick, investigating the ripples in the water.

This looks a little "fishy".

Actually it is part of a log, partially submerged.

Watch your step - the roots are very tricky.

Ed followed the trail to the very end.

Looking straight up.

Back across the suspension bridge.

A few flowers among
the dead grass.

Playtime --

-- on the exercise equipment. 

Some sculpture as well as eggs for sale on
Riverside road.

Brook may  be shot at or will never return after going through
this gate.

  

Men's Walking Group

Our Photo Journalist and GPS Tracker is away on vacation, so we do not have a visual of todays walk.  We parked near the Mill Bay Tim Hortons and 10 of us treked 10Km over Stone Bridge, up Wilkenson Road, past Bonner School and down Chuch Road past the Sweet Meadows Market.  Stopped in at the Market and some had to buy Cones after tasting samples of their ice cream.  This is an interesting walk as we cross 4 different bridges over Shawnigan Creek.  Last stop was at Time Hortons for Coffee.  -- Brook

Men's Walking Group

Nine of us got together today for a walk through Manley Park and along the beach below Satellite Park Road.  We covered about 7 Km plus a little extra before we had lunch at the refurbished Cobblestone Pub.  Map and photos below.  --  DeNNis.

Parked the cars at the entrance to Manley Park below Arbutus Ridge.  Down through the park with a stop for viewing from the lookout platform, then down Grandview Way to Aros Rd . Lefran Rd and Clearwater Rd to the beach as far as Satellite Point Rd and back to the cars.

We start at Manley Creek Park.

One of Natures Planters.

Some fairly steep trails at this end.

The fuel barge wharf for the tank farm.

The lookout area above the beach.

The Granfield Way path has been widened
and improved.

An old Arbutus that will eventually land across Aros Rd.

Checking the Rotary Club  library box at the top of
Satellite Point Road.

Seen in passing - a 1953 Ford.

Dairy farm on Clearwater Road.

Back around the 1940's these Douglas Fir trees were planted in  neat rows.
Some body thought there would be a market for them.

The stairway down to the beach at the end of  Clearwater Rd.

Heading up the beach.

Looking back towards Samsom Narrows.

Another "Natures Planter".

Some bank reinforcement cutting off a stairway to the beach.

We think this is a "Nunnery" on Saltspring Island.  The camera zoom just won't do it justice.

The stairway from the beach up to Satellite Point Road.

Had to add this
sailboat shot.

The reservoir in Manley Park is full - but the water exit is closed.

While waiting for the Cobblestone Pub to open for lunch, we
had to walk up and take some apples for the horses at
Alpine Riding Stables.

And say "Hello" to the Llama.

Time for some lunch and a beverage -- we were joined by Bill Cairnes --

--  Denis Lainchbury and Bob Bennett.