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Juan de Fuca part 3 – National Geographic Weekend!

Trip Summary Apparently, I just can’t get enough of this provincial park. So I went back for a 3rd weekend, this time to finish the remaining 10km I had left (and more!). I like to call it my National Geographic weekend because of the amount of wildlife we saw! Check out my AllTrails activity here. Trip Breakdown…
Empress Mountain day hike: the highest peak in Sooke

According to my (10-minute) research, Empress Mountain, sitting at 682m, is the highest peak in the Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Park, the Sea to Sea Regional Park, and Sooke Mountain Provincial Park. This hike was the perfect Saturday activity. Summary: Length: 14.2kmElevation: 649mTime: 4 hoursStarting point: Sooke Potholes Parking Lot 2 We started hiking on Peden Lake…
The fog stole my view (again) – Saint Marks Summit

I wasn’t going to post about this hike because the photos are not great, but that’s just part of spending time outdoors: sometimes you get the views, and sometimes the weather does not want to cooperate. Hilariously, the weather has not cooperated TWICE now (read about my first attempt here). Summary Length 10.9kmElevation gain: 583mTime: 3h…
My first solo backpacking trip! Strathcona Provincial Park

Trip Summary I’d been dreaming about going to Strathcona since I found out I’d be working in Victoria for 4 months and I could not wait to go! The snow had not melted yet and the trail crews hadn’t been out in ages but I still had an epic solo adventure. Trip Breakdown Friday:Leave Victoria…
My first (official) solo day hike! Jocelyn Hill Trail Loop

This hike took me through Gowlland Tod Provincial Park in an engaging and fun loop. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this provincial park, but I was not disappointed by the trail and the views. Summary: Length: 10.1kmElevation: 455mTime: 2 hours and 30 minsStarting point: Gowlland Tod Provincial Park parking lot The first part of the…
The best sunset in Victoria – PKOLS (Mount Douglas) Summit

I walked to this summit from my house in Victoria! It only added 2.4km to the total journey (not included in trail length below) and with long summer nights, there was no reason not to. I watched the sunset from PKOLS quite a few times over the summer and loved it every time. Check out my All…
Thru-hiking 37km of the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail

Trip Summary It’s Victoria Day weekend, and if you know me, you know I’m using the long weekend to its full potential. A few old friends (and a few new friends) were taking the ferry over to the island on Friday evening for our 37km thru-hike of the Juan de Fuca Trail! If we had…
Coastal camping at Sombrio Beach in Juan de Fuca Provincial Park

Trip Summary I wasn’t planning on going camping my first weekend on Vancouver Island, but the weather promised to be sunny and hot and I had to take advantage of it! So I recruited some friends and went to Sombrio Beach in Juan de Fuca Provincial Park for an overnight coastal camping trip. Trip Breakdown…
Sleeping under the stars: Elfin Lakes spring backpacking trip

Trip Summary Let me set the stage: It’s the end of April. The weather is forecasted to be the warmest and sunniest it’s been all year. The avalanche risk is high in the alpine, treeline, and sub-treeline. I am flying home to Ontario in 3 days. And I am about to sleep under the stars…
Cypress Falls and Whyte Lake: hidden gems in West Vancouver

Easter weekend forecast: rain. Lots of rain. That kept me out of the mountains for the weekend BUT it allowed me to do this super fun day hike. AND the sun came out for a bit which was a pleasant surprise! Summary: Length: 11km Elevation gain: 340m Time: 3 hours moving time Starting point: Cypress…
A spring weekend at Goldstream Provincial Park

After many weeks of backpacking, this car camping trip was a dream. Despite the chilly weather, I had a blast at Goldstream Provincial Park, just 20 minutes from Victoria! Trip Breakdown Friday Take the 7pm ferry from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay Drive to Goldstream Provincial Park Set up tents, campfire and marshmallows Saturday Breakfast Walk…
Pancakes for sunrise at Tunnel Bluffs

Yes, I have already done Tunnel Bluffs. But a sunny Saturday forecast in Vancouver must be taken advantage of, and Tunnel Bluffs is the perfect spot to set up my camp stove and cook sunrise pancakes. Summary: Length: 11.9km Elevation gain: 623m Time: 3h moving time Starting point: Sunset Drive parking lot Thanks to daylight…
Backpacking to Joffre Lakes: snowshoes, sunshine, and glaciers

Trip Summary Winter backpacking can be hit or miss when it comes to sunshine. I’ve spent a few trips under white skies, but this March weekend at Joffre Lakes turned out to be exceptionally sunny! I enjoyed easy hiking, good views, and exploring the area. Trip Breakdown SaturdayArrive at Joffre Lakes Trailhead by 10:30amGet to…
Winter magic: an overnight at Burton Hut on Garibaldi Lake

Trip Summary Steps to a fun weekend: 1. hike to Garibaldi Lake in winter. 2. Trail blaze across the 5km of Garibaldi Lake in near white-out conditions. 3. Sleep overnight at an unheated backcountry hut! This was one of my favourite trips so far this year. With almost 30km and 900m of elevation gain, it was…
Lessons learned backpacking at Wedgemount Lake

Trip Summary Not every backpacking trip goes exactly as planned… especially when the trail is steep and covered in fresh snow. Nevertheless, we had lots of fun hiking the Wedgemount Lake trail and camping in the snow. Read this post to learn from my (happy) mistakes! Trip Breakdown SaturdayArrive at Wedgemount Lake trailhead at 10amHit…
Camping on Mt Seymour during a polar vortex

Trip Summary Sometimes “polar vortex warning” sounds a lot like “we should go winter backpacking”… We were prepared for it, of course ;). This post is all about the January weekend I spent on the summit of Mt Seymour. Trip Breakdown SaturdayArrive at Mt Seymour P1 overnight parking lot at 10amHit the trail at 10:45amSummit…
Norvan Falls and the 1000 creek crossings

Summary: Length: 15.70kmElevation gain: 400mTime: 4h totalStarting point: Lynn Headwaters Entrance Parking lot I could not wait to get back out hiking in 2023! With the rainy first few weeks we had in Vancouver, Norvan Falls was a perfect way to get back on the trail. My #1 takeaway from this hike? Wear waterproof shoes!…
Tunnel Bluffs: to see the world above the clouds

Summary: Length: 11.9kmElevation gain: 623mTime: 3h 8 mins moving time, 3h 16 mins totalStarting point: Sunset Drive parking lot I did not stop talking about this hike for the entire weekend after it (frankly, I still talk about it). It was a gray December day in Vancouver, but 12km and lots of elevation later, we…
The Stawamus Chief Trail day hike: peaks 1, 2, and 3!

Summary: Length: 7.1kmElevation gain: 756mTime: 3h 54 mins moving time, 4h 44 mins totalStarting point: Stawamus Chief parking lot I had been looking forward to this hike for a while after getting good reviews from friends. I’d heard stories of ladders, chains, and 360-degree views, and I was excited! We did this hike the traditional…
Hiking the North Shore Mountains part 3: Grouse Grind

Summary: Length: 2.2km Elevation gain: 752m Time: 1h 49 mins total Starting point: Grouse Mountain parking lot The famous Grouse Grind. If you’re looking for an afternoon of outdoor Stairmaster, this is the hike for you. I did this hike for the sole purpose of being able to say I did it (some people race…
Hiking the North Shore Mountains part 2: Pump Peak

Summary: Length: 7.3km Elevation gain: 458m Time: 2h 52 mins of moving time, 3h 32 mins total Starting point: Mount Seymour Rd parking lot This is the first B.C. hike that took my breath away! At 1407m, located in Mt Seymour Provincial Park, Pump Peak is a hike that I would definitely do again. The…
Hiking the North Shore Mountains part 1: Saint Mark’s Summit

Summary: Length 10.9km Elevation gain: 583m Time: 3h 15mins of moving time, 3h 37mins total Starting point: Cypress Mountain parking lot My very first hike in British Colombia! This one is relatively easy, with a few steep parts in the middle and at the end. We began in the Cypress Mountain parking lot, which put…
Elfin Lakes and the Gargoyles backpacking trip

Trip Summary This is my final 1-night backpacking trip of the fall! We started at Diamond Head Trailhead and hiked up to Elfin Lakes Campground, with a quick summit to the Gargoyles. We ran into a lot of snow on this trip, which was both challenging and fun! Trip Breakdown Saturday Start from Diamond Head…
Long weekend adventures: How I surfed in Tofino as a student working in Vancouver

Trip Summary One extra weekend day makes working students dream big. With Canada’s National Day of Mourning for Queen Elizabeth II, we pulled off a last-minute trip to Tofino on a student budget and had a fantastic adventure. This post highlights how we managed it, where we stayed, and what we did (plus pictures!). Trip…
Howe Sound Crest Trail – Brunswick Lake backpacking trip

Trip Summary Another beautifully sunny and warm one-night backpacking trip! This is an out-and-back trip on the Howe Sound Crest Trail. Our adventure started at the Porteau Cove parking lot and ended on Fat Ass Peak (just 1 hour past Brunswick Lake), in early October. And yes, I promise that’s the real name of the…