In more different options than a single, you receive a completely different look at the globe coming from a mountaintop" say scientists Richard and Sydney Cannings in Bc, An organic History. Rugged valleys, icy streams, and sloping meadows of wildflowers undulating inside the subalpine wind: they're what catch the eye when hiking Vancouver Island's mountains.

1. vancouver island bc alpine hiking
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"In more different options than a single, you get a totally different take a look at the entire world
from the mountaintop" say scientists Richard and Sydney Cannings in B . c ., An organic History.
Rugged valleys, icy streams, and sloping meadows of wildflowers undulating inside the subalpine
wind: they're what catch the attention when hiking Vancouver Island's mountains.
Like lower elevations, the Island's ranges have vistas enough for photographs, in addition they
have geological oddities, unique plant and animal communities, and trees so going to survive that
they can bend themselves into all manner of contortions. Life around the timberline can be a
challenging affair, nevertheless for hikers keen on going to a different perspective, nothing
parallels an alpine adventure.
Because this is one of several snowiest places on earth, hiking the Island's mountains means
being prepared. Temperatures fluctuate rapidly, reminding hikers to put insulating layers that may
be easily donned or shed. Protected by snowpack until late July as well as August, the alpine
landscape emerges for any brief season before diving back to winter.
Thankfully, there exists still time for it to ingest a few of that short-lived brilliance. Late the summer
months are one of the better times to check out Vancouver Island's mountains, and so on mid-
Island peaks like Mount Arrowsmith and Mount Cokely, wildflowers still paint the hillsides along
with a bumper crop of black huckleberries and blueberries and their stunning red leaves. Paradise
Meadows in Strathcona Park offers day-hikers the opportunity stroll along an even boardwalk,
viewing subalpine plants a stone's throw from the parking lot. The same location gives overnight
hikers a peek at what's ahead on the trek into Forbidden Plateau and beyond.
These hikes offer something unique for the alpine explorer. Stick to the trails to avoid trampling
sensitive plant make sure you bring you got it. With careful preparation, every day inside the
alpine could be your peak experience.
Mount Arrowsmith: Located off Highway 4 west of Qualicum Beach and east of Port Alberni, the
mountain called Arrowsmith is definitely consists of multiple peaks, probably the most prominent
being Arrowsmith and Cokely. A network of logging roads provide good access to a few trails
nearby, some ascending gradually for the mountains' slopes web-sites climbing sharply with their
summits. A decommissioned ski resort situated on the south side of the peaks marks the
beginning of a historic trail that when saw guests from the Canadian Pacific Railway continued
horseback from the Cameron Lake Chalet.
To access the alpine today, hikers commonly consider the saddle route that ascends the slope
between Arrowsmith and Cokely gaining 450 metres in elevation. Highlights of this hike include
alpine and subalpine wildflowers-aster, harebells and pink monkey flower are presently blooming-

2. huckleberries and lowbush blueberries, plus a side trail into Emerald or Jewel Lake. View
aficionados will appreciate vistas from the Gulf Islands, the Strait of Georgia, and neighbouring
peaks.
Popularly known as the most important and quite a few accessible alpine area on Southern
Vancouver Island (1,819 m), Mount Arrowsmith is now the main focus of an park proposal
encompassing the massif's peaks and lakes. For more information, visit
http://www.mountarrowsmith.org or contact a nearby visitor information centre at (250.248.3613).
Paradise Meadows/Forbidden Plateau: Mountain peaks dominate the landscape of Strathcona
Park, the most important and oldest park on Vancouver Island. Created in 1911 by the special Act
of the Provincial Legislature, Strathcona is named for Donald Alexander Smith, or Lord
Strathcona, a Canadian pioneer who drove the past spike into railway that united Canada from
west to east in 1885. Could Lord Strathcona's time, the spot has become where you can an
enormous assortment of animals and plants unique to Vancouver Island. Hikers considering going
to the alpine without climbing countless metres can drive towards the park using the Strathcona
Parkway off Highway 19, following signs towards the Mount Washington Ski Resort. Paradise
Meadows is situated right before the Nordic ski area, on Nordic Lodge Road.
From your trailhead, a gravel pathway brings about the Paradise Meadows boardwalk. Routes
through this subalpine wonderland are well-signed to a quantity of day-hike destinations, including
Helen MacKenzie, Battleship, and Kwaii Lakes. As well as other superlatives, the hike offers
views of snow-capped mountains, in addition to visits from the ever cheeky Whiskey Jack (a
relative from the common Stellar jay). Watch for blooming aster, berry bushes, and areas of low-
lying fen. Hikers planning to stay overnight can rest assured that the forty-four backcountry sites
with this portion of the park will offer you innumerable choices.
T o l e a r n m o r e , g o t o t h e S t r a t h c o n a P a r k i n t e r n e t s i t e a t
wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/strathcn/forbid.htm. To call the neighborhood visitor
information centre, call 250-334-3234.
Tricks for Hiking in Alpine Areas Over the timberline, plants struggle against harsh conditions
growing a number of millimeters. Animals scope out meager supplies of food or spend a good
deal of the season in hibernation. To reduce your impact in these fragile areas, maintain the tips
below at heart when hiking the alpine.
1. Trails usually are not always evident in alpine areas, however, if they may be present, follow
them.
2. When blazing a route across what seems like an unmarked area, seek out signs on
surrounding vegetation as well as the soil. Likelihood is, someone may be there when you and it
has left flagging or rock cairns pointing the way in which.
3. If travelling inside a group, walk single file to stop braiding the trail.

3. 4. Avoid picking wildflowers. Simply because they have a longer shelf-life, photographs are the
best souvenirs.
5. Avoid leaving behind proof of your holiday. Food scraps, garbage, and toilet tissue are all easily
packed into plastic bags to the return trip.
6. Keep from dumping anything into alpine lakes. The cold temperature means refuse takes
longer to collapse. In areas with camping areas, lakes will be the only water source.
7. If you intend in order to cook anything, bring a camp stove. Wood can be a precious commodity
at high elevations. Strathcona Park does not permit campfires in backcountry areas.
Recommended reading: Trails II: South-Central Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, Richard
K. Blier. Trails III: Northern Vancouver Island including Strathcona Park, Richard K. Blier. Hiking
Vancouver Island, by Shannon and Lissa Cowan. Alberni Valley Trail Guide, Alberni
Environmental Coalition.
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