The Adventures of a Wanderer and Her Family
I’ve lived in Victoria for 28 years and how this gem of a park slipped under my radar is really hard to fathom! It’s a great park in Oak Bay with amazing views of the Olympic Mountains and also of Mount Baker and Victoria Golf Course! It will definitely be a regular place to walk with the family from now on!
Silvertip Falls is a lesser known falls in Wells Gray Provincial Park near Clearwater, British Columbia and definitely off the beaten path. Dropping 550 feet, this falls is the tallest waterfall in Wells Gray Provincial Park, coming off the shoulder of Trophy Mountain Plateau. The area is seldom explored, and so the secluded backcountry hike makes for a very special family friendly experience.
To get to Silvertip Falls, follow Clearwater Valley road north towards Wells Gray Provincial park for about 11km. Then turn right onto Spahats Creek Forest Service Road and continue to Silvertip Falls Recreation site which is about 6 km. Park near the outhouse, and you’ll find the unmarked trailhead running along the creek. This is not a long hike to the falls at just 1 km but the scenery is beautiful so you will want to linger as you explore the area. The trail was a bit overgrown with devil’s club so be careful where you step. Once you get to the foot of the falls it is possible to climb a little higher, but it does become rather steep. The cascading falls provide some beautiful shooting opportunities for the shutterbug.
The Strawberry Moose Snackery back in Clearwater is a great place for fresh baked goods and drinks after the hike.
I’m a little behind on this, but what another awesome year we had as a family! We were fortunate enough to travel a great deal and had a lot of fun along the way. Here’s some of my favourite images along the way.
2016 is looking like a slower year travel wise, but we’re looking forward to more local adventures on Vancouver Island. Thank you for following us along the way!
Schooner Cove in Pacific Rim National Park is a great afternoon adventure suitable for families. It features:
Park at the well marked parking lot off of the Pacific Rim Highway (4) about 16 kilometres south of Tofino. Start off on a relatively easy two kilometre trail. The scenic hike wanders through lush rainforest before arriving at a spectacular beachfront area. You will pass giant cedars, a number of small gullies and over a few bridges spanning small creeks. Near the end of the trail you will pass a 600 year old sitka spruce. As you get closer to the beach the rolling sounds of the ocean will greet you.
The pristine beach offers amazing views including rocky outcrops that can be accessed at low tide, so check your tide charts before arriving. A long day of exploring awaits you as you walk south along the beach to Long Beach which is a 10 kilometre expanse of beach. Allow a lot of time, because you will love exploring this area!
If you plan to stay to watch the sunset, remember to bring a flashlight as the densely forested trail back to the parking lot gets really dark!
Enjoy!
We’ve had a great year as a family and spent a lot of time outdoors enjoying being disconnected from the hustle and bustle of a busy life. It’s funny how when you get away from your regular routine and into nature, you can really reconnect as a family and remember what really matters!
I came across Jim Goldstein’s annual Your Best Photos project, and so I thought would participate. So here are my ten favourite photos for 2014.
Sandcut Beach near Victoria, BC
Fairy Lake near Port Renfrew, BC on Vancouver Island.
Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park, Canadian Rockies
Lake O’Hara in Yoho National Park, Canadian Rockies
Takakkaw Falls in Yoho National Park, Canadian Rockies
Lake Louise, Banff National Park, Canadian Rockies
Lake O’Hara, Yoho National Park, Canadian Rockies
Lake O’Hara, Yoho National Park, Canadian Rockies
On the Lake Oesa Trail, Yoho National Park, Canadian Rockies
Japanese Garden in Butchart Gardens, Victoria, BC
Trail near Botanical Beach, Port Renfrew, BC on Vancouver Island.
I think that might be eleven, but that’s how I roll. I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to visit these places along with my favourite people. I also wish to thank each and every one of you that took the time to take a look at my photo adventures. I look forward to more adventures in 2015!
Hey folks,
I’m so neglectful in keeping this blog updated regularly. My only excuse is raising a family and the craziness that comes with that.
Some of you may know that we spent about 3 weeks travelling in the Canadian Rockies this summer. If you haven’t made that trip yet, I highly recommend it. It blew my socks off! Totally amazing scenery, and I hope to return before too long.
I am making available some of my favourite images from the trip in a calendar which is available on my Redbubble site at this address:
http://goo.gl/cQkYXn
A few of the images are included in this post. But you can see each photo I’ve included by clicking on the link.
If you are a local from Victoria, BC area, I will be placing an order early next week for local pickup so you can save on the shipping. The cost will be $30 Canadian. Please message me to let me know and I will add to the order accordingly.
Thank you to each and every one of you for following our adventures. I wish you a fantastic day and thank you for your support!
Have a great day!
Yes, we are THAT family! What do I mean? Well, the other day I was spending time with a close friend and she was explaining how her husband will spend a full day trying to search down a big tree in a forest, even after the fun factor has waned for the rest of the family. A big tree, she lamented! I laughed and said “I totally get it!” I was, of course, taking the side of her husband for we are THAT family.
I’m blessed with a husband who is crazy kind enough to agree to my crazy ideas. You see, when I see something cool on the internet, I want to go see it for myself. So, that starts the planning process if it is feasible, not dangerous, and is something we can do as a family, including our four year old. Those are the parameters. So, when I suggested we go find the tallest Douglas Fir Tree in the world, and we happened to be in the area, my husband again said, “why not!”
So we set off, but I’m not sure what I was thinking. It was my husband that read the disclaimer about the road which reads:
“**Please take note regarding driving to the Red Creek Fir: The
gravel logging roads from Len’s Main are rarely maintained or
not maintained at all. Use at your own risk. It is recommended that
you have enough gas, a spare tire which is in good condition (and that
you know how to change a flat tire). It is always wise when travelling
in the backcountry to let someone know where you intend to go and
when you will be back. In the event you have car trouble, stay with
your vehicle. It is best to visit the Red Creek Fir in the morning as the
road is rarely travelled after dark. Those driving rental cars should be
aware of rental contracts regarding travel on logging roads. This route
is not recommended for vehicles with low clearance (compacts, sub
compacts, sports cars etc.) SUVs, Pickups and 4x4s are best!!”
For anyone who just has to see it for themselves, here’s some directions.
So, it’s REALLY not suitable for cars! Take my word for it, you really are better off in a truck or SUV. It is bumpy, rocky and clearly not passed very often, as there were branches down along the way that needed to be cleared. My husband didn’t complain even though he had to clear the roadway from fallen branches. So, if you are going to go, bring some gloves or a chainsaw or something to clear the road. My husband had his gardening gloves but it was getting ridiculous after a while, and I even questioned whether it was a good idea! But, we pressed on, and my husband got a good workout.
Trailhead
So was it worth it? Well, you can judge it for yourself, but this tree is huge! We remarked how it is a marvel that it was even spared from being logged! In addition to this awesome old growth Douglas Fir, there are giant cedars that are awe inspiring! Along the road way there’s a really cool creek which cascades straight down. Truly impressive! A fun adventure for the whole family and another wonder of creation!
I still haven’t had much time to dig into my shots from Port Renfrew and area on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Life is like that some time. It’s the balance of responsibilities of life.
In the meantime, here’s a couple shots. The first one is Fairy Lake Bonsai presented in landscape orientation:
The second shot is from Sandcut Beach which is just past Sooke, BC between French Beach and Jordan River. It’s a place that I’ve wanted to go to for a while having heard how awesome it is from friends and also fellow photographers. So, on a lovely spring morning we set off to explore. It’s about a 15 minute from the trailhead to the beach through forest. Once you hit the beach, the falls I’m showing here are to the left about 10 minutes down the beach. I could stay at this spot all day and I’ll definitely return to Sandcut Beach!
Fine art prints available at my WEBSITE.
I’ve been working on my photos from Strathcona Park and plan to write about this area, but life is pretty full right now so here’s a small peak into this awesome wilderness area on Vancouver Island.
I visited San Josef Bay in Cape Scott Provincial Park on Vancouver Island along with my husband, our two children as well as my father in the Summer of 2012. It was one stop on our three week road trip on Vancouver Island. Our home town is in Victoria, BC on the very south tip of Vancouver Island, so our hope was to get to explore our home island and to go as far north as possible. So for us, San Josef Bay represented the most northern point that we could venture as a family with young children. It is true, one can hike further north, to the very tip but that is for the more adventurous.
Getting There
San Josef Bay in Cape Scott Provincial Park is a hike-in park at the northwestern tip of Vancouver Island. The trail head for San Josef Bay and Cape Scott is located 64 kilometres west of Port Hardy and can be reached by active logging Roads. Be prepared for the unexpected, yield to logging trucks, and be bear aware!
Along the Trail
Once you reach the parking lot, the trail to San Josef Bay is a family friendly 2.5 kilometres from the trailhead, taking about 45 minutes one way. The trail can accomodate a jogging stroller for those hiking with small children. In fact, we shared the trail that day with a couple families who came equipped to stay for a few nights with their children. Much of their camping equipment was hauled into camp using kids wagons!
Some scenes along the trail:
Arriving at the Beach
As we arrived at San Josef Bay, we were taken with the sheer vastness of the vacant beach. Our young son ran far ahead of us as towards the Pacific Ocean. The tide was low, so it was a long run to the water for his short legs but he got a huge head start and we had a hard time catching up.
Tidal pools provide hours of enjoyment for children!
Sea Stacks and Sea Caves
San Josef Bay first caught my attention as I researched our trip due to the awesome sea stacks which are accessible at low tide and are located between first and second beach. After waiting and planning the trip for many months I was filled with awe and emotion at first glimpse of the sea stacks. The wild trees growing atop them left me wondering how they can grow despite little soil, and the wild west coast storms!
Sea caves accessible during low tide provide an opportunity for exploration.
Vancouver Island Beach Paradise
Our day at San Josef Bay went by far too quickly. We often talk of our adventure there hoping to return. We had the beach to ourselves for a great portion of the day which is almost unheard of. It is peaceful, awe inspiring and somewhere easily enjoyed as a family!
Thank you for taking a look! Prints and cards available at my Website.
Carrie Cole Photography 