Gold Creek Falls, Golden Ears Provincial Park, Jan 23, 2011

Not knowing how long it would take to get to the park and with the Lower Mainland's unpredictable traffic, we left Vancouver for Golden Ears Provincial Park at about 10am to hike the Gold Creek Falls trail. It didn't take nearly as long as I thought it would and before we knew it, we were passing the parking lot access for Alouette Lake. We had to make a couple of stops at information boards to find the right lot, but what felt like no time, we were parked and making our way to the trail head.

From Gold Creek Falls

Eagle Bluff Trail, Jan 22, 2011

Our original goal was to explore the west side trails at Buntzen lake. Unfortunately, we left home a little too late to make it a worth while venture. Instead, we chose to hike the Eagle Bluff Trail. It runs east along the lake to an elevation of about 360m. A beautiful view of Buntzen Lake, I assume, when the weather is clear and sunny. However, we trekked on a day that was rather foggy and dismal so much of our view was obstructed.

The trail is mostly wooded without much in the way of lookout points. We did discover a beautiful little creek just east of it's crossing. We sat here for a few moments enjoying the sounds and the fresh air.

From 2011-01-22 - Buntzen Lake, Eagle Bluff Trail

The Bad News

Wouldn't you know it. I scored an info session (which generally leads to an interview) with CPRail on the 25th of January. As luck would have it, for whatever reason, I started being violently ill in the wee hours of the the 25th. Worst case scenario. I vomited several times .. toilet, bathroom sink, shower, bed. Yip, it was awful. Around 8am, after a sleepness night, the nausea subsided and I drove the the info session that started at 8am. I pleaded with the folks to let me in as I told them my horrible sob story. Unfortunately, they have strict hiring practices and told me I was disqualified because I was late... no matter the reasons. BLAST!

Unbelievable. I can't honestly remember the last time I was so sick. I must have been a little kid. Luck is a funny thing sometimes. Looks like I'm going to have to pack even more BC into my life before I leave to run trains in somewhere without mountains. :(

By the way, I'm applying to work at Mountain Equipment Co-Op. I can't imagine a better place to learn about outdoorsy things and meet outdoorsy people.

Until next time, Internet.

Jug Island Beach Trail, Jan 17, 2011

Hastily planned, my friend Richard and I headed out via public transit to check out Jug Island Beach and the trail that leads there. After losing over an hour with meeting place mix ups and then taking the wrong bus, we finally reached the picnic grounds for Belcarra Provincial Park. It was a mild day for mid January and the sun was intense, low on the horizon casting long shadows.

We found the trail and started our hike. Most of the trail is in fairly ordinary forest with few spots stroking the creative photo nerve. I did find a stump I particularly enjoyed that happened to be at the beginning of the more difficult part of the trail. Imagine the Grouse Grind that was only a few meters long. After about a 30 seconds of steep climbing, it was back the normal rolling trail.

From 2011-01-17 - Jug Island Beach Trail

Buntzen Lake, Jan 15, 2011

My girlfriend, Lindsey, and I went for a short hike to Buntzen Lake. We were hoping to do the whole Buntzen Lake Loop, but we were short on time and only managed to get to the suspension bridge before deciding to turn back along Powerhouse Rd.

We parked at the south beach and noticed right away how high the water was. Apparently, BC Hydro is in the process of replacing a turbine in the power house. As a result, the amount of water passing through has declined and sits, waiting in the lake.

From Buntzen Lake, Jan 15, 2011

Hi there.

Welcome to my blog. I am new to this so the look and feel of this blog will undoubtedly changed until I find something that feels like a good fit. I'm not sure what one should say in their very first blog post! What I *will* be posting, as time goes by, are my trip reports of trails and hikes that I accomplish (I'll probably even talk about the ones that I don't), info on gear that I buy myself and one day.. just maybe, you'll see a picture of me on top of a mountain. Hey, you never know. After all - and as cliche as it might be, we were all told to "dream big" at one point or another. If you want to know my motivations behind this blog, click on "about me" there at the top.

Thanks for stopping by!