Horth Hill Park 6/46 weeks

Our hiking Sunday dawned misty and damp. By the time we were ready to go it was a real rainfall. The commitment to 52 hikes in 52 weeks spurned us on. As beautiful as it is here, we cant expect perfect weather every weekend. We will adjust ourselves and prepare for the worse this part of the island can give us. Today called for rain gear. Big deal.

Once into the park and on the trails, the forest provides enough canopy to keep hikers relatively dry. Horth Hill is an awesome little park with plenty of trails as well as a 136 meter summit. The summit trail was a short but intense climb so we got our blood pumping on the way. We were promised beautiful views at the top and Im sure they are spectacular but today was rainy and overcast. Although you trade off an opportunity to experience a wonderful view, a rainy day is a good time to hike because the forest takes on a hushed and closed in air. A hike on a day of clouds and mist gives the entire park a feeling of intimacy.

Today Mark and I were joined by our daughter Hillary, and friends Marlen and Jeremy. Always good company we hiked along and discussed forest vegetation, the recent blow down and whether or not Lady Gaga is a hermaphrodite. If anyone can weigh in on this last point we would appreciate it. None of us were able to comment with absolute certainty.

Because Horth Hill is a relatively small park it is well marked and easy to find the trails. At 36 hectares it is the smallest park that we have hiked on our 52 week quest. We were there less than an hour but felt as if we had finished a good hike. Jeremy is a wiz at locating this forest beauty, the reishi mushroom. He doesnt know it yet, but he will one day find himself heading a hike aimed toward the mindful harvesting of this amazing and restorative fungi.

On a day such as today, Horth Hill parking lot was filled. We didnt run into a lot of those using the park but it illustrates that this park is a favorite for many. It also proves that lots of people can be attending a park and not feel on top of one another. This is a great little park with lots to offer. Take care to wear shoes with good traction though, because a lot of the trail winds around and on top of rock and can be quite slippery.

It is a bit out of the way in North Saanich but that adds to the feeling that you are out in the country and no trouble for those living in Sidney and around. The transit bus can get people within a kilometer of the park and even the roadways are a beautiful trek.

Next week: Centennial Park