Mackenzie Bight 16/36 weeks

This is our second hike to Mackenzie Bight. Time constraints forced us to consider something very local this week and it doesn't get more local than the Gowlland Tod range. Our last few outings have been pretty easy so we headed back to the bight for a vigorous hike.We decided to take the falls trail down and the bight trail back up; the opposite of our last visit here.We might have come to an unspoken decision that this will be our 'default' hike. Its close, varied and if you hiked this park until you could walk to the top without running out of steam, you would be in pretty good shape.

We were all SO happy to be outside.

yes, this park does inspire a certain amount of respect.

Once we discovered that we had taken the Mackenzie Bight trail down again, we tried the bottom trail that heads north along the inlet. The CRD maps show the trail as ending at the boundary of the park. It is a beautiful hike and we took it to the end which was a small bluff of trail and a deer path running into the thicket. It would appear that a person could walk this path all the way to Butchart Gardens and beyond. We will save that for another day when we are needing a workout.
I cant say enough about how pleasant this park is. I realize that is a far cry from my last experience of Mackenzie Bight but it is a matter of experience. If you know this is a 'breathtaking' hike up from the bottom then you prepare yourself. And in the mean time enjoy a pristine environment with pathways that can take you right down to the water and stunning views of the Malahat mountain and highway. Still the only hard road linking Victoria to the upper island it was once a rough trade route for the First Nations people who gave it their name.

The path running north along the shoreline makes for easy walking.

The park drops down to the water so in some places the ascent can get your heart rate up.

Jessica at the waters edge.

Marlen in a magnificent arbutus

The girls are examining the patterns left on leaves by parasites.

The Malahat lies just across the water.

Next week will be our first double header. One of the objectives of the 52 week committment is to get out and enjoy the island more. Mark and I will be heading up to Cowichan River to hike the footpath to Skutz Falls. Sunday morning we will hike Logan Park.