We found the first drainage ditch in the logging road on the way up to Mount Apps on a sunny Sunday in February 2015.

The snow was nowhere to be found so we took advantage and hiked up to somewhere that should be covered in the white stuff.

We nearly hit the ceiling of the truck when we hit the first drainage ditch in the logging road. The sun was coming straight in the front window. I couldn’t see much. The drainage ditches are a small ditch followed by a small bump dug in the roads by the logging companies to direct the water out the other side instead of washing away the road. They’re good for preserving the roads. Not so good to hit driving 40.

“Oh, there’s a bump there!”

The logging road winds up the hill until it washes out. We parked and hiked up the road.   

15 minutes later a nice sign told us to go into the bush to get to Mount Apps and Zella Lake. Convenient. That’s where we wanted to go. 

Some nice moss getting a tan. 

Odd dead trees at the end of a clearcut. Didn’t look like they had any burn marks but there was an entire line of them at the edge of a clear cut. Do they die at the edge? 

Views back into the valley. 

Before the summit, a plateau extends south with a small lake on it. Even the plateau offers great views east to the straight and west into the valley. 

This might be my favorite photo of the day with the fog in the valley and the painting-like mountains in the background. I didn’t even notice it until I was noodling around on the computer with the photos and saw the layers of mountains in the background. 

A cairn. We’re on the right track. 

South over the small lake on the plateau pointing south to Mount Joan on the right and Mount Curran on the left. 

Facing east out to the straight over Denman and Hornby. 

Zella Lake. 

Mount Joan again through the trees. 

Comox Glacier and other mountains to the north.  

Back down over Zella Lake. The ridge off to the left in the photo heads over to another route up from Buckley Bay. 

Heading back down into the valley.

The post Mount Apps first appeared on Pack & Trail.

Della, my 30-pound formosan mountain dog, and I headed up to Port Alberni and started hiking at around 11am. The heat had already started to creep up. The interwebs had promised 27 degrees, perfect temperature for a hard hike….. I absolutely love hiking when I’m gushing sweat.

Della not sitting still – Alberni Inlet Trail

The trail starts out as small single-track through lush green forest. A great start. The elevation starts to creep up and in no time, you’re into switchbacks climbing up the steep hill to the first of the viewpoints. My first goal was a viewpoint that overlooks the inlet with 180 degree views of Alberni Inlet.

The trail wound its way along the back of the hill on the other side from the inlet, giving views of the lush forest around Port Alberni. Eventually we came up and over the hill to get some views of the water. There’s something about the water that I can’t get enough of. I don’t have to be in it, or even right next to it, but just seeing it from a mountain makes any hike that much better.

No water under the bridge – Alberni Inlet Trail

Well maintained trail – Alberni Inlet Trail

Port Alberni from Alberni Inlet Trail – Alberni Inlet Trail

Rocky trail – Alberni Inlet Trail

Della – Alberni Inlet Trail

Bridge – Alberni Inlet Trail

The trail pops out on a logging road and then cuts back into the woods. I hope they’re working on getting that trail to 100% single track. Using the logging roads as part of the trail for any more than a crossing is the easy way out. It’s great to get a trail up and running but hopefully they don’t use it for long.About 3.5 km from the trailhead we hit a fork in the trail. Heading left from this fork leads you up to the great viewpoint overlooking the inlet. Heading right at the fork will lead you down the medium difficulty trail to the water. The kicker here is that if you go to the viewpoint AND want to go to the water, you have to go down a crazy steep section after the viewpoint to get there. I wanted to see what both trails looked like so we headed to the viewpoint and the steep trail.

Lookout trail – Alberni Inlet Trail

Alberni Inlet from above – Alberni Inlet Trail

Just past where the steep trail takes you down to the water, there’s a hard to find side trail from the logging road up to the viewpoint. It’s quite steep but there’s no ropes involved. The viewpoint is well worth it.

If you’re only looking for a couple hour hike, going to the viewpoint and then straight back is the way to go.

If you’re looking for a much harder hike, go down the steep section to the water.

Steep trail – Alberni Inlet Trail

We headed back to the fork and down the steep trail to the water. The brochures and signs classified this part as difficult and steep. They weren’t kidding. Usually signs are  very conservative with their markings but it was steep and difficult. A lot of the dirt was loose and dry and slid easily. I grabbed trees on the way down to slow down. I keep the next tree in sight just in case I started moving faster than I wanted to. Careening down the loose rock bouncing off the trees wasn’t in my plan to get to the water. I like water but I didn’t need to get there that fast.

15 minutes later we hit the fork at the bottom. This steep difficult trail hooks up with the medium trail that comes down from the earlier fork in the trail. It continues on along the inlet for another 25 km to Headquarters Bay. From there it connects to the Runner’s trail which goes all the way to Francis Lake. From what I’ve read, the Runner’s Trail is very rough and not well signed. I’ll be exploring that one soon.

Alberni Inlet – Alberni Inlet Trail

We explored down the trail a bit and along the beach, where a driftwood shack had been built. It looked like a lunch shack for frying up that tasty fish from the inlet.

Lush green forest – Aberni Inlet Trail

Satisfied with seeing the first bit of inlet trail, we headed back towards the moderate trail that would take us back up the massive hill we just came down. One viewpoint was left on our list just before starting up the hill, the beach access with a small trail along the water. A large log boom was hooked up to the shore right in front of the beach and one of the mills was right around the corner. The beach trail headed off in that direction but I didn’t really care to see what the mill looked like.

Waterfall – Alberni Inlet Trail

Near the viewpoint was a beautiful set of waterfalls, a mere trickle point with how dry it was. They looked like they could really pour over the falls when the water is coming down. I got a few pictures and had lunch at the bottom of the trickle. I was going to take more photos of the falls but Della got spooked and started barking at something in the woods. I didn’t want to push my luck with any animal encounters so I packed my gear and started up the giant hill.

Oh hai

Teva Tevesphere shoes – Alberni Inlet Trail

Deer – Alberni Inlet Trail

Fern – Alberni Inlet Trail

The moderate trail up the hill wasn’t nearly as steep as the one coming down from the viewpoint but it was still a gut buster to climb. It was about 2:00pm and the heat was still climbing. Della was plodding along slowly behind me. I wasn’t moving very fast either.

30 minutes to the top without any breaks. If you want more breaks, you’ll be longer. I slogged it out and pushed my way to the top.

From the fork at the top, it was an easy flat and downhill back to the car.

Great trail. Good viewpoints. Good slog up from the water. 

The post Trip Report: Alberni Inlet Trail first appeared on Pack & Trail.

Gone Fishin’

Website | Directions | 250 723 1172

Biking

Jumping Slug (formerly Ozzie’s)

Website | Directions | 250 724 6556

Healthy Habits Health Food and Bike Shop

Website | Directions | 250 724 6280

Diving

Octopus Adventures

Directions to Octopus Adventures | 250 723 3057

Rendezvous Dive Ventures

Website | Directions to Rendezvous | Email | 720 9306

Skiing

Snow Drift Ski Care Centre

Directions to Snow Drift | 250 723 9640

The post Outdoor Stores in Port Alberni, Vancouver Island first appeared on Pack & Trail.

On June 5 relay runners, bikers and hikers will make their way all the way from Port Hardy along the trails, up the mountains and across the roads down to Victoria by June 27. Now they’re not expecting you to do the entire thing. One of the organizers (aka one crazy d00d), Andrew Pape-Salmon, has agreed to do the entire relay.

Jen Segger made the trip last year during her Vancouver Island Quest 2009, but she does it for a living! Needless to say, it will be an epic trip.The registration fee for the Relay is going to be $30 but that will essentially just buy you a membership into the association. Just think, you will have supported the construction of what will undoubtedly become one of the worlds greatest trails.

You can also get a membership or donate right now.

Here are the initial dates for all the legs. Along the way there will be Community Days in Port Hardy, Campbell River, Port Alberni, Cumberland, Cowichan Lake and Victoria to support the event. There will be lots of food and goodies at the events kindly provided by Overwaitea and Thrifty’s.

Saturday, June 5, 2010, Section 1, hike from Cape Scott Provincial Park parking lot to Nissen Bight.

June 6, Section 2, run the North Coast Trail to Shushartie Bay, travel to Port Hardy by boat.

June 7, Section 3, mountain bike from Shushartie River to Port Hardy along river and logging road.

Tuesday, June 8, Community Day at Quatse Salmon Stewardship Centre in Port Hardy, short hike with participation of local schools, businesses, service clubs, First Nations, local governments, community members.

June 9-10, Section 4, road cycle to Campbell River, overnight in Woss on June 9.

Friday, June 11 morning, Community Day at BeaverLodge Lands in Campbell River, short hike (with schools, etc)

June 11 afternoon, Section 5, road cycle to Mount Washington.

June 12-14, Section 6, hike from Mount Washington to Cumberland in Strathcona Provincial Park, via Forbidden Plateau and mountain bike trails.

Tuesday, June 15, Community Day in Cumberland, short “historical hike” starting at Community Centre (with schools, etc)

June 16, Section 7, mountain bike in Cumberland area on the community trails.

June 17-19, Section 8, hike from Mount Clifton to Port Alberni along Beaufort range and down from Mount Joan to Log Train Trail.

June 20, Community Day at McLean Sawmill in Port Alberni,  short hike along Log Train Trail (with schools, etc).

June 21-23, Section 9, mountain bike from Port Alberni to Lake Cowichan via logging roads and Runner’s Trail between Headquarters Bay and Francis Lake (including trail runners on this section on June 22).

June 24, Community Day in Lake Cowichan, short hike in Cowichan River Provincial Park (with schools, etc).

June 25-26, Section 10, run from Lake Cowichan to Victoria along Trans-Canada trail (including horseback riders from to Shawnigan Lake on June 25).

Sunday, June 27, Community Day in Victoria,  hike from Legislature to Mile 0 through Beacon Hill Park (with schools, etc).For more details hit up the VI Spine Relay page.

The post VI Spine Trail Relay June 5 to June 27 first appeared on Pack & Trail.

Outdoors

Valhalla Pure Outfitters

Everything you need for heading into the outdoors, they’ve got gear for hiking, running, AT and cross country skiing, climbing, kayaking and snowshoeing. I have to put in a bit of a disclaimer here; I worked there for a while and loved it.

Valhalla Pure Website |  Directions to Valhalla Pure | 250 751 8686

ONO Work and Safety

Not your typical outdoors shop but they do have lots of outdoor gear, first aid, and trades gear.

ONO Website | Directions to ONO’s | 250 390 4556

Atmosphere

Atmosphere Website | Directions | 250 751 1425

Cabellas

Cabella’s Website | Directions | 250 390 7800

Climbing

Romper Room

“Since 1996 the Romper Room has been Vancouver Islands Premier Indoor Rock Climbing destination …For Fun …For Fitness …To Challenge Your Mind! We are dedicated to providing a safe and fun climbing experience for everyone!”

Romper Room Website |  Directions to the Romper Room | (250) 751-7618

Running

Frontrunners Nanaimo

Looking for a clinic for running? Talk to the folks at Frontrunners.“At Frontrunners we pride ourselves in our clinics. Whether you are looking for a group to walk with, looking to start a run/walk program, or looking to improve your running performances we have a clinic to help. Our clinic leaders are trained in running and walking techniques, injury prevention, and basic nutrition and are there to answer any questions you may have.”

Frontrunners Website |  Directions to Frontrunners | (250) 729-8200

Running Room

“The Running Room reputation has been built upon product innovation, quality and the knowledge of our sport.Through the input of our customers and the staff, our products have been tested and proven as products of choice. The Running Room’s unique private label products have been developed to provide customers with the best in style, functionality, fabric innovations and reasonable price.”

Running Room Website |  Directions to Running Room | (250) 758-4018

Biking

Apex Bikes

Website | Directions | 250 933 5075

Arrowsmith Bikes Nanaimo

An excellent bike shop in Nanaimo. Arrowsmith firmly believes in a better life through cycling.

Arrowsmith Bikes Website |  Directions to Arrowsmith Bikes | (250) 758-6675

Bastion Cycle

Another locally owned bike shop in Nanaimo. Definitely talk to these guys if you’re looking to get into cycling.

Directions to Bastion Cycle | (250) 758-2453

Pacific Rim Bicycles

“Whatever category of bike you are looking for, whether it’s a Mountainbike, Hybrid, Comfort, Beach Cruiser, City / Commuter bike, Touring, Road, BMX, Tandem, Recumbent, Kids, or even Off-road Unicyle’s, that’s right we can get you one. Stop by, I think you’ll find what you’re looking for. And if we don’t have it, we’ll do our best to get it for you.”

Pacific Rim Website |  Directions to Pacific Rim | (250) 758-2118

Rock City Cycles

Rock City Cycles Website | Directions | 250 760 0211

The post Outdoor Stores in Nanaimo, Vancouver Island first appeared on Pack & Trail.