Under clear skies, 70 walkers set out from the log church at Silva Bay on GaLTT’s thirteenth End to End hike. Our destination, the Haven, was 17 km ahead. (Download a pdf of the route map by clicking.)
GaLTT has long had the goal of creating a trail network from Descanso to Drumbeg. We are very close, but at the south end the challenge is how to get around Degnen Bay and how to deal with the tides at Logan Bay, so instead we needed to do some road walking from Silva Bay.
After a short walk on South Road, we were able to get down onto the quiet roads in the McDonald neighbourhood and then over the boardwalk to Peterson. The trail licence at Nelder’s Pond, generously given by the Boulton family, was our entrance to the trail system in the Federal lands. This varied ecosystem of Douglas fir forest, flower-filled meadow and sacred petroglyphs is being held for the Snuneymuxw and GaLTT hopes to further our stewardship knowledge with them.
Quite to our surprise, GaLTT had won a prize from the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC of Nonny non-alcoholic beer, and it was waiting for us as we took our break at Tait Road. (Nature Spirit Earth Market carries Nonny if you’d like to try it).
We carried on into the 707 and then out to Tin Can Alley, passing GIRO on our way to the medical clinic. What a treat to now be able to walk down into the coolness of Cox Park, over a number of trails crossing private land and along King Road to the welcoming arch of the Haven, where the staff greeted us warmly. Cold drinks and Bruno’s pizza on the deck overlooking Taylor Bay was a wonderful end to a long walk.
The End to End isn’t possible without the efforts of many volunteers. Thanks to our trail guides: Jim, Megan, Cathie, Darci, Suzanne, Taelor, Lori, Hugh, Norm and Catherine. Paramedics Glenys and Oliver volunteered their time and expertise to provide medical support and Peter eased our minds by being at each stop to provide emergency transport if needed (thank heavens it wasn’t, this year!).
Someday we hope to walk between Drumbeg and Descanso but for now, this GaLTT End to End walk was a fine alternative. Here’s a selection of pictures showing how much fun we had!
