Walk # 125 May 14th 2014 Beaver lake walk to find the Old Pipeline
On May 14th 2014 the CAMRAmblers met at the Filter Beds parking area at the South end of Beaver lake. We examined the level of the lake and then followed the trail along the old water pipeline that parallels the Colquitz River to Pipeline Road. We didn't find the old dam that is pictured on Google Earth's added photos. At Normandy Road we turned left and followed the road until we came to Normandy park, where we cut through to the Commonwealth Place Rec Center. Going around the Rec Center we followed Kathy as she lead us up to the Royal Oak Golf Course property. Then we walked out to Elk lake Drive and turning left we walked up to the first entry point of Beaver lake park. Di took over leading us through the trails that lead us back to the beginning of the Colquitz Creek where we began this walk. Length of walk 75 minutes
Terry's photos are here:
Terry's photos are here:
Walk # 126 May 21st 2014 Knockan Hill Park walk
On May 21st 2014 the CAMRAmblers walking group discovered the Knockan Hill Park in Saanich. We weren't the first to discover this delightful park apparently, in fact in 1858 an official map showed George McKenzie as purchaser of 60 acres north of Portage Inlet on east slope of Knockan Hill. In 1873 “The Races of Mankind” by Robert Brown described Knockan Hill as meaning in the Tsongeith language “coiled up”. In 1885 Knockan Hill was identified on the J.D. Pemberton map of S.E. Vancouver Island. In 1895 It was featured as “Mount Nga´k’un” in a “Songish” legend in “Indian Legends of the North Pacific Coast of America” by Franz Boaz. Finally in 1906 Four hectares of hilltop on Knockan Homestead became public lands in the new Municipality of Saanich.
So what took the CAMRAmblers so long to "discover" it. Well we've been busy "discovering" other parks and trails. At the entrance to the park is the Stanton Lodge a home that was donated to the Saanich Municipality and which is a private residence right now. The once beautiful gardens are in disrepair and the Friends of Knockan Hill Park are currently looking for volunteers to help bring the gardens back to what they once were. We enjoyed our walk up into the park and the splendid views over Victoria from the hilltop.
Terry's photos are here:
So what took the CAMRAmblers so long to "discover" it. Well we've been busy "discovering" other parks and trails. At the entrance to the park is the Stanton Lodge a home that was donated to the Saanich Municipality and which is a private residence right now. The once beautiful gardens are in disrepair and the Friends of Knockan Hill Park are currently looking for volunteers to help bring the gardens back to what they once were. We enjoyed our walk up into the park and the splendid views over Victoria from the hilltop.
Terry's photos are here:
Walk #127 May 28th 2014 Devonian Park in Metchosin
On May 28th 2014 the CAMRAmblers walking group met at the parking lot for Devonian Park in Metchosin and explored the trails down to the beach. We looked for flat stones to skip, and tried to see the Sherwood Pond, but found it too overgrown with thick bush for a good view. We walked back along the beach and looked for the BridleTrail to take a different route back up to the parking lot. This trail offers quite a different kind of path than the main one. There are some steep ups and downs. The grassy oak meadows were nice. The weather reports teased us with a chance of rain but the weather was quite sunny and warm for this walk. Marion and Dave got to the My Chosin Cafe before us and managed to have just the right sized table ready for when the group showed up for lunch. I have always enjoyed the good quality of the food at the My Chosin Cafe. Terry's Photos are here:
Walk #128 June 4th 2014 A tour of the Langham Court Theater
On June 4th the CAMRAmblers will be treated to a tour of the Langham Court Theater that was arranged by Lois.
I hope that when somebody who went on that tour and the following walk will write a short report of the day's activities and email it to me so I can replace this text. If somebody takes some photos and also sends them to me as attachments, that would be even better. Thanks Terry
Nothing so far!!
I hope that when somebody who went on that tour and the following walk will write a short report of the day's activities and email it to me so I can replace this text. If somebody takes some photos and also sends them to me as attachments, that would be even better. Thanks Terry
Nothing so far!!
Walk # 129 June 11th 2014 Latoria Creek Park and Albert Lagoon
On June 11th 2014 Roger and Teri were the leaders of this walk down the Latoria Creek park and over to Albert Lagoon. It looks like it was a splendid day for a walk like this. Sorry I had to miss it due to a bronchial infection. I wish that someone who was on the walk would send me a short report about the walk.
Here's Roger and Teri's photos
Here's Roger and Teri's photos
Walk #130 June 18th 2014 Judy's Old Esquimalt / Highrock Park walk
On June 18th Judy stepped in to be the leader for a walk that explored the majestic homes and parks in the area of Old Esquimalt Road and Highrock Park. This walk took us through several of Esquimalt's woodsy paths. Amongst other parts, we covered the Highrock Cairn Park, Phil Ross Park, Memorial Park and Rockcrest Park. We noted several heritage buildings, including Lampson School and the former Pooley Place. Most of the group had not been to the top of the cairn before, so we spent some time enjoying the view and identifying various landmarks from there. We were joined by a couple of our gourmet members for lunch at the Gorge Pub. The fine "Goldilocks" weather was a bonus. Thanks also to Roger for being the photographer.
Here's Roger's photos
Here's Roger's photos
Walk # 131 June 25th 2014 10 Mile Point Trails, Parks and view points
At 11am on June 25th we met at Phillis park on the top of Ten Mile Point and walked up to the viewpoint lookout where we paused for a minute of silence to remember our walking friend Suzanne Shaw who recently passed on. The day was warm ans sunny, and a perfect day for a walk to celebrate the return of summer. Martin was the leader for this walk, and he showed us up and down some trails that criss cross the 10 Mile Point area. We met a crew of volunteers busy pulling invasive plants and ivy in one of the small park areas. Along the way we enjoyed looking at the beautiful gardens and lovely natural areas on this 95 minute walk. Being a little early to return to the pub for lunch we returned to the view point for a few more minutes of scenic splendor, before going off the the Smuggler's Cove Pub for a nice lunch. When everybody had their beer or wine glass we raised our glasses for another toast to the memory of Suzanne.
Here's Terry's photos Here's Phil's photos
Here's Terry's photos Here's Phil's photos
Walk #132 July 2nd 2014 Galloping Goose Trail along the Sooke River
On July 2nd the CAMRAmblers went to Sooke and walked part of the Galloping Goose Trail along the Sooke River area. We started where the Goose Trail crosses Sooke Road and walked as far as the second trestle, the Todd Trestle and then turned around and walked back to the starting place. About a 105 minute walk for a 6.24 kilometer walk. We then drove back to the 17 mile pub for a nice lunch.
Here's Terry's Photos
Here's Terry's Photos
Walk # 133 July 9th 2014 Centennial park and the Willow Way Trail
On July 9th the CAMRAmblers met at the parking lot near the lawn bowling club at Centennial Park in Central Saanich. At 11am we headed off onto the trail at the end of Hovey Road and walked toward Tomlinson Road where we turned left and walked down to Stelly's Cross Road. We found the path that leads beside the Stelly's school and goes toward Wallace Drive. We walked across Wallace Drive and into the Willow Way Trail and followed it as far as the notation on the map that says "bridge across ditch". That's where we turned around due to the heat and the distance back to the starting point. We followed the edge of a Polo Field back to Wallace Drive and then walked up Tomlinson Road to a trail that lead into Centennial park. This part of the park is all tall trees and nice wide paths, beautiful, cool and shady on such a hot day. After getting back to our cars we drove the short distance to the Prairie Inn for a nice lunch.
Here's Phil's photos Here's Terry's photos
Here's Phil's photos Here's Terry's photos
Walk # 134 July 16th 2014 Gonzales Bay to the top and back down
On July 16th the CAMRAmblers met at the washrooms of Gonzales Bay park. We walked down to the beach and along to where we could walk up the stairs to Crescent Road and up King George Terrace to Barkley Terrace where we found the stairs that lead up to the old Dominion Atmospheric Weather Office that is just over 100 years old. We walked along Dennison Road to Walbran Park where we climbed up the rocks and path to the top of the old military lookout that affords beautiful views over the Juan De Fuca Straits. After enough time to admire the views we headed down the well hidden path and stairs that leads back to King George Terrace. Following the street we made out way around KGT and back to Crescent road and to Gonzales park where we left the cars. A short drive took us to the Ross Bay Pub for a nice lunch.
Here's Laura's photos Here's Terry's photos
Here's Laura's photos Here's Terry's photos