“Hey Mick, I’ve been thinking about a novel way to begin 2023. You game?” The message came from Chris, with whom I’ve shared many an adventure. He was hoping to visit Vancouver Island to ring in the New Year! My response came quickly. “You’ve got my attention, so what’s the plan?” “Well, I’m calling it a mountain, a tree, and a beach. I’d like to head up to the north end of the island and have a look at Koprino Mountain, Grant Bay, and San Jo Smiley.” In all honesty, I drew an absolute blank on those first two names, but I knew the third happened to be Canada’s largest Sitka spruce on record!
Tag Archives: forest
Welcome to the Grand Illusion
In the world of trees, especially when it comes to the western red cedar, what you believe you’re seeing can often turn out to be something entirely different! That was certainly the case recently, when Greg and I journeyed to the remote shores of Doobah Lake, on Vancouver Island’s west coast. We were answering the call of Christine, who serves as the registrar for the BC Big Tree Registry. She had recently received a nomination for a massive cedar, measuring 5.41 metres(17.75 feet) in diameter, and wanted someone to verify the details.
Exploring Loss Creek
“Shouldn’t I be checking this place out?” That fateful question had often crossed my mind when driving over the Loss Creek Bridge, on Vancouver Island’s Highway 14. The towering Sitka spruce there, rising high into the mist, had long captured my imagination, but invariably I had been concerned with other destinations. Whether it was wandering the tide pools of Botanical Beach, camping at China Beach, or hiking on the Juan de Fuca Trail, I’d always carried on, leaving my curiosity unsatisfied.
The Wonders of Nahmint: Big Red and The Wall
It was late October in Vancouver Island’s Nahmint Valley, when cool mornings have a way of jolting your senses. No sooner were we parked, than the silence was broken by the barking of excited dogs, all looking forward to an exciting day! This was to be my second foray into the ancient forests here, where mysteries seem to reveal themselves with startling regularity. On this occasion, Greg had invited Evan and Sasha to join us, along with their dog Sage, delightful companions all. They both have a keen interest in conservation and old growth forests, and well represent the concerns of the current generation when it comes to environmental issues. Evan works as an arborist, and has a particular passion for climbing trees, while Sasha is an experienced and dedicated yoga instructor.
Continue reading The Wonders of Nahmint: Big Red and The Wall
A Tree Called “Burls”
If you’ve ever spent time with trees, especially those in the vintage category, then no doubt you have seen a burl before. Often presenting as grotesque and unusual masses, at first glance, some are so large and imposing that you might think they are endangering the health of the tree.
Going the Distance with the Chuvalo Fir
It was the strangest of apparitions on a cool, rainy morning in the Nahmint River Valley. A gnarled, towering, broken topped Douglas fir, rising abruptly into the mist, beckoning us to make its acquaintance. We had to investigate! Though the tree was a relatively short distance away, precarious ground made for a painstakingly slow approach, and the nearer we got, the more peculiar it became!
We’re Calling it the Great Root Bear Fir
“Hey Mick, have you ever noticed the immense Douglas fir that’s right beside the A&W in Oyster Bay?” The question was Greg’s, as we had been discussing big trees on Vancouver Island that were easy to find. My answer, though in the affirmative, was also incomplete. What I didn’t mention was the sheer number of times I’d driven past the location without noticing the tree. Is it surprising that a so called big tree hunter like myself could miss something so conspicuous? Well, let’s just say I’m sure my wife of many years would have no trouble imagining that scenario!
The Unlikely Heimdallr Fir
The far reaches of the Alberni Valley hold many surprises, but few seem more unlikely than the Heimdallr Fir. This massive coastal Douglas fir has not only survived many centuries, but it has managed to do so despite a wide array of challenges. I visited this well hidden giant in the summer of 2021 with my good friend Greg, who had assured me it was well worth seeing.
Walking the Wilds of Valhalla Grove
It was a warm summer’s day in mid July, as Greg and I trekked our way up a steep, rugged road in the remote reaches of the Alberni Valley. Earlier that year, we had been discussing the forests of Vancouver Island, when he had presented me with an idea. Was I interested in exploring one the most idyllic and impressive yellow cedar groves he had ever seen? The answer, naturally, was an emphatic “Yes!”
An Audience With The Alberni Giant
This year, I’ve been generously introduced to the wonders of the Nahmint River Valley, an irrepressible wilderness to which I have grown increasingly attached with each successive visit.
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