Squamish Gondola - May 24

We checked out the new Squamish Gondola this weekend (and saw an entirely new side of the Chief). Up top are well groomed trails worth an hour of wandering around that lead through amazing variety of trees to very scenic views, plus a suspension bridge and restaurant. Also a bunch of bolted climbs and longer trails, one going over to Habrich, another towards Sky Pilot. We explored the Sky Pilot trail but didn't want to do battle with snow/slide alder mess and turned around after 45 min. Later I checked out the Habrich trail which is much nicer as it follows a route over granite bluffs to great views and tasty berry fields (later in summer).

Big Trees in Lower Seymour Reserve - May

Back to the search for big old trees. With a long logging history, only a few are left in the Vancouver surrounding. The General and his wife, two big old Redcedars, on Vicar Lakes trail were easy to find. It took more searching to locate Temple of Time Grove and Pipe Organ Grove. One amazingly long Douglas Fir lays toppled on the ground, away from the trail many meters through dense brush finally down a creek bed. This is possibly the largest tree in this grove, the Will Koops Giant. I also explore some of the gigantic stumps left behind after decades of logging like the one found on the ‘More Stumps Trail’. Hope that the remaining few old giants will be left standing for many years to come.

April Cherries

Spring is here again and the cherry blossoms are out in full force. Hoping for nice weather so we will enjoy them for a long time. Rainy weather means the blossoms will get soggy and drop fast. Not a photo of cherries, but other trees are in bloom too, like the maples.