Dec. 30, 2023 - Jan 1, 2024. The purpose of this trip to Vancouver Island was to attend my niece's wedding on New Year's Eve. Case & I and our two daughters with their husbands stayed at the Sunrise Ridge resort in Parksville, just a few minutes walk from the Tigh-Na-Mara resort where Catherine Sevenhuysen and Craig Dine's wedding took place.
Before getting to the resort, we did a 1-hour leg-stretcher to Bonnell Creek falls by Nanoose Bay.
After walking 900m on an almost level FSR, we turned right, and minutes after crossing some cut-block we got to the top of an almost vertical slope. Without the ropes it would not have been possible to descend the wet slippery path.
Notice how that rope goes right to the falls. I wouldn't want to slip there.
We had dinner at the Bayside Oceanfront restaurant.
These last two photos were taken by Chelsey.
Nile Creek Falls hike
Dec. 31 - Stats: 13.60 km / 341m gain / 3 hours MT
The wedding didn't start till 5:00pm so we went for a hike in the morning.
There were several side-trails, some of them designated for mountain bikers.
The trail followed alongside Nile Creek to the falls at the end.
pic 2) The first of two log crossings.
We'd been walking on an FSR till this point where we turned left onto a narrow trail.
There were lots of old growth cedars and fir trees to admire.
Rosy Polypore Common Mycena
The bulbous bark of the maple trees.
After crossing under the Inland highway, Case & I parted ways. The nice thing about hiking solo, is I'm more likely to cause less noise and therefore see more creatures.
Orange Fan
Another nice side trail.
Orange Lichen Gray Coral
My progress slowed down about 2/3 way in, as there were more very slippery wood bridges and steep muddy sections to cross.
At the base of the three tiered Nile Falls.
The next level.
Higher still.
This is where the trail ended, at the top of the falls.
We greeted the New Year together.
Jan. 1
We had a huge room. This came in handy for the cousins of our children who were also staying in this complex. Chelsey had them visit in our room.
Landscaper Case really liked this waterfall design by our resort.
Approaching the mainland on the Horseshoe Bay ferry. Howe Sound Mountain range to the right.
Vancouver.
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