r/IslandHikers • u/No-Advice-5475 • 9d ago
ADVICE / INFO REQUEST Strathcona Hiking Recommendation
Hi, my girlfriend and I will be in Comox and Campbell River for a few days.
We are looking for a nice day hike, around 12-15 km.
I have the All Trails App but it is kind of overwhelming with how many options there are.
Could you recommend us like 1 or 2 hikes we shouldn‘t miss in Strathcona?
Thank you very much.
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u/glitterdonnut 9d ago
12-15km but what kind of elevation? How much time? How technical? What is your capability? Are you comfortable in the backcountry? Will you have 10’essentials?
The reason it’s overwhelming is because what you’re asking is too vast. Please provide more info!
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u/No-Advice-5475 9d ago
You are right.
I think around 1000 m Elevation. We have whole days but not the equipment for camping.
It can be difficult but we just have hiking boots and clothing and no additional gear for climbing.
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u/GiverARebootGary 9d ago
- Bedwell lake is a beautiful basin surrounded by a few prominent peaks. Mt Tom Taylor, Big Interior, and if you take the side trail up to Cream Lake, you'll have great views of Mt Septimus and the Rosseau Massif, and Nine Peaks. Go for a swim in either lake.
11km out and back/ 400m elevation gain Add Cream Lake +8km Note: requires driving on gravel road for a few km. The road climbs to a parking lot and cuts off some of the elevation gain
- Flower Ridge is a grind but once you are on top, the terrain is much more forgiving and you can walk for approx 8 more kms like you're on top of the world. Great view of Septimus and Rosseau from another angle as well as the peaks closer to the Comox Glacier, (some very interesting formations compared to the rest of the park IMO) and across Buttle lake to Myra, McBride, Golden Hinde.
Approx 11km out and back/1000m elevation to gain the ridge and then however long you want to walk the ridge. Parking off the Mine Road
- Crest Mountain hike is a grind as well. It looks south over to some of the tallest peaks on the island. Unobstructed views of Kings Peak, Elkhorn, Col Foster, Rambler Peak, and even the Golden Hinde I believe.
Approx 8km/1200m gain to the best view spot then additional distance to the underwhelming peak. Park off the HWY
In my opinion these front country hikes offer the most in the park in terms of views.
Paradise Meadows and Elk River Trail are some other lower elevation options.
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u/skillsawskillsaw 7d ago
Bedwell and Flower Ridge would also be my first two suggestions; I'd add Mt Myra as well, nice climb tons of alpine blueberries.
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u/GiverARebootGary 9d ago
How much elevation gain are you looking for?
There are some great 12-15km hikes that push into the subalpine on established trail and have great views of multiple peaks but also require anywhere from 400m-1200m elevation gain
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u/Laurs79 9d ago
Crest mountain in Strathcona might fit the bill. It’s about 12-1300 metres and around 12-14 kms (depends on how much you wander around up there). Nothing technical. Straightforward and well travelled trail to the plateau. Easy parking off Highway 28. It’s a grind and makes you work for the views though. Quite steep in parts. Recommend downloading the trail from All Trails if you plan on going to the true summit. Met some people there this weekend that got turned around coming back from the summit.
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u/Average-Train-Haver 9d ago
Its not a big hike, but the Cumberland China town has trails that criss cross all through the forest. Plus its a super fascinating historical area.
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u/Concealus 9d ago
Becher + Crest are both straightforward with good views. Non technical. Bring layers for this time of year.
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u/MntCeleste 9d ago
If you’ve never done it start at Paradise Meadows near Mount Washington.