My run through part of Mystic Vale near UVic yesterday was enough to prompt me to go back today with some company to check out the whole Mystic Vale gully. The rain was steady for the first 20 minutes or so and I will admit that my enthusiasm was somewhat lacking. It never really got nice during the hike, but the rain did let up and the west coast foggy goodness made the trip through the entire length of Mystic Vale even more mystical – who comes up with these names?
Some might be interested to know that there is a bunch of equipment set up around the chip trail at Henderson golf course that at first looks like playground equipment, but is actually exercise equipment (plyometric, stretching, etc.). Strange, but true.
GPS Data: Hike – Victoria, BC – Mt. Tolmie / UVic
Map of the hike route at Mt. Tolmie and UVic.
Top of Mt. Tolmie looking north-west.
A rock at the top of Mt. Tolmie hanging out with some cigarette butts.
Token UVic rabbit shot with some fabulous washed-out white sky.
My hiking cohorts approaching rabbit central at UVic.
The fog... along the top of Mystic Vale.
The fog... at the bottom of Mystic Vale.
The creek at the bottom of Mystic Vale with a bit more vigor than usual.
More creek action from the bottom of Mystic Vale.
The sky did eventually clear a bit as we were almost through Mystic Vale.
One final Mystic Vale creek shot.
Chip trail around Henderson golf course.
…so that is Mystic Vale. It’s mystic alright, rain or shine!
The name Mystic Vale was made up by the ex-news paper editor and former speaker of the BC legislature David William Higgins in 1904. He named it after the Mystic Spring which is another name he made up. Aboriginals had no name for it or for the creek. The creek which drains the ravine was not given a legal name, Hobbs Creek till 83. Before that, it was locally known as Mystic Creek or even Hobbs Creek. All the ‘Mystic’ names in Cadboro Bay (Mystic Pond, Mystic Lane, Mystic Cottages, Mystic Creek etc) are named after the legendary Mystic Spring…which never existed!
Speaking of Mt Tolmie, I don’t know who came up with the name but I do know a lot of Aboriginal oral stories regarding the mountain. In fact, according to Saanich and Songhees oral tradition, Mt Tolmie is where Xeel, one of the first ancestors first landed. Also, the oak trees yoiu see around the mountain, according to the legend, used to be people.
Thanks for the info Yaser. Stories and facts only add to the allure of these cool green spaces.
Np. One more thing. I just wanted to correct a typo. Hobbs Creek was legally named in 93, not 83.