Well it’s now looking and feeling like summer here in Victoria. Temperature is a fairly good indicator, but what I notice the most are the conditions on the trails. When you’re in the middle of summer or early fall, it’s pretty dry here, and the trails will show it… kind of dusty, with some fallen, yellowed leaves from various deciduous trees. This is opposed to the way things seem during the rest of the year… kind of damp. Tonight’s hike at Mt. Douglas (Doug for the locals) was, as usual, pretty damn good.
Six of us did some loopy, around-the-mountain type hiking and then headed up to the top where we spent some time taking in the views. It was clear enough again this week that we could see both Mt. Baker and Mt. Rainier on the horizon in Washington State.
GPS data: 5.1km – 1h39m – GPS route
A 5.1km hike at Mt. Douglas (Doug) near Victoria, BC. Click on the map to see detailed GPS information on the Garmin website.
Michelle, Christine, and Sheena heading starting the final ascent to the summit of Mt. Doug. Maybe that's overdoing it on the mountaineering lingo, I'll be more conservative in the future.
I think Bill forgot his hiking poles 
, but he seemed to manage fine without them.
One of the steeper parts of the trail on the last stretch up to the top of Mt. Doug.
Looking in a southerly direction close to the top of Mt. Doug. That's part of the Blenkinsop Valley down below.
A view to the north near the top of the Doug (Mt. Douglas). I'm pretty sure that's James Island and Sidney Island off in the distance.
Christine, Irina, and Bill at the top of Mt. Doug. Yeah, it's usually worth celebrating in whatever way you see fit.
Mt. Baker viewed from the top of Mt. Doug (looking to the east).
The view to the north or northeast from the top of Mt. Doug. What an awesome night for a hike.
Part of the distance/direction guide to other locales in the turret at the top of Mt. Douglas.
Looking south towards Victoria from the top of Mt. Doug. The Olympic Mountain Range is visible in the distance.
Midsummer dustiness on the trails at Mt. Doug.
More nice shots. I don’t remember those steep slopes. Hope I didn’t climb them. Ji