I figure East Sooke Park is one of the gems for hiking on the south end of Vancouver Island. It takes us a while to get out to it, being downtown Victoria dwellers, and considering some of the traffic challenges that sometime occur out near Colwood. I think the drive ended up being about 45 minutes.
Our route started with the inland portion from Aylard Farm to Cabin Point and finished with the Coast Trail back to the parking lot. The whole area is nice but the coastline portion is definitely more interesting. Our inland portion would have been a bit more interesting had we hiked the Babbington Hill trail instead of the old road… next time. To sum things up, we had another great hike at East Sooke Park, as we usually do.
GPS Data: 9.6km – 2h52m – GPS route
A 9.5km hike at East Sooke Park. Click on the map to see GPS details on the Garmin website.
Seasonal appropriate leaf on the inland trail to Cabin Point from Aylard Farm (the parking lot).
Fungus!
Michelle near shortly before arriving at Cabin Point.
Jellyfish at Cabin Point.
The cabin, or trap shack, at Cabin Point. Apparently, a common occurrence in the early 1900's. Fish trappers would live in these shacks as they tended to the fish traps.
The trap shack now serves as a rest stop for hikers and contains numerous inspirational messages from travellers in years gone by... e.g. 'Time to smoke pot!!' and 'Dale Earnhardt #3 Nascar'
A nice little inlet and beach near Cabin Point on the Coast Trail.
Lizard on the Coast Trail in East Sooke Park.
Heading back towards Aylard Farm on the Coast Trail at East Sooke Park.
Michelle's tree shot near Beechy Head in East Sooke Park. Nice one Michelle.
East Sooke petroglyph.
The beach at Aylard Farm in East Sooke Park.
wow. i’m loving that hike. great pics.