Check out my previous hikes here. #1291844
It seems I've been writing and posting these hiking posts every other week instead of every week. I should try to get back to posting these on a weekly basis.
This week, we head to Mount Maxwell for some nice views atop Baynes Peak. Mount Maxwell is located on the eastern coast of Salt Spring Island. The island itself is the largest of the Gulf Islands on the Salish Sea. Mount Maxwell Provincial Park boasts numerous hiking trails, with different starting points, that intertwine and lead to various viewpoints at the top. There is also an unpaved dirt/gravel road that allows vehicle access to the peak. We decided not to hike up the mountain during our visit because our kids were still quite young during our visit, and drove to the top instead. From the peak parking lot, there is a Lookout Trail that leads to various viewpoints near the peak. We were able to see Vancouver Island and the water channels between Salt Spring Island and Vancouver Island as we visited the different viewpoints along the lookout trail.
Dirt / gravel road leading to the peak.
Taking the trail from the peak parking lot to a viewpoint. We passed by some trees.
First viewpoint.
I believe the land on the other side is Vancouver Island.
This might be Burgoyne Bay, although I'm not exactly sure.
Nearby mountain.
Steep cliffs along the Lookout Trail.
Lots of boats near the shore.
Another look at Vancouver Island and Burgoyne Bay.
I never made it across to salt spring island. Sure wish I had. I'm hoping to get up to the San Juans this summer, so I'll be kinda in the same terrain...mountains on the San Juan's don't look as cool as Mt Maxwell, though.
The views on Maxwell is pretty nice. Great thing about it is that you don't even have to hike up. Although Salt Spring is the biggest of the Gulf Islands, it's still very quiet with not many people. We went back in August 2016, and I remember the whole island had no traffic lights, with the most busy streets having only 4-way stops. I also remember seeing deer numerous times, by the road, on peoples yards, etc.
If you do plan on going to Salt Spring, look into ferry reservations, as the number of ferries going to the Gulf Islands each day are quite limited. Also, I don't think there is a ferry that goes directly from San Juans to Salt Spring. You might have to ferry to Sidney on Vancouver Island, drive up to Swartz Bay and take the ferry from there to Salt Spring. If you do make it over to Salt Spring this summer, be sure to check out Ruckle Provincial Park. Absolutely beautiful park by the Salish Sea. You might even catch the sight of orcas if you get lucky.
Beautiful aren’t you worried about wildlife like bears and mountain lions
We can't be worrying about wildlife if we want to visit nature, as they are part of nature. I usually carry a bottle of bear spray with me on hikes, just in case, especially if we go to places with lots of bear sightings. But most of the trails we go to are by the coast with black bears being the common species; and black bears are usually not aggressive, usually only mind their own business, and won't approach humans even if you run into one. Mountain lion sightings are even more rare, as they usually avoid humans. Staying on trail and continue to make sound / noise during hikes is a good way to let wildlife know that you're approaching and they usually avoid you.
After being on so many hikes, I've only ran into a black bear once on Mount Seymour. #438583 It was during fall, and the bear was chowing down on berries, fattening up to prepare for hibernation.
great soul-stirring pictures as always. how do you use the beer spray? as in, do you aim at the eyes?
Baynes Peak seems to deliver a wide variety of perspectives with its multiple viewpoints along the Lookout Trail and those steep cliffs you mentioned give the area a striking character. The uncertainty about Burgoyne Bay is interesting too as it reflects the layered geography of the Gulf Islands where water channels bays and mountain ridges all blend together into complex and beautiful landscapes.
This combination of ease of access and diverse viewpoints makes Mount Maxwell a perfect introduction to the geography of the Gulf Islands. Even on a quick visit someone can take in the scale of Vancouver Island the intricate waterways and the rugged character of Salt Spring Island all in one trip.