Comox District Mountaineering Club

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Comox District Mountaineering Club

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The Comox District Mountaineering Club invites you to join them in their explorations of the Comox Valley and Strathcona Park.

We conduct hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing, and backcountry skiing activities all year round. We mainly organize day hiking and backpacking trips, but also cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and other non-motorized activities. We try to plan trips suitable for all levels of ability from novice to veteran.

10/08/2026

Club trip to Castlecrag Mtn. September 27th 2026

09/25/2026

Please join us on Saturday September 26th for our 4th Annual Elders Memorial Hike and Tea, the last event of our Summer 2026 season.

This annual event is dedicated to long-time supporters of both SWI and Strathcona Provincial Park, honouring the work and commitment they provided and continue to provide in the protection and public awareness of the incredible wilderness areas within the park. We will honour the legacies of Elders no longer with us such as Chris Carter, Steve Smith, Ruth Masters, and Melda Buchanan, along with the many environmentalists and advocates for the park who still are.

The day will start with a hike out to Croteau Lake and “Chris Carter Lookout” (easy/moderate 12km round trip, 270m elevation gain) led by SWI Research Director Loys Maingon and our long-standing hiking guide Janet Beggs, offering a spectacular view over Ball Lake and Plateau, and out towards the Comox Glacier and beyond. Following the hike, tea and cookies will be served in the Ruth Master’s Nature Hall at the Strathcona Park Wilderness Centre.

We look forward to seeing you there!

This event runs free of charge! However, as a volunteer-run non-profit organization, SWI does rely on your donations for support.

To pre-register and for more information, please email [email protected]

09/24/2026

Club trip to Mt.Drabble September16 2026

09/19/2026

Club trip to Mt. Jutland. September 12th

09/18/2026

Club trip to Mt. Elma August 29 2026

09/02/2026

Club backpacking trip to Nootka Island August 13-19 2026
We were in nine arriving at the north end of Nootka Island in two float planes. It was an excellent adventure with like-minded, community-minded trekkers. When a croc shoe was lost on the trail, another one was found to replace it. When filters and stoves ceased to function others stepped in to share. We packed this seven day, six night 40 km+ trail with equal parts adventure and relaxation. Camping was mostly on the shoreline ensuring the waves rocked us to sleep. Wildlife encounters included bears and bear cubs, orca (well their fins), mink, eagles, otters and seals. No doubt wolves and cougar saw us! We ventured deeply into sea caves, ascended steep cliffs with the help of rope and even managed to wash clothes in a creek while still wearing them. We marvelled at the varied geological rock formations, as well as finding a collection of whale bones on a pocket beach. Tides tried to stop us, but we managed to squeeze past the shoreline cliffs before the ocean blocked our way. Some chose to swim in the ocean, while others explored its shoreline. Weather was kind to us and the trail relatively dry. Burgers and stories at Yuquot with Sugar (barbecuer extraordinaire) and Sanford Williams (renown First Nation carver) were much enjoyed. Spirits were high as we worked together to make this a most memorable outing.

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08/13/2026

Club trip to Century Sam Lake
August 9th 2026

08/07/2026

Club backpacking trip to Bedwell & Cream Lake August 3-5

07/31/2026

Club trip to Circlet Lake and beyond.
July 10-12 2026

07/27/2026

Club trip to Carey Lakes July 3-5

After a quite long, sometimes challenging and sometimes scenic drive in the Cruickshank Canyon, we hiked up the trail to the Carey Lakes with overcast skies and wet brush from rain the previous day. There are lakes everywhere, wet alpine meadows, and steep climbs in the forest. After lunch at the first larger lake, we continued up to the largest of the Carey Lakes and set up camp near to the shore. There was rambling in the afternoon for those that wanted and relaxation for others. The next morning was beautiful with sun and cloud. We hiked up the multiple bluffs to the open, rocky ridge and completely enjoyed the great 360° views of the high Forbidden Plateau. We made a loop from edge to edge, had lunch and descended by a different route. Back at camp, we enjoyed some R&R, with a few swimming in the lake. In the late afternoon, there was a fairly long ramble which included views and exploration down the bluff to the large flat bench below us. We had very light rain at dinner and heavier rain overnight. On the third day, the morning broke with sunny skies and some breeze. We took a leisurely start in order to dry the tents before packing up and heading down. We followed the northern route down, stopping at the fabulous waterfalls before we had lunch at the lake where we ate on the way up. Everything was wet again from the night rain and the muddy sections were challenging.

Notes: The trailhead is at 980 m. There are four big Carey Lakes. The first is close to the trailhead and not in the park. The second is not visited by a trail. The third is below the waterfall, at 1130 m. The fourth is above the waterfall, at 1230 m.

Address

Courtenay, BC
V9N5N5

Website

http://comoxhiking.com/

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