Wild Retreat Blog

Well this parks use application has been in the making for almost 5 years now. CWR is trying to reopen a trail that leads from the Outpost Camp, through the Bedwell Valley, into Strathcona Park, and actually connects to Buttle Lake. If this trail was opened (it has been closed since 2006 due to bridge damage) it would mean a trail for all users to cross the island in a serene setting like no other. CWR’s application consists of allowing horse use on the old roadbed which starts at the Outpost Camp and continues to You Creek. This roadbed has been in place for close to 100 years and is still in use today on the 500 acres of property the Outpost is situated on. After hiking the trail in 2007 we found that the roadbed is in fact intact and usable. Work would have to be done to return it to its splendor, but all work would be able to be performed with very low impact and without heavy machinery.

At You Creek we have agreed to set up tent platforms open to the public for overnight trips. In order to accomplish reopening this trail we have also agreed to rebuild all necessary bridges in order to make the trail safe for the public.

BC Parks is holding Public Meetings this month to gather information and open the Master Plan to allow horse use within the park. All future applications for horse use will be set against criteria that will be decided using information from these meetings. This meeting is not necessarily for our application, but our application will be discussed thoroughly.

The meetings are being Held in Tofino on May 27th, Courtenay on May 29th, and Victoria on June 4th. Watch your papers for locations.

OH Boy! It has been so long since my last entry…. SORRY! I was away for a family emergency BUT I am back now and the 2010 Clayoquot Wilderness Resort season is just around the corner. Everybody is busy getting the camp ready and I could go on and on with all the details, however, I am going to use this entry to talk about an extremely important issue.

If you haven’t already heard about “The Get Out Migration – Wild Salmon Are Sacred” it is imperative that you get informed ASAP! This is a walk that was organized by Alexandra Morton – whale researcher, scientist and activist. Alex has done, and continues to do, amazing things for fish and whales by exposing the negative impact of salmon farms. The walk started in Sointula, at the North end of Vancouver Island on April 23rd and they plan to arrive in Victoria on the Parliament Grounds on May 8th.

Our very own Cosy Lawson and her daughter Laterra have joined forces with the Wild Salmon Are Sacred call to action. Cosy and Laterra started walking from Tofino April 25th and walked over to east side of Vancouver Island where they met up with Alex and her followers. They are now walking the rest of the way together, to Victoria. Moreover, Saturday May 8th is Laterra’s 12th birthday. Can you imagine having your birthday cake on the Parliament grounds with a movement to save wild salmon… WOW!

If you want to show your support there are a few things you can do. First, sign the petition on the www.SalmonAreSacred.org website which includes the mission statement, info, itinerary, a map and much more. You can also find info on the Facebook pages Walk For Salmon – Clayoquot Sound or Salmon Are Sacred. Most importantly, if possible, come to Victoria on Saturday May 8th and show your support. Many of us from Clayoquot Wilderness Resort will be there including the Team and wagon as well as riding horses. The more people that show up for this event the better…. Power in Numbers. The walk starts in Sidney SaturdayMay 8th in the morning at 8am and we plan to be in Victoria on the Parliament Grounds at 4pm. Once again, you can find the events itinerary at the Salmon Are Sacred website.

Last but not least I just want to take this opportunity to tell Cosy and Laterra how proud we are of them… Hopefully we see you in Victoria.