BestHike editor Rick McCharles
UPDATE. I didn’t get very far on the Traverse finding it too difficult and dangerous to hike solo. I’ll go with a group next time.
For example, one hiking group did complete the Golden Hinde(less) Traverse between July 18-24, 2020.
I did complete the first two sections:
ORIGINAL POST from Sept 2, 2020 below:
Heading for Strathcona Provincial Park September 3rd.
Hoping to climb Golden Hinde, the highest mountain on Vancouver Island 2,195 m (7,201 ft). September should have drier trails. Fewer bugs. … Hopefully.
Many try and fail to get to this summit. It’s a scramble up snow or rock at the top.
The mountain took its name from Sir Francis Drake‘s ship, the Golden Hind, named by an early fur-trading captain who was reminded of Drake’s ship as sunset hit the mountain
Jes Scott made it August 2019. Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Jes had tried and failed in 2017.
My plan is to hike the 47km Golden Hinde Traverse on the Elk River trail through to Myra Falls. I’ll only attempt the summit as a detour if conditions, health, time and weather permit. No pressure. 🙂
Cost for a guided climb is about CAD $1500 for 5 days.
The best hiking guidebook is Exploring Strathcona Park. Dead tree version available only.
See our list of the best hikes in North America.
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