Just north of home, a smooth few minutes on the highway followed by a bumpy 20 on a rough gravel road, we begin today’s wander. We’ll visit a special place in this valley, somewhere I haven’t been since I was a little girl—a beautiful walk through a lush green forest that arrives in a small grove of ancient giants.
We arrive early enough in the morning that the trail is solely ours and as our feet slowly take us further into the wilderness, up the hill and away from the world, the silence slowly takes over.
The sun angle at this time of year is perfect, gently filtering through from low in the sky, creating beautiful pools of light amongst the shadows.
Our destination is a particular place today, unlike our usual more aimless wanders— a grove known as the Ancient Cedars. In the 1980s, this area was slated to be logged, as much of the surrounding woodland had been through previous years.
Luckily, a group formed from nearby towns wanted to protect some of British Columbia’s remaining old-growth forests, and this little area was saved in 1988.
It now features some of the oldest trees in the entire Sea to Sky Corridor, cedars anywhere from 700 to some of the biggest cedars over 1,000 years old.
The grove is stunningly quiet and still; a frog croaks in the forest nearby, and it’s impossible not to feel as if we’re completely separated from the rest of the world.
The trees, tower far above our heads with thick roots that dig deep into the earth.
Gently, we press our hand to each ancient one we pass, showing our love and respect for this beautiful and timeless forest.
Here and there, giants have fallen, now providing a home for the new and tiny generation to begin. Hemlock and fir nestle amongst the cedars, and these little ones will benefit from the nurse log they grow out of.
A final glance after hours spent within the calming and quiet embrace of this ancient woodland before we begin our journey back to the world below.
Until next time,
♡ Whitney
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Your pictures always make me feel like I'm in them! I love getting to escape into the forest. Thank you!💚
This walk was extraordinary! Although I'm captivated by the stature of these majestic giants, I can't help but focus on the root system. I'm curious how far the underground system extends and expands, maybe in equal proportion to the height. It feels so wonderfully supportive, for the individual tree and all its extended, rooted in harmony, network. Thank you so much, Whitney.