Lantzville Lookout Loop Hike
January 8, 2022 - Winter Hike
It took until January 8 for me to finally get out and DO SOMETHING and start my 2022 adventures! I haven’t decided if that is “not bad” because it’s only a week into a new year marked by excessive snow and storms, or if it is “about time” because I probably could have already done three things if I’d really wanted to. To be fair to myself, I was hours away from a group kayak paddle in Victoria cancelled for COVID reasons, and after today I am glad I didn’t tackle a solo winter mountain excursion!
I’ll cut myself some slack.
I was on the Meetup app last night looking for future events for my new kayaking group here in Nanaimo when a recommended event from the Nanaimo Day Hikes group flashed across my screen. Lantzville, snowshoeing, one spot left. I signed up.
Eleven members of this group took me up Lantzville Lookout Loop and its viewpoint over Nanoose Harbour. The hike was intense for me because I’m not a hiker nor have I done any serious hikes in the past…eight months? For this group of fit adventurers, it seemed to be nothing. They flew up the starting hill and never looked back, the leader even wearing a 32lb weighted vest!
The trail started with a rather steep hill in a lovely woodlot area, following a creek bed and alongside a ravine. I was very overdressed and was already losing layers (and then a lot of sweat) within five minutes. Turns out my Alberta T3 merino thermal long johns – under hiking pants and rain pants with a fleece under my new raincoat topped with hand-knit toque – were too much for the sheltered woods and just-above-freezing weather. And for the group’s pace.
The packed snow was manageable with my Yaktraxs until the very top clearings. We got some deeper snow at the first viewpoint, but I only put my snowshoes on for the descent, once we reached the creek it was back to the spikes, though the steeper technical areas did take out my ankle once. There was a bit of wind at the lookouts and the clouds were closing in by the time we got back to the trailhead, but conditions were nice.
The hike ended up as 6km, with 328m of elevation and 2:15 moving time.
The map of the final hike
I am glad I found this hiking group and hope to join them again at a future event. Though I was the youngest by a decade or more, they were welcoming, very friendly, supportive, and fun to chat with. Their knowledge of the trail was a big asset and I got some tips about food and new app recommendations to track adventures.
Going out with a group was exactly what I need to get over some stress about winter hiking in a new area and to motivate me to get outside. Signing up for something holds you more accountable than just thinking you’ll go out and do something. I hope this gives me the kick I need to be more consistent and make 2022 the most adventurous year yet!
