Trip Report from Brother's Creek Ancient Forest Hike. July 10th, 2011

A group of nearly 50 enjoying the last remarkable site of the day: The Hollyburn Fir.
This tree is 1350 years old and 3 m thick at breast height.

There is no doubt that a forecast of warm sunny weather contributed to the excellent turnout of nearly 50 people for this hike. Meanwhile, many people had reportedly not come due to the warning that this was a difficult and strenous hike. In the end the sunny and dry weather resulted in good conditions and pleasant hiking for most of the day. One hiker hurt her ankle towards the very end of the hike but she managed to tough it for the rest of the hike with the aid of walking sticks scavenged from the forest by the other hikers. 

The highlights were most certainly the wondrous forest of ancient douglas-firs that has succumbed to old age and the stress of having all the cedars logged off around it leaving a single veteran tree still alive. Also, as we strolled along into the heart of the ancient forest where the thick and gnarled cedars loomed the group agreed to move in silence so as to appreciate the sounds of the forest and direct their attention to the forest that was changing around us. It felt brilliant to walk in such a large yet stealth group and I think that everybody felt some keen awareness and appreciation for the forest at this point. 

With its wealth of historical artifacts, and the juxtaposition of young beside very old forests and enormous trees surrounded by average-sized trees the Brother's Creek area makes for a fascinating trip and educational experience. I truly hope that this area, which currently has no legal protection or park status, remains in a natural state so that visitors from the busy city below have the opportunity that our group had on this hike to learn about the forests, to connect with nature and to revitalize their minds in the fresh air and tranquil groves found such a short distance from downtown.