Cordova Bay Hikers

In 1982, three women, Sheila Ogilvie, Audrey Mills and Shirley Mills, began hiking together on Wednesdays. Soon, others joined them.

In 1986, they placed an ad in the local Cordovan newsletter that brought more members. Two of those were new Cordova Bay residents, Cam and Vera Innes from Winnipeg. Now there were eleven women and one man.

The next year, Cam and Vera became the hike leaders, learning about their new city and surroundings as they planned weekly hikes.

By 1988, the club was flourishing with 34 members.

Besides all the local hikes, they travelled further afield to Carmanah Valley, Manning Park, Rosario Resort on Orcas Island, Mt. Washington, Bodega Resort on Galliano Island, and several trips to Olympic National Park in Washington State.

Their multi-day trips often had “mixed” weather that didn’t slow them down. After one downpour, they enjoyed a soak in some hot springs. They accomplished hikes in the snow as well. Their potlucks and sing-alongs were a highlight.

In 1996, the club decided they would hike the entire length of the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail, a distance of 47 km. They did a section each year; the project completed in 2000. Members took great delight in claiming, “Oh yes, we did the whole thing!” (neglecting to mention it took them five years).

In 1997, the club travelled to Cannon Beach in Oregon and Cathedral Lakes. There were the odd injuries, like on the East Coast Trail when a member slipped off an embankment. Her husband tried to save her, but fell into a deep sinkhole. Luckily, they were both rescued by the group.

Another hiker tumbled into a stream on the Royal Roads University grounds near Colwood and one fell hard while hiking Mt. Doug, a favoured park in Greater Victoria (now called PKOLS in the SENĆOŦEN language). 

A tree limb once fell from above, but luckily it didn’t injure anyone.

Cam only got lost once.

An exciting hiking trip to Cornwall, UK was taken in 1998.

As the club continued to grow, they offered both short and long hikes. Christmas parties with skits and good food, and June picnics were always enjoyable.

More multi-day hikes to Quadra and Cortes Islands, Mt. Baker National Park, Long Beach and Tofino, Lynn Canyon in Vancouver, and Bridal Falls were accomplished with the help of many members.

The club collected money to donate to the Trans Canada Trail Association. A plaque installed at the Trail Marker Pavilion near Selkirk Trestle reads: Cordova Bay Hikers – dedicated to all who shared happy trail memories and to future hikers who will create their own.

The club started a website in 2003 including photos, schedules, attendance and members info.

After 18 years leading the Cordova Bay Hikers, Vera and Cam retired. 270 hikes were accomplished during those years, not including scouting.

Several members stepped up to replace them. The fun continued with 56 active hikers and 12 alumni.

More trips overseas had hikers doing a coast-to-coast hike across England in 2004, as well as venturing to Northern Italy in 2007. 

There were odd incidents, such as 16 members stopping to feed the donkey on Horth Hill, not noticing the rest of the group continued on. Luckily, they eventually found each other.

On another hike, one fellow brought extra rubber boots and plastic bags to get members over a creek.

We successfully completed trips to Whistler, Hornby Island, Chemainus, Ladysmith, Leechtown, Saltspring Island, Saturna, Orcas Island, Cascade and Olympic Mountains.

By 2011, there were 75 hikers and 5 alumni. That year, the hikers undertook a wonderful hike to Montenegro in Europe.

More than 40 years after the group’s start, we are still going strong. Some members have moved away, gone into care, or passed away. We continued hiking, even during Covid. Every week, there are 15-25 members hiking, including some over 90 years of age! We enjoy our picnics, Christmas parties and restaurant visits, but even more, the friendship, fresh air, exercise and fun.

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