Submitted by Laura Cottle

On 27 November, 2022, Nature Vancouver (NV) and Pacific Spirit Park Society (PSPS) jointly organized this walk.

Leaders, Ian Clague (NV & PSPS) and Sam Bundenthal (PSPS), met the group at the Pacific Spirit Regional Park Centre on 16th Ave (parking lot and washroom area) at 10am. on this beautiful sunny Sunday morning. After a brief introduction to by Laura Cottle (Volunteer and Program Coordinator for PSPS), the group of 2 leaders, 18 participants, 2 PSPS volunteers and 1 PSPS photographer, headed northwest along Cleveland Trail. From there the route was Heron Trail, Salish Trail, across University Boulevard, Salish Trail, Spanish Trail, Pioneer Trail, across Chancellor Boulevard, Pioneer on to Spanish Trail, and then to the mouth of Spanish Bank creek.

There was a small stop here to take a look at the dead spawning Chum salmon carcasses observed from the sidewalk bridge. This is the 2nd year that Chum salmon have returned to Spanish Banks creek indicating that the daylighting and restoration of this creek for the salmon habitat is having some success.

After this stop, the group continued up to Admiralty trail and along the “ridge” to Salish Trail and down to Acadia Beach for a lunch break at the picnic tables. During this lunch break, an eagle was seen flying overhead – possibly part of the pair that is nesting in the Spanish Banks area.

Acadia Beach has suffered much erosion in the past few years what with record King tides, atmospheric rivers, and soil very prone to erosion (very sandy). The erosion has resulted in fallen trees, earth slumps and wide ragged troughs across the beach.

After the lunch break, the now diminished group, having “lost” hikers along the route, continued along the rocky beach battling the wind and then climbed up the stairs of Trail 3 (coming out near the Chan Centre for Performing Arts). At the top they followed Chancellor Blvd. to Sword Fern Trail, and continued along Sword Fern Trail until last exit to Salish Trail. Finally, from Salish Trail across University Blvd., to Cleveland Trail and back to the place they started: the “Park Centre” by ~3pm.

Much gratitude to the EcoWALK leaders Ian and Sam!

Possibly to be repeated again in the spring 2023 to search for the earliest flowers!