2023 June 11: Lighthouse Park to Horseshoe Bay

This month’s walk was a three-peat of the ones between Lighthouse Park and Horseshoe Bay (previously done once in each direction). Previous outings were under somewhat wintery conditions. The first was from Horseshoe Bay to Lighthouse Park in January 2015 done in two groups, one on January 4 and the second on January 11. The second, in the reverse direction, was on December 4, 2022. It was a pleasant change doing the walk in shorts and shirtsleeves rather than coats and gloves.

Fifteen Loopers met at the Gleneagles Community Centre and took the bus back to Lighthouse Park. Just as we arrived the final two Loopers also arrived on a bus from the opposite direction. After taking the starting selfie at the Lighthouse Park sign, we crossed Marine Drive and ascended via quiet side streets with occasional views of Bowen Island to the west. Our route once again took us through the Montiverdi Estates, with houses designed by Arthur Erickson and landscaping by Cornelia Oberlander. For those looking for a housing upgrade, there is a home there currently on the market for $2.99 million.

We plunged into the woods, climbing briefly before descending via forested trails. After passing under the BC Rail trestle, we once again crossed Marine Drive and made our way down to Eagle Harbour for a brief snack break.

Climbing again, we reached the Seaview Walk along the old BCR right-of-way, following it to the Gleneagles Community Centre. As we passed by the centre we had a minor personnel change as one Looper departed and another joined for the latter part of the walk.

We then headed westward, first climbing (again!) and then descending to Batchelor Bay. After walking along the shore we returned again to Marine Drive which we followed briefly into Whytecliff Park. At the viewpoint there we had another short break before continuing through the park to Horseshoe Bay.

As the group approached Horseshoe Bay it broke into several sub-groups. Some were getting a bit tired and decided to skip the last hill up and over into Horseshoe Bay and instead headed back to the Gleneagles Golf Course and the Orchard Restaurant. The rest of the group conquered the final climb where a few more also decided to head directly to the restaurant rather than doing the final descent to the waterfront. The remaining members of the group walked down into Horseshoe Bay and posed for an ending selfie before proceeding to the restaurant.

Afters were enjoyed on the patio of the Orchard Restaurant. We were briefly joined by a couple more Loopers who had been unable to walk due to previous commitments.