by Jesse Holth –
There are a number of superb trails running through Gowlland Tod Provincial Park. Although there are many to explore, I’m going to highlight the Tod Inlet trail. It’s one of the most accessible, with a fairly level, gradually sloping path (some of the others can be quite steep). This is a wonderful forest trail that leads down into the Tod Inlet. Fall and winter are perfect times to visit, as there are fewer people on the path.
On this walk, you’ll enjoy beautiful fall colours, mossy trees and a stream – Tod Creek – flowing in the gulley below. It is a quiet and peaceful place, perfect for relaxation and reflection. You can feel the echoes of the past: there are several concrete relics along the way which have been almost completely overgrown by nature. These are the remains of the Vancouver Portland Cement Company, founded by Robert Butchart in the early 1900s. In fact, once you reach the end of the trail, you’ll see the same historic smokestack that you may have seen at the Butchart Gardens, which is just on the other side of the trees.
You can also spot some culturally modified trees dotting the trail, from the traditional practice of bark-stripping by the original inhabitants, the Saanich First Nation. The land has been spiritually and culturally significant to the Saanich people for centuries, and a sign at the beginning of the trail welcomes you to the traditional territory called SṈIDȻEȽ (pronounced sngeet-kwith). As you make your way down to the water, you may see woodpeckers, owls, squirrels, lizards and other wildlife.
There are lots of intersecting paths once you get closer to the bottom of the trail, but they will all lead down to the water, so you can choose to go whichever way you like. The Tod Inlet is a protected cove, and the water is usually still, silent and mirror-like. You can sit on one of the benches at the water’s edge for quiet contemplation, or continue walking. You’ll be able to make your way over to the dock, and peer down into the water. In the shallows, there might be large crabs searching for food, huge orange or purple starfish, and other marine life.
Sometimes the inlet even freezes in the winter, and it’s a whole new experience. There may be frost on the ground, and you can see the intricate patterns of ice crystals formed in the water. This trail is open all year, and looks different in every season. But visiting in the cooler months will mean a bit more breathing room, fewer people on the trail, and a peaceful, meditative stroll along forest and shoreline. What are you waiting for? Go recharge your batteries!
The Tod Inlet trail is accessed from Wallace Drive. There is parking along the side of the road. This trail is in the north portion of Gowlland Tod Provincial Park. For more information, visit the B.C. Parks website: www.crd.bc.ca/parks.
