Before starting my inquiry, I knew some weeks would not go as planned. This week, nothing seemed to go right. Initially, I planned to go to Mystic Vale and spend the day at the park. My day started early in the morning, packing lunches and getting everything ready to spend most of the day outside. I brought all my stuff out and placed it beside my car. Then, I tried to open my car doors to load up the car, but they would not open. Hoping my key fob needed new batteries, I used the physical key to open my door. I tried starting my car, but nothing was happening. Quickly I realized my car battery was dead and lugged all my bags back inside. 

Luckily my car just needed a jump, and it was working the next day again. Monday morning, I loaded up the car again and set off towards Gowlland Tod Provincial Park. I realized I had forgotten my warm jacket about halfway there, and there was snow outside. Instead of driving back home, I decided to brave the cold in a winter sweater. I came to regret this decision about 10 minutes into the hike. 

I parked off Wallace Dr across from Quarry Lake, ready to hike the Tod Inlet Trail. The sun was still rising, and snow was scattered along the forest floor and clung to the highest moss-covered branches above. Gowlland Tod Provincial Park is one of the most beautiful places I have visited so far. The trail follows Tod Creek, with surprisingly fast rushing water. It felt like I was in another world.

According to the Gowlland Todd Provincial Park Management Plan, “Tod Inlet not only has a number of important First Nations archaeological sites, it was also the location of the Vancouver Portland Cement Company which operated in the early years of this century.” This area also has lots of glaciation evidence and numerous signs along the path reminding visitors of the importance of the land and not to venture off into the woods. 

“The Gowlland Tod area consists of predominantly forested land and includes extremely sensitive sites which provide habitat for unique plant communities of Phantom Orchids and Goldstar within the rare dry Coastal Douglas-fir Biogeoclimatic Zone. The marine components of the park, Tod Inlet and Finlayson Arm, provide the environment for a unique community of sponges, anemones and lamp shells – – animals rare elsewhere in the world.”

Today was not the day to forget a jacket or bring a snow-eating obsessed toddler along. After nearly 30 minutes, I decided to stop hiking and go back. I could see the sun above, and the melting snow was dripping like a rainstorm. Dirt covered my daughter’s face from devouring the snow, and it looked like she fell face first in the mud. Although we did not complete the trail, I am sure everyone in the surrounding area could hear us leaving. I wonder what is louder, bear bells or a hungry toddler not ready to go?

Thankfully, it did not take long to make it back to the warm car. This area was exciting to explore, and there are so many different trails to try. I defiantly need a redo day!