It is so humbling walking among giants in the forest. To see something that has been there since before your experience of reality even began. Feeling a connection to something ancient as you hike among the trees a practice that helps you let go of all the modern day worries we often let crowd our minds. A chance to breath and just be in the moment. Old growth forests are a sanctuary. A moment to spend with some of natures elders. These photos are from my trip to Carmanah-Walburn Provincial Park on Vancouver Island. One of the old growth forest of Canada’s Costal Rainforest.
Winding down logging roads for a couple hours on passing by some beautiful scenery that Vancouver Island has to offer. Hiking in Carmanah-Walburn exploring some of Canada’s old growth forest was a very humbling experience. I am grateful to live in a place where I can visit these places. a retreat for moment in nature. Walking among some of the world’s largest Sitka Spruce trees. Some as old as 800 years. Standing along side Giant Cedars that are estimated to have been standing for 1000 years. These trees have been standing an amount of time that is hard to wrap your head around. The forest is lush with brilliant coloured moss. The red of the Cedars contrasting the deep green of the forest. It was one of the most beautiful forests that I have explored.
Along the journey to Carmanah-Walburn there is the reminder of the impact we as humans have on the environment when mountains sides of clear cuts become the scenery. Unfortunately the majority of Canada’s old growth forests have already been lost to logging. Although there are protected forests in Canada there are still many at risk. A group called the Ancient Forest Alliance based on Vancouver Island who have stepped up to help save more of Canada’s old growth forests. You can support them if you feel inclined to do your part to help save some of Canada’s Costal Rainforest. I encourage everyone to visit Carmanah-Walburn or another one of Canada’s old growth forests to explore this beautiful place we call home.
