"Uh D... We may have killed Kaitlin..."
We left Victoria at 0630 Sunday morning. It was beautiful hot weather. We drove south on the island highway and took exit 60 to Port Alberni. Eventually we drove through Cathedral Grove and started to climb up to the highway summit. Not long after the summit elevation sign we took a left on an unmarked gravel road called Loon Lake Main, which eventually joins up with Cameron Main. From here we followed Cameron Main until we hit Pass Main and took a left. Right before the road started to switchback we saw a skidder road off to the right and a couple cars parked on the left. We parked here and started to walk up the skidder road.
From here the trail is quite steep. Due to the dry weather the soil was difficult to walk on because it slipped away. The trail here switch-backed through the forest and our friend was convinced she could not make it due to her cramping calves. We took a few quick stops for her to stretch and told her that her cramps would slowly disappear. We were right.
Eventually we broke the trees and began to see the beautiful view below. The trail became more exposed and more of a steep rock scramble. Here is was important to follow the flagging to keep on the right track. There were a few spots that required climbing on hands and feet and lifting the dog up over higher rocks.