Discover what Mount Washington on beautiful Vancouver Island has to offer visitors in Summer!
This Summer, my husband and I have made it our mission to explore our own big backyard and travel around Vancouver Island, BC. Whenever time and weather allow, we head to a spot we haven’t seen before and check it out.
So far, we’ve discovered gorgeous Myra Falls, gone on a day-long boat adventure around the islands, and checked out some amazing beaches (which I still need to document here on the blog). We’re also having a great time visiting the best Vancouver Island coffee shops we can find!
Yesterday we headed up to Mount Washington. It’s a gorgeous place to visit in the Summer.
What is there to do on Mount Washington (on Vancouver Island) in Summer?
The winter snow activities on Mount Washington give way to Summer ones!
The main lodge at Mount Washington buzzes in the Winter with skiers, snowboarders, and snowshoers. The mountaintop village has plenty of rentable condos, apartments, and cabins, which are perfect for anyone who wants to ski all day and relax in comfort in the evenings.
Yesterday we saw lots of bikers on the Summer mountain bike trails and on the road up and down the mountain. (Now that’s some good exercise!) There are also options for zip-lining and riding the ski-lift gondola up to the summit.
During normal Summer months, Mount Washington has a beautiful lodge dedicated to wedding venue rentals. We had the privilege of a sweet wedding celebration there a few years ago. It really is a spectacular place to get married! Of course, this year it was all closed down and quiet…
Mount Washington is a destination for day hikes and overnight camping
What wasn’t quiet was the parking lot near Paradise Meadows. It was packed full of cars! Many, many people were out enjoying a perfect day with sunshine, blue sky, and a light mountain breeze.
The walking path through Paradise Meadows on Mount Washington is gorgeous. Most of it is a carefully maintained boardwalk. We met families with babies in strollers, senior citizens, and everyone in between. We loved the friendly spirit among the people as they walked and hiked along. We often shared a smile and a greeting while keeping a respectful distance, of course!
Visitors can choose short walks or multi-day hikes from the Mount Washington hub
The Mount Washington trail system offers hikes at many different levels. Some are short and easy, while others are more adventurous. Last year, my husband and son hiked to Mount Albert Edward starting from Mount Washington. It was an overnight backpacking trip for them.
Mount Washington offers refreshing, beautiful scenery
As we strolled along our walk to Battleship Lake yesterday, we saw
- gurgling brooks,
- swimming ducks,
- wildflowers,
- stellar’s jays,
- wild blueberries,
- refreshing lakes
- and trees galore.
As we sat on a bench to grab a drink of ice water from our pack, we remarked on the beauty of it all.
One of my Instagram followers commented the other day, “If it is that beautiful on earth, what must Heaven be like?”
I’ve thought about that very question, and my mind just can’t fully grasp it.
How grateful I am for the One who so carefully created such beauty for us to enjoy, and who lets us see a glimpse of how great He is.
Want a free packing list for your next day trip adventure?
I put together a free printable packing list to help you get ready for your next Summer day trip. It will save you the stress of trying to think of everything!! Just click the button below to get instant access!
