A visit to Mount Newton

I was back in Victoria for my quarterly visit. It is a lovely spot to enjoy some relaxation and have easy access to a number of locations to play radio. On my last visit I stayed in the lower areas and activated Beacon Hill Park, this trip I went for some elevation and activated Mount Newton. Now by Vancouver standards, Mount Newton maybe considered a small rise and definitively not a mountain, but in Saanich it is a nice rise above the farmland and offers some incredible views of the peninsula and the southern Gulf islands to the east.

After my lovely breakfast at Abigail’s hotel, I packed up the car and set out for Mt Newton in John Dean Park. It was about a 40-minute drive. Traffic was fairly light and I made good time along the route. Driving the final bit through the park to the small parking area allowed me to enjoy the trees and mosses that were draping them. The richness of the forest is so relaxing especially considering how close it is to residential areas. There were a couple of spots available to park in and I selected the first and parked. I donned my backpack which had my VHF radio and antenna and I set out on the short trail to the summit viewing platform.

The platform has ceased being much of a viewing platform as trees have grown up and obscured most of the view. People still come to see but they leave quickly as the view isn’t much. I made quick time on the trail and soon was at the platform. I set up my station using the new walking stick joiner I designed and printed on my 3d printer. This was my first use of it, and it performed well. I started calling and quickly had an American ham respond followed soon after by fellow radio club members Bob and Jim. Joe was trying to reach me but wasn’t able to. He tried again later and we did complete a chat.

I was calling for most of an hour trying to reach the needed ten contacts. Working on VHF limits one’s reach to local stations only and though I haven’t had issues before, today seemed to be more of a challenge. I did finally get the needed number and then shut down the station. I was not expecting to make a large number of contacts so I spent a bit more time chatting with those  who responded to my calls.

Once I had completed the ten contacts I packed up and switched to photography mode. There were a number of wild flowers scattered around the platform which caught my eye. Then it was off to Pickles Bluff where the real viewpoint resides. The bluff is only a five-minute walk from the platform along a well-maintained path and has a shear drop which is tall enough to keep any trees from blocking the view. It offers a spectacular view of the farmland making up Saanich Peninsula and of the Gulf islands. My previous trip to the park was my first to the bluff, on that visit, I said I would always come to the bluff once done with the radio. The scenery and serenity of the cliff ledge  is well worth it. Once done with photos I stopped to chat with a chap who I learned was from Alberta. He was sitting on the rocks enjoying the view. He finds the place so beautiful and relaxing that he makes coming here a priority. I gathered a few more photos and then made my way back to the car. It had been a pleasant day in the park and I was glad to have come again.