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courtesy JInnes
Ninja-like trail markers
The nice middle stretch
Sunny open forest
courtesy AHyndman
Amazing natural tube
Super nice descent
The Mossy Zone
The descent seemed to go on forever, and it took us a surprisingly long - nearly four hours - time to descend from the meadow's edge to the trailhead sign at the Phillips Creek Marine campsite. In comparison, it did not take us all that much longer to climb up two days before - about five hours.
Not so great lower section
Finished descent
Phillips Creek Marine Campsite
We were sore, hot and tired - and thirsty, having used up all of our water on the descent. However, there was a nice remedy close by - the crystal clear, cool waters of Phillips Creek. After ditching our packs, we spent a bit of time filtering some water and soaking our feet until the chilly river induced the foot equivalent of a brain freeze.
courtesy JInnes
Phillips Creek Refresher
Prepping for our crossing
Canoe at the ready
Nicely refreshed, it was time to start the final leg of our journey - the crossing of Buttle Lake. We retrieved our long white canoe from the bushes, and positioned it in the creek near the campsites. Again, we decided it would be much easier and more pleasant if Arn and I ran the canoe down the river to the current shoreline of the lake. Having only two of us in the canoe would hopefully mean less draft and an easier time gliding down the shallow river. Jenn and Arn would take themselves and their packs overland along the riverbank, meeting up with us along the lakeshore.

It was fun guiding the canoe down the lower section of Phillips Creek. There was nothing strong in the way of current, only minor riffles here and there. More often than not, there was enough depth for us to stay fully afloat - with a little bit of careful routefinding - and only in a few spots did we need to pole along or actually get out of the canoe and drag it. Soon enough, we arrived at the current mouth of the creek, and parked the canoe on the lakeshore.
courtesy JInnes
Preparing to run the creek
Gliding along new creekbed
Somewhat choppy waters
Minutes later, the land-bound hikers arrived, and we loaded everything into the canoe for the short paddle across the lake. There was a stiff breeze blowing from the north, and - true to the descriptions - there was actually a little bit of chop on the surface this afternoon - perhaps a foot to a foot and a half. Nothing that this big and heavy canoe couldn't handle, we were sure.

After donning our lifejackets, we began our paddle across the lake. The stiff wind and choppy conditions required an angled heading and steady paddling, but other than that, we crossed easily. We were surprised to notice that the lake level had lowered by more than a foot since two days before.
courtesy BConnell
The walkers arrive
Crossing Complete
Back at the car
Regroup at the car
We quickly hauled our gear and the canoe back up to the car, and then spent some time reorganizing everything to fit. Then, with the canoe safely lashed back onto the roof, we drove back north, stopping at the Strathcona Park Lodge to drop it off, where the staff generously let us pay for one less day. We then continued on along the Gold River highway, headed east for the town of Campbell River.
Interactive trackmap with photo points - Strathcona Backpack day 3: Marble Peak and return to car - click map to view
Interactive trackmap with photo points - Strathcona Backpack day 3: Marble Peak and return to car - click map to view
Backpack Day 3 - Wheaton Lake to Marble Peak to Buttle Lake - Hike and Climb Data
Start Time: 6:42a.m.
End Time: 3:10p.m.
Duration: 8h27m
Distance: 12.81 km (7.96 mi)
Average Speed: 1.5 km/hr (0.9 mph)
Start Elevation: 4815ft (1468m) *
Max Elevation: 5820ft (1774m) *
Min Elevation: 821ft (250m) *
End Elevation: 821ft (250m) *
* : +/- 75 feet
Total Elevation Gain: 1232ft (376m) *
Total Elevation Loss: 5283ft (1610m) *
 
 
* : +/- 75 feet
Elevation Graph
Backpack Day 3 - Canoe across Buttle Lake
(Track color: )
Start Time: 4:34p.m.
End Time: 4:43p.m.
Duration: 0h8m
Distance: 0.85 km (0.53 mi)
Average Speed: 6.4 km/hr (4.0 mph)
Start Elevation: 770ft (235m) *
Max Elevation: 771ft (235m) *
Min Elevation: 759ft (231m) *
End Elevation: 760ft (232m) *
* : +/- 75 feet
Total Elevation Gain: 0ft (0m) *
Total Elevation Loss: 5ft (2m) *
 
 
* : +/- 75 feet
Elevation Graph
We only spent enough time in Campbell River to get gas and a few snacks, then headed south on the main island highway. Our ultimate destination was Jenn's parents' place on Gabriola Island, where we had been invited to spend the night. We were aiming for the 9pm ferry crossing from Nanaimo, so as not too arrive too late in the evening.

The wide and fast highway from Campbell River to Nanaimo let us easily catch the ferry. We crossed as a beautiful summer day turned to multi-hued dusk. On the right, a nearly-full moon rose over the small sliver of Mudge Island. After landing, a short drive on Gabriola's hilly roads soon brought us to the sea-side Innes residence, where Jenn's mom and dad awaited.
Gabriola Ferry
Gulf Islands at dusk
A quick check
We spent an hour or so having dinner and hanging about with Jenn's parents, who I am sure stayed well up beyond their usual bedtime to entertain us. Jenn's dad had a quick look at Arn's eye, but happily, couldn't find anything that alarmed him. It looked like Arn's eye had managed to fix whatever impression had been made upon it by that high-speed piece of bark.

Tired from our full day, we retired for evening, looking forward to a nice long sleep and a non-early rise time.
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