By Angie Davey Excuse me while I gush a little. I woke up on top of the world this morning. I spent the night sheltered within the Sunshine Coast Trail’s (SCT) newest hikers’ hut located on Manzanita Bluffs, my hammock suspended between the sleeping loft’s rafters.
Opening the shutters to the new day, my gaze drifted past my husband tending the campfire below and through the treetops to a view of the Strait of Georgia. There was a slight chill in the air but only light cloud cover so it promised to be the perfect day for the grand opening of the hut.
Manzanita Hut is the fifth of eight huts being built along the 180-kilometre SCT by Powell River Parks and Wilderness Society (PRPAWS) and its community partners, School District 47, Powell Rier Model Community Project, and others who have helped along the way like Bloody Old Men’s Brigade (BOMB Squad), Powell River ATV Club and Rotary Club of Powell River. Grant money from Island Coastal Economic Trust (ICET) has provided the main financing for the endeavour.
In terms of hikers’ huts, Manzanita is deluxe. Perched high above Lund, with Savary and Hernando islands in the distance, the hut’s footprint measures 12 by 24 feet, and besides the upstairs sleeping loft, provides kitchen and dining space. It has a bright green metal roof and a board-and-batten exterior.
The grand opening was an opportunity to celebrate and appreciate the vision, passion and hard work of many volunteers. These individuals have put their heart and expertise into the creation of not just Manzanita Hut but its predecessors at Fairview Bay, Rainy Day Lake, Rieveley’s Pond and Mount Troubridge, plus those still to be built. Though the invitation to the official opening was extended as broadly as possible, a conservative estimate of maybe 50 people were expected to attend. I’d just finished sweeping the hut when the first batch of hikers arrived, and then they just kept coming and coming. Fifty turned into 84, and 84 into 110 until it was estimated that over 150 celebrants made the trek up the various heart-pounding trails to see the result of when goodwill and determination join forces.
Such an overwhelming show of support was completely unexpected and heartwarming to those involved in the project. Also unexpected, for the hikers, was the quality of construction and attention to detail given to the hut. Adjectives like incredible, awesome and breathtaking were being exclaimed as hikers broke through the trees and caught their first glimpse of the site.
We are fortunate to have so many people, people like Eagle Walz and everyone associated with PRPAWS, who volunteer to enhance our community and make it a treat to live here as well as visit. To everyone who contributed and everyone who laced up their hiking boots on June 12 to see what happens when a crazy dream comes true, your efforts are appreciated.
Angie Davey is a weekend hiker and Tourism Powell River board member. Her husband Bob is an executive member of PRPAWS.
