May 19 - Thames Creek

Strap on your walking shoes and join the Sole Sisters walking group. This program is offered most Wednesdays (Not during the Christmas break or July and August) at various locations around the Oceanside area and is intended for women 50+, but all ages are welcome.

This is not a power walking group, but the group does walk at a moderate pace. There is a leader at the front and a leader at the back. No one is left on their own.

Thank you for reading the information below!

1. Please bring your own hand sanitizer and mask. Masks will be required upon arrival, during the check-in and check-out circle and any time on the walk that the group stops to regroup for directions. If you are comfortable to do so, it is encouraged to wear a mask while walking.

2. Covid-19 Safety questions will be asked by the leader at the welcome circle. The circle will be socially distanced.

3. Participants will be asked to walk in socially distanced groups of 2, with 3m between each person and  3m between the group ahead and the group behind. If you happen to come across other people walking on the trail, please give them a 3m berth by stepping off the trail, if you have to, and turning your back.

4. We would like each person to keep their name and emergency contact in a pocket and if possible wear a name tag. This can be as simple as a piece of masking tape with your name on it. With many new people, this will help the leaders identify you if you are injured or unwell.

5. Fast walkers MUST stay in contact with the front leader. If you happen to get ahead, stop and wait, or turn back to the leader. The leader should ALWAYS be at the front of the group. If you are not willing to do this, we will not be able to count you in as part of the walk, due to safety issues.

6. It is important that you do not leave from a walk until you have checked in with the leader, so no one is left behind.

7. As we are social distancing, this means that we cannot help each other up and down hills or over slippery logs and through muddy sections. If you have poles, consider bringing them. They can be a great help when navigating tricky terrain!

Don't forget to register for each Sole Sisters walk before you come. Drop-ins are not welcome at this time. 

 Description: The Thames Creek and Wildwood Trails are an extension of the Lighthouse Trail. The trillium and skunk cabbage are in full bloom, so plan on some great photo opportunities. The hike will go up one side of the creek and back down the other side crossing over a log bridge at the half way point. The walk is similar to Nile Creek in that it is a forest walk, lots of ups and downs, but nothing too rough. There are a couple of mucky areas so wear appropriate footwear. The Thames Trail is less than an hour walk, but the group will be able to extend the walk by continuing on the Wildwood Trail, which is a flat loop trail.

Directions:   There are only a few parking spots at the entrance to the walk but you can park at Wildwood Church. Coming from Qualicum Beach, turn left on McColl Rd. The Island Gospel Centre (old Bowser School) is on that corner.  Head up McColl to Wildwood Church on the left. Park there and make the short walk to trail entrance.  

For more information, scroll to the bottom of the page to view the map.

Please Note: Registration for the Wednesday walks closes on Tuesday evenings at 4:00pm.