Mount Gardner - Bowen Island

Today Neil and I met up with Wendy at Horseshoe Bay to board the 9AM Ferry with our bikes for a journey to Bowen Island. This was our first outing in the 2010 Bagger Challenge. Once on the ferry we discovered that we had left the directions/map in the kitchen. No worries - we have been to one of the planned peaks before. A new Peak on Bowen Island has been added this year to the Challenge. From Snug Cove where the ferry docks we pedalled our way on the undulating road in search of the base of the new peak - Mt. Collins. Working off recall of the map it became obvious that we really didn't know where we were going. We came upon a local lady walking her dog. Neil politely asks her for directions to Mt. Collins. "You can't go up there she says, there is no trail." Yes we know that but we were planning to go anyways Neil replies. "you can't go up there it is private land and that would be trespassing." We got the feeling she was not happy that we would consider going up her local mtn that has no trail and no public access. We got back on the bikes and came upon a local runner - thought he would know for sure. "don't know....never heard of it...don't know" he kept repeating. OK maybe Mt. Collins wasn't meant to be today. So we head back to the base of Mt. Gardner and perhaps we will see people up there that know. Stashed the bikes in the bush and set off. The skies cleared and we had a great climb up through the forest and were rewarded with awesome views of the snow capped North Shore Mountains. Not another person in sight. Hmmm...thought there might have been some other hikers/baggers out since it was Easter Sunday. Had a great run down and we came to the agreement that one peak today was a good start to the 2010 Bagger Challenge - Doc Morgan's Pub was calling. Unfortunately the island had been hit hard in the storm that happened on Friday and they were low on beer choice and had no food to order. Just when we were about to leave Fish and Chips arrive at the table next to us - not what hungry runners/bikers want to see - others eating!! We had a good laugh that it was an interesting outing today on Bowen. Found food elsewhere while we waited for the ferry. Next time I think we will check the ferry schedule as well as bring the map!