I've lived in this area for ten years, and finally I got up to the mountain in the fall to walk in the meadows. The colours are just amazing, and it's snowed just a bit to make it even more magical. We decided to walk Paradise Meadows to Lake Helen MacKenzie, then to Battleship Lake. This is a perfect two-hour hike in the alpine that is suitable for most levels of hiking.

From Lake Helen MacKenzie to Battleship Lake. This picturesque spot, located on Mount Washington, is nestled in the lush wilderness. It’s known for its stunning natural beauty and serene atmosphere. The lake gets its name from its unique shape, which some say resembles a battleship. Surrounded by dense forests and towering trees, it offers a perfect escape for nature lovers, bird watchers, and outdoor enthusiasts.

Length, 4.2km. (return). Suggested hiking time: 1.5 hours. Stop at Lake Helen Mackenzie and feed the Whiskey Jacks. A quick water/snack break.

An easy walk through sub-alpine meadows on a disabled access boardwalk and gravel trail. In season, the meadows are lushly carpeted with lupines, heathers, paintbrush, monkey-flowers, and violets.

This new access trail has been designed for disabled access with grades averaging approximately 5% (there are some very short steeper sections that have been mitigated with flat landings and side pull-outs). The new trail has been constructed using both extra-wide boardwalk in the wetter areas, as well as hard-packed gravel in the drier zones.

The trailhead is located at the parking lot of the Mount Washington Nordic ski area (Raven Lodge), 25km from Courtenay. Within the Paradise Meadow trail system.

Helen MacKenzie to Battleship Lake loop trail

Length, 8km. Suggested hiking time, 3 hours. Elevation gain: 70m. 

An easy hike on well-developed trails through a mixture of sub-alpine meadows carpeted with pretty flowers and forests of yellow cedar, amabilis fir and mountain hemlock. In the Fall season, the mountain glows in yellow, oranges, and deep reds. Snowshoeing in the Winter is like stepping into a snow globe.