I have always enjoyed walking the Nanaimo Hatchery Trail, which takes you along the Haslam Creek and Napoleon Pond trails. All are located on the Nanaimo River, on the Harmac Properties. The scenery here is quite incredible, each season has its own qualities. In the spring the trees along the edge of the pond are spouting their beautiful pink colours and the wildflowers are all blooming. The sounds of buzzing insects and birds are singing all around you. You can smell spring everywhere.
In the fall, Haslam Creek flows hard down the fish ladder allowing the salmon to swim up it. The trees are dressed in their fall colours, and birds of prey are flying overhead looking for a salmon dinner. The gulls are lined along the waterways, arguing about whose fish is whose. A gently but crisp fall breeze wisps through the forest bringing a smell of the coming winter.
The Nanaimo Hatchery Trail is well-maintained and the views you get as you walk along are truly stress-relieving. I have been known to stop here any time of the year after doing business on the south island. There is something so peaceful about this spot.
Thousands of chum swim up the Nanaimo River each year where they dig nests, lay eggs in its gravel beds, spawn and die. Many of these make their way up Haslam Creek to spawn. This is a pretty cool place to bring your young ones. They can learn about the life cycle of salmon and can see how death and decay can bring new life through the nutrients that are returned to the creek.
A Poem I Wrote
Salmon
Swimmer, your journey’s end is close at hand
And I thank you
For with your passing, you feed the land
No matter the season, this is a wondrous little spot just outside of Nanaimo where you can hike through some incredible forests alongside creeks and ponds. This is but one awesome trail in the Nanaimo area, there are many more. Please respect the workplace and follow all signage.
You might like to see the upper Haslam Creek suspension bridge and trail. Haslam Creek Suspension Bridge
It’s worth noting this contains an error in that Nanaimo River Stewardship Society Hatchery does not in fact own this land. It is private property owned by Harmac Pacific. Articles like these actually cause a lot of difficulties to caretakers and staff in trying to police the droves of public now flocking to and disrespecting the private aspects of the property such as off leash dogs, after dark access, fires and lack of dog waste pickup. Please respect our workplace and follow signage.
Gohiking is a very large site created by myself and my two sons, we create all aspects of the site. We do not allow advertising as we only want to share our wonderful island. We rely on our comments section to show us if we get it wrong and usually correct any needed changes as quickly as we are able. Thank you correcting us on this issue.