About the Hike: Ammonite Falls is located in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. This 6.3 km loop trail is nestled within the plush forest of Benson Creek Falls Regional Park, a favorite spot for hikers and nature enthusiasts.
The falls are named for the fossilized ammonites, ancient marine mollusks that have been discovered in the area's sedimentary rocks.
Ammonite Falls cascades 10 meters (33 feet) down a slick rock face into a serene pool that is surrounded by mossy cliffs and dense greenery.
The loop is a moderate hike taking roughly two hours to complete. The best time to do this trail is between November and January when the water flow is at its highest. Don't forget your furry friend, but dogs are required to be on a leash.
We started our hike from Benson Falls Regional Park at 7331 Weigles Rd, Nanaimo.
The trail of smooth, packed earth transverses through a dense canopy of trees.
Small tributaries of water ripple across the mossy rocks, providing a soft melody while you walk along the path towards the falls.
The river came into view about one mile up the trail. A few paces forward, we arrived at a steep stairwell leading downward to a bridge extending across the rushing water.
As we followed the trail up a hill, we caught site of another waterfall cascading amidst the tall pine trees. (Click on the video).
In a quarter mile, a sign appeared directing us to Ammonite Falls.
Precipitous steel stairs came into view, leading us swiftly downward to the first landing to view the falls.
The falls roared, spilling over the slick, flat boulder wall into the reflective pool below.
A brief period of peaceful reflection had me yearning for more of this stunning location, so we continued down another set of stairs to the base of the falls.
I was swept away by the natural beauty of the falls cascading down the wall. (Click on the video).
After a pleasant break, we climbed back up the stairs to continue our trek.
We ventured along various trails, leading us further into the forest. As we walked, the sun played peek-a-boo through the canopy of trees, electrifying the fern moss to a fluorescent green growing across the forest floor.
We turned onto the Quatchi Trail that led us through a vast area of reforestation.
The tree saplings are securely wrapped with hard plastic, protecting them from hungry deer.
The forest awaited us after we trekked across the reforestation area. The hard-packed earth of the pathway led us back to the spidery network of tributaries running throughout the forest. We continued another mile or so crossing several wooden bridges as we made our way back to the parking area.
Love the sound of the water
Another amazing shoot
What a contrast to your desert adventures