Devil's Ladder

There’s a special set of trails, not so close to home—a 25 minute drive away.

The paths of Devil’s Ladder wind through the shadow of a sheer rock cliff, crisscrossing a steep bank, weaving around ancient trees, nature’s fallen detritus, and house-sized boulders.

Wandering these trails takes you more vertical than horizontal, demanding care and attention on your descent… Especially if there was rain recently, resulting in slick muddy patches here and there that have a habit of blending into the forest floor.

However, this rugged, challenging, occasionally treacherous walk is full of treasures:

The air is pure as can be—crisp, clean, rich with scents of cedar and soil. Your sinuses clear within seconds of entering the woods, and the air feels extra nourishing.

If you look closely at the earth, you’ll often be treated to sights of various forms of fungi—a sure sign of a healthy, happy forest getting enough of what it needs.

These trails welcome their fair share of humans, but never wear their traces.

Nearly everything you see is adorned in thick mosses and lengthy lichens. 

You’ll often find the paths lined, marked, with decomposing trees—fallen elders.

If you summon the stamina to climb towards the top of the trails, the wet months will reward you with a handful of little waterfalls, trickling from the heavens.

And at the hike’s end, there’s a glorious lookout point overseeing Comox Lake.

I don’t make the pilgrimage to Devil’s Ladder as often as I’d like, but every visit is precious.

When I do, usually, I’m in the company of one of my oldest friends. We’ll stop at a cafe en route to pick up a coffee or hot apple cider, enjoy blasting along the narrow, winding, undulating road that leads to the trailhead, then bask in the forest’s serenity—talking about everything and nothing, sharing whatever.

Trees are special beings, and if you have a forest near you, pay them a visit :)

With love from the forest,

~ Alexander

(AKA: Wiz, WOW, and The Wizard of Wordcraft)