The first km or so of the trail is in an area with highway and industrial noise from the lumber mill, but suddenly it descends into the quietness of a wilderness beach park. A few muted city sounds from Nanaimo make it across the bay along the north/west edge. At Jack Point itself, the view towards the city, then sweeping around to Gabriola island is awesome.
Once I suddenly encountered three huge ravens sitting on a dead branch near the path. I think one was a chick as his feathers were a little ragged like he had just lost his baby down. I began assuring them not to be afraid of me, then realized that as huge as they were, maybe I was the one that should be worried.
Some beautiful photos:http://www.pbase.com/lady_d/jack_point_nanaimo
A further discovery about the historical significance of the point:
Jack Point Portal fall 2008
Jack Point, or slhthemun, a place of great spiritual significance for the Snuneymuxw First Nation people, is located near the Duke Point ferry terminal. At the tip of Jack Point there was once a salmon petroglyph where several species of salmon were carved into the rock. Each season here the shaman would perform a ritual ceremony guaranteeing an abundance of seafood for his community.
However, this petroglyph was removed from the site in the early 1970s and given to the Nanaimo Museum. The Snuneymuxw people strongly believe that this petroglyph needs to be returned so that the salmon and other seafood will return to the Nanaimo Estuary and the Nanaimo River.
In late fall, during the second portal ceremony, the salmon petroglyph will be returned to its original sacred site.
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