Golden Hinde, Mountain summit in Strathcona Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada
Golden Hinde is the highest peak on Vancouver Island, in the Vancouver Island Ranges of Strathcona Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada. It rises 2,195 metres (7,201 ft) near the geographic centre of the island, at the head of the Wolf River and west of Buttle Lake. The mountain is made of basalt of the Karmutsen Formation.
The peak was first ascended in 1913. The name Golden Hinde was officially conferred only in 1938, after a reference to the peak appeared in a fur-trader's log; it honours Sir Francis Drake's ship, the Golden Hind, from his 1577–1580 circumnavigation. Early alpinists knew the mountain as "The Rooster's Comb" for its appearance.
The name comes from Sir Francis Drake's ship, the Golden Hind, given by an early fur-trading captain reminded of it when sunset struck the peak, visible from the island's west coast. It also honours Drake's reputed presence off the coast during his 1577–1580 circumnavigation. Officially conferred only in 1938 after a reference in a fur-trader's log, the peak was earlier called "The Rooster's Comb" by alpinists for its appearance.
The summit lies near the centre of Strathcona Provincial Park, at the head of the Wolf River west of Buttle Lake and about 25 km east of Gold River. Approach routes are long and largely trailless, so backcountry climbers need navigation skills and camping gear for at least one overnight. Weather on the basalt face changes quickly; plan for rain, wind and snow at any season.
The rock formation comes from the Karmutsen Group and reveals the volcanic history of the region. The summit sits at the head of the Wolf River near Buttle Lake, offering access to less-visited parts of the park.
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