Trail begins in Carmanah's only clearcut - 164 hectares (405 acres).

It took about 50,000 nails and 44,000 board feet of cedar (about the amount of wood found in the largest of the Carmanah Sitkas) to complete the 2.5 km trail.

Zoologist weighs mouse caught in live trap high in the canopy.

A volunteer packs wood for research platform through late March snow in headwater clearcut.

Volunteer carpenter maintains chainsaw used to cut boardwalk material.

Volunteers select and cut usable pieces of cedar from waste pile at second growth mill in Nanaimo. Sympathetic mill owner donates it for trail.

Marbled murrelet researcher tracks birds in flight, trying to pinpoint nesting sight. Research shows upper valley has a high density of nesting birds.

Bridge architects and builders.

View from second research tree to main research tree shows insect traps strung on ropes between the trees.

Volunteers build bridge over upper Carmanah to provide a safe trail crossing.

Scientist sorts insect life caught in net in upper reaches of Carmanah creek.

For safety, hard hats must be worn by all those who enter the roped-off area under the research tree.

Key Wilderness Committee staff and volunteers pose by research tree.

A ten minute walk down the boardwalk from the trailhead, the 10 X 20 foot platform tent serves as the research station's headquarters.