Trip Report – Chinese Mtns Loop – 1 Jan 2026

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Nine hikers brought in 2026 on Jan 1st with a hike to South and North Chinese Mountains. The weather forecast had improved so while there was no precipitation, heavy fog created poor visibility on this normal “hike with amazing views” adventure.

The past wind and rainstorms were noticeable as the trail was covered with small branches, and special care was required on the rocky bluffs. Yet the forest was lush and the moss a vibrant green, thick and healthy.

The group carried on through to the major lookout on South Chinese where two members had taken the time to start a small campfire on the bluffs to toast the new year and have lunch. We were blessed with no wind or rain but the cool air reminded us that it was winter.  Once certain our small campfire was put out, we carried on along the trail to the creek crossing where the bridge has been replaced with a culvert to allow safe crossing so we could continue.

Once connected to North Chinese Mountain trail, a few headed back to the trailhead and the rest ventured up both the old and new lookout points before turning back to descend on the North Chinese Mountain trail to the parking lot. Overall, a fantastic hike to bring in the new year.
Distance 6.3km;  time 3hrs 45min (including our long lunch break to share the beginning of 2026)

Louise

Thanks to Carrie, Les and Norris for the photos

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Hiking – Chinese Mtns Loop – 1 Jan 2026

Trip Report – South Morte Lake Loop – 24 Dec 2025

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On an overcast day, eight people started out at Morte Lake parking lot and proceeded up Deadfish. The trail was in good condition as we followed the creek to the junction and crossed over to Morte Lake Trail. We continued on along the south west side of Morte Lake and turned right at the junction to go the short distance to the point for lunch. Here it started to rain on us so we had lunch under a large fir tree for protection. After we proceeded down Tripod to Mud Lake, Reed Lake, and crossed the road to travel down Rob’s Ride. The heavily treed trails protected us well from most of the rain and the creek crossings were minor. At Jackrabbit, we turned and carried on to the parking lot after crossing McKercher Creek.  (8.5 km and about 3 hours)
 
Les
 
PS from admin: McKercher Creek is often called Hyacinthe Creek, but the official name is McKercher.  Here is the link from the Canadian Geographical Names Database –  0cfcb586849c20c35b1e7814a2df2c9d

 

Thanks to Les and Norris for the photos
 
Click on photos to enlarge
 

Hiking -Morte Lake Loop – 24 Dec 2025

Hiking – New Year’s Chinese Mtns Hike – 1 Jan 2026

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Activity Hiking
Destination Chinese Mountains
Date 1 Jan 2026, Thursday
Trip Coordinator Louise Squire
Contact Info lsquire@sasktel.net or 306-539-3813
Description We will hike up South Chinese Mtn, welcome the new year and continue on to North Chinese Mtn.
Meeting Place Chinese Mtn parking lot
Departure Time 11:00
Difficulty Moderate
Costs None
Trip limits 12
Dogs?
Notes Dress for the weather.  Bring lunch and poles if you use them.

Hiking – Blindman’s Bluff and/or Eagle Ridge – 21 Jan 2026

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Activity Hiking
Destination Blindman’s Bluff and/or Eagle Ridge
Date 21 Jan 2025, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info dmquigg@gmail.com or 3710
Description We will decide closer to the date what is appropriate for the weather and conditions.
Meeting Place Community Centre Parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs? Yes, if under control and not moving through the group
Notes: Bring lunch and gear for the weather.

Hiking – South Morte Lake Loop – 24 Dec 2025

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Activity Hiking
Destination South Morte Lake Loop
Date 24 Dec, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 250-285-2029 or lhquadra@gmail.com
Description We will start at Morte Lake parking lot and go up the Deadfish Trail, then over to Morte Lake and to Tripod. From there, we will do Mud Lake and Reed Lake and probably back down Jackrabbit to the parking lot.
Meeting Place Legion parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs? Yes, but must be under control or on a leash
Notes This is about 8.5 km and three hours. Maybe some wet areas so wear appropriate footwear.

Trip Report – Little Black Dress-Silk Stocking Loop – 17 Dec 2025

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Eight brave hikers took a chance on the weather and were rewarded with clear skies and no rain. We hiked the Little Black Dress, Back Door, Silk Stockings loop (counter-clockwise) after many days of heavy rain. The trail was slippery in few sections but nothing unmanageable. The moss was bright green and the bluffs sunny, which provided a wonderful lunch stop. We enjoyed the old copper mining artifacts. Near the end of the loop, we took a side trip to the beaver damn that failed a few years ago but has since been build up again. Unfortunately, there were no sign of any beavers on this trip. (7.3 km which included the beaver damn side trip; 3¼ hours)

Louise

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Hiking – Little Black Dress-Silk Stocking Loop – 17 Dec 2025

Hiking – Morte Lake Loop – 7 Jan 2026

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Activity Hiking
Destination Morte Lake Loop
Date 7 Jan, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Julie Mellanby
Contact Info 250-285-3978
Description We will meet at Morte Lake’s main parking lot off Walcan Road at 10:00.  We’ll hike Morte Lake’s main trail around the Lake, stop for a short lunch break.  Dress for rain.  We’ll reschedule if too rainy!
Meeting Place Main Morte Lake parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs None
Trip limits None
Dogs? Yes
Notes Julie can only be reached by home phone until the day of the hike.  Can call cell phone 250-202-5989

Hiking – Little Black Dress-Silk Stocking Loop – 17 Dec 2025

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Activity Hiking
Destination Little Black Dress and Silk Stocking Loop
Date 17 Dec 2025, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Louise Squire
Contact Info lsquire@sasktel.net or 306-539-3813
Description We will start at the Copperhead logging road and hike this counter-clockwise.  We will use mountain bike trails to travel through a variety of terrain with open bluffs, a good forest (and recent logging), old mining and a forest lake.  Very roughly 7 km and 3 hours with lunch.
Meeting Place Legion.  Please park close to West Rd.
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty Moderate, with some steep sections and lots of undulating parts.
Costs None
Trip limits 12
Dogs? Yes – on leash
Notes Dress for the weather.  Bring lunch and poles if you use them.

Trip Report – Thompson – Hopespring Loop – 10 Dec 2025

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Five of us hiked the loop starting at Thompson trail head and in a counterclockwise direction came out at Hopespring Rd.  It was a short walk on the road back to our vehicles on Thompson Rd. We had steady rain with most sections of trail having running water and large puddles.  We trudged along not stopping for lunch but still enjoying the hike. The Three Sisters (three old growth Douglas Fir) with blackened bark from last major fire on Quadra Island are amazing to see. Another interesting feature was a rock face covered in thick moss and with all the rainfall a waterfall of moisture coming down it. Because of the wet and misty weather we did not go to any of the viewpoints, which there are several on this hike. (5.8 km,180 m, 3 hrs) 

Allan
 
Thanks to Allan and Norris for the photos
 

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Thompson – Hopespring Loop – 10 Dec 2025

Trip Report – Plumper and Deepwater Bays – 3 Dec 2025

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Seven of us hiked the old road to Plumper Bay.  The trail is flat and easy.  We arrived a bit too early for lunch, so we continued on to Deepwater Bay, a short, flagged trail to the gravel beach.  We arrived a bit before high tide so there was only a narrow strip of pebble beach available (at lower tides you can walk the beach a long way).  But there was a nice log to sit on for lunch.  The tide was still rising so we didn’t linger.  We went back to Plumper Bay and toured the meadow and old log dump there, and then we returned to the vehicles, getting back before the rain started.  (7.4 km; 110 m elevation gain, 2¾ hours)

Norris

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Plumper and Deepwater Bays – 3 Dec 2025