Hiking – Heriot Ridge Bluffs Loop – 10 Feb 2026

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Activity Hiking
Destination Heriot Ridge Bluffs Loop
Date 10 Feb 2026, Tuesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info dmquigg@gmail.com, land 3710, cell 250-850-9848.  Please contact the coordinator prior to the trip departure.
Description We will hike the Hopespring Trail, make a quick stop at the Heriot Ridge viewpoint, continue to the communication tower, descend and then climb up to the High Bluff viewpoint.  We will descend from there to the North Gowlland trail, perhaps visit the Aisle of 19 before climbing back up the Hopespring Trail to the vehicles.  We will be using maintained trails, less maintained trails and routes.  There will be wet places.  The forecast is not perfect.
Meeting Place Hopespring trailhead, because this is off a paved road.
Departure Time 10:30
Difficulty
 Quite short but there will be steep, possibly slippery sections, and little maintained trails and routes
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs?
Notes: Poles may be helpful if you use them. Bring a lunch/snack and gear for the weather.

Trip Report – Blindman’s Bluff and Eagle Ridge – 21 Jan 2026

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Nine of us hiked to Eagle Ridge and Blindman’s Bluff on a lovely day with some low fog and sunshine up on the bluffs.  The brush on both trails had been recently been cut back and the trail was relatively dry.  However, there were still slippery sections. 

We voted to go to Eagle Ridge first, so we passed by the long lake with the beaver lodge before hiking up to the open bluff with great views to the west toward Vancouver Island.  There was a bit of low fog in Discovery Passage, but the distant views were very clear.  The sun was warm and relaxing so we ate and lounged a bit before descending to the lake and then continuing through the forest to Blindman’s Bluff with views to the south and east.  We stopped again for this second viewpoint before completing the scenic loop and then returning to the vehicles.  (7.3 km, 280 m, 4 hours)

Debbie

Thanks to Carrie and Norris for the photos.

Click on photos to enlarge
 

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

Trip Report – Back Seat Driver-Lower Nugedzi Loop – 15 Jan 2026

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There were eight of us for this exploration of an area which is planned for logging on two sections of cut block 12-148.  This was the first day we had hiked in sunshine for a very long time and we accessed a few locations we had never visited on Club hikes.   We began on the steep ascent up Back Seat Driver, a little used mountain bike trail.  Some of the rocky, mossy bluffs were very steep before it levelled out a bit more through the forest.  We more or less followed an unnamed creek up to an old, disused logging road which we followed to the north until we arrived at the trail to Nugedzi Lakes.  There were some “historic” artifacts along the way.  These first two legs of the hike took us around, but not terribly close to, the southern section of the proposed cut block 12-148.

We stopped for lunch at the bridge across the creek which runs beside the Nugedzi trail and then headed into the second section of the proposed cut block on paths that vary from well used to deer tracks.  This is a lovely area which borders on the unnamed creek where we had stopped for lunch.  The open forest, the moss, and the creek in the dabbled sunlight made an excellent ramble.  The waterfall, with its big-log walk approach, was a highlight.  We continued gradually descending through the forest and along the creek and then followed a very old, moss covered logging road back to the Nugedzi trail.  We closed the loop by walking through the parking lot and along Hyachinthe Bay road back to the vehicles.  (6.2 km, 3¼ hours, 165m elevation gain)

Debbie

Thanks to Carrie, Les and Norris for the photos

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Back Seat Driver-Lower Nugedzi Loop – 15 Jan 2026

Hiking – Nighthawk Lake – 4 Feb 2026

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Activity Hiking
Destination Nighthawk Lake and trails
Date 4 Feb 2026, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Valerie van Veen
Contact Info vvv@qisland.ca, 250 285 2329, 778 242 5774
Description At the minimum, we will do an “out and back” on Rob’s Ride from the Upper Gowlland Harbour road access point. If weather/conditions are favourable we will add in the trails on the westerly bluffs.
Meeting Place Community Centre parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Easy if out and back; moderate if we do the bluffs
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs? Under control, must not run through group
Notes: Cancelled only if weather dreadful as the “out-n-back” is an easy hike on well established trail. Decision to do more will be made by the group. Bring lunch, snacks.

Hiking – Back Seat Driver-Lower Nugedzi Loop – 15 Jan 2026

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Activity Hiking
Destination Back Seat Driver-Lower Nugedzi Loop
Date 15 Jan 2026, Thursday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info dmquigg@gmail.com or 3710. Please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip.
Description From Hyacinthe Bay Road we will hike up Back Seat Driver, a steep, little used mountain bike trail.  When we reach the old logging road, we will turn north and continue until we cross the bridge that joins the Nugedzi Trail.  After a brief jog in the trail, we will roam in the forest near the trail back to the parking lot.  After exploring the forest, we will descend on the Nugedzi Trail.  Returning to the vehicles requires a short walk on Hyacinthe Bay Road. The whole loop is perhaps 5 km in total.
The Club has never done this loop before.  The current interest is because we will be exploring the areas that are planned to be logged.
Meeting Place Community Centre parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Moderate for some steep sections on a little maintained trail, and walking through the forest without a trail
Costs none
Trip limits 10
Dogs?
Notes: Bring lunch or a snack, gear for the conditions and poles if you use them.

Kayaking – Breton Islands – 26 Feb 2026

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Activity Kayaking
Destination Breton Islands
Date: 26 Feb, Thursday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info 250-285-2111; 250-287-0459; vicgladish@gmail.com
Description A mid-winter kayak trip. This might be our only club paddle for the winter! After putting in at Rebecca Spit Boat Launch we’ll paddle out of Drew Harbour and across to the Breton Islands, then take out for hot drinks and snacks (in the sun!). Back on the water we’ll work our way back across Open Bay, Hyacinthe Bay, Heriot Bay and back to the boat launch.
This plan will be altered if the weather dictates.
Meeting Place Rebecca Spit boat launch at 10:00
Departure Time 10:30 on the water
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs Nil
Trip limits 8
Dogs? No
Notes: As usual, for winter paddling, winds and weather will affect our plans. A predicted wind speed of 15 knots is our cutoff point.
A fully equipped kayak as per Coast Guard and Club guidelines is mandatory. Dress for winter under paddling outerwear.
Bring a lunch and a hot drink.

Trip Report – Morte Lake Loop – 7 Jan 2026

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Nine hikers were eager to head to Morte Lake in the rain.  As we made our way along the classic Morte Lake approach trail, the rain turned to sleet and then to variable snow.  We enjoyed the unusual view from the east beach of Morte Lake with snow falling.  We then went up the switchback trail on the north side of the lake toward the open bluffs, but decided to shorten the trip.  So we turned around and went back to the Lake.  On the return we crossed over to Lower Deadfish and on to the parking lot.  A number of us learned something about the limitations of our rain gear. (7.4 km, 2¼ hours, 180m elevation gain)

Julie

Thanks to Louise and Norris for the photos

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Morte Lake Loop – 7Jan2026

Snow – Mt. Washington – 18 Feb 2026

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This trip is dependent on fresh snow.

Activity Snowshoeing
Destination Mt. Washington
Date 18 Feb, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710
Description We will start from Raven Lodge and snowshoe some of the Nordic trails, then beyond, possibly to Helen Mackenzie Lake.  At which point we might try some untracked snow.  Snowshoes can be rented if needed and there is a $14 weekday pass that is required.
Meeting Place Quathiaski Cove Ferry terminal
Departure Time 8:00 ferry
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs Ferry, fuel and Nordic day pass
Trip limits 10
Dogs? No
Notes: We will not do this trip in the rain or if the snow conditions are inadequate.  Bring lunch and gear appropriate for the weather.

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

(click on photos to view larger)

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