| Activity | Hiking |
| Destination | Maud Island |
| Date | 11 Aug, Tuesday |
| Trip Coordinator | Les Hand |
| Contact info | lhquadra@gmail.com or 250-285-2029 |
| Description | I am going to make this into a longer trip but with a car shuffle so as not to be too long. We will hike around Morte Lake on the north side and then take the old trail over to the Maude Island Trail. From there, we will take the lower route out to Maude Island and then on the way back if it does not get too warm go up over Mount Lolo. There will be a Max Flood of 14.1 at 2:03 PM that we will be trying to match and should be impressive. There will be a short break on the way out, but trying to get out there and have a long lunch watching the current. I think it will take about 3 1/2 – 4 hours to go out but will park the one vehicle where it should only be about two hours to come back. This is approximate, so be prepared for a longer hike of about 12 to 13 km. |
| Meeting Place | Morte Lake parking lot |
| Departure Time | 10:00 |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Costs | None |
| Trip limits | 10 |
| Dogs? | No, as there are two places that are hard for dogs. |
| Notes | Bring plenty of water, lunch and hiking poles if you use them. You must sign up by the evening of August 9 as I have to set up the car shuffle. I hope to have it done by the time everyone meets at Morte Lake parking lot. |
Trip Report – Newton Lake, Small Inlet and Waiatt Bay- 21 July 2026
Due to unanticipated events, changes were made to the plans for the hike to Newton Lake, Small Inlet and Waiatt Bay. The hike started about 9:45 and ended about 3:00. It was a beautiful hike for a hot, sunny day as it was shaded throughout. The rocks on the trail became increasingly wet as the hike proceeded, likely from condensation.
There were numerous groups of hikers on the trail from Waiatt Bay to Newton for a swim. We snacked at Waiatt at noon upon arrival. To suggest it was muggy would be an understatement. There was mist in the trees during multiple parts of the hike. It was surprisingly pleasant feeling for 30 degrees out, but there was much moisture in the air and on the hikers. Short breaks and a casual pace throughout made for a very nice hike in weather that could have humbled us if overly ambitious. (12.8 km, 4 hrs 41 minutes)
Jim
Hiking – Newton Lake – Small Inlet-Waiatt Bay – 6 Aug 2026
This trip will be postponed and something else will likely be scheduled!
| Activity | Hike and swim |
| Destination | Newton Lake with Small Inlet and/or Waiatt Bay |
| Date | 6 Aug 2026, Thursday, rescheduled |
| Trip Coordinator | Vic Gladish |
| Contact Info | vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-285-2111 or 250-287-0459 (text) |
| Description | We will hike up to Newton Lake, down to Small Inlet, take the portage trail to Waiatt Bay and then back to the Newton Lake. Distance about 15 kilometres – will take approximately 4-5 hours (including lunch and short swim stops at Newton Lake. If there is consensus to do so, we will break into two groups at the trail junction, one going on to Waiatt Bay, and the other returning to the lake. We will then rendezvous at Newton Lake. |
| Meeting Place | Quadra Community Centre parking lot |
| Departure Time | 9:00 |
| Difficulty |
A rocky, rutty initial kilometer, and a steep section at Small Inlet, plus overall distance makes this a moderate – not easy – hike. |
| Costs | Share fuel costs |
| Trip limits | 10 |
| Dogs? | Limit 2 and on leash. Owners must have a signed “Dog-Owner Acknowledgement Statement” on file with the Club. |
| Notes: | Bring plenty of water, lunch and snacks, and swimming stuff if you want to swim. The trip is best on a good summer’s day so will be postponed if the forecast is for rain. |
Hiking – Kay Dubois Trail – 30 July 2026
| Activity | Hiking |
| Destination | Kay Dubois Trail |
| Date | 30 July, Thursday |
| Trip Coordinator | Valerie van Veen |
| Contact Info | vvv@qisland.ca, 250-285-2329, 778-242-5774 |
| Description | We will walk Kay Dubois trail from trailhead to the end, return via Fox Road. This will be a moderately paced hike for a bit of morning exercise. |
| Meeting Place | Kay Dubois trailhead, north end |
| Departure Time | 09:30 |
| Difficulty |
Easy, one hill |
| Costs | None |
| Trip limits | None |
| Dogs | As per Club guidelines, must have a signed FMCBC form on record, contact coordinator for details if needed. |
| Notes: | We are meeting at KDB trailhead … if anyone wants to carpool from the Community Centre contact the coordinator. Participants must register with coordinator by Wednesday evening, July 29. |
Trip Report – Morte Lake Classic Loop – 16 July 2026
Debbie
(click on photos to enlarge)
- Little Morte Lake
- East end beach
- From the bluff
- South beach
Trip Report – Nugedzi Lakes – 9 July 2026
Well, the day didn’t go as planned as the weather was uncooperative. Five hikers met up, but we were trying to second-guess the rain that had already started. Two decided not to go, but the other three had hopes that the rain would only be temporary. As it turned out, it rained during the whole trip sometimes heavy, sometimes light. On the bright side, it was quite mild and even though we got very wet, we stayed warm due to the long uphill climb to Nugedzi Lake. The rain did add a whole different feel to the trip as your view was confined to a much shorter distance, and you were very aware of your close surroundings. The moss and vegetation seemed considerably greener. As we neared the lake the temperature dropped a bit, and the fog settled in. This changed the whole feeling of your surroundings again and was actually quite eerie but beautiful as you can see in the pictures that were taken.
At this point, we decided not to go out to the viewpoint as you wouldn’t have been able to see anything anyway. Instead, we headed back down the trail toward the Cedar Grove Canyon. There we took a connector trail back to the trail going up to Mt. Seymour, which is quite steep in some areas. This is a newer flagged trail that goes through some magnificent large trees and open mossy landscape. Back on the Seymour Trail, it was downhill all the way to the vehicles. (7 km, 320m ascent and 3 hours)
Les
Thanks to Les and Norris for the photos
(click on photos to view larger)
Hiking – Nugedzi Lakes and Views – 9 July 2026
Hiking – Morte Lake Loop – 16 July 2026
| Activity | Hiking |
| Destination | Morte Lake Loop |
| Date | 16 July, Thursday |
| Trip Coordinator | Debbie Quigg |
| Contact Info | dmquigg@gmail.com or 3710 |
| Description | We will hike the classic loop counter-clockwise. We will find a beach for lunch and swimming will be possible for those who are interested. At this time, it is expected to be very warm. |
| Meeting Place | Community Centre parking lot |
| Departure Time | 9:00, or earlier to avoid the heat |
| Difficulty |
Moderate |
| Costs | None |
| Trip limits | 10 |
| Dogs? | Yes, if under control and with a “Dog-Owner Acknowledgement Statement” |
| Notes | Bring lunch and swimming gear if interested. Stay in touch with the coordinator about a possible change to the start time. |
Trip Report – Gowlland Harbour – 2 July 2026
Ten adventures souls had signed up for a paddle that had to be cancelled because of torrential rains. Quadra needed the water though so we could hardly complain. Instead, we followed through with the social at my house, only later in the afternoon and nine people were able to change their schedules to accommodate. I provided hotdogs and potato salad and everyone else brought a variety of appetizers, fruit, and desserts. It was a great time of reminiscing about old hikes and paddles, as well as planning for some new ones in the future. Sorry, no pictures were taken.
Les
Trip Report – Noel’s Knoll to Little Morte Lake – 24 June 2026
Five of us did this particular hike as a first for the Outdoor Club. After a car shuffle, we started hiking from the Nugedzi parking lot, up the old road and across the bridge. We continued on the old logging road heading south, which has recently been cleared of deadfall and brush. Not long into our hike we noticed a wasp’s nest which had fallen into the path and had fallen apart. Although we saw that there were some wasps flying about, we were not careful enough crossing by the nest and unfortunately three of us were stung, one person multiple times. After a bit of first aid, we carried on up the old road and then on a very improved trail through the forest and across the re-located bridge. From there we followed a flagged route and slight path over to the Noel’s Knoll viewpoint. After enjoying a short break, with view, breeze and snack, we returned on this short out-and-back section to rejoin the new trail which descends steeply to the Morte Lake trail.
The new trail is quite a long descent, with some good views from bluffs along the way. Most of the route is fairly easy to follow with visible path, flagging and cairns. There was one place where we followed some flags the lead into the bush rather than a path, but we were soon back on track and down to the main Morte Lake trail. We followed the lovely Deadfish route back to the Morte Lake parking lot. Thanks to all the volunteers who made this new trail possible.
7.5km, 4½ hours, about 350m ascent and 490m descent.
(click on photos to enlarge)
Thanks to Carrie and Les for the photos
Trip Report – Open Bay Social Picnic – 17 June 2026
The wind blew gustily, the sun shone brightly, and the ocean continued its gentle retreat down the sandy beach as five members, one guest, and two furry friends enjoyed a very pleasant luncheon social at Big Beach, Open Bay, on June 17.
After trying to set up shelter with no success, we decided to explore the western rocky shoreline exposed by the very low tide. We were pleased to find a few healthy ochre seastars but the big surprise were the two fascinating clumps of squid eggs. We retreated back to the driftwood to enjoy our lunches and social time.
Our intrepid spy undertook the mission to find out what the only other beachgoers there were doing out at the tideline. He reported that they were digging up clams to see if a commercial clam dig at Big Beach would be viable, which was probably negative. So the tiny clams luxuriating in the outfall from the houses above are safe, for now.
All in all a very pleasant outing with good company.
Valerie van Veen
Click on photos to enlarge







































