| Activity | Hike and swim |
| Destination | Newton Lake with Small Inlet and/or Waiatt Bay |
| Date | 22 July 2026, Wednesday |
| 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. |
| 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. |
Trip Report – Canyon View and Elk Falls – 3 June 2026
A good turnout of eight hikers and two dogs took advantage of the slightly cooler and overcast day to hike the Canyon View and Elk Falls Trail. For the previous two days we have had temperatures in the mid to high twenties, so the milder weather was a blessing for the 11 km hike. We caught the 9:00 am ferry from Quadra Island and returned on the 2:30 pm boat.
We parked on the North side of the Duncan Bay Main bridge (over the Campbell River) where we started our hike. The well maintained trail follows the river to the old power station outfall, where the grade changes to a steep uphill climb with lots of stairs. Once at the top, the trail levels off until you reach the entrance to the falls where now you go down stairs to a viewing platform and the suspension bridge. We viewed the falls from the bridge and hiked back up to the old parking lot for a different view of the falls. At the parking lot there are pit toilets and picnic tables.
On the way back we took a side trail downriver from the falls to a mossy bluff overlooking the river. From here we had a view of the suspension bridge and the falls. After a lunch break we continued back on the trail to the old outfall where we crossed over to the highway side of the river. Here there is a path following the river back to the bridge where we parked our vehicles. Total distance 11 km in 4 hours.
Allan
Hiking – Noel’s Knoll to Little Morte Lake – 24 June 2026
| Activity | Hiking |
| Destination | Noel’s Knoll to Little Morte Lake |
| Date | 24 June 2026, Wednesday |
| Trip Coordinator | Debbie Quigg |
| Contact Info | dmquigg@gmail.com or 3710 |
| Description | We will start at the Nugedzi parking lot and hike up the old logging road toward Beech’s Mtn. We will visit Noel’s Knoll for great views and then return to the saddle between Beech’s and Noel’s Knoll. From there we will follow a new trail which descends steeply to the Morte Lake trail. As this is hiked in a straight line, we will need a car shuffle ending at the Morte Lake parking lot. Roughly 7km, 4+ hours, 450m elevation gain. |
| Meeting Place | Community Centre parking lot |
| Departure Time | 9:00, as an early-ish start for the heat. |
| Difficulty |
Moderate, or a bit more for rough trail, steady elevation gain, and steep descent. |
| Costs | No |
| Trip limits | 10 |
| Dogs? | No |
| Notes: |
Social Picnic – Open Bay Beach – 17 June 2026
| Activity | Picnic Social intertidal exploration |
| Destination | Open Bay Beach |
| Date | 17 June, Wednesday |
| Trip Coordinator | Valerie van Veen |
| Contact Info | vvv@qisland.ca, cell 778 242 5774; home 250 285 2329 |
| Description | June 17 is predicted to be in the middle of a heat wave, 33c. For me, too hot to hike or kayak. However, it will be a low tide around noon in Open Bay, perfect for intertidal exploration and a beach picnic. |
| Meeting Place | End of Marina Rd, Open Bay |
| Departure Time | 11:00 am |
| Difficulty | Access to the beach is by a short, steep trail. |
| Costs | None |
| Trip limits | None |
| Dogs? | Under control, please |
| Notes: | Be prepared for strong, hot sun ….sunscreen, umbrellas, etc. bring a beach blanket, picnic lunch and WATER (or substitute). Must contact organizer by Tuesday June 16 evening. May be cancelled if temps soar towards 40c. |
Trip Report – Mine & Main Lakes – 21 May 2026
Seven paddlers met at Mine Lake boat launch for a paddle and a small hike on a beautiful spring day. There was supposed to be light winds, but the wind dropped off so we had flat water after coming onto Main Lake. On such a beautiful day, we were surprised to only see one single camper at one site and a small group at the far end. We landed there and then walked over to Yeatman Bay. We hiked the trail in the woods out toward the small island and the tide was low enough that we could cross over to it. Here we had a nice relaxed stop to enjoy the sun and sights.
After we hiked back to the kayaks and had lunch here before launching back onto Main Lake. At the head of the bay, we ran into some stronger winds with light chop. This continued until we reached the channel and then became lighter as we returned down Mine Lake to our vehicles.
About 4½ hours for a 5½ km paddle and a 2½ km hike
Les
Thanks to Les and Louise for the photos
(Click to Enlarge)














Trip Report – Surge Narrows Trail – 13 May 2026
Our timing was perfect on our Surge Narrows hike, arriving at the rapids just at full
flood of 7.4 knots. We decided to make the rocky viewpoint our lunch stop so that we could enjoy watching about a dozen kayakers who appeared on cue. We suspected that they were local guides in training for the summer season, and were impressed by the rolling and self-rescue skills of some as they tackled the rapids.
Over the years, the Surge Narrows trail has been greatly improved. The trail to the viewpoint is easy to follow and the old, dodgy bridges have been replaced with culverts by our hardworking Trail Committee. There is even a port-a-pottie at the trailhead. The
trailhead, well signed, is now at the upper parking lot; old-timers will recall that the trail
originally began at the lower parking lot. To the viewpoint is a moderate 2 km hike, with “suitable undulations” to provide some cardio, through typical West Coast forest. We saw several outcroppings of oyster mushrooms and one bunch of coral root on the trail to the viewpoint. Beyond the viewpoint, the trail is signposted as a route and is not maintained, overgrown with deadfall and salal. This route is challenging, hugging the steep shoreline until reaching a rocky beach. At low tide it would be possible to walk north along the shoreline for intertidal viewing, but the tide was too high for this on the day of our hike.
As always, parking at Surge Narrows is a challenge, carpooling is a necessity.
5.14 km, about 2.5 hours including on-water entertainment.
Valerie van Veen
Many thanks to Norris for photos.
- Pinesap emerging
- Oyster Mushroom
- Bracket fugus
Hiking – Elk Falls/Canyon View Trails – 3 June 2026
| Activity | Hiking |
| Destination | Elk Falls – Canyon View trails |
| Date | 3 June, Wednesday |
| Trip Coordinator | Allan Liimatta |
| Contact Info | allanliimatta@gmail.com or 250-416-9338 |
| Description | Start out at parking area at first bridge past highway on Campbell River and hike the Canyon View Trail up to Elk Falls suspension bridge where we will stop for lunch. Then back track and then take the trail to old power station and cross river and hike back on opposite side of river back to parking area. Trail is well maintained and easy walking except there are a few long uphill climbs with many stairs. Total distance approximately 11 km. |
| Meeting Place | Q Cove ferry terminal |
| Departure Time | 9:00 ferry |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Costs | Ferry costs |
| Trip limits | 10 |
| Dogs? | Yes, but must be on leash. |
| Notes: |
Hiking – Mt. Lolo – 10 June 2026
| Activity | Hiking |
| Destination | Mt. Lolo |
| Date | 10 June 2026, Wednesday |
| Trip Coordinator | Debbie Quigg |
| Contact Info | dmquigg@gmail.com or 3710. Please contact the coordinator by Monday night. |
| Description | We will begin on the trail to Maud Island and then follow old logging roads, deer trails and routes to the Mt. Lolo bluff overlooking Discovery Passage. After exploring the short ridge with great views we will return the same way. About 8 km; 4+ hours. |
| Meeting Place | Community Centre parking lot. We will drive out in a group. |
| Departure Time | 10:00 |
| Difficulty |
Moderate, much of this will not be on maintained trails. |
| Costs | None |
| Trip limits | 10 |
| Dogs? | |
| Notes: | Bring lunch, poles if you use them and gear for the weather. This is a trip better done in good weather and might be postponed if the forecast is poor. |
Hiking – Mt. Seymour – 27 May 2026
| Activity | Hiking |
| Destination | Mt. Seymour |
| Date | 27 May 2026, Wednesday |
| Trip Coordinator | Vic Gladish |
| Contact Info | vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-287-0459 |
| Description | We will meet at Community Centre and then drive the half hour out to trailhead. We will go out and back the lower route so it will be easier. About 9km and 4 + hours including lunch. |
| Meeting Place | Community Centre parking lot |
| Departure Time | 9:00 |
| Difficulty |
This is one of the toughest hikes due to its length and steepness. |
| Costs | Gas |
| Trip limits | 10 |
| Dogs? | Must be under control. Please be aware that FMCBC excludes dogs from its liability insurance. Owners need to sign a waiver indicating that they are aware of their responsibility. |
| Notes: | Bring lunch, poles if you use them, and gear appropriate for the weather, and extra water is its a warmer day. |
Trip Report – Trout Creek Falls – 6 May 2026
On a overcast day, six people drove out to the start of the trail on Menzie’s Main. There is a easy place to park just before and after the bridge over Mohun Creek, which used to be called Trout Creek. The first of three waterfalls is just a short walk. The creek was much lower than when we did this hike last year, even though it is the same time of year. The trail has lots of rocks and roots in it so you must be careful not to trip. The trail is in good shape and has had a lot of traffic this spring. As you hike up the trail, there are many pools and rapid areas that are very picturesque. The second waterfall is the highest and very impressive. The trail was quite dry, which made it loose and you had to watch your step as this is a steep area. The third waterfall is short but very unique as it drops over a rock face and then makes a sharp right down a rocky ravine before it drops more. As the water level was quite low, you can see many more of the logs that have been left in the ravine. We carried on and had lunch on the rock bluff above the waterfall. After lunch we hiked out to the old logging road, stopped briefly at Mary Lake and then returned to the vehicles.
7 km and about three hours moving time




























