Monthly Archives: June 2015

Trip Report – Kayaking Carrington Bay – 23-25 June 2015

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We took the first ferry to Cortes, drove to Sea Vista to launch our kayaks with our camping equipment. We paddled through Plunger Passage, past Coulter Bay, into the Sutil Channel and onto Carrington Bay. This was interesting and at times a little challenging. On arrival at Carrington Bay we set up our tents near the lagoon entrance. A narrow channel through which the tide flows, mixing salt and fresh water. A lovely camping area with many sunny spots with the lagoon for swimming. (Sheelagh and Valerie had a swim at night)

Carrington Bay is home to a significant amount of wildlife, beautiful old growth trees and a network of hiking trails. After setting up camp, we paddled in the bay only, due to strong winds and white caps in the channel. Spent time exploring Carrington Bay. We discovered a huge number of Sea Cucumbers in the lagoon and on other rocky shorelines. The next day we did a marathon of 27.2km, taking in Frederic Point and onto the Penn Islands. Beautiful rock faces, stunning arbutus groves, seals keeping watch, glorious colours……you get the picture. After lunch, we paddled onto Von Donop to explore. Beautiful purple starfish, a welcome treat to us all. We had a couple of showers, however, they were refreshing and light. Moon Jellyfish in an abundance in the Carrington Bay. We arrived back to camp by 5 p.m……a great workout. All dinners were superb, dishes done and into bed early. The weather called for strong winds arriving by noon on Thursday, we decided to get moving early the next morning.  The return paddle was the same route. We took the opportunity to explore Coulter Bay. Arriving in time to take the 1:50 p.m. return ferry. Tired but all very happy kayakers.

A great group of QIOC members………thank you for joining me on one of my favourite islands.  – Margot

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Kayaking – Carrington Bay – 23-25 June 2015

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Kayaking – Kayak Rescue Practice and Potluck – 13 July 2015

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 Postponed until warmer, sunnier weather!

Activity Kayaking and Potluck
Destination Rebecca Spit
Date 13 July 2015, Monday
Trip Coordinator TBA
Contact Info qioutdoorclub@gmail.com
Description This is really two events.  You can do either or both.  We will have a very unstructured kayak practice for bracing and rescues.  There will be no instruction and no gear provided, but we will help each other to practice these important skills.  Following the kayak practice, we will also have a potluck.  You don’t have to be a member to come to the potluck.
Meeting Place Rebecca Spit parking lot by the meadow
Departure Time 16:00 for the kayak practice.   17:30 for the potluck
Difficulty
 It will be what you make of it
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? no
Notes:

Kayaking – Granite Bay – 8 July 2015

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Activity Kayaking
Destination Granite Bay
Date 8 July 2015, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Kathryn Manry and Mark Zimmerman
Contact Info 285-2103 or kamanry@gmail.com.  Please contact the coordinator prior to the trip.
Description A day paddle in the Small Inlet / Orchard Bay / Chain Islands area. Where we go will be determined by the paddling conditions and the interests of the group…
Meeting Place Granite Bay dock
Departure Time 10:00 am
Difficulty
 moderate
Costs launching fee
Trip limits 10
Dogs? must wear life jacket!!
Notes: This should be a fairly mellow trip, but be prepared, as always, for changes in weather, etc. We should be off the water by 4 PM.  Bring lunch.

Trip Report – Mt. Becher – 17 June 2015

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After an early start on Wednesday June 17th, five members of the Quadra Island Outdoor Club safely summitted Mt Becher.  Members on outing included two members of the executive committee, Debbie Quigg, Chair and Norris Weimer, Webmaster as well as members at large; Kathy Sales, Kathryn Manry 1st leader, and Mark Zimmerman 2nd leader.

Our adventure started at the mildly post apocalyptic base of the defunct Forbidden Plateau Ski Resort and shortly after gaining that initial summit we enjoyed more pleasant wandering in the subalpine forest. Early vistas included the Gulf of Georgia and an assortment of small islands, towns, villages and hamlets. Halfway to the summit we overlooked Boston Lake, a great spot for a lunch break. Carrying on we summited a bit after mid-day and had our only look at large mammals, a herd of about a dozen folk of various sex and size, all associated with an outdoor group from Parksville.

Great views of the Comox glacier and surrounding peaks were enjoyed from the summit, before our return.

A partial list of flowers observed include the following:

  • Alpine Lupine
  • Subalpine Daisy
  • Yarrow
  • Leatherleaf Saxifrage
  • Partridgefoot
  • Spotted Saxifrage
  • Alaskan Saxifrage
  • Columbia Lewisia
  • Lance-leaved Stonecrop
  • Spreading Stonecrop
  • Twinflower
  • Paintbrush
  • Tiger Lily
  • Spreading Phlox
  • White Flowered Rhododendron
  • Heather
  • Columbine
  • Birds Beak Lousewort
  • Coast Penstemon
  • Rosy Pussytoes
  • Bunchberry
  • Valerian
  • Small Leaved Montia
  • Slender Bog Orchid

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Hiking – Mt. Becher – 17 June 2015

Hiking – Surge Narrows – 3 July 2015

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 Change of departure time

Activity Hiking
Destination Surge Narrows
Date 3 July 2015, Friday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info 285-3710 or debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca; please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip
Description We will drive to the end of the Surge Narrows Rd and hike along the undulating and relatively short trail for a view of the rapids.  The trip is timed to see the maximum flood current of 10.6 knots at 15:10.  The rocky shore and views are great.  We plan to continue on the unmaintained route a bit further north along the shore.  If time and weather permit, we’ll stop at the Lake on the way back for a swim.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store for car pooling
Departure Time 13:30; 11:30 – some of us are going to leave early for a picnic lunch and swim at Mine Lake on the way to the hike.
Difficulty
 easy
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs?
Notes: Bring a snack and possibly a bathing suit.

 

Trip Report – South Heriot Ridge – 10 June 2015

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We left a bit earlier than planned in order to beat the unusual heat. The day was sunny and breezy. The seven of us started out on the Hope Spring trail, turning left at the T-junction on top and then onto open bluffs at the south end of Heriot Ridge. After wandering the bluffs and enjoying the views toward Vancouver Island, we continued east until we joined the Camp Homewood trail to the High Bluff. We stayed awhile and then descended the bluff and took the trail leading east, later veering right to visit the Homewood Bluff, where none of us had ever been. This made a great lunch stop. We once again descended and took the right-hand turn toward Gowlland Trail, which then made a loop back to the Hope Spring Trail. 6.4 km, 3 ½ hours.

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Hiking – South Heriot Ridge – 10 June 2015

Trip Report – Main Lake – 4 June 2015

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Nine happy paddlers left the launch site of Mine Lake in a light wind. It was a glorious day with just enough wind to keep us cool but still make for enjoyable paddling.

We paddled up to the end of Main Lake and easily found the entrance to the narrow passage to Little Main Lake. We made our way up the passage trying to navigate the downed logs and narrowness of the passage. It is a very beautiful serene waterway with lily pads, tall grasses and much evidence of beaver.

Our return trip took us along the opposite shore of the lake to return to the launch site where swimming was enjoyed in the unseasonably warm water. A few brave souls attempted some wet exits and self/assisted rescues.

All in all it was a glorious day in the quiet of the lakes. 15.4 km, 5 ½ hours.

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Kayaking – Village Bay Lakes – 3 June 2015

Trip Report – Ripple Rock – 26 May 2015

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On Tuesday, May 26, seven of us carpooled to and hiked the Ripple Rock Trail north of Campbell River. We tried out the new (to us) bridge over Menzies Creek and admired the huge Sitka spruces on the banks. We passed many old fir trees as we hiked through the lovely open forest, while grazing on salmon berries. We stopped at each viewpoint and had lunch on the bluff overlooking Seymour Narrows with great views of Discovery Passage and Maud Island. There are still wild flowers, but the moss is extremely dry. On the way back, there were oyster mushrooms for picking and a few of us splashed or bathed in Menzies Creek.

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Hiking – Ripple Rock- 26 May 2015