Monthly Archives: March 2018

Trip Report – Miracle Beach & Salmon Pt – 28 March 2018

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Seven of us took the 10:00 ferry and drove to Miracle Beach. There is a provincial park here as well as a large picnic area and many small trails. There are huge sand flats when the tide is out. Although not many birds while we were there, this can be a great place for bird viewing. We walked along the beach to Black Creek. Then followed it up to the campground and back to the vehicles. 2.5 km and about 45 minutes.

We then drove up to the Salmon Point Restaurant and Pub for a delicious lunch. After we walked the ocean side trail to Oyster River Nature Park. We made a loop through it and back to Salmon Point. There were quite a few birds on this trail and a pair of bald eagles perched on the light tower at Salmon Point. 6.5 km and about 1 hour and 35 minutes.

Les

Thanks to Norris and Les for the photos

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Hiking – Miracle Beach & Salmon Pt – 28 March 2018

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Trip Report – High Bluff-Heriot Ridge Trail Loop – 21 March 2018

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Six hikers and one dog enjoyed a three hour hike on Heriot Ridge. The weather was cloudy and threatened rain but none materialized, and we were even treated to occasional weak sun behind the clouds. Starting at the Hopespring trailhead, we walked up to the height of land, then headed south off-trail along the bluffs of Heriot Ridge. Our first stop was the location of the new North Island communication tower. From there we dropped off the south end of the ridge and proceeded through the woods to High Bluff viewpoint where we stopped for a break and snack. The Vancouver Island mountains were hidden from view, but we had closer views of Gowlland Harbour and Georgia Strait to the west and south. We returned north along the ridge’s open bluffs at a lower elevation, stopping to admire a rare grand old Douglas fir tree and wonder about a large pile of feathers, probably belonging to an unfortunate grouse. Back at Hopespring Trail, we headed north along Heriot Ridge Trail, and were treated to a frog chorus at a small wetland along the way. We connected to the Thompson Trail and proceeded down the trail to Thompson Road.

Janis

Hiking – Heriot Ridge and North Loop – 21 March 2018

Trip Report – Blindman’s Bluff and Eagle Ridge – 14 March 2018

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Six hikers went to the end of Leishman Road and up the woodlot road to a spot by the bridge to park. There is large, gnarled, old growth fir near here that is worth looking at. We hiked up the old road to where it joins the official trail at the beaver pond. The beaver lodge shows well this time of year. We turned right and went up to Blindman’s Bluff trail. The trail is in good shape but one needs to watch as to not wander off it. There has not been much traffic on it so moss has grown on much of it. It was a mixed cloud and sun day so the views were spectacular over Gowlland Harbour and south. The wind was chilly though so we sat out of the open to have lunch.

After lunch we continued back to Eagle Ridge Trail and up to the top of it. There were great views over Discovery Passage. We then returned via the same route to the vehicles.

Les

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Hiking – Blindman’s Bluff and Eagle Ridge – 14 March 2018

Hiking – Campbell River River Loop – 25 April 2018

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Activity Hiking
Destination Campbell River River Loop
Date 25 April 2018, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info 285-3710 or debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca.  Please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip in order to arrange carpools.
Description The plan is to hike the full loop beginning at the logging bridge across the Campbell River.  We will hike along the north shore of the River (hopefully there will still be trillium and fawn lilies in bloom), across the Canyon View Bridge, up to the Elk Falls viewing area, Moose and Deer Falls, before heading back down on the south side of the River.  This will depend on weather and construction.  About 12 km and 5 hours, if we do the full loop.
Meeting Place Q Cove Ferry terminal.  Drivers will need to be early enough to be on the ferry.
Departure Time 9:00 ferry
Difficulty
 A few steep places, but mostly reasonable walking on good trails.
Costs Shared ferry costs
Trip limits None
Dogs?
Notes: Bring lunch and gear for weather.

Hiking – Stramberg Old Growth Grove- 18 April 2018

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Activity Hiking
Destination Stramberg Old Growth Grove
Date 18 April 2018, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca or 285-3710.  Please contact the trip coordinator prior to the trip.
Description This trail begins near Village Bay Lake and follows open meadows leading into and through the forest on old, unmaintained logging roads.  The reward at the end of the hike is a grove of old growth firs.  This is not an official trail.  Expect blow-down and brush. About 13 km; 5 hours or more.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot, to arrange carpools
Departure Time 09:30
Difficulty
 moderate, due to unmaintained trail and quite long
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? okay if under control
Notes: Bring lunch and water.

Hiking – Nole’s Pizza Peak – 11 April 2018

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 Change of destination and day!

Activity Hiking
Destination Nole’s Pizza Peak Deepwater Bay
Date 11 April 2018, Wednesday 12 April, Thurs
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info 285-3710 or norris.weimer@ualberta.ca; please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip
Description Nole’s Pizza is the informal name for the west ridge of Beech’s Mountain.  It is a great viewpoint overlooking Morte Lake.  It is a flagged route, not an official trail.  There are several different approaches that we can use and a loop is possible.  About 5 hours.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store for car pooling
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Moderate to challenging, for steep sections and unmaintained trail
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? no
Notes: Bring lunch.  If you use poles, bring them.  We won’t do this trip if the weather is poor.

 

Trip Report – Mt. Washington – 7 Mar 2018

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We returned to Mt Washington on a day with a skiff of fresh snow on a very good base and mild conditions.  We had four in the cross-country ski group and six in the snowshoe group, all starting at Raven Lodge.  The skiers headed out along Paradise Meadows to the Far East trail, returning to the Lodge for lunch.   The snowshoers crossed the Meadows and headed up the summer trail to Battleship Lake.  One person had a snowshoe malfunction, but continued walking on the well-packed path without any problem.  After crossing the Lake and the next rise, they made the steep descent to Helen Mackenzie Lake and stopped for lunch.  They then continued across Helen Mackenzie Lake and followed the summer trail back down to the Ponds area and back to the Lodge. 7.5 km; 3½ hours.

Debbie

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Thanks to Norris, Vic and Les for the photos

Snow – Mt. Washington – 7 Mar 2018

Hiking – Campbell River- 4 Apr 2018

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Activity Ramble
Destination Campbell River
Date 4 April 2018,  Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Valerie van Veen and Darcy Mitchell
Contact Info 250 285 2329
Description A Campbell River ramble, easy walking but long distance, approximately 15 km. We will walk from the ferry terminal (come over as walk-ons) to ERT north trailhead, ERT to Beaverlodge trails to Willow Point Park Sportsplex trails to Seawalk, Seawalk to Willow Point for lunch (café in Willow Point or bring your own), Seawalk back to ferry terminal. Rain or shine. 9 am ferry from QI, estimated 3:30 or 4:30 ferry return.
Meeting Place Ferry Terminal
Departure Time 9 am ferry walk-on
Difficulty
 Easy, but long
Costs Ferry foot passenger
Trip limits none
Dogs? Yes, but must be on leash part of the way
Notes: Must contact organizer by Monday, April 2 evening. Thanks.

Snow – Mt Washington – 7 Mar 2018

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Activity Snow
Destination Mt. Washington
Date 7 Mar 2018, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca or 3710;  please contact the coordinator by Sunday night.  Please indicate whether you are willing to drive and whether you are snowshoeing or cross country skiing.
Description We hope to have both snowshoeing and cross country skiing on this outing. We will probably leave from Raven Lodge.  As always, the trip is weather dependent.
Meeting Place Quadra ferry terminal to Campbell River.  Car pools should be arranged in advance.
Departure Time 9:00 ferry to Campbell River.  Those taking cars need to be early enough to get on the 9:00 ferry.
Difficulty
 Depends
Costs Ferry, shared fuel and the trail pass If we go to Raven Lodge.  The snowshoe day pass is $10 or the cross country pass is $23 for adults or $19 for seniors.  It may be slightly cheaper if you buy in advance online.
Trip limits Availability of cars going up to Mt. Washington.  Technically cars going up need to have chains.
Dogs? No
Notes: Bring equipment, warm clothing and lunch.

 

Multi-day Hiking – Linnaea Farm, Cortes – 14-17 May 2018

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Activity Hiking
Destination Cortes Island
Date 14-17 May 2018, Monday to Thursday
Trip Coordinator Margot Wood
Contact Info margotw@gicable.com.  Commitment for this trip needs to be made by March 31.
Description Planning four days of hiking on beautiful Cortes Island, staying at Linnaea Farm House. This is an eight bedroom rustic farmhouse, on the edge of Gunflint Lake at the gateway to many of the hiking trails on Cortes. This is an active farm & was once the residence of the farmers who ran ‘Lakeview Dairy’, the last raw milk in B.C.
Many beautiful trails on Cortes, Green Mountain, Easter Bluff, K’Was Park, Sisken Forest Park, Carrington Trails etc. The schedule of trails will be developed presented daily with your input. This year we want to spend another whole day in K’Was Park. Pot-luck dinners will be organized, using the farmhouse kitchen. Please check:
www.linnaeafarm.org
Meeting Place Cortes ferry line-up
Departure Time 9:05 am sailing.  Be early because this is a busy sailing
Difficulty Easy to Moderate.
Cost Ferry costs plus shared fuel.  $35/night if you bring your own sleeping bag or linen; $50/night if Linnaea supplies the linens.
Trip limits Eight bedrooms.  Must love hiking.
Dogs? No. Dogs are not allowed on the farm.
Notes: We will car-pool where possible. Everyone is responsible for own breakfast & lunch. Dinner teams to be organized.
We usually give a donation to ‘The Children’s Forest’, this is an educational program plus protecting the forest for Cortes Children. Entirely your choice & with thanks.
We will be returning on May 17th, probably 1:50 p.m ferry.