Monthly Archives: November 2018

Trip Report – Backdoor-Yellow Mud Loop – 28 Nov 2018

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Fifteen hikers, along with Kona and Joey, the dogs, enjoyed a three hour hike in the area south of Walcan Road, starting at the pullout at Reed Lake. The weather was great for November – cloudy but with no rain, no wind and a pleasant 8° C. We headed south on Straight-as-a-Dime Trail, following a combination of newer bike trail sections and old logging roads. Turning east onto Backdoor Trail, we hiked over vibrant green moss-covered rock bluffs, through pine forest and past a perfectly mirrored pond. Shortly after going past some old mining camp debris, we headed north and followed Dick’s Ride down to Nighthawk Lake (variously named Yellow Mud, Hilda’s, Wood Duck and Beaver Pond Lake). Walking alongside the large lake created by a 20-meter-long plus beaver dam, we spotted Bufflehead and other waterbirds, and an unidentified hawk. We continued northwest down Yellow Mud Trail through lush sword fern, hemlock and Doug fir forest, paralleling McKercher Creek before arriving back at Reed Lake.  8.1 km.

Janis McLean

Thanks to Norris and Les for the photos

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Hiking – Backdoor-Yellow Mud Loop – 28 Nov 2018

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Kayaking – Open Bay and Breton Islands – 2 Dec 2018

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Activity Kayaking
Destination Open Bay and Breton Islands
Date 2 Dec 2018, Sunday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 285-2029 or leshand@gicable.com   Be sure and sign up so I can call you if weather changes
.Description The weather forecast is sunny but cold so dress accordingly. We are leaving as late as possible so it will warm up a bit. Have lunch before you come but we will stop for a snack so bring one and maybe something warm to drink. The exact course will be set by conditions and the people that go.
Meeting Place Len Road public beach access
Departure Time Meet at 12:30, launch at 1 P.M.
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? no
Notes: All participants must conform to QIOC paddling guidelines. Participants must have all Coast Guard required equipment and spray skirts.  The standard for participation in winter trips is higher than for summer outings.

Hiking – Deepwater Copper Mine and Bay – 5 Dec 2018

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Activity Hiking
Destination Deepwater Copper Mine and Bay
Date 5 December 2018, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info 3710 or norris.weimer@ualberta.ca; please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip
Description We hope to be able to drive up the active logging road to begin the hike.  We will follow old logging roads up to the copper mine and then return to follow the steep creek down to Deepwater Bay.  We pass by a ruined trestle and fish hatchery on the way. This can be a very wet walk.  About 7km, around 3 hours, and some noticeable elevation gain and loss.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot for car pooling
Departure Time 10:00 am
Difficulty
 moderate
Costs
Trip limits none
Dogs? Dogs must not run through the group
Notes: Be prepared for wet

 

Hiking – Open Bay and Crikey Creeks – 30 Dec 2018

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Postponed to Sunday for better weather.

Activity Hiking
Destination Open Bay and Crikey Creeks
Date 30 29 Dec 2018, Sunday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info 285-3710 or debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca.  Please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip.
Description We plan to walk a figure-of-eight loop starting on the trail along the Open Bay Creek, then circling back on a logging road.  After a short walk down Open Bay Main we will hike up the Rio mountain bike trail and down Crikey Creek.  The first part is flat, the second part has a hill.  About 6km and two hours walking time.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store parking lot for car pooling
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Fairly easy, unless there is winter deadfall.  It can be wet along Open Bay Creek.  Parts of Crikey Creek trail system are steep. There may be snow on the ground.
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? Dogs must not run through the group
Notes: Bring a lunch and gear for the weather.

Trip Report – Kay du Bois Loop – 21 Nov 2018

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Eight hikers and two dogs hiked a loop of the Kay du Bois trail and adjoining woodlot from the Sutil Road trailhead.  We hiked down the switchbacks to the rocky beach and enjoyed the rolling waves on a fairly windy day.  We continued along the quiet trail following the shore and then took the connector from the big Sitka Spruce tree up to the top of the bluff and walked the logging road back to the vehicles.  The weather was better than forecast and we stayed dry.  We all went back to Julie’s, where she served us an excellent lunch.  5.1 km; 1½ hours.

Julie and Debbie

Thanks to Norris and Eva for the photos

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Hiking – Kay du Bois Loop – 21 Nov 2018

Trip Report – Haskin Farm & Golf Course Loop – 14 Nov 2018

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Nine of us and three dogs didn’t mind the wet morning.  Although the night was stormy, the day was mostly dry and partly sunny.  We hiked through the forest and meadow on the Haskin Farm trail, down the switchbacks to the beach.  We enjoyed the fresh air, maple leaves thick on the trail, and the waves breaking on the shore.  We continued along the shore, appreciating the few old growth trees.  The golf course was quiet and very green.  There were Bald Eagles and a Red Tailed Hawk close by.  A lovely, easy walk.  5.3 km; 1½  hours.

Julie Mellanby

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Hiking – Haskin Farm & Golf Course Loop – 14 Nov 2018

Trip Report – Steep Island – 12 Nov 2018

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On a calm and partly sunny day, four kayaks set out from Q Cove for Steep Island. We first paddled into Unkak Cove as there was a 12 foot tide and much of the Cove dries at a lower tide. There were numerous birds there. It is too bad that there are also numerous old docks that have been left to rot away. From the Cove we traveled up in Discovery Passage by April Point. We were going with the ebb tide, but found many back eddies along the way. It was fun to have the tide moving in all different directions which kept you adjusting your paddling.

We stopped to have lunch and enjoy the sun at Vigilant Island, and shared some smoked salmon, cheese and crackers.  From there we went around Steep Island. There was some current getting there but almost none going along the west side where I thought it might be strong. A person may know if it is ebb or flood tide, but the current is constantly changing near shore. The tide was nearing slack now so we headed straight back to the Cove, though there was still come current against us. On the way we had two sea lions put on a bit of a show for us. It is unsettling for a creature bigger that the kayak to come up close to you. All in all a calm, warm and wonderful day for a paddle especially considering it is November.  7.8 nautical miles and 4 hours.

Les

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Kayaking – Steep Island – 12 Nov 2018

Trip Report – Big Tree Woodlot Loop – 31 Oct 2018

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On a overcast and drizzling day 11 hikers decided to check out Benner’s woodlot. He has put up a newly painted sign that shows most of the roads in his woodlot. This is easy hiking and good for rainy days. We started at the sign and proceeded to Open Bay Main. From there we headed toward Stramberg Lake. Once in the park we found the creek was flooded over the trail so made a slight detour around. At the lake the level of water was so high from recent rains that the trail to the bluff was submerged. A few brave souls scrambled up the rocks to still get a view down the lake. We then proceeded back to the first opening for lunch. After lunch all hiked back around and came out on Village Bay road and then back to the vehicles. 8.3 km and 2½ hours not counting lunch break.

Les

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Hiking – Big Tree Woodlot Loop – 31 Oct 2018

Hiking – Maud Island- 27 March 2019

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This trip was originally scheduled for 27 February

Activity Hiking
Destination Maud Island
Date 27 March Feb 2019, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Sandra Burns
Contact Info sandraburns.ca@gmail.com or 3977.  Please do not call after 8:00pm.  Contact the coordinator in advance of the trip.
Description Hike to Maud Island through varied forest and terrain.  We will do a loop passing over the shoulder of  Mt. Lolo, crossing the causeway to Maud Island, enjoying views of Seymour Narrows, and returning by the salt water lagoon.  Allow 5 hours, including driving, for this walk of approximately 10km.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store for car pooling
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? no
Notes: Bring lunch, poles if you use them and gear for the weather.  We don’t usually do this trip in very poor weather.

Kayaking – Steep Island – 12 Nov 2018

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Activity Kayaking
Destination Steep Island
Date 12 Nov 2018, Monday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 285-2029 or leshand@gicable.com   Be sure and sign up so I can call you if weather changes
.Description This will be a trip with some current. We will ride the ebb north and there should not be too much current coming back as max is 4.4 at 11:50. This is a higher tide so will be a good time to explore Unkak Cove. If wind comes up we will change to a April Point launch and do Gowlland Harbour.
Meeting Place Quathiaski Cove Ramp
Departure Time Meet at 10:30, launch at 11 am.
Difficulty
 Moderate.
Costs parking
Trip limits none
Dogs? no
Notes: All participants must conform to QIOC paddling guidelines. Participants must have all Coast Guard required equipment and spray skirts.