Monthly Archives: February 2020

Trip Report – Drew Creek and Harbour – 26 Feb 2020

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Nine of us took a stroll around the new Drew Creek loop on the We Wai Kai reserve starting at the stream renovation done by the Salmon Enhancement Society, then on to the new foot bridge put in by John Barclay and other volunteers.  We continued through the campground, which is quiet in February, and on to the memorial and beachwood shack at Paddy’s Lagoon.  There were lots of interesting things to explore along the way.  We walked back along the shore and stopped to admire Alex Witcombe’s driftwood Sasquatch sculpture. 

Five of the group continued into Rebecca Spit Marine Park, stopped for a snack and walked the trail to the end of the Spit.  It was a cold, dark day with a bit of southeast breeze, but the rain held off.  11.1 km, 3½ hours.

– Norris

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Hiking – Drew Creek and Harbour – 26 Feb 2020

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Trip Report – Open Bay and Crikey Creeks – 12 Feb 2020

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Ten hikers attended the two short hikes. The weather was pleasant for early February, with cloud cover, mild temperatures and no rain. We walked south along the forestry road near the bottom of the big hill on Village Bay Lakes Road (opposite the Open Bay Main turnoff). After substantial snow the week before, the road still had a couple of inches of soft snow, but not deep enough to make walking difficult. After a half hour or so (and passing several clearcuts on the uphill side of the road), we took a trail into the woods towards Open Bay Creek, and followed this undulating trail through mossy open second growth Douglas fir and hemlock forest north along Open Bay Creek (upstream). This beautiful stream sustains salmon spawning in the fall, when chum and coho migrate up from Open Bay.

The second hike began on Open Bay Main which proceeds northwest from Village Bay Lakes Road, downhill from the large gravel pit. After a hundred meters are so, we turned west into the forest and proceeded at a steady uphill climb through lovely open Douglas fir and hemlock forest. The first part of this trail has been heavily eroded after the heavy winter rains, having been improperly constructed with no switchbacks or proper water management. We avoided the slippery-looking rough bridges by easily dipping down into the creek swales. Partway up this hill, we came across ‘Road Right-of-Way’ flagging tape, indicating that this area will be bisected by a forestry road and is slated for logging, presumably in the near future. We popped out onto a narrow logging road and could see Granite Bay Road a little further west uphill. A ten-minute walk south along the road took us to a good place for lunch, with old moss-covered logs to sit on. A short distance further, near the junction of this road and Granite Bay Road, our next trail headed downhill through the same forest, but closer to Crikey Creek which is situated in a deep gully. We came across forestry cruise plots used for timber volume estimates, another indication of imminent logging. The downhill trail ended on Open Bay Main just a short distance to the south of our uphill trail. Total time was three hours, from assembly at the Heriot Bay Store parking lot and back again. 

Janis

Hiking – Open Bay and Crikey Creeks – 12 Feb 2020

Hiking – Deepwater Bay and Benn Copper Mine – 4 Mar 2020

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Activity Hiking
Destination Deepwater Bay and Benn Copper Mine
Date 4 Mar 2020, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info 3710 or debbie.quigg@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.  The old fish hatchery has recently sold and is being upgraded by the new owner.  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 We will need high clearance vehicles to avoid the long walk up the logging road
Dogs? Dogs must not run through the group
Notes: Bring lunch and gear for the weather.

 

Hiking – Drew Creek and Harbour – 26 Feb 2020

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Activity Hiking
Destination Drew Creek and Harbour
Date 26 Feb 2020, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710.
Please contact the coordinator in advance.
Description A short easy walk.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Tru Value parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty Easy
Costs None
Trip limits None
Dogs? Okay, if they do not run through the group.
Notes:

Trip Report – Ucluelet-Tofino – 3-6 Feb 2020

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On Monday, eight of us drove out to Ucluelet on a beautiful sunny day. The road through the mountains along Highway 4 was lovely with snow. After dropping off our gear at the vacation rental we had an afternoon walk in the remaining sun. We walked into the Pacific Rim National Park and explored Half Moon and Florencia Bays. The stairs down to the beaches are steep and there was occasional snow along the way and ice on the steps. The firm sand was great to walk on and the sunny views were great. (9.9 km; 3 h) Some of the group explored Ucluelet before dinner. We had an amazing dinner followed by a song circle. The big four bedroom house slowly warmed up with the furnace and big woodstove.

On Tuesday we went again to the National Park. We had hard, cold rain all day. It was cold comfort that it was snowing back on Quadra. We hiked to the north end of Florencia Bay and on to South Beach following the Nuu-chah-nulth Trail. The forest was beautiful, but the ice on the boardwalk was thick and extensive. It was a slow walk. We stopped for lunch on a covered walkway at the Wickaninnish Centre (which was closed). We looped back to the car along the road, taking time to explore the very interesting Bog Trail. About half the group continued on to hike the Rainforest Loop, with amazing boardwalk through old growth forest. (10.9 km; 4¼ h) We had another wonderful dinner, played games and socialized by the fire.

On Wednesday morning we were greeted by Trumpeter swans on the inlet in front of the house. The weather moderated to a warm mist. We hiked two loops along the Wild Pacific Trail at Ucluelet. We started with the lighthouse loop, enjoying the dramatic rock bluffs and waves. We stopped for lunch at the picnic area at Big Beach and then continued on to a loop further north including the Artist Loop, the Rocky Bluffs and the Ancient forest. (10.4 km; 4¾ h) These are beautifully constructed and maintained trails with exceptional views. This last night we ate out, which was memorable.

Thursday brought more rain and the return trip to Quadra was made slower by the road closure on Highway 4. We had a great group visiting an extraordinary part of the world. The weather was a challenge, but it was still beautiful and it kept down the crowds.

Debbie

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Multi-day Hiking – Ucluelet-Tofino – 3-6 Feb 2020

Kayaking – Hyacinthe & Open Bays to Breton Islands – 20 Mar 2020

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Activity Kayaking
Destination Hyacinthe & Open Bays to Breton Islands
Date 20 Mar 2020, Friday; Vernal equinox
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-285-2111; (cell 250-287-0459).  Please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip.
Description Postponed since NY Day, we will now attempt to have our first group paddle of 2020, on the first day of spring!
We will put in on the first high tide of spring 2020, paddle the bays (Hyacinthe, Open, and Moulds) and the Breton Islands and find a sunny, south facing beach for an Equinox picnic.
If the forecast indicates that a Gowlland Harbour paddle would be safer, that will be our alternate plan for the day.
Meeting Place Len Road Shore Access at 08:00
Departure Time 9:00
Difficulty
 Moderate – weather, winds and tides over a 3-5 hour day
Costs None
Trip limits 8 kayaks (ie a double counts as 1)
Dogs? Not sure how that would work?
Notes: ALL paddlers MUST be equipped for ocean paddling in cooler weather. THIS MIGHT BE THE FIRST PADDLE SINCE LAST SUMMER FOR SOME OF YOU SO CHECK YOUR EQUIPMENT!! If you show up without required equipment you will most likely be turned back at the beach.
Please review Transport Canada paddling guidelines (https://qioutdoorclub.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/paddling-guidelines-aug2018.pdf). Having dry clothes waiting at the take out would be advisable. Bring water and lunch. The alternate plan, in the event of southeasterly winds, will be to put in at April Point and paddle into Gowlland Harbour.
The alternate, alternate plan will be to reschedule to Saturday or Sunday.