Monthly Archives: May 2024

Trip Report – Ripple Rock Trail – 29 May 2024

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Three of us caught the 9:00 am ferry to Campbell River and when we reached the parking lot at the trailhead only one other car was there.The weather was typical west coast Spring with patchy clouds, sunshine and rain in the distance.

On the way to Seymour Narrows there are several viewpoints with excellent views of Menzies Bay with log booms and other watercraft. With the recent rain all the new growth was spectacular with thimbleberries in bloom, salmonberries ripening and all the variety of ferns and other plants we are learning to identify. There are several bridges over rushing creeks with many wire covered wooden structures over wet areas. The trail overall is easy walking with some uphill stretches that require careful stepping due to rock outcroppings. One set of stairs had a broken step, which hopefully will get repaired soon, as we did meet a maintenance crew trimming the new growth along sides of the trail.

The view at Seymour Narrows overlooking where Ripple Rock was blasted is striking as you can see up and down the Narrows for quite a distance with good views of Quadra Island. At the bluff viewpoint a large group of school age kids where just finishing their lunches before heading back on the trail before us. On the return hike it started to sprinkle so jackets went back on. With the rain and the group ahead of us the trail seemed more muddy from when we came out. By the time we reached the parking lot the sun came out with blue skies as we headed back and caught the 3:00 pm boat to Quadra. All and all a very enjoyable hike.  (8.8 km 4 hours with lunch stop)

Allan
 

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Ripple Rock Trail – 29 June 2024

Trip Report – Manson’s Lagoon Loop – 22 May 2024

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Eight of us gathered at Heriot Bay on a brilliant sunny day in May and carpooled to Manson’s Lagoon. Here a perfect low tide accommodated our trek across the sand to explore a couple of flower strewn islets in the middle of the lagoon where we sat and ate taking in the spectacular view surrounding us. After lunch we continued along a shoreline pathway and through the forest to the beautiful white sands of Hague Lake where the sun took it’s cue to warm us up enough to go wading in the clear, tepid water. Along the beach and through a forest to a roadway that curved uphill toward Manson’s Landing Coop Store. Here we took advantage of an opportunity to check out lovely local crafts, a great little book store, bakery, coffee shop and organic local grocery outlet. After coffee and yummy local chocolate we continued past Manson’s Community Centre, soccer field, Fire Hall, Museum, Senior’s Home & through the school yard onto a pathway leading through a delightful old growth forest hugging the west facing shoreline which eventually returned us to the Manson’s Dock, white sandy beach, carvings, Manson’s Spit and our vehicle.
Great day and memories.

Cyndy

Thanks to Cyndy for the photos.

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Hiking – Manson’s Lagoon Loop – 22 May 2024

Hiking – Savary Island – 26 June 2024

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This trip may be changed due to transportation issues.

Activity Hiking
Destination Savary Island
Date 26 June 2024, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Cyndy Chidley
Contact Info 250-285-3575
Description
Savary is a jewel of an island surrounded by white sand beaches.  We will hike around and through Savary, exploring its beaches.
The challenge is getting to Savary Island.  Water taxi and float plane are available, but sometimes complicated and expensive.  One option is to go to Powell River and take the scheduled water taxi from Lund.  We are still working on how to do this realistically.
Meeting Place: Water taxi dock
Departure Time TBD
Difficulty
 Mostly easy as the hiking is quite level.   Circumnavigating the island is very long.
Costs Cost of transportation to Savary Island
Trip limits
Dogs?
Notes: Please note that for practical reasons, the go-no go date for this trip is June 10.  Cyndy does not have communication once she has left for Savary Island.

Hiking – Surge Narrows Trail – 5 June 2024

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Activity Hiking
Destination Surge Narrows Trail
Date 5 June 2024, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Neil Unwin
Contact Info neilunwin08@gmail.com; 604 202 4762
Description This undulating trail makes its way north from near the end of the Surge Narrows Road, traversing slopes which descend to the shoreline. We will come out onto rocky bluffs overlooking Surge Narrows.  We can then continue on an unmaintained route which leads to Raven Bay.  Activities will depend on the height of the tide.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty Fairly short, with some steep sections
Costs None
Trip limits 12
Dogs? Yes if under control and not running through the group
Notes The tide will be flooding while we are hiking, but will not reach its maximum current of 9.7 knots until after 13:00

Multi-day Paddling, Camping, Hiking – Main Lake Prov Park- 12-14 June 2024

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This trip will likely be postponed and/or substituted.

Activity Paddling, camping, hiking
Destination Main Lake Provincial Park
Date 12-14 June 2024, Wednesday to Friday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-287-0459
Description We will set up camp at Main Lake and spend three days exploring by hiking and paddling. Destinations can vary with the group’s interests. Possibilities include paddle into Little Main, Paddle to Village Bay Lake, hike to Yeatman Bay and/or Surge Narrows.
Meeting Place Mine Lake boat launch
Departure Time 1000
Difficulty Easy unless the wind comes up while we’re on the water.
Cost Fee for camping
Trip limits 8
Dogs? No
Notes: This multi-day trip is relatively easy on a local lake, but requires good paddling and camping gear. Bring footwear suitable for hiking (easy). Each participant is responsible for their own camping gear and meals. Tent and meal sharing can be arranged if you buddy up with someone.
Ask coordinator about joining for just 1 or 2 days if you have a schedule conflict.Visit the BC Parks Camping website after May 28th to register and pay for camping.  https//:camping.bcparks.ca under “Backcountry” ;l “Backcountry Registration” ; “Main Lake”

Trip Report – Gowlland Harbour – 15 May 2024

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The paddling trip that almost wasn’t actually worked out really well for the three of us that showed up at Gowlland Harbour Resort. One health concern or another, and switching from one launch to another, played havoc with the plans and commitments for this outing.
We got on the water a little ahead of schedule and set off for a counterclockwise circumnavigation of Gowlland Harbour. Warm temperatures, nearly flat calm seas and friendly currents set the scene for a very enjoyable trip. Otters, seals, and a sea lion shared the harbour with us, the only humans on the water during our time out. We took our lengthy lunch break on the gravelly beach on the west side of Gowlland Island in view of a string of Private Property signs!

Many thanks to Gowlland Harbour Resort for allowing us to launch from their property.

Total distance: approx 10 km
Total time: 4 hrs with a nearly 1 hr lunch stop

Vic

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Kayaking – Gowlland Harbour – 15 May 2024

Trip Report – Maud Island – 6 May 2024

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The weather was as unsettled as promised, a short, violent hailstorm as I left home almost convinced me to change our destination. However, the weather seemed to improve as the morning wore on so we opted to chance it, with the caveat that, if the predicted thunderstorms did materialize while on the trail, we would immediately abort the hike. Indeed, after a few unexpected delays, as eight hikers finally began our excursion at 12:20, the sun began to burst through, highlighting the luxuriant spring green moss and groundcover. This is a pretty trail, most of it on gently sloping old logging roads leading to the border with the Conservation area. At the junction of the old road with the trail proper we came across a quartet of abandoned bikes. We met their owners a few minutes later, a young Island family, returning from their trek out to Maud. We lost our weather gamble just as we hiked the final slope to the viewpoint, fortunately just heavy rain, no thunderstorms! With our planned later start time (thanks Les!) we arrived at the viewpoint at 2:20, just 30 minutes after the predicted 14 knot full flood. A zodiac gave its boatload of tourists a thrill as it rode the currents and rip tides at the south end of Seymour Narrows. A small cruiser was getting a free ride downstream, backwards! Not sure if that was the planned route. As the rain settled in with a vengeance, we had a hasty lunch under the trees, not like our usual summer sojourns in this very scenic spot. We were back at our cars just before 4 pm.
NOTE: the logging roads accessing the trailhead have been extensively built up since I hiked Maud Island last fall. It appears that there have been washouts, many stretches of formerly soft roadbed are now built up with rough rocks … sturdy vehicles such as pick-up trucks are recommended. Also, the junction with the logging road off Walcan Road has been widened so the Trail sign is no longer there. All further trail signs are still in place.  And just at the crest of the final bluff there is now a new path that turns left, cutting through the forest to the viewpoint, bypassing the moss covered rocks that are slippery when wet!

Valerie van Veen 

Thanks to Valerie for the photos.

Click on photos to enlarge
 

Hiking – Maud Island – 6 May 2024

Hiking – Manson’s Landing Loop, Cortes – 22 May 2024

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Activity Hiking
Destination Manson’s Landing Loop Cortes
Date 22 May, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Cyndy Chidley
Contact Info 250-285-3575 or kasoltan@gmail.com
Description After crossing on the ferry, we will drive to Manson’s Landing Lagoon and take advantage of the low mid-day tide to explore the lagoon and islands. We will then take a trail along the lagoon and through the forest to Hague Lake. We will follow the beach and roads to the Coop, where we will likely stop for lunch. After exploring the Manson’s Landing Community Hall and museum, we will take the trail back to the lagoon through the forest. There will likely be enough time to visit Smelt Bay and walk on the beach there.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay ferry terminal to Cortes.
Departure Time 9:05 ferry; come very early, shortly after 8:00, to avoid the overload.
Difficulty
 Easy
Costs Ferry costs; bring your ferry card.  Shared fuel.
Trip limits 10
Dogs? Okay
Notes: Bring shoes or sandals that can get wet for the lagoon exploration. Bring lunch and snacks, although food is available at the coop. We expect to return on the 3:50 ferry.

Hiking – Ripple Rock – 29 May 2024

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Activity Hiking
Destinatio Ripple Rock Trail, Campbell River
Date 29 May, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Allan Liimatta
Contact Info allanliimatta@gmail.com; 1 250 416 9338
Description Ripple Rock Trail starts 16 km north of Campbell River. It is a moderate hike through a lovely forest. The trail undulates over 9 km, taking 4 to 4.5 hours return. There are several metal bridges, and a 47-step staircase near the top.
Meeting Place QCove ferry line up
Departure Time 9:00 ferry
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs Ferry and gas
Trip limits 10
Dogs? Bring a leash.
Notes: Please arrange your own carpools. Bring a lunch and dress for the weather.