Monthly Archives: January 2025

Hiking – Plumper and Deepwater Bays – 12 February 2025

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Activity Hiking
Destination Plumper and Deepwater Bays
Date 12 February, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Neil Unwin
Contact Info neilunwin08@gmail.com or 604-202-4762.  Please contact the coordinator in advance.
Description A relatively flat and easy hike on old logging roads. The first part is the same as for going to Maud Island, then instead of turning left, we turn right. The trail is quite gradual down to the water. There has been some recent trail work.  Plumper Bay has a grassy meadow on the waterfront and Deepwater has a gravel shore with a view north up Discovery Passage.  About 8 km roundtrip or more if you walk along the shore.
Meeting Place Community Centre parking lot; we will convoy in our cars from there.
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty Easy, but not a Trail Committee maintained trail
Costs none
Trip limits 10
Dogs?
Notes: Bring lunch. and gear for the weather

Trip Report – Nymph Falls to Comox Lake – 27 Jan 2025

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This was a very popular hike because we had never done it before and the weather was beautiful and crisp.  Thirteen of us took the ferry and then drove to the Comox Valley, parking at the Nymph Falls Nature Park.  We briefly walked down stream along the Puntledge River to view the falls, with its rock ledges and wide span.  We then followed the well constructed and maintained trail upstream to the weir, past the islands, through the mature forest and meandering trail, arriving at the dam.

Conveniently, there were picnic tables mostly in the sun for our lunch.  We wandered out to the bridge on the Comox Main logging road for a narrow view of Comox Lake and watched a guy jump into the frigid January water.  We then turned back and mostly returned by the same route, with a few short-cuts.  The group enjoyed the great weather, easy walking, the new scenery and the sociability. 14.2 km; 4½ hours.

Debbie 

Thanks to Jim and Norris for the photos

(click on photos to view larger)

Hiking – Nymph Falls to Comox Lake – 27 Jan 2025

Multi-day Hiking – Powell River – 21-24 March 2025

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Activity Multi-day hiking
Destination Powell River
Date 21-24 March 2025, Friday to Monday
Trip Coordinator Louise Squire
Contact Info 306 539 3813 or lsquire@sasktel.net  Anyone who is interested MUST contact the coordinator by March 1.
Description Multi-day hiking excursion in Powell River.
Day hikes only.
More details to follow, but feel free to call or email at anytime.
Meeting Place TBD
Departure Time TBD
Difficulty Moderate
Dogs No
Trip Limits 10
Costs Ferry to Powell River, meals and accommodations and any personal expenses.
Notes We are not trying to find a single accommodation for 10 people.  There will be more than one location for sleeping and eating.

Kayaking – Open Bay – Breton Islands – 2 April 2025

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This trip was previously scheduled for 12 March

Activity Kayaking
Destination Open Bay – Breton Islands
Date: 2 April, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-287-0459
Description A spring paddle from Len Rd on a day with a big falling tide, Open Bay and among the Islets with a sunny, lunch stop on Breton Island.
Meeting Place 0930 at Len Road Shore Access
Departure Time 1000 on the water
Difficulty
 Moderate, considering the early season.
Costs Nil
Trip limits 8
Dogs? No
Notes: This trip will be weather dependent- a calm, sunny day is desirable. I will decide on Sunday Mar 30 after checking the forecast.
Sea kayaks only, equipped with spray skirt and safety gear. Please contact the coordinator if you have any questions about paddling or the suitability of your gear, or if you have not done a QIO club paddle yet.
Bring a hearty snack and a hot drink!

Snow – Mt. Washington – 6 Feb 2025

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This trip was cancelled

Activity Snowshoeing
Destination Mt. Washington
Date 6 Feb, Thursday
Trip Coordinator Louise Squire
Contact Info lsquire@sasktel.net or 306-539-3813
Description Mt Washington snowshoe excursion leaving from Raven Lodge through the meadows, passing by Battleship Lake and Helen MacKenzie Lake to return. Approx distance of 7.5 kmAs Thursday is Cortes guaranteed sailing, we will be taking the 8:30 ferry to Campbell River. Snowshoes can be rented if needed and there is a $16 day pass that is required.
Meeting Place Quathiaski Cove Ferry terminal
Departure Time 8:30 ferry.
Difficulty
 Moderate.
Costs Ferry, fuel and $16 Day Pass
Trip limits 10
Dogs? No
Notes: We will not go if rain is forecast at 1,000m. Bring lunch and gear appropriate for the weather.

Trip Report – Heriot Ridge Loop – 22 Jan 2025

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Twelve people and one dog hiked the Heriot Ridge Route on an overcast day.  We admired the views from the Heriot Ridge viewpoint and followed the undulating path through sparse forest and open, mossy bluffs.  The trail was very slippery in some places.  Most of the group had lunch on the last viewpoint, facing north with good views of Hyacinthe Bay. There were a few issues, which were a good heads-up to avoid complacency and to return to stricter protocols.  (Usually 5.8 km and 2 hours)

Norris

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Heriot Ridge Loop – 22 Jan 2025

Walk and Social – Rebecca Spit – 29 Jan 2025

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Activity Walk and Hot Chocolate Social
Location Rebecca Spit
Date 29 January 2025, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Valerie van Veen
Contact Info vvv@qisland.ca, text 778 242 5774, call 250 285 2329
Description  CELEBRATE THE CHINESE NEW YEAR … with a brisk walk around Rebecca Spit and share goodies (hopefully some real Chinese goodies) at the picnic spot (most southerly, beside the campground) afterwards. Bring your own hot chocolate  or whatever else you want to toast the Chinese New Year)  and any goodies you might have to share….Christmas cake, cookies? ( NOT required though)
Meeting Place First parking lot in park on EAST side (Sasquatch parking). If unsure wait at entrance gate for my dirty whitish Subaru
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty Easy
Dogs Yes, if under control
Trip Limits None
Cost None
Notes: We already have a great outing on Monday, but I thought it would be fun to toast the YEAR OF THE SNAKE together as we plunge into another weird year

Trip Report – Little Black Dress-Silk Stocking loop – 15 Jan 2025

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Four of us hiked the loop Little Black Dress, Back Door, Silk Stockings (counter-clockwise) on an overcast, cool day.  The rocks were a bit slippery, but the moss was bright green, the bluffs lovely and the trail was in mostly good condition.  We enjoyed both of the old copper mining sites and artifacts.  Stopping for lunch on an open mossy bluff, we raised a glass to Diana while sharing some memories.  The loop took us twice by the forest lake with high water, an impressive beaver dam, but no sign of beavers.  (6.8 km; 3¼ hours)

Debbie

Click on photos to enlarge
 

Hiking – Little Black Dress-Silk Stocking Loop – 15 Jan 2025

Hiking – Nymph Falls to Comox Lake – 27 Jan 2025

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This trip is full as of 22 Jan 2025.  Please contact the coordinator to waitlist.

Activity Hiking
Destination Nymph Falls to Comox Lake
Date 27 Jan 2025, Monday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info dmquigg@gmail.com or 3710
Description We can explore the Nymph Falls Nature Park, with views of the sculpted rocks in the Puntledge River and a system of trails, before we take the wide trail upstream to the dam.  This trail leaves the provincial park and enters BC Hydro territory. About 13.5 km and 5 hours, or longer depending on the Park exploration
Meeting Place Q Cove Ferry terminal.  Please arrange your carpool in advance.
Departure Time 9:30 ferry
Difficulty
 Easy, but fairly long
Costs Ferry costs
Trip limits 10
Dogs?  
Notes: Bring lunch and gear for the weather.

Hiking – Heriot Ridge Loop – 22 Jan 2025

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Activity Hiking
Destination Heriot Ridge Loop
Date 22 Jan 2025, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710
Description We will do this hike counter-clockwise (probably) starting at the Thompson trailhead, then turning south over the undulating bluffs on the Heriot Ridge trail. This trail ends at a west-facing viewpoint and we will return on Hopespring Trail and roads to the vehicles
Meeting Place Thompson trailhead on Thompson Road.
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty Moderate (on some steep and potentially slippery bluffs)
Costs none
Trip limits 10
Dogs? Must not run through the group
Notes: Bring a lunch and gear for the weather.  Bring poles if you use them.