Monthly Archives: November 2025

Trip Report – Maud Island – 26 Nov 2025

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It wasn’t sure that this trip would happen with heavy rain on the days before and after the scheduled day.  Also five people who wanted to go, weren’t able to come, but fortunately we still had five hikers on a dry day.  Plus a dog that loved sticks.  The recent logging has changed the appearance of the quite long approach on logging roads, but the trail was in better condition than we expected.

We hiked into the forest from the trailhead off of the Q80 logging road system and followed the old, disused roads to the end  where the International Harvester Scout rests.  We chose to hike the loop over the Mt. Lolo bluff, taking our time and care on the wet bluffs.  We had a limited, watercolour view down Discovery Passage from the shoulder  We descended to the small bay on Discovery Passage and then continued along the shore before traversing to the east side.  We checked out the cabin and then crossed the causeway to Maud Island and hiked up to the viewpoint over Seymour Narrows.  It was a very calm, quiet day highlighting the smooth, but complex currents in this difficult passage.

After a late lunch, we hiked back on the low route, stopping briefly at the Saltwater Lagoon, before returning to the vehicles.  (10.6 km, 430 m elevation gain, 4¼ hours)

Debbie

Thanks to Carrie and Norris for the photos.

Click on photos to enlarge
 

Hiking – Maud Island – 26 Nov 2025

Trip Report – Shellaligan Loop – 19 Nov 2025

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There had been no rain for three days so nine hikers, including a new member, and one furry friend, had all of the Shellaligan trail system open to us.  We opted to park at the first lot as the logging road deteriorates further on. We walked down this road, paved with huge fallen broadleaf maple leaves, to reach the beach trailhead. This small corner of Quadra is mixed deciduous though most of northern Quadra is coniferous forest. We took time to enjoy the ocean views from the various bluffs, stopping for lunch where the trail comes down to the beach. The oyster farm is active again, we hailed the two fellows harvesting the farm.  Bird sightings included a large flock of Goldeneyes and a few Grebes.  At the Haiku Corner we enjoyed the written contributions of hikers more inspired than us. This is also the junction with the short or long circuits; two of our hikers opted to go back via the short route.  The rest of the group continued on the long route, which can euphemistically be described as “undulating”, following the creek uphill through the beautiful mixed forest.

Shellaligan trails had been closed earlier in the year due to logging. We encountered the new clear cut near the end of the route.  Logging in this area over the years has made trail-finding on the long route somewhat challenging as old landmarks are erased.  For future hikes on the long route, going counter clockwise…when the forest trail first meets a logging road turn left, and left again at the T junction with the next logging road.  There is a signpost high up in the trees for those going in the clockwise direction. Follow this road uphill and look for the trail marker on the right, follow this trail past the clearcut (as of November 2025) to the logging road. Turn left and it is a short walk back to the first parking lot. (7.5 km, 3¾ hours)

Valerie van Veen

Thanks to Les and Norris for the photos

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Shellaligan Loop – 19 Nov 2025

Trip Report – Baikie Island – 10 Nov 2025

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Five of us met on the 10 o’clock ferry to start our 3.5 km walk at River Village Park at the foot of Spruce Street. Lots of work has been done there, as it is now the beginning of a much larger walk (7.2km) walk called Quinny’s Quest. After dealing with a flat tire, we got a late start and followed the road across the bridge and along the Campbell River to Baikie Island Nature Preserve. All of the trees we saw from last year’s walk have been planted and, even though all the maples had dropped their leaves, it was nice and green for a fall day. The walk was a little over an hour and we were back for lunch after seeing many spawning salmon, a paddle boarder and two new artist sculptures.

There are QR code story stations along the new trail and could be a walk for the future.  The route also includes:
Public art and interpretive signs
Trail map and rest spots
Family-friendly access and wayfinding
Nature, history, and storytelling along the way
Here is the map: CRV_Map_25

Neil U

Thanks to Neil and Les for the photos

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Baikie Estuary – 10 Nov 2025

Hiking – Plumper and Deepwater Bays – 3 December 2025

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Activity Hiking
Destination Plumper and Deepwater Bays
Date 3 December, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710  Please contact the coordinator by Monday evening.
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

Hiking – Thompson Trail-Hopespring Loop – 10 Dec 2025

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Activity Hiking
Destination Thompson Trail – Hopespring Loop
Date 10 Dec, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Allan Liimatta
Contact Info allanliimatta@gmail.com or 250-416-9338
Description Hike up Thompson Trail and on to Gowlland Trail and the Three Sisters which are some of the largest Old Growth on Quadra Island, then picking up the Hopespring Trail and back to the parking area on Thompson Rd. Bring a lunch. Trip length 6-7 km. approx. 3.5 hrs.
Meeting Place Parking place at end of Thompson road
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs? Yes, but must be on leash
Notes:

Hiking – Maud Island – 26 Nov 2025

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Activity Hiking
Destination Maud Island
Date 6 May 2024, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact info dmquigg@gmail.com or 3710
Description We will use the trailhead from the Walcan and active logging roads and hike along very old logging roads and then up onto the Mt. Lolo bluffs for views over Discovery Passage.  After descending and heading west, we will follow the shoreline, then cross the causeway to Maud Island. We will have lunch at the viewpoint over Seymour Narrows.  The currents will not be particularly strong.  We will return by the Saltwater Lagoon.  If there is a group of three or more who don’t want to go by Mt. Lolo, they could go out and back by Saltwater Lagoon.  Approximately 10 km and four hours.
Meeting Place Community Centre parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty Moderate
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs? No
Notes We will not do this trip in poor weather.

Hiking – Shellaligan Loop – 19 Nov 2025

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Activity Hiking
Destination Shellaligan Loop
Date 19 Nov, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Valerie van Veen
Contact Info Vvv@qisland.ca, 250 285 2329, 778 242 5774( cell)
Description We will hike the circular route, in a clockwise direction, allowing us to take the coast trail option if weather permits. Otherwise we will stay inland to complete the loop. We will start at the first parking lot, hike the route, and walk back to our cars on the logging road. Bring lunch, dress for the weather. Trip cancelled if heavy rain and/or strong winds. Only registered hikers will be advised of any changes in plans.
Meeting Place Community Centre parking lot OR Shellaligan logging road turn off on Valdes Road
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs? Under control, must stay with owner at front or back of group.
Notes: Must register by Monday evening, Nov 17. South end hikers will meet at the CC parking lot. I will let registered hikers know who else is coming and I will be available by cell phone if needed Wednesday morning. I will meet the group at the turn off to the logging road on Valdes Road. Please contact me if unsure of these directions.