Author Archives: qioutdoorclub

Hiking – Trout Creek Falls – 7 May 2025

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Activity Hiking
Destination Trout Creek Falls
Date 7 May, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info lhquadra@gmail.com or 285-2029
Description We will leave on the 10:00 ferry so be sure to be there early enough. We will then drive the short distance out Menzie’s Main to the trailhead. This is a basic trail, with a few steep sections and three waterfalls. We will do a circle route coming back on a logging road. This is about 5 km and 2½ hours so it will not be a long hike.
Meeting Place QCove ferry terminal
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs Ferry
Trip limits 10
Dogs? No
Notes: Be sure to contact the coordinator by Monday night as we need to arrange carpooling; also, so I may contact you if the hike is postponed. Dress for the weather and bring a lunch.

Trip Report – Nugedzi Lakes Traverse – 9 Apr 2025

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In order to do a Nugedzi Lake traverse we positioned two vehicles at the start of the Mount Seymour Trail. Then eight hikers met at the Nugedzi Lake Trail parking area. After the heavy rainfall the day before we anticipated much water. The creeks were running hard, but there was not too much water on the trails. The loose rocks were wet and slippery though, as we started the long climb uphill. After about an hour, we stopped at a viewpoint by the trail in order to view the mountains to the east and a brief rest. It was nice to get off of the old road’s loose rocks and onto a good hiking trail. The trail was in good condition with only the odd tree down. We continued on through the Cedar Grove Valley, over the ridge and down to Nugedzi Lake. The lake was beautiful on this partially sunny afternoon. There was a brisk cold breeze coming off the lake though, so we decided to go toward the viewpoint for lunch. Near the top we stopped in the trees for a well-deserved break and lunch. It was a beautiful mossy area and out of the wind.

After lunch, we continued to the top of the ridge and then down to the open view point. Here you can look down towards Browns Bay or north up Discovery Passage, There are also great views to the mountains on Vancouver Island. We then started downhill and went around Little Nugedzi Lake on the old boardwalks which some of the group had never been on before. From here, it was all downhill which we enjoyed in the pleasant weather. Canyon Creek was a bit of a challenge to cross, as it was quite high, but other than that, it was a easy walk back to the vehicles. (9.2 km, 4½ hours, 540 m ascent)

Les

Thanks to Jim and Norris for the photos

(click on photos to view larger)

Hiking – Nugedzi Lakes Traverse – 9 Apr 2025

Hiking – Canyon View and Elk Falls – 23 April 2025

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Activity Hiking
Destination Canyon View Trail and Elk Falls, Campbell River
Date 23 April, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Valerie van Veen
Contact Info 250 285 2329 vvv@qisland.ca (cell) 778 242 5774
Description Hopefully we will still see some spring flowers along this lovely, newly refurbished trail that follows the Campbell River. Weather permitting, we will then head uphill to the Elk Falls Park. Lunch at Elk Falls, return on River Trail. We will start from the parking lot on the north side of the river across the “log” bridge.
Meeting Place Q Cove Ferry terminal.
Departure Time 10:00 ferry
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs Ferry
Trip limits None
Dogs? On leash; warning.. the ramps and bridge at Elk Falls are made of metal grids that are hard on dogs’ feet
Notes: Bring lunch. We will hike at a leisurely pace to really enjoy this beautiful area. Unless extreme weather, we will at least do the Canyon View Trail. About 2 – 4 hours, 5 – 10 km depending on route. Carpool from ferry if wanted.

Trip Report – Bays and Bretons – 2 April 2025

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Six eager kayakers set out on a beautiful, sunny, spring day for our first group paddle of ‘25. For our first outing we were not too ambitious and were granted gentle conditions.  However, the Len Rd shore access had its challenges, as usual – a very small beach beyond a log jam for our put-in; 200 m of beach to cross on our return at low tide.

We were on the water at about 10:00 and paddled out, on calm waters, amid a flock of ducks (Buffleheads, Goldeneyes) fleeing our approach. We crossed the mouth of Hyacinthe Bay, and stayed close to the shoreline as we rounded Hyacinthe Point to enter Open Bay. A slight NW breeze rippled the water and we paddled halfway into the Bay before crossing to a group of rocky islands and then along the shore again. The tide was now low enough that we had to go around Valdez Point rather than picking a way through the rocky islets. The rock formations in this area are always fascinating to see close up. At this point two paddlers headed straight over to Breton Island and four of us continued on into Moulds Bay under the watchful eyes of a pair of eagles, one probably sitting on an egg or two, and a rest stop at a gravelly beach below a rustic home. A leg stretch is always welcome after an hour of paddling!

So as not to over-extend ourselves it was decided to head south through the small islands of the Breton group. A few Oystercatchers and Cormorants were sighted on the rocky outcrops. Then on to our lunch stop at the Breton Island “campsite”. It’s a nice sunny spot to relax and view the Salish Sea, from its “deep end”, south to the middle regions beyond Mitlenatch Island. No whale blows were sighted! The island has been closed to camping since becoming the Breton-Whitbridge Reserve under the BC Nature Trust in 2021.  Visit https://www.naturetrust.bc.ca/news/a-treasured-island for more information.

After lunch we set our sights on Turtle Island and started on the final leg. With about an hour remaining to a very low tide it seemed unlikely that we’d get around Turtle, and headed to the take out instead, which was now 200 metres from the parked cars! The portage to the headland was made much easier with four sets of kayak wheels which worked quite well on the firm, sandy beach. Everyone was glad to have finally got out on the water after a winter of cancelled paddle outings.(13.2 km; 4 hours)

Vic

Thanks to Carrie and Stephen for the photos.


(click on photos to enlarge)

Kayaking – Bays and Bretons – 2 April 2025

Hiking – Beech’s Mountain – 16 April 2025

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Activity Hiking
Destination Beech’s Mountain
Date 16 April, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 285-2029 or lhquadra@gmail.com
Description This will be a hike up to the second highest peak on Quadra with some magnificent views. We will be going up and back unless there are enough people that want to go over South Chinese on the way back. Wear good footwear and bring your hiking poles if you use them.
Meeting Place Community Centre parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty Moderate but some steep rocky areas
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs? No
Notes: Please sign up at least two days before as will be canceled or postponed if heavy rain.

Trip Report – Yellow Mud Loop – 26 March 2025

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Seven hikers enjoyed an 8 km, 3 hour hike in the area south of Walcan Road, starting at the pullout at Reed Lake. The weather was great for March – 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 and through a pine forest. We continued on to Dick’s Ride and eventually ended back on Yellow Mud where we had lunch at the beaver dam before continuing on the last stretch of the trail. We heard many birds and were happy to listen to the croaking of the frogs. We continued northwest down Yellow Mud Trail through lush sword fern, hemlock and a Douglas fir forest.  Much work has been done on this part of the trail and the trail has been renamed Rob’s Ride in memory of Rob McKerracher. (8.2 km and 3 hours)

Louise

Thanks to Carrie, Les, Jim and Norris for the photos

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Yellow Mud Loop – 26 Mar 2025

Trip Report – Powell River – 21-24 Mar 2025

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The 2025 multi-day hike in Powell River was exceptional based on the weather forecast predicting rain, rain and more rain. Yet, seven enthusiastic hikers deciding to go regardless of the forecast and we were rewarded with three great days of hiking.

Friday: The group travelled to Powell River on the 10am ferry and wasted no time in exploring the trails.  On day one of a three-day hiking getaway in Powell River seven of us hiked the Lost Lake Loop which is accessed from Inland Lake Provincial Park. The loop is a small part of the Sunshine Coast Trail, which winds for 185 km and can be accessed via potholed logging roads in many locations. The hike was 8 km through a lovely sun dappled mossy forest with amazing cedar trees, and nice lake views. The trail was easy on the knees and soft on the feet, and the lake showed evidence of a healthy beaver population.

(click on photos to view larger)

Saturday – Our second day had the best weather forecast, so we planned TWO hikes. The first was Scout Mountain. We started on Sutherland Avenue to get to the Sunshine Coast Trail, and then we went southeast. It was a gentle climb through mossy trees and some open views until we reached the summit trail. We went counterclockwise and we’re so glad we did! There’s a steep climb before the summit. There was a bench to sit on at the top, and we were rewarded with amazing views in the sunshine. From the top, you can see wide-open views of Georgia Strait north and south, as well as Powell Lake. After a short break, we descended and took in more inspiring scenery. It was 5.5 km and 2¾ hours.

Next, after lunch, we explored Stillwater Bluffs, which is all on private land. The start of this trail is at a private residence, so you need to park back by the mailboxes. This is a gentle walk through the forest to the ocean. Here you can enjoy the ocean views before continuing on to the many open bluffs and breathtaking views north and south, or west to Texada Island. Partway there is a stone throne to sit on and enjoy the views. You go up and down many times on large rock formations along the coast, and then you return through the trees. It was 4 km and 1¾ hours.

Sunday – Day three we explored Blackwater Creek Trail which was a well groomed, excellently marked, beautiful forest hike to Kelly and David Lam Falls. There are gentle inclines and declines along this shaded hike. The trail features flush creeks, greenery, and a few picnic tables as well as a wooden observation deck at the waterfall. Part of the trail is called Green Road with is amply named for the lush moss, trees and undergrowth. We decided to start our hike in the early afternoon to allow the weather pattern to pass, and were rewarded with only a slight mist. Overall, we travelled 6.5 km and 2½ hrs on this creek trail.

The multi-day trip was a success thanks to everyone in the group that either helped with planning the hikes, connecting with the information center, taking pictures, prepping meals, creating parts of the trip report, but most importantly working together as a coherent group.

Louise and the team

Thanks to Jim, Carrie, Les, Norris and passing strangers for the photos

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

Trip Report – Mt. Washington – 12 Mar 2025

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Since the planned paddle was cancelled due to a wind forecast, we switched to a snowshoe trip.  And the weather at Mt. Washington was a surprise – sunshine and 18 cm fresh snow.  Three of us went up Great Big View following a broken track, then we went on Finger Glades.  The snow and the views were great.  We stopped for lunch and shortly after the broken track ended.  We decided to continue anyway and the route carried on and up.  Eventually we joined a track left by skiers for a while.  Then we were breaking trail again.  We followed the wands for Marmot’s Mess in the wrong direction until we cut cross-county back to the Great Big View trail. Jim was the champion trail breaker and super fixer of a broken crampon.
(5.7 km, 4 hours, 275m ascent)

Norris

Thanks to Jim and Norris for the photos

(click on photos to view larger)

Snow – Mt. Washington – 12 Mar 2025

Hiking – Yellow Mud Loop – 26 March 2025

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Activity Hiking
Destination Yellow Mud Loop
Date 26 March 2025, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Louise Squire
Contact Info Lsquire@sasktel.net
Description Starting at Reed Lake, we will go south on Straight as a Dime, turn east on Back Door over the rock bluffs and down to the variously named lake with the large beaver dam.  From here we return along the Yellow Mud trail to Reed Lake.
Be prepared for a change weather depending.
Meeting Place Legion parking lot
Departure Time 9:30
Difficulty
 Easy to moderate – may be slick if it rains
Costs none
Trip limits 10
Dogs? On leash
Notes:

Hike – Nugedzi Lakes – 9 April 2025

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This trip was re-scheduled from March 19th.

Activity Hiking
Destination Nugedzi Lakes and Views
Date 9 April, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info lhquadra@gmail.com 285-2029
Description We will start this trip at the Nugedzi trailhead near Granite Bay Road and Village Bay Road and finish at the start of Mt. Seymour Trail. We will be leaving a car at each end of the trail so it will be a bit shorter and we may go out to the Nugedzi lookout.
Meeting Place Quadra Community Centre
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty Moderate
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs? OK, but must be under control and on a leash if we encounter wildlife.
Notes: If it is raining very hard, it will be postponed as the hill is too much work with rain gear on. Bring a lunch or snack and dress for the weather.