Author Archives: qioutdoorclub

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.

Trip Report – Beaver Lake and Open Bay Creek – 30 Oct 2025

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We had a small but enthusiastic group for a hike on a lovely autumn day.  We started from Hyacinthe Bay Road and followed a flagged route down to Beaver Lake.  The fungi were amazing.  We crossed the outflow creek without any problem and paused on the bluff above Beaver Lake  before heading east on the open logging road and then into the forest and down the path following the creek to Open Bay Creek. The water was flowing well and when we reached the falls we always visit, we noticed that there were falls higher up, so we bushwhacked to see these other cascades. There were two sets which were more impressive than the falls by the trail.  After lunch on an open, mossy bluff, we bushwhacked back to the trail and down to Open Bay Creek.  From there we meandered upstream along the creek, mostly on high bank, but sometimes at the creek level.  There were no salmon in the creek, but the forest and the views were lovely.   (5.9 km and 3 hours)

Debbie
 
Thanks to Carrie and Norris for the photos
 

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Beaver Lake and Open Bay Creek – 30 Oct 2025

Kayaking – Heriot Bay – 21 Dec 2025

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This trip is postponed for weather.

Activity Kayaking
Destination Heriot Bay
Date: 21 Dec, Sunday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-287-0459
Description A winter solstice paddle – weather permitting – to mark the change of seasons. We will paddle familiar territory and circumnavigate the waters in and around Heriot Bay. I.e. Put in at Rebecca Spit, paddle along the Spit and cross over towards Open Bay then veer to the west into Hyacinthe Bay, follow the shore southwards around Heriot Island, the harbour area and then cross from Taku to the boat launch. That’s estimated to take 2 hours so we could take a break at the Len Rd Beach (tide will be near high).
If its a nice day – finish off with a fire and lunch at the Spit; If not so nice…lunch at Heriot Bay Inn.
Meeting Place Rebecca Spit boat launch at 0930
Departure Time 1000 on the water
Difficulty
 Easy if the weather is benign
Costs Lunch
Trip limits None
Dogs? No
Notes: Bad weather alternate day – Monday, December 22.
All paddling guidelines apply. Winter paddling requires another layer or two and an effective paddling jacket/ raincoat.

Event Report – Winter Planning Meeting – 26 Oct 2025

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We enjoyed the great view from the deck overlooking Drew Harbour and Rebecca Spit.  The planning meeting lasted an hour and was particularly productive for trip suggestions and possible new directions.  We had 19 for the potluck dinner, which was delicious and very social.  Thanks so much to the Squires for hosting.

Debbie
 

(click on photos to enlarge)

 

Hiking – Elk Falls Loop – 6 Nov 2025

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This hike has been cancelled due to weather.

Activity Hiking
Destination Elk Falls – Canyon View trails
Date 6 Nov, Thursday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info 250-287-0459; vicgladish@gmail.com
Description This is a well developed, popular trail that follows the Campbell River along the north shore and into Elk Falls Park and to the Suspension Bridge. We will have lunch at Elk Falls, and return on the River Trail.
We will start from the parking lot on the north side of the river across the “log” bridge before the Quinsam Campground. TURN RIGHT off of Hwy 28.
Anyone not wanting the full, 4 hr hike, could loop back to the starting point when we get to the bridge.
Meeting Place Q Cove Ferry terminal
Departure Time 9:30 ferry
Difficulty Moderate
Costs Ferry costs
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. (fall colours?) Unless extreme weather, we will at least do the Canyon View Trail. About 2 – 4 hours, 5 – 10 km depending on route. Carpooling from the ferry parking lot will be attempted. Drivers should arrive to be in line for the 0930.Elk Falls Park/Trails Map here: https://nrs.objectstore.gov.bc.ca/kuwyyf/elk_falls_parking_trails_map_68efc975fd.pdf

Hike – Baikie Island and lunch – 10 Nov 2025

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Activity Hike and lunch
Destination Baikie Island
Date 10 Nov. 2025, Monday
Trip Coordinator Neil Unwin
Contact Info neilunwin08@gmail.com
Description We can meet on the ferry and drive to our starting point.  The walk will be about 4.5 km.
Debriefing to be held at More Eatery for lunch
Meeting Place QCove ferry terminal
Departure Time 10:00 ferry
Difficulty
 Easy
Costs Ferry and lunch at More Eatery
Trip limits 10
Dogs? Okay
Notes: