Category Archives: Cortes Island

Trip Report – Kw’as Park, Cortes – 11 Nov 2020

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We were a group of four on the Remembrance Day hike to Cortes Island.  The ferry was uncrowded and the crossing calm.  We began the hike at the trailhead near the Cortes Island Motel and walked through this beautiful rainforest.  We ascended up toward the Summit and then along the Millennium Trail undulating over rocky bluffs through some old growth trees.  We had views of Hague Lake before we reached the Swim Rock, where we stopped for lunch.  The water and the weather were calm, and we chatted with a local woman who was fishing from her kayak.
 
We continued on the trail high along the shore with great views and descended the ladder along the Rock Face.  We made a short side trip to visit the Survivor Fir, which we measured as 7.9m in circumference.  We crossed the bridge across the narrow waterway between Hague and Gunflint Lakes and walked the loop to the south, including Pierre de Trail and the Cedar Ridge.  We also enjoyed the large Douglas fir at the junction, which we measured as 8.35m in circumference.  We returned over the bridge and walked the trail along the west shore of Gunflint Lake, with great views along the way and the steam donkey remains.  We continued on through the Spruce Grove and returned to the vehicles.  
 
It was a great hike with lots of variety and highlights.  The trail was very quiet at this time of year.  After the hike we stopped at the Cortes Coop for delicious refreshments before taking the ferry home.  8.9 km, 4½ hours.
 
Debbie
 

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Hiking – Kw’as Park, Cortes – 11 Nov 2020

Trip Report – South Morte Lake – 4 Nov 2020

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This hike was a substitute for a trip to Cortes, which we put off because of the wind forecast.  Seven of us hiked a loop from the east end of Reed Lake up and over to the south shore of Morte Lake and back.  We only had a few drops of rain, but the trail was really wet, having had some heavy rains this fall and over 40 mm 24 hours earlier.  
 
We started along the north shore of Reed and Mud Lake to the South Bluff trail and the beach and viewpoint at Morte Lake, where we took a short break.  We then followed the official Morte Lake trail, turning on Nirvana and continuing up on Seven Sins to the viewpoint for lunch while it was nearly sunny.  We then turned down on Deadfish and Lost Rider and back to the vehicles.
 
The mushroom were still great and everything was very, very wet.  7.2 km, 3¼ hours.
 
Debbie
 

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Hiking – South Morte Lake – 4 Nov 2020

Hiking – South Morte Lake- 4 Nov 2020

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Activity Hiking
Destination South Morte Lake
Date 4 Nov 2020, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info 285-3710 or debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca.
Description We will park at the east end of Reed Lake and hike a loop over to Morte Lake on bike trails.  The plan is Mud Lake trail, South Bluff, Morte Lake trail, Nirvana, Seven Sins, Upper Deadfish, Lost Rider and back.  If it rains hard the loop can be shorter.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store parking lot to convoy to the trailhead.
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Moderate: undulating on good trails, with wet sections
Costs None
Trip limits Eight
Dogs?
Notes: Bring lunch and gear for weather. COVID protocol in effect.

Hiking – Kw’as Regional Park, Cortes – 11 Nov 2020

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Activity Hiking
Destination Kw’as Regional Park, Cortes
Date 11 Nov 2020, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info 285-3710 or debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca.  Please contact the coordinator by Monday.
Description We will hike through this lovely park, situated between Gunflint and Hague Lakes on Cortes Island.  Along with great views, there is fine old growth, interesting geology and history, and a good variety of trails.  We hope to include a bit of everything in the day’s hike.  We will return on the 1:50 or 3:50 ferry.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay ferry terminal to Cortes.  Drivers will need to be early enough to be on the ferry.
Departure Time 9:05 ferry
Difficulty
 A few steep places, but mostly reasonable walking on good trails.
Costs Ferry costs;  If you wish to car pool, please make those arrangements privately and in advance, as the Club does not facilitate carpooling during the pandemic.
Trip limits Eight
Dogs?
Notes: Bring lunch and gear for weather. COVID protocol in effect.

Multi-day Kayaking – Sutil Channel – 10-15 Aug 2020

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Activity Multi-day kayaking
Destination Sutil Channel/Cortes Island/Marina Island
Date 10 to 14 or 15 August 2020; Monday to Friday or Saturday
Trip Coordinator Darcy Mitchell
Contact Info mitchelldarcy51@gmail.com; 250 923 5540
Description Departing from Open Bay toward Carrington Bay on Cortes Island (likely 2 nights) then to Shark Spit, Marina Island (likely 2 nights), with a possible 5th night. Itinerary subject to change depending on participants’ interests and weather conditions. Up to 25 km per day in possibly adverse conditions. Possibilities for hiking as well as day paddles.
Meeting Place End of Valdes Road, Open Bay
Departure Time 9:30 a.m. for 10:00 a.m. launch
Difficulty
 Moderate to challenging
Cost none
Trip limits 6
Dogs? no
Notes: All participants must observe club paddling guidelines including demonstrated ability (through Club safety sessions) to perform assisted, and preferably, self-rescue. If you have not previously paddled with the coordinator on a multi-day trip, please contact her to discussion your experience and equipment.  Pandemic protocols will be observed.

Last date for registration – August 4.

Multi-day Hiking – Cortes Island- 4-8 May 2020

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Activity Multi-day Hiking
Destination Cortes Island, staying at Linnaea Farm
Date 4-8 May 2020, Monday to Friday
Trip Coordinator Janis McLean
Contact Info 250.285.3614; please contact the coordinator well in advance of the trip
Description This is our annual trip to Cortes Island, based at Linnaea Farm in an eight bedroom rustic farmhouse on the edge of Gunflint Lake. We are planning to hike many of the trails: Easter Bluff, K’was Park, Hanks Beech Forest Park, Green Mountain, Whaletown Commons, Manson’s Lagoon, Smelt Bay, Carrington, etc. A schedule of trails will be developed and presented daily. There may be one or more optional hikes in silence, giving us the opportunity to immerse ourselves in nature without the distraction of conversation. Each person is responsible for their breakfasts and lunches; dinner teams will be organized in advance. Please visit: http://www.linnaeafarm.org for information about the farm.
Meeting Place Cortes ferry line-up
Departure Time 9:05 am sailing. Vehicles must be in line-up by 8 a.m. This is a busy trades ferry. Car-pooling will be organized in advance.
Difficulty Easy to Moderate.
Cost $35/person/night. Bring your own sleeping bag and towel. Plus ferry costs and shared fuel. Bring your ferry card (and driver’s licence if you want the senior’s rate).
Trip limits Limit of 10 people, if four people are willing to double up in two of the bedrooms. Lakeview Room is reserved for the coordinator.
Dogs? No. Dogs are not allowed on the farm.
Notes: Payment to Club Treasurer Julie Mellanby by April 15, 2020. Members will need to renew their membership for 2020-21. Please advise of any special dietary needs. Other activities include swimming and canoeing/kayaking (bring your own boats and equipment) on Gunflint and Hague Lakes. As in other years, this trip is popular and will fill up quickly.

Trip Report – Silent Carrington Bay & Grandmother’s Grove – 9 Dec 2019

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Such a lovely three ladies silent hike at Carrington Bay, Cortes Island. We began with a meditation under the ancient maple tree at the entrance to the trail and then we began our silent hike. Stopping and truly seeing the old giants, visualizing the homestead, the care, hardwork and attention given to homesteading. Listening to the waterfall, the woodpeckers drilling away and later hearing the sound of the lagoon. We walked onto Grandmother’s Grove and ate our lunch near the water, lots of ducks on the lagoon. Those ancient trees towering above us, a lovely place to sit and we felt welcomed. Returning eventually to the trail and slowly making our way back. We ended our hike with a beautiful meditation. There is such a powerful eloquence in silence. A wonderful day.

Margot

Thanks to Sandra for the photos

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Hiking in Silence – Carrington Bay & Grandmother’s Grove – 5 Dec 2019

Trip Report – Carrington Bay & Grandmothers’ Grove – 2 Dec 2019

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We tried, unsuccessfully, to change the date of this hike for better weather, but we ended up with a cold, grey, drizzly day.  Our group of 13 hiked along the old logging road stopping at the Borden homestead .  We continued on to Carrington Bay and the tidal lagoon, and crossed the narrow channel on the bridge as the very high tide was rushing in with a standing wave.  We wandered through the camping area and on to the peninsula with the swim rock.  The lagoon had ice on it and was incredibly silent.  We had a bone chilling lunch break on logs in the forest before we continued on to Grandmothers’ Grove, a beautiful old growth stand of spruce and cedar, in the James Creek drainage.  We followed the trail and logging roads back in a loop and made brisk time up the hill to the vehicles to catch the earlier ferry and stay warm. 8.5 km; 3 hours.

Debbie

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Hiking – Carrington Bay & Grandmothers’ Grove – 2 Dec 2019

Hiking in Silence- Carrington Bay – 5 Dec 2019

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This trip has been postponed to Dec. 9

Activity Hiking in Silence
Destination Carrington Bay, Cortes Island
Date 9 Dec 2019, Monday  5 December 2019, Thursday
Trip Coordinator Margot Wood
Contact Info 250.285.2393.  Please contact the coordinator well in advance of the trip, so that car pools can be arranged.
Description We will meet at the Cortes Ferry Line-up. We will drive to the Carrington Bay Trail entrance. Before beginning the hike we will partake in a short meditation, followed by 1 minute of silence (for those who wish to.) Giving oneself completely to the act of listening, seeing and feeling. Hiking in silence onto Carrington Lagoon. Spending a little time at the lagoon and then onto Grandmothers Grove. Returning on the 3:50pm ferry to Quadra. Please bring your packed lunch and water. This trip is weather dependent. The Forest Trust for the children of Cortes has been formed to purchase these forestlands and hold them in trust for the children of Cortes Island in perpetuity. I always feel honoured by being there. Margot.
Meeting Place Cortes ferry line-up.
Departure Time 9:05 am ferry; Car-pooling will be encouraged. Designated drivers please be in line-up by 8:15a.m – this is a busy trades-person ferry.
Difficulty
 Easy
Costs Ferry travel costs; bring your experience card and ID
Trip limits 8
Dogs? no
Notes: This trip is for all who wish to hike in silence.

Hiking – Carrington Bay – 2 Dec 2019

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Change of date!

Activity Hiking
Destination Carrington Bay, Cortes Island
Date 2 4 December 2019, Monday Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info 3710 or debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca.  Please contact the coordinator well in advance of the trip, so that car pools can be arranged.
Description After the ferry crossing we will drive to the Carrington trailhead and follow the trails to Carrington Bay and lagoon.  We will have lunch at Carrington Bay and continue on to Grandmother’s Grove following the stream.  We plan to return on the 3:50 pm ferry.
Meeting Place Cortes ferry line-up.
Departure Time 9:05 am ferry; vehicles need to be in the ferry line-up not later than 8:15 am for this  busy sailing.
Difficulty
 Easy to moderate.
Costs Ferry travel costs; bring your experience card and ID
Trip limits 12
Dogs? no
Notes: Bring lunch and gear for weather.