Category Archives: day-trip

Hiking – Nighthawk Lake – 4 Feb 2026

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Activity Hiking
Destination Nighthawk Lake and trails
Date 4 Feb 2026, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Valerie van Veen
Contact Info vvv@qisland.ca, 250 285 2329, 778 242 5774
Description At the minimum, we will do an “out and back” on Rob’s Ride from the Upper Gowlland Harbour road access point. If weather/conditions are favourable we will add in the trails on the westerly bluffs.
Meeting Place Community Centre parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Easy if out and back; moderate if we do the bluffs
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs? Under control, must not run through group
Notes: Cancelled only if weather dreadful as the “out-n-back” is an easy hike on well established trail. Decision to do more will be made by the group. Bring lunch, snacks.

Hiking – Back Seat Driver-Lower Nugedzi Loop – 15 Jan 2026

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Activity Hiking
Destination Back Seat Driver-Lower Nugedzi Loop
Date 15 Jan 2026, Thursday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info dmquigg@gmail.com or 3710. Please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip.
Description From Hyacinthe Bay Road we will hike up Back Seat Driver, a steep, little used mountain bike trail.  When we reach the old logging road, we will turn north and continue until we cross the bridge that joins the Nugedzi Trail.  After a brief jog in the trail, we will roam in the forest near the trail back to the parking lot.  After exploring the forest, we will descend on the Nugedzi Trail.  Returning to the vehicles requires a short walk on Hyacinthe Bay Road. The whole loop is perhaps 5 km in total.
The Club has never done this loop before.  The current interest is because we will be exploring the areas that are planned to be logged.
Meeting Place Community Centre parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Moderate for some steep sections on a little maintained trail, and walking through the forest without a trail
Costs none
Trip limits 10
Dogs?
Notes: Bring lunch or a snack, gear for the conditions and poles if you use them.

Kayaking – Breton Islands – 2 Feb 2026

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Activity Kayaking
Destination Breton slands
Date: 2 Feb, Monday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info 250-285-2111; 250-287-0459; vicgladish@gmail.com
Description A mid-winter, Groundhog Day outing. This might be our only club paddle for the winter! After putting in at Rebecca Spit Boat Launch we’ll paddle out of Drew Harbour and across to the Breton Islands, then take out for hot drinks and snacks (in the sun!). Back on the water we’ll work our way back across Open Bay, Hyacinthe Bay, Heriot Bay and back to the boat launch.
This plan will be altered if the weather dictates.
Meeting Place Rebecca Spit boat launch at 1000
Departure Time 1030 on the water
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs Nil
Trip limits 8
Dogs? No
Notes: As usual, for winter paddling, winds and weather will affect our plans. A predicted wind speed of 15 knots is our cutoff point.
A fully equipped kayak as per Coast Guard and Club guidelines is mandatory. Dress for winter under paddling outerwear.
Bring a lunch and a hot drink.

Trip Report – Morte Lake Loop – 7 Jan 2026

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Nine hikers were eager to head to Morte Lake in the rain.  As we made our way along the classic Morte Lake approach trail, the rain turned to sleet and then to variable snow.  We enjoyed the unusual view from the east beach of Morte Lake with snow falling.  We then went up the switchback trail on the north side of the lake toward the open bluffs, but decided to shorten the trip.  So we turned around and went back to the Lake.  On the return we crossed over to Lower Deadfish and on to the parking lot.  A number of us learned something about the limitations of our rain gear. (7.4 km, 2¼ hours, 180m elevation gain)

Julie

Thanks to Louise and Norris for the photos

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Morte Lake Loop – 7Jan2026

Snow – Mt. Washington – 18 Feb 2026

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This trip is dependent on fresh snow.

Activity Snowshoeing
Destination Mt. Washington
Date 18 Feb, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710
Description We will start from Raven Lodge and snowshoe some of the Nordic trails, then beyond, possibly to Helen Mackenzie Lake.  At which point we might try some untracked snow.  Snowshoes can be rented if needed and there is a $14 weekday pass that is required.
Meeting Place Quathiaski Cove Ferry terminal
Departure Time 8:00 ferry
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs Ferry, fuel and Nordic day pass
Trip limits 10
Dogs? No
Notes: We will not do this trip in the rain or if the snow conditions are inadequate.  Bring lunch and gear appropriate for the weather.

Trip Report – Chinese Mtns Loop – 1 Jan 2026

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Nine hikers brought in 2026 on Jan 1st with a hike to South and North Chinese Mountains. The weather forecast had improved so while there was no precipitation, heavy fog created poor visibility on this normal “hike with amazing views” adventure.

The past wind and rainstorms were noticeable as the trail was covered with small branches, and special care was required on the rocky bluffs. Yet the forest was lush and the moss a vibrant green, thick and healthy.

The group carried on through to the major lookout on South Chinese where two members had taken the time to start a small campfire on the bluffs to toast the new year and have lunch. We were blessed with no wind or rain but the cool air reminded us that it was winter.  Once certain our small campfire was put out, we carried on along the trail to the creek crossing where the bridge has been replaced with a culvert to allow safe crossing so we could continue.

Once connected to North Chinese Mountain trail, a few headed back to the trailhead and the rest ventured up both the old and new lookout points before turning back to descend on the North Chinese Mountain trail to the parking lot. Overall, a fantastic hike to bring in the new year.
Distance 6.3km;  time 3hrs 45min (including our long lunch break to share the beginning of 2026)

Louise

Thanks to Carrie, Les and Norris for the photos

(click on photos to view larger)

Hiking – Chinese Mtns Loop – 1 Jan 2026

Trip Report – South Morte Lake Loop – 24 Dec 2025

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On an overcast day, eight people started out at Morte Lake parking lot and proceeded up Deadfish. The trail was in good condition as we followed the creek to the junction and crossed over to Morte Lake Trail. We continued on along the south west side of Morte Lake and turned right at the junction to go the short distance to the point for lunch. Here it started to rain on us so we had lunch under a large fir tree for protection. After we proceeded down Tripod to Mud Lake, Reed Lake, and crossed the road to travel down Rob’s Ride. The heavily treed trails protected us well from most of the rain and the creek crossings were minor. At Jackrabbit, we turned and carried on to the parking lot after crossing McKercher Creek.  (8.5 km and about 3 hours)
 
Les
 
PS from admin: McKercher Creek is often called Hyacinthe Creek, but the official name is McKercher.  Here is the link from the Canadian Geographical Names Database –  0cfcb586849c20c35b1e7814a2df2c9d

 

Thanks to Les and Norris for the photos
 
Click on photos to enlarge
 

Hiking -Morte Lake Loop – 24 Dec 2025

Hiking – New Year’s Chinese Mtns Hike – 1 Jan 2026

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Activity Hiking
Destination Chinese Mountains
Date 1 Jan 2026, Thursday
Trip Coordinator Louise Squire
Contact Info lsquire@sasktel.net or 306-539-3813
Description We will hike up South Chinese Mtn, welcome the new year and continue on to North Chinese Mtn.
Meeting Place Chinese Mtn parking lot
Departure Time 11:00
Difficulty Moderate
Costs None
Trip limits 12
Dogs?
Notes Dress for the weather.  Bring lunch and poles if you use them.

Hiking – Blindman’s Bluff and/or Eagle Ridge – 21 Jan 2026

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Activity Hiking
Destination Blindman’s Bluff and/or Eagle Ridge
Date 21 Jan 2025, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info dmquigg@gmail.com or 3710
Description We will decide closer to the date what is appropriate for the weather and conditions.
Meeting Place Community Centre Parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs? Yes, if under control and not moving through the group
Notes: Bring lunch and gear for the weather.

Hiking – South Morte Lake Loop – 24 Dec 2025

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Activity Hiking
Destination South Morte Lake Loop
Date 24 Dec, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 250-285-2029 or lhquadra@gmail.com
Description We will start at Morte Lake parking lot and go up the Deadfish Trail, then over to Morte Lake and to Tripod. From there, we will do Mud Lake and Reed Lake and probably back down Jackrabbit to the parking lot.
Meeting Place Legion parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs? Yes, but must be under control or on a leash
Notes This is about 8.5 km and three hours. Maybe some wet areas so wear appropriate footwear.