Category Archives: day-trip

Hiking – Hyacinthe Bay at Low Tide – 8 May 2023

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Activity Hiking
Destination Hyacinthe Bay low tide walk
Date 8 May 2023, Monday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info dmquigg@gmail.com or 3710.  Please contact the coordinator by Saturday night
Description We have very kindly been invited to Chauntaluf Farm.  This will be an afternoon walk to take advantage of the 0.5m low tide at 14:22.  After walking through the farm to Hyacinthe Bay, we will explore the tidal flats for their history and ecology.  Gradually moving to the east, we will arrive at the property donated to the SRD, where we plan to return on old (and unmaintained) trails through the forest.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot
Departure Time 13:30
Difficulty Very easy unless the trail is in poor condition
Costs None
Trip limits 12
Dogs? No
Notes Bring a lunch, gear for the weather

Kayaking – Maud Island and Morte Creek petroglyphs – 18 May 2023

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This trip was previously scheduled for May 24th.

Activity Kayaking
Destination Maud Island and Morte Creek petroglyphs
Date 18 May 2023, Thursday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info 250-285-2111; or 250-287-0459 text
Description According to Joy Inglis’s “Petroglyphs of Quadra Island” there are several petroglyphs located along Quadra’s west shore at the outflow of Morte Lake creek just east of Maud Island.
We will put in at the Leishmans Rd shore access by 0930 am and paddle north to Maud Island, likely bucking some current as we will want to stay close to shore to avoid any hazardous turbulence. Lunch at Maud Island and then backtrack to the mouth of Morte Creek to the old village site of Kawstin to find and view the petroglyphs. Then return to Whalebone Cove and the takeout.
Meeting Place Shore access at Leishmans Rd
Departure Time 0900 on the water; meet at 0830
Difficulty
 Moderate to difficult depending on weather and currents.
Costs None
Trip limits 8
Dogs? No
Notes: The tides/currents will be a factor. In order to view the petroglyphs I am planning our arrival for low tide with less attention to what the current will be doing. Poor weather and/or wind will mean this trip will be cancelled.
All participants must be equipped for ocean paddling in cooler weather – required equipment as per club guidelines (https://qioutdoorclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/paddling-guidelines-aug2018.pdf) and appropriate clothing.
I will email to each participant the petroglyph information relevant to the location.
Bring lunch, hot drinks, extra warm layers and something to sit on.

Trip Report – Trout Creek Falls Trail – 12 April 2023

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Five of us took advantage of the perfect weather (recently very rare) to hike the Trout Creek Falls loop, which for some historical reason is on Mohun Creek.  The trail was dry and in good condition, with evident clean-up after winter and some new ropes since we visited last.  It goes uphill, as you might expect for waterfalls. Multiple waterfalls.  There are three main ones and a cascade.  The first is near the trail head and is impressive.  The second is bigger and higher and even more impressive.  The third is beyond impressive, though the height of the drop is less than the second falls.  This last falls drops into a narrow gorge and the trail is just on the opposite gorge edge, as close as you would want to be.  But watch your step!  We had lunch on the open, mossy bluff just above the falls.  There was lots of water in the falls after all the recent rain, and it was a sunny, blue day, with sunshine on all the falls.  Perfect.

After lunch we visited the calm pool in the creek just above the falls, then hiked on upstream to where the trail joins the Mary Lake (forestry) Road, which we followed back down, with a short stop at Mary Lake.  Mary Lake is a beautiful lake, but somewhat spoiled by slobs who leave garbage, shotgun shells and bits of fluorescent orange shotgun targets everywhere on the otherwise lovely mossy bluff.  (7km, 3 hours)

Norris
 
(click on photos to enlarge)
 

Hiking – Trout Creek Falls Loop – 12 April 2023

Hiking – Elk Falls Loop – 24 April 2023

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Activity Hiking
Destination Elk Falls Loop
Date 24 April, Monday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info 285-3710 or dmquigg@gmail.com.  Please contact the coordinator by Saturday night.
Description The plan is to hike the full loop beginning at the logging bridge across the Campbell River.  We will hike along the north shore of the River (hopefully there will be trillium and fawn lilies in bloom), across the Canyon View Bridge, up to the Elk Falls viewing area, Moose and Deer Falls, before heading back down on the south side of the River.  About 12 km and 5 hours.
Meeting Place Q Cove Ferry terminal.  Drivers need to be early for this busy sailing.
Departure Time 9:00 ferry
Difficulty
 A few steep places, but mostly reasonable walking on good trails.
Costs Shared ferry costs
Trip limits 12
Dogs? No
Notes: Bring lunch and gear for weather.

Trip Report – Maud Island – 4 April 2023

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Four of us set out on this gorgeous sunny day from the Maud Island parking area.  On the way to the view point situated on Maud Island which overlooks the Seymour Narrows we took the route over the bluffs via Mt Lolo.  This is a tricky part of the hike requiring caution on some of the descents.  We enjoyed the sunshine and spectacular views while we ate our lunch at the viewpoint and were entertained by four or more sea lions frolicking close to the shore in the rapids. On the way back to the vehicles we took the lower trail and stopped at the salt water lagoon to check it out.  The hike including lunch was close to 4 hours and was 10 km.  

Vikki

Thanks to Vikki and Norris for the photos.

Click on photos to enlarge
 

Hiking – Maud Island – 4 April 2023

Trip Report – Heriot Ridge Loop – 29 Mar 2023

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On a bright and sunny spring day, eight people started out to hike the Heriot Ridge Loop with some side attractions. After climbing up to the ridge on Hopespring Trail, we descended down the other side, turning right on Gowlland Harbour Trail and on to the first small bridge. From there we sidetracked a few hundred yards to look at the stand of 19 old growth trees that managed to survive the big fire of 1925. We then progressed on to look at the Three Sisters, that are some of the largest old growth trees on the Island. A short way down the path we turned left to go into a small creek valley, where there is another stand of old-growth trees. Back on the main path, we continued on to the turn off to Rousseau Ridge. We hiked to there to have a lunch while taking in the magnificent scenery. With our lunches, we enjoyed an appetizer of crackers, cream cheese, and smoked sockeye salmon.

After lunch, we hiked back to Thompson Trail and continued down it to the turn off for the Heriot Ridge Route. There is more open bluff hiking as you head up the ridge to the overlook where a bench has been placed. We paused to enjoy the view before hiking on back to our vehicles. (8.1 km, 4½ hours) 

Les

Thanks to Les and Norris for the photos.

Click on photos to enlarge
 

Hiking – Heriot Ridge Loop – 29 March 2023

Hiking – Carrington Bay and Forest – 1 May 2023

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Rescheduled from March 6th.

Activity Hiking
Destination Carrington Bay and Forest, Cortes Island
Date 1 May 2023, Monday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info dmquigg@gmail.com or 3710.  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.  Please arrange carpools in advance.

Trip Report – Mt. Washington & Mt. Elma – 22 Mar 2023

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Reports are that Mt. Washington has lots of snow.  It’s true.  We started out on the snowshoe trail from Raven Lodge with the vague intention of going to the lakes.  Snow conditions were perfect for snowshoeing.  The trails were broken and there was a sparkling layer of fresh snow.  The sun was bright and warm, the air temperature was good, there was no wind.  The sky was clear and blue.  As I said, conditions were perfect.

Except for one thing.  The trail to Lake Helen Mackenzie crosses a stream on a bridge.  The bridge was packed with snow, up to about a metre above the hand rail.  It was well packed, but too narrow for snowshoes.  And there was no way to avoid it since the stream was open.  We crossed it, but once was enough, so we came back the Battleship Lake route.  It also has a stream crossing with a snow-packed bridge.  That one felt much safer, but it looked as if it might collapse sooner or later.

So we arrived at Lake Helen Mackenzie and stopped for lunch.  We looked around for a further destination.  Mt. Elma looked perfect, so we headed there.  The trail was broken already, so it was an easy, though steep, climb up to the ridge.  The summit ridge was amazing, open meadows with fabulous views.  In particular the mountains io the Forbidden Plateau skyline, all snow covered in bright sun with no clouds blocking the view for once. (13.1 km, 6 hours)

Norris

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Snow – Mt. Washington – 22 Mar 2023

Hiking – Trout Creek Falls – 12 Apr 2023

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The date for this hike was changed from April 10th to 12th.

Activity Hiking
Destination Trout Creek Falls
Date 12 April, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca; 250-285-3710.  Please contact the coordinator by Monday evening.
Description We will drive out Menzies Main a short distance to the trailhead for Trout Creek.  This undulating and varied trail passes by three falls, each very different and scenic.  The trail is basic and it may be a bit muddy, rooty and rocky.  There are a few steep sections, but it’s quite short overall.  It can be made into a loop by returning on a logging road.  About 5km; 2½ hours.
Meeting Place QCove ferry terminal
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs Ferry
Trip limits 10
Dogs? No
Notes: Bring gear for the weather and lunch.

Trip Report – Haskins Farm-Fir Crest Loop – 15 Mar 2023

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On March 15, 2023 a small group joined the Haskins Farm and Fir Crest walk. It was an easy walk which took approximately an hour and fifteen minutes. We began at the head of the Haskins Farm trail and at the first intersection took a left and walked through the forest, and through the new growth area over to the golf course where we walked along the cart path, past the Fir Crest trail parking and onto the start of the Fir Crest trail continuing down behind the houses of the subdivision to the bottom of the trail where we began the Fir Crest to Haskins Farm trail along the ridge. Deciding to skip the trail down to the beach, we took the trail back through Haskins Farm up to the vehicles.. The whole way is very lovely with a mixture of forest, new growth, and open fairways, while the ridge is particularly beautiful with the moss covered trees and ocean views. (5.9 km)

Vikki

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Hiking – Haskin Farm & Fir Crest Loop – 15 Mar 2023