Category Archives: day-trip

Trip Report – Forbidden Plateau – 16 Sept 2019

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Four of us headed out into Paradise Meadows on a nice autumn morning after a weekend of heavy rain.  The first part of our loop went quickly on good boardwalk from which we could appreciate the bogs, ponds, meadows and lakes and their flora without tramping through mud.  After passing Battleship, Kooso, Lady Lakes and numerous meadows, we had lunch at Croteau group campsite and yurt.  As the forecast rain held off, we decided to hike the Kwai Lake Loop, so we continued on to Kwai Lake and up the hill to the Ranger cabin. Passing through a meadow surrounded by blueberries and huckleberries, we surprised two  black bears: a mom and cub.  The long descent to Helen Mackenzie Lake is through forest and features roots, rocks and mud.  This section always seems endless.  However, on the plus side, there were many varieties of mushrooms to admire.  And it didn’t rain until we got back to the car.    17.2km; 187m elevation gain; 6 hours, 

On the drive back to Campbell River a large black bear cub ran across the four lane highway in front of us, near Black Creek, with a big mama bear watching from the ditch.

Norris

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Hiking – Forbidden Plateau – 16 Sept 2019

Hiking – North Gowlland Loop – 30 Oct 2019

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Activity Hiking
Destination North Gowlland Loop
Date 30 Oct 2019, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info 285-3710 or debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca.  Please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip.
Description We will use bike trails, logging roads and a bit of official hiking trail to make this loop on both sides of North Gowlland Road: Marlow’s Road Climb, North Gowlland Trail, Missing Link, Little Black Dress, Back Door, Cash Only and Lady Lumps.  If the weather is good we will visit Rousseau Ridge.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store for car pooling
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? Okay if they don’t run through the group
Notes: Bring lunch and gear for the weather.

Trip Report – Maud Island – 11 Sept 2019

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Six hardy souls prepared for rain and began the lovely stroll through the forest before reaching the rockier trails. Recent rains had helped the mosses to pop out in colour, but possibly the most stunning visuals were the fungi. Many we were able to identify, but a small, white cauliflower shaped fungi with shiny red and black markings was unknown and stunning.  

Lunch and a rest at the lookout is always entertaining, watching various boats pass by, especially with so many whirlpools gathering below in Seymour Narrows.  We could see rain coming and so after half an hour, began to return to the cars, only getting drizzled on along the way. The rocky parts of this trail are tricky when wet, so we were all very careful and arrived safely.  A lovely hike, as always.  10.0 km; 4 hours for walking and lunch with a one hour drive.

Sandra

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Hiking – Maud Island – 11 Sept 2019

Hiking – Rebecca Spit Loop – 30 Oct 2019

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Activity Hiking
Destination Rebecca Spit Loop
Date 30 October 2019, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca or 3710.  Please contact the trip coordinator prior to the trip.
Description We will visit the Sasquatch and then continue to Paddy’s Lagoon.  We will follow some unofficial trails that loop out and then circle back to the campground.  We will explore the recent improvements to Drew Creek.  If we then continue to the end of the Spit, the hike is about 8km.
Meeting Place Rebecca Spit parking lot just past the gate on the right by the water at the south end of the park.
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 easy
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs?
Notes: Expect some mud on the way to Paddy’s Lagoon.  Bring a snack and gear for the weather.

Hiking – South Morte Lake Loop – 6 Nov 2019

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 This hike was originally scheduled for Oct 23rd

Activity Hiking
Destination South Morte Lake Loop
Date 6 Nov 2019, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca or 3710.  Please contact the coordinator in advance.
Description Starting from the Morte Lake parking lot, we will hike up Morning Beer, joining Deadfish and on to other mountain bike trails.  We will descend maybe by Tripod, carry on along Reed Lake, cross the Wal Can Road and return to the Morte Lake parking lot following McKercher Creek.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? okay, but must not run through the group
Notes: Bring a snack or lunch, poles if you use them, and gear appropriate for the weather.

Hiking – Mt. Seymour – 16 Oct 2019

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Re-scheduled to October 14th, Monday

Activity Hiking
Destination Mt. Seymour
Date 14 16 Oct 2019, Monday Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710
Description This hike will take us to the highest point on Quadra Island.  After ascending the old logging road we wander over open bluffs with great views.  Once at the summit there are nearly 360° views.  We will not do this trip in poor weather.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay parking lot to carpool
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 challenging
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs
Notes: Bring lunch, poles if you use them, and gear appropriate for the weather.

Hiking – Kay Dubois Loop – 9 Oct 2019

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Activity Hiking
Destination Kay Dubois Trail
Date 9 Oct 2019, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Julie Mellanby
Contact Info 3978
Description We will hike this trail beginning at the south.  This is a classic trail along the shore through a mixed forest with great views of Sutil Chanel. A short walk.
Meeting Place Kay Dubois trailhead at the end of Sutil Road
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Easy
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? Okay if they don’t run through the group.
Notes: Bring a snack or lunch and poles if you use them.

Hiking – Hope Spring-Thompson Trail loop – 2 Oct 2019

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Activity Hiking
Destination Hope Spring-Thompson Trail loop
Date 27 Feb 2019, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Julie Mellanby
Contact Info 3978
Description We will begin the loop at the Hope Spring trailhead and hike clockwise.  This is a classic loop on official trails, with lots of variety: creeks, old growth Douglas fir, and some wetlands..  The hike will be about two hours.
Meeting Place Hope Spring trailhead
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Fairly short and undulating
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? Okay if they don’t run through the group.
Notes: Bring a snack or lunch and poles if you use them.

Hiking – Strathcona Park – 16 Sept 2019

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Activity Hiking
Destination Forbidden Plateau, Strathcona Park
Date 16 Sept 2019, Monday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Information norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710
Description Weather permitting, a ramble through Paradise Meadows in Strathcona Park to admire fall colours and any late flowers. Bring lunch and water.
Meeting Place QCove ferry terminal
Departure Time 9:00 ferry; be early if you are driving as this will be a busy sailing
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs Ferry costs and shared fuel
Trip limits none
Dogs? Must be on leash in Paradise Meadows
Notes: Please contact the coordinator by Saturday night in order to arrange carpooling.  Bring lunch and gear appropriate for the weather.  The trip will be postponed if serious rain is forecast.

Trip Report – Hyacinthe and Open Bays – 8 Sept 2019

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After a dark and stormy night, we prevaricated about getting out on the water in the face of an uncertain forecast. However, the lazy kayaker doesn’t get the first wave, or something like that, so three of us scrambled and were on the water by 10:16. Skies were overcast but the rain stayed away, the winds were calm, and the sun even peeped out occasionally. We meandered around Hyacinthe Bay, admiring both the variety of architecture, and the extensive pillow-lava formations. The incoming tide even allowed us to go around Heriot Island, where we were astonished to see large outcrops of sand dollars in the shallow, warmer waters. From there we enjoyed a calm crossing over to the Bretons and Hoskyn Channel. A few seals greeted us, but two were more interested in their squabbling than us. In the Breton Islets, oystercatchers, scoters, and dunlins were busy exploring the intertidal. We noted the number of boats still plying the waters around the Islands, we could see a kayaker launching from one large yacht that was hanging around Open Bay.

Our game plan was to land in the small beach beside the van Veen’s house, but a surprising amount of southerly swell generating wave action on the rocky beach made us decide to land on the sand/gravel of Big Beach and walk over to our house for our break. After lunch in the sun on our deck we were back on the water by 2 pm. An elegant two-masted schooner that has been anchored in Open Bay captured our interest, an internet search later revealed that it is for sale. We then had the pleasure of meeting the kayaker from the large motor yacht, a delightful American lady who travels the west coast in her yacht every summer. She was accompanied by her two dogs lounging on the deck of her kayak, resplendent in their doggie PFDs. She said she usually has her cat with her as well on her daily paddle. We were off the water by 3 pm. after a very pleasant, easy-going paddle. 13.7 km or 7.4 NM; 3½ hours, without the lunch break.

Valerie van Veen

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Kayaking – Hyacinthe and Open Bays- 8 Sept 2019