Category Archives: day-trip

Reconnaissance Report – Mt. Beadnell – 6 Sept 2019 & update 1 Nov 2020

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As the end of summer’s good weather was approaching, we took an exploratory adventure to check out a possible new trip for the Club.  Mt. Beadnell on Rodger’s Ridge is nearby and was said to have excellent views. True, it’s nearby, you can see it from Quadra, but the access is on logging roads which vary from wide, flat and dusty, to narrow, rocky, and steep.  And with unmarked junctions.  That was an adventure, but now we know the way.

The trail itself varies from a well-worn foot path to no path and little flagging.  It starts out steep and in forest, but it quickly emerges onto the ridge with fantastic views to the mountains beyond Buttle Lake and the mainland including Mt. Waddington.  The trail is a steady climb (made slower by excellent blueberries and huckleberries) all the way to the flat, wide-open Mt. Beadnell summit.  And the summit does indeed have amazing views all around.  The Ridge provides the opportunity for relatively easy further exploration.  This would be a good day-hike or backpack when the flowers are in bloom.   9.5km; 580m elevation gain; and 6 hours, without the drive.

Norris

Thanks to Norris and Diana for the photos

(click on photos to enlarge)

Update for the reconnaissance report:  We had hoped to have a scheduled trip to Mt. Beadnell, but that never happened.  At the last minute, we went on an impulsive outing on November 1.  The weather was very similar to the previous trip, but the drive up was altogether different.  The upper logging road had been ditched in the last year so the last 9 km took us an hour to drive even in high clearance, 4-wheel-drive vehicles.  That was more than absolutely necessary, since we got out and looked at most of the ditches on the way up.  The drive down took 38 minutes.

But Roger’s Ridge was every bit as special as before.  The quick access from the logging road to the sub-alpine, the ponds and tarns along the way, the easy walking on a good trail and open rock, the spectacular views in all directions make this an amazing trip.  With the slow drive and early sunset we didn’t have time for the Mt. Beadnell summit or other exploring, but the Ridge was fabulous.  8.5km; 530m elevation gain; and 5 hours, without the drive.

Trip Report – Nugedzi Lakes and Views – 4 Sept 2019

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Our group of eight and two dogs hiked up to the Nugedzi Lakes, beginning the hike on the fairly steep old logging road.   Near the end of the logging road we stopped at a viewpoint toward the northeast to enjoy the view and cool off in the shade.  The day was clear, sunny, and quite warm.  We continued on, deciding to take the side trip to the lily pond and the viewpoint to the southeast.  We then followed the undulating trail through the forest up to the Lakes.  Most of the forest along the way is mature with a few old cedars and lovely, open understory.  We stopped for lunch on the rocky point on Nugedzi Lake and some of the group swam in the not quite warm water.  Again the group chose to carry on to the viewpoint to the west over Discovery Passage and views of Vancouver Island.  On the way back we made the small extension to visit Little Nugedzi Lake before hiking back down the steep, eroded logging road.   10.8 km and 5½ hours.

Debbie

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Nugedzi Lakes and Views – 4 Sept 2019

Trip Report – Sayward Area Caves- 25 June 2019

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On Tuesday, June 25th, nine of us went caving with Bill West-Sells to the White River caves in the Sayward area.  We hiked for approximately half an hour to a series of four caves.  We did quite a bit of bridging to avoid getting wet feet.  There were many shelves and a few upper holes which we climbed through.  Everyone enjoyed their time exploring the various caves, the impressive karst environment, and the forest trails between.

Cyndy

Thanks to Bill for the photos

(click on photos to enlarge)

Natural History – Sayward Area Caves – 25 June 2019

Kayaking – Hyacinthe & Open Bays – 8 Sept 2019

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Activity Kayaking
Destination Hyacinthe and Open Bays
Date 8 Sept 2019, Sunday
Trip Coordinator Valerie van Veen
Contact Info 250 285 2329; vvv@qisland.ca
Description Summer-end Sunday Social … a gentle paddle to explore Hyacinthe Bay, then over to Open Bay, possibly check on intertidal and seals in the Bretons. Land on beach beside our house for coffee, tea, goodies provided to accompany your lunch/snack at our place. Paddle back to Len Road beach around 2 pm in time for high(er) tide.
Meeting Place Len Road beach
Departure Time 9:30 , on water by 10
Difficulty
 Easy
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? no
Notes: Bring your own lunch. Kayaks will be put up on driftwood on our beach while we enjoy the break up at our house. Forecast is for possibly showers in afternoon, little wind. Must email/call by Friday night to confirm participation. Kayaks must be ocean kayaks and conform to all Transport Canada requirements.

 

Trip Report – Eagle Ridge & Blindman’s Bluff – 28 Aug 2019

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Six people drove up the hill at the end of Leishmans Road to a spot past the bridge. From there we hiked to the beaver pond which was low and covered with lily pads. We turned left and proceeded up Eagle Ridge. It was a clear day so there were splendid views of the passage. Mt. Victoria really stood out with the blue sky background.

After a short break we backtracked the same route and went up to Blindman’s Bluff. Hiking it counterclockwise, we stopped for lunch before we ran out of shade as it was getting hot. That area has great views of Gowlland Harbour. After lunch we did the open rocks and back down to the vehicles. On the way out we stopped to admire the old growth fir at the entrance. 5.7 km and 3 hours

Les

Thanks to Les the photos

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Eagle Ridge & Blindman’s Bluff – 28 Aug 2019

Hiking – Eagle Ridge & Blindman’s Bluff – 28 August 2019

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Activity Hiking
Destination Eagle Ridge and Blindman’s Bluff
Date 28 Aug 2019, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 285-2029 or leshand@gicable.com.
Description Eagle Ridge trail has wetlands as well as rocky bluffs for views of Discovery Passage. We will then go to Blindman’s Bluff for more open views.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot.
Departure Time 9:00
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? Yes, but no back and forth through group
Notes: Please contact the trip coordinator prior to the trip.

Trip Report – Newton Lake and Waiatt Bay – 14 Aug 2019

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There were eight hikers and two dogs for this highly varied walk to Newton Lake, Small Inlet and Waiatt Bay. It was a warm and sunny day for a hike and a swim. We hiked up the old, eroded logging road to the lake and enjoyed the view and the quiet for a while before continuing along the creek and down the switchbacks to Small Inlet. The Inlet was beautiful and serene, with no boats at anchor, but we decided to go to Waiatt Bay for lunch. It was a very low tide, with quite a lot of boats in the bay, and few people on the trail hiking up to the lake. We returned to Small Inlet by the portage trail and the bubbling spring before hiking back up the hill to Newton Lake. By this time, there were quite a few swimmers at the lake, but we had the rock bluff on the north side to ourselves for a wonderfully refreshing splash in the lake, before returning down the logging road to the vehicles.  14.4 km;  6 hours.

– Julie and Debbie

Click on the photos to enlarge

Hiking – Newton Lake and Waiatt Bay – 14 Aug 2019

Trip Report – Stramberg Creek & North Grove – 7 Aug 2019

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Twelve of us and two dogs headed out to the Stramberg north grove of big trees.  It was one of those dog days of August, sunny and hot.  The first section of the route, an old logging road which was deactivated when it became park land, was a pleasant stroll, a grassy, mossy path. When we reached Stramberg Creek, it was flowing deeper than usual at this time of year.  So we waded across the clear, cool stream.  Then some of us and the dogs were attacked by ground-nesting wasps.  With the help of some ointment on the bites, we continued on.  The trail was clear and well flagged so we made good time and had lunch at the north grove.  After lunch the group split as some returned while others opted for continuing on the trail to the Stramberg big trees, which we normally reach by the trail from the south and east side of the Lake.  The return trip was uneventful, but warm and quick since swimming in Stramberg Lake was the next objective.  The cool, clear waters were very refreshing.  12.1 km;  5½ hours.

– Norris

Thanks to Norris and Les for the photos

(Click on the photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Stramberg Creek & North Grove – 7 Aug 2019

Hike – Nugedzi Lakes and Views – 4 Sept 2019

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Activity Hiking
Destination Nugedzi Lakes and Views
Date 4 Sept 2019, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca or 3710; please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip.
Description Hike up a steep, old logging road and meander through open forest to the lovely Nugedzi Lakes.  We will also take two or three side trips to viewpoints looking northeast, southeast and west.  Nugedzi Lake is a great place for lunch and a swim.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store for car pooling
Departure Time 9:00
Difficulty moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs?  okay
Notes: Bring lunch and swim wear if you want.

 

Hiking – Maud Island- 11 Sept 2019

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Activity Hiking
Destination Maud Island
Date 11 Sept 2019, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Sandra Burns
Contact Info sandraburns.ca@gmail.com or 3977.  Please do not call after 8:00pm.  Contact the coordinator in advance of the trip.
Description Hike to Maud Island through varied forest and terrain.  We will do a loop passing over the shoulder of  Mt. Lolo, crossing the causeway to Maud Island, enjoying views of Seymour Narrows, and returning by the salt water lagoon.  Allow 5 hours, including driving, for this walk of approximately 10km.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store for car pooling
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs none
Trip limits 12
Dogs? no
Notes: Bring lunch, poles if you use them and gear for the weather.  We don’t usually do this trip in very poor weather.