Category Archives: day-trip

Trip Report – Forbidden Plateau and Cruikshank Canyon – 27 Aug 2018

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This was an unscheduled, impromptu trip.  We took advantage of a break in the weather for a tour of the lakes on the Forbidden Plateau and at the last minute decided to push on to Cruickshank Canyon.  The day was cloudless, with a reasonable summer temperature, and a bit of smoke haze on the horizon.  We caught the 7:05 ferry and were hiking shortly after 8:30.  We hiked the lake loop clockwise, arriving first at Battleship, then Lady, Croteau and Kwai Lakes.  We explored the excellent new group campground at Croteau, complete with yurt cooking shelter, and had lunch at Kwai.  We hiked the spur to Mariwood and Beautiful (well named) Lakes and continued to Cruikshank Canyon.  The haze was most noticeable across the canyon, but the viewpoint drop-off is always impressive.  We stopped at Mariwood Lake on the return and Julie swam in the cold water, before hiking up to the Ranger station and on to Helen Mackenzie Lake.

This is truly a spectacular sub-alpine hike.  We were very pleased that there was no apparent drought on the plateau.  The lake levels were reasonable and the meadows still green and lush.  The wild blueberries were delicious and definitely extended the time it took to do the trip.  22.1 km; 8¼ hours.

Debbie

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Trip Report – Homewood Trails Loop – 22 August 2018

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Five hikers and Rosco the dog enjoyed a three-hour hike in the Heriot Ridge area. A smoky haze from BC wildfires partially blocked the sun but was not as thick as the previous few days. Beginning at the Hopespring trailhead, we hiked up to the height of land and down the west side of the ridge, turning south on Gowlland trail. We sampled a few blackberries along the way, before turning east on the Homewood Bluff trail. On top of Homewood Bluff we stopped for a snack but the view to the west was lacking due to the smoke. Descending the east side of the bluff, we connected with Homewood’s High Bluff trail. This trail is partially overgrown, due to lack of use by the Homewood groups. However, the wolves use this route since wolf scat was observed perched on a log across the trail. After reaching the height of land, a side trip took us up to High Bluff were we enjoyed another rest stop but could barely see Campbell River to the west. From here we hiked north along Heriot Ridge on an unmarked route, stopping to say hello to a grand old Douglas fir tree tucked away in the bluffs. Along the way we stepped over the skeleton of an unfortunate deer not far from the intersection with Hopespring trail. From here we returned to the vehicles. Temperatures remained cool and pleasant throughout the hike due to the haze. 5.3 km.

Janis McLean

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Hiking -Homewood Trails Loop – 22 August 2018

Trip Report – Hoskyn Channel – 15 August 2018

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Six paddlers took advantage of another lovely day of warm weather and light breezes to kayak from Len Road Beach to Village Bay. We were on the water by 9 am, thankful for the high tide allowing a quick launch. With high tide and calm waters, we went through Shellaligan and on to Village Bay. Several hikers were sunbathing on the rocky outcroppings along the trail, but no other wildlife. This was especially disappointing as just a few days ago a huge pod of Pacific White-sided dolphins spent most of a day in a feeding frenzy in Open Bay. We reached Village Bay at 11:30, brunch time. The beach was surprisingly clean, though a few small items were picked up and one aquafarm basket was left, hoping boaters would take it back. A classic wooden boat was anchored in the bay and we admired their husky dog, and the amazing crop of lettuce flourishing on the back deck. An easy paddle back to Hyacinthe Bay, more hikers lounging on the Shellaligan rocks, though no-one braving the chilly water. A flock of seabirds were noisily feeding in the intertidal at the north end of Hyacinthe Bay, and several dozen seals were dozing, and arguing, on the Seal Rocks.

The highlight of an otherwise peaceful paddle came at the end of the trip. Terry wanted to retrieve some flotsam washed up on Turtle Island, just off Len Beach. He and Vic bagged the huge fishing net, aka “the beast”, straddled it across Vic’s and Val’s kayaks, and Terry practised his guiding skills by towing both kayaks back to shore, Vic assisting as outrigger paddler. The beast will be suitably disposed of, and no-one will be any the wiser as to its timely demise.

Thanks to Terry and Val for photos.

Valerie

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Kayaking – Hoskyn Channel – 15 August 2018

Trip Report – Surge Narrows – 8 August 2018

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Our group of five and a puppy hiked the short trail to see the Surge Narrows rapids at a 9.4 knot flood current. The day was very clear and extremely hot — 33° C in Campbell River. The turbulence was impressive and it was also interesting to watch the few boats that went through the rapids without waiting for slack water.  We walked beyond the first viewpoint, following the unmaintained route, to the next bay and returned to the vehicles. 4.7 km; 3½ hours.

Most of the group then drove back to Mine Lake for a swim.  It was lovely, but we had to stay in the water to stay cool.

Julie

Thanks to Les for the photos

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Hiking – Surge Narrows – 8 August 2018

Trip Report – Kanish Bay – 1 Aug 2018

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After prior consideration of an inscrutable weather forecast, seven club members (including five men, possibly a trip record!) paddled out from the Granite Bay boat launch at 9 a.m. for a day of near-perfect conditions. We first headed to the Chained Islands to provide an easy return if conditions worsened and took a short break and a peek “outside”. The bay was so calm we decided to aim for Granite Point to see the pictograms and watch the activity as fishing boats headed out for a sockeye opening. We then paddled to Orchard Bay – a very picturesque spot with a huge midden, clam garden and abandoned homestead – where we enjoyed our lunch, and then headed back to Granite Bay, arriving at 3 p.m. Thanks to Norris and Les for the great photos!  17.6 km; 5¾ hours.

Darcy Mitchell

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Kayaking – Granite – Kanish Bays – 1 Aug 2018

Trip Report – Chinese and Beech’s Mountains – 3 Aug 2018

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Five ambitious souls stared out early for a hike of all three peaks, North Chinese Mtn., South Chinese Mtn. and Beech’s Mtn. The weather was cool with some clouds but soon heated up. We went up to the north peak first. Since it has been so dry there is even more loose rock than usual. At the top we stopped for a short break and were treated to a nighthawk sighting. We then went down and up to the South Chinese overlook. Here we enjoyed the panoramic view that it always offers. From there we dropped to the Beech’s trail and continued up to the cliff viewing area. Here we had lunch and a rest while soaking in the scenery. After lunch we walked on up to the top of Beech’s Mtn. before going back down to the parking area. Total time including breaks was 4½ hours. 7.35km with 420M elevation gain

Les

Thanks to Norris and Les for the photos

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Hiking – Chinese and Beech’s Mountains – 3 Aug 2018

Hiking – North, South Chinese & Beech’s Mtn – 3 August 2018

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Activity Hiking
Destination Beech’s Mountain
Date 3 August 2018, Friday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 250-285-2029 leshand.@gicable.com
Description We will be going up North Chinese Mt. then up South Chinese Mt.
From there we will descend to the Beech Mtn. trail and go up to Beech summit. This hike will be approx. 7.4 km and up 430 meters. It will take about three and a half hours depending on the group.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store parking lot
Departure Time Meet at 8:30, to begin the hike at 9:00
Difficulty
 Moderate.
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? no
Notes: Good hiking footwear is recommended as there is loose rock. Hiking poles may help, if you like.
I apologize for the late posting of this trip but was waiting for cooler weather.

Trip Report – Woss Lookout & Little Huson Caves – 26 July 2018

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The original plan was to hike to Woss Lookout in the morning to beat the extreme summer heat. But, unexpectedly, when we drove north on Highway 19, it was overcast and quite cool, so we continued on to the Little Huson Caves first. These karst features in Quatsino limestone are very beautifully sculpted into complex shapes with the Atluk Creek running through it. We took the short walk to the northern viewpoint first and explored the big opening in the natural bridge over the River “Cave”. The trail also leads to the south opening of the bridge with even more opportunity to see the sculpted limestone. With the low water and dry weather there are lots of possibilities for exploring. We also visited the Bridge Cave before walking to Little Huson Lake.

We then drove south to the rough logging road leading to the Woss Lookout trailhead. Once the skies cleared at noon, it was already hot. We walked up the upper logging road switchbacks and then took the trail through the forest up to the summit. This is a short, steep hike with lots of rope available for assistance. There were wonderful blueberries and purple huckleberries on the way up. At the summit we enjoyed the excellent restoration of the lookout tower, a very refreshing afternoon breeze, and fantastic view in nearly 360°. The historical photos from 1948 are very interesting. The location of the tower was great as a fire lookout, but also for views. The conical hill is a focus for five valleys. For the hike: 4.4 km; 2¾ hours; 376 m elevation gain; 35% incline in the steep section.

Debbie

Thanks to Norris and Les for the photos, which were updated on August 25th.

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Hiking – Woss Lookout & Little Huson Caves – 27 July 2018

Trip Report – Crest Mountain- 25 July 2018

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The weather forecast was for hot, hot, hot, and the Crest Mountain trail is south facing and up, up, up, so not everyone thought doing this hike as scheduled was a good idea.  Nevertheless, three of us decided to do it anyway, although we did change the start time to the first ferry, which was a good move.  The drive to the trailhead was very scenic in the morning light.  The trail was cool in the open mature forest in the shadow of a ridge.  We moved uphill quickly.  In 4 km the trail gains 1,100 m elevation.  It starts out as a nice engineered trail with switchbacks, but as it goes up it gets steeper until near the top it is just an uphill trail.

Views and wildflowers start to appear near the top of the climb and there is a small refreshing lake at the rim.  From here on, the mountain top is relatively flat and alpine.  There are small lakes and tarns, hills and ridges, and fantastic views all around. There is a first summit with a radio cone and a higher summit a kilometre or half an hour further on, with a suitable cairn, but the trails to it are indistinct.

The temperature when we left the trailhead was 17°C, the temperature on the summit was 20°C, with a light breeze, and when we got back to the car, it was 30°C.  Going down this trail is just as hard and slow as going up due to the steep, slippery gravel.  14.3 km; 9 hours; 1,235 m elevation gain; the average incline of the climb is 21%, and in the steepest section it is 34%.

Norris

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Hiking – Crest Mountain – 25 July 2018

Trip Report – Village Bay Lakes and Main Lake Park – 23 July 2018

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Six people met at the Village Bay Lake ramp at 8:30 and were on the water by 9 a.m. to beat some of the heat. Now that the temperature is reaching 30 degrees it is just too hot late afternoon to have a comfortable paddle. It was a beautiful clear day though with a slight breeze. We paddled up the right side of the lake going into each bay. It is amazing how many houses have been renovated on the lake in the last few years. There are also some new ones. Many are quite unique and some even have ladder trolleys to move goods up to the house. From Village Bay Lake the group paddled through the shallow creek to Mine Lake. There were a couple of blue herons in the reeds that were not bothered by our passing. The water level is quite low and a boat with motor would have a hard time not hitting sticks or the bottom in some areas.  We then proceeded to the big sand beach at the entrance to Main Lake for lunch. There were a few tents pitched there but plenty of room for our group.

We took the same path back, but went down the opposite side of Village Bay Lake. There are many nice houses and cottages on that side as well. In total we traveled 11.4 km and were gone 3.5 hours.

Les

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Kayaking – Village Bay Lake and Main Lake Park – 23 July 2018