Category Archives: day-trip

Kayaking – Granite/Kanish Bays – 30 August 2017

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Activity Kayaking
Destination Granite and Kanish Bays
Date 30 August 2017, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Darcy Mitchell
Contact Info mitchelldarcy51@gmail.com
Description Depending on weather conditions, paddle from Granite Bay to Chained Islets, north to Kanish Bay entrance, across to Orchard Bay for lunch and back to Granite Bay. If it’s windy, we’ll likely paddle up to Small Inlet, hike across to Waiatt Bay and back with a stop at Orchard Bay.
Meeting Place Boat launch, Granite Bay
Departure Time 10:00 (come early to unload and prepare)
Difficulty
 easy/moderate
Costs parking and launch fee at Granite Bay Boat launch (about $5.00)
Trip limits none
Dogs? no
Notes: We’ll plan to be back at the boat launch by 4:30 p.m. Bring a lunch and snacks.
Bring all necessary gear to meet the Coast Guard requirements and to ensure safety.

Trip Report – Memekay Caves – 31 May 2017

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Seven of us had a great trip to the Memekay Caves. We visited two caves: Chicken II and Scallop Falls. Bill, our guide from Vancouver Island Cave Exploration Group, was full of stories and information. He made us feel at ease as we made our way through the long narrow passages. There were some challenges in the second cave as we climbed, bridged and wriggle through the narrow tunnel with water running through it. We marvelled at the rock formations and Scallop Falls. After lunch we took a short walk along the East Memekay River.

Cyndy

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Thanks to Norris, Bill & Cyndy, Mitch and Sameen for contributing their photos

Natural History – Caving near Sayward – 31 May 2017

Trip Report – Hopespring – Homewood Loop – 24 May 2017

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Ten hikers and three dogs enjoyed a three and a half hour hike on a loop of trails and routes in the Heriot Ridge area. The weather was sunny and cool with a brisk northwest wind blowing. Starting at the Hopespring trailhead, we walked up to the height of land, then headed south along Heriot Ridge. Our first stop was the location of the new North Island communication tower. From there we dropped off the south end of the ridge and proceeded south through the woods to High Bluff where we had great views south and west.   We hiked west on the High Bluff trail, then south on Gowlland Harbour trail to Homewood Bluff where we stopped for lunch and enjoyed more views west to the Vancouver Island Mountains.   Dropping off the east side of Homewood Bluff, we picked up the High Bluff trail back to High Bluff, then north across Heriot Ridge to Hopespring trail and back to the vehicles. The wildflowers on the open bluffs of Heriot Ridge were a bonus.  5.9 km.

Janis

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Hiking – Hopespring – Homewood Loop – 24 May 2017

Trip Report – Ripple Rock – 10 May 2017

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We met on the 9:00 ferry and drove 16 km north from Campbell River to the start of the Ripple Rock Trail. Seven of us set out – but eight came back, because we met a lone hiker on the way out who joined us for the return trip. We had six club members and one guest from Ontario. The weather cooperated and we were soon peeling off layers as the day warmed up.

The trail was muddy in spots because of all the recent rain, but the path is easy to follow. There were some steep sections but nothing challenging. We crossed several metal bridges and after the final 47-step staircase, we reached the top. We ate our lunch overlooking Seymour Narrows, and the site of the former Ripple Rock. It was interesting to see the endpoint of Quadra’s Maud Island hike from this viewpoint.

We passed several groups of hikers and dogs along the way – when we arrived there was only 1 other car in the parking lot. By the time we left, there were 11 vehicles.   The 9.6 km hike took 4 hours, with short stops at each viewpoint along the way and a generous stop for lunch.

Diana

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Hiking – Ripple Rock – 10 May 2017

Trip Report – Gowlland Harbour – 4 May 2017

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A magnificent day, the mist was floating through the harbour in the morning and before mid-day the sun broke through. Six kayakers took this trip, we began at Gowlland Harbour Resort Boat launch. Kayaked around Fawn Island, the islands had wonderful displays of yellow, pink and blue wildflowers, extra succulent this year because of all the moisture. Kayaked around Stag Island, seals sunning themselves, counted a number of eagles plus the geese showing off their babies. Enjoyed lunch on May Island, here the eagles gave us a display. Kayaked over the boat wreck and then over to the shores of Quadra. The rockface with cascading water and wildflowers was amazing. We were filled up with beauty. Returned to the boat launch at 3.p.m. We all enjoyed this magical spring display.  9.1km; 3½ hours.

Margot

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Kayaking – Gowlland Harbour – 4 May 2017

Trip Report – Chinese Mountains – 2 May 2017

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After two cancellations, the weather finally cooperated and five people were able to do this hike. We went up the south side of South Chinese Mountain and the trail was in good condition. Although hazy in the distance, the cloud cover was high enough for a good view. The wind was blowing so we came back to the north view to eat lunch. The waterfall in the distance on the mainland was quite noticeable with the high water flow from the spring melt.

After lunch we went down the north side and then up to North Chinese Mountain. These are great hikes for a bit of cardio and lovely views. 5 KM and 3 Hours

Les

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Hiking – Chinese Mountains – 2 May 2017

Trip Report – The Campbell River Loop – 26 Apr 2017

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Six of us hiked a loop from the logging bridge on the Campbell River up to Moose Falls and back. This is always a great walk with lots of highlights, but this was particularly special because of the spring wildflower bloom. Immediately after crossing the bridge and starting along the trail on the north side of the river, we were greeted with a wonderful profusion of pink and white fawn lilies, trillium, and wild bleeding heart. For the first 2 kilometers these flowers carpeted the edge of the trail.  After a long winter, spring was everywhere.

We admired the Canyon View and continued on up to the Station View, with its rather industrial view of the generating station and construction. The Millennium Trail wanders through a fine forest with some very impressive old growth and leads to the Elk Falls viewing platform and suspension bridge, both amazing.  Elk Falls drops about 25 meters into a very narrow gorge with a right-angle turn.

We took the gradually ascending Old Growth trail and then the very steep descent to the rocky viewpoint for Moose Falls and the Dolphin Pool, where we stopped for lunch. Although the forecast had called for rain by mid-day, we had warm sunshine. We returned along the river, passed by Deer Falls and more views of Elk Falls, and crossed over to the south side of the river for more wildflowers before reaching the vehicles. 13.4 km; 4½ hours.

Debbie

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Hiking – The Campbell River Loop – 26 Apr 2017

Hiking – Ripple Rock Trail – 10 May 2017

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Activity Hiking
Destination Ripple Rock Trail
Date 10 May 2017, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Diana
Contact Info 285-3204 or diana@gicable.com.  Contact coordinator about car pooling by May 9.
Description 8 km round trip hike on Ripple Rock Trail, 16 km north of Campbell River. If you have hiked the Maud Island trail on Quadra, this hike shows the Ripple Rock site from the other side of the strait. Bring lunch. Approximate time 4 hours.
Meeting Place Q Cove ferry terminal
Departure Time 9:00 am ferry.  If you are driving, come early for this busy ferry.
Difficulty
 Moderate, with some steep sections
Costs Ferry fare
Trip limits None
Dogs? Must be on leash or under control
Notes: Contact coordinator by May 9 to make carpooling arrangements ahead of time so we are not taking too many cars over.

 

Hiking – Chinese Mountains – 2 May 2017

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Activity Hiking
Destination South and North Chinese Mountain
Date 2 May 2017, Tuesday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 285-2029.  Please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip.
Description We will go up the south side to South Chinese Mtn. and have lunch while enjoying the view. Then down the north path and up North Chinese Mtn. and back to the vehicles.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store parking lot for car pooling
Departure Time 10:30
Difficulty
 Moderate, but up and down
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? No, as trail is narrow in spots.
Notes: It is only 3.4 km around South Chinese so we will go up north as well. Not everybody has to do both.

Trip Report – Morte Lake Loop – 20 Apr 2017

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The Wednesday trip scheduled for snowshoes on Mt. Washington was cancelled because the rain was pretty thick.  Instead five of us took advantage of a day off from the rain on Thursday and walked around Morte Lake.  It was a lovely Spring day for a walk and Morte Lake did not disappoint.  We had lunch at the far end at the sandy beach and returned via the Nirvana bike trail up to the viewpoint and back to the trailhead on Dead Fish. 11.4km; 4¼ hours.

Norris

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Hiking – Morte Lake Loop – 20 Apr 2017