Trip Report – Mushroom Hike – 12 Oct 2016

A dozen club members and guests enjoyed the sunny if cool weather to check out the mushrooms growing along Community Centre trails. After a brief discussion about how to properly collect specimens, we headed out in two groups to collect as many types of fungi as we could find. We then assembled at Marian McMeekin’s home to eat our packed lunches and spread out our finds for identification. (We also enjoyed two mushroom appetizers – Chanterelles Ajillo (a garlicky spicy treat) and a Chanterelle/Walnut pate).

With the help of Marian and Hanna Lewandowski, several mushroom field guides and the identification program “Matchmaker”, we identified a good number of the specimens found, including several edibles (pine mushrooms, chanterelles, milkcaps and honey mushrooms).   It was an interesting and enjoyable day.

Darcy

Naturalist – Mushroom Hike – 12 Oct 2016

Trip Report – Shellaligan – 19 Oct 2016

Due to the heavy rains recently and the forecast for rain on the day of the trip, we changed the destination of this hike to a mostly flat walk in the forest.  We decided to explore some of the logging roads in the Shellaligan woodlots that are not on the official trail map.

So three of us braved the weather and had a nice walk in the woods.  We made a slightly non-standard loop using a mix of logging roads and trails.  We made a side trip to the bluff at the entrance to Village Bay and the wind and waves were impressive.  We visited the new (replacement) bridge built by the Trails Committee eight days ago and we had lunch on the shore of Village Bay. The rain held off until afternoon, and it was only a sprinkle and the fall colours made it all worthwhile.  8.5 km; 2¾ hours.

Norris

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Trip Report – New Thompson Trail Loop – 5 Oct 2016

We postponed the hike for three hours to take advantage of the improving weather. Starting at the trailhead on Thompson Road, we hiked up the Thompson Trail to the old B&B trail and then to the logging road that crosses the B&B trail. There has been some fairly recent logging along the way. We followed a few logging roads until we joined up with the North Gowlland Harbour trail, which then led us back to the Thompson Trail and back to the cars. The day was mild and the maples were colourful. The slugs were out and about, and the mushrooms are starting to appear. Since it had rained more than 75 mm in 36 hours, there was a lot of water in the creeks and on the trail. 6.8 km; 2½ hours.

Debbie

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Hike – New Thompson Trail Loop – 5 Oct 2016

Trip Report – Eagle Ridge – 28 Sept 2016

Five of us hiked to Eagle Ridge on a beautiful, warm, clear fall day.  We walked down to the beaver pond, hiked through the forest and up onto the mossy, rocky bluffs to great views of the wetlands and Discovery Passage.  It was still early, so we hiked out to Blindman’s Bluff for lunch.  It was quite warm and the views were great in all directions.  We had the trails all to ourselves.  5.6 km; 3 hours.

Debbie

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Hike – Eagle Ridge – 28 Sept 2016

Hike – Mt. Sweat – 19 Oct 2016

Change of destination and meeting time

Activity Hiking
Destination Shellaligan Pass Mt. Sweat
Date 19 Oct 2016, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info 285-3710 or norris.weimer@ualberta.ca.  Please contact the coordinator several days in advance of the trip.
Description Due to the rainy forecast, we will hike one of the Shellaligan Pass loops.  The original plan was to approach Mt. Sweat from flagged routes leaving from Kolker Main.  However, Heather Kellerhals generously offered to have the hike leave from her property.  This would be a longer and more interesting trip.  We will continue from Mt. Sweat to Kolker Main for those that want to know how to access it from there.  This is fairly weather dependent, as this is a view hike.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store for car pooling
Departure Time 9:30 10:00
Difficulty
Easy Moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? okay no
Notes: Bring lunch and rain gear.

Hike – New Thompson Trail Loop – 5 Oct 2016

 Change of meeting time to 1:00

Activity Hiking
Destination Thompson Trail and new logging road loop
Date 5 Oct 2016, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca or 3710.  Please contact the coordinator several days before the trip.
Description We will start along the Thompson Trail, turning briefly onto the B&B trail and then on to the new logging road.  This passes by rocky, mossy bluffs with some views to the north.  After turning onto an old logging road, we will return following the trail to Rousseau Ridge and then re-join the Thompson Trail to make a loop.  About 3 hours.  If the weather is poor we will do the more standard Hope Spring-Thompson Trail Loop.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Tru Value parking lot
Departure Time 1:00 10:00
Difficulty moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs?  okay
Notes: Bring lunch.

Trip Report – Main Lake – 21 Sept 2016

Three kayaks toured Main Lake to appreciate the last day of official summer and it was a perfect day, with sunshine, warm but not hot, a light breeze and very clear water. Very peaceful and only a few other people there to enjoy it.  12.1 km; 4½ hours.

Norris

Kayak – Main Lake – 21 Sept 2016

Hike – Eagle Ridge – 28 Sept 2016

 Meeting time changed to 9:30. 

Activity Hiking
Destination Eagle Ridge
Date 28 Sept 2016, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca or 3710; please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip
Description This might be the least hiked trail in the official Trail Map.  It includes wetlands, rocky bluffs and great views of Discovery Passage
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store for car pooling
Departure Time 9:30 10:00
Difficulty easy to moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? okay
Notes: Bring lunch and poles, if you use them.

Kayaking – Main Lake – 21 Sept 2016

Activity Kayaking
Destination Main Lake
Date 21 Sept 2016, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710.  Please contact the coordinator prior to the trip.
Description Weather permitting, we will launch at the Mine Lake boat ramp and paddle over to Main Lake.  There are several options, depending on the group, which could include a short hike.
Meeting Place Boat launch, Mine Lake
Departure Time 10:00 (arrive early to prepare)
Difficulty
easy
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? no
Notes: Bring a lunch and snacks.  Have all necessary safety equipment.  We will do something else if the weather isn’t favourable.

Naturalist – Mushroom Hike – 12 October 2016

 This trip is full, but you can contact the coordinator to be added to the waitlist.

Activity Naturalist outing
Destination Mushroom Hike on Quadra
Date 12 October 2016, Wednesday, weather permitting and mushrooms around.
Trip Coordinator Darcy Mitchell, with Marian McMeekin
Contact Info darcm@telus.net or 286-6075; please contact the coordinator by Monday if you are interested
Description Walk to collect mushrooms and do some basic identification.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot for car pooling
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
Easy
Costs none
Trip limits 12 people
Dogs? no
Notes: Trip length 4-5 hours. Bring lunch and collecting gear (bucket or basket, knife, brown paper bags and wax paper if you’re interested in collecting specimens, mushroom id books).