Category Archives: day-trip

Trip Report – Channel Rock & Kw’as Park – 18 Aug 2015

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Such a beautiful day, filled with sunshine. Ten individuals attended this trip, we caught the 9:05 a.m. ferry to Cortes Island. We drove to 431 Whaletown Road, parked at Channel Rock parking lot.  Steph (manager) for Channel Rock met us and we walked the lovely path to Channel Rock.  Channel Rock is a 140-acre, off the grid paradise, protected by land covenant, powered by solar energy, and only accessible by boat or by foot.  Steph took us on a tour of Gilean Douglas’s home, which is in need of care and attention.  Our donation went towards this restoration program.  Steph gave us further details of the life of Gilean Douglas during her time on Cortes Island and the present owners.  We then toured the gardens and the amazing locally crafted dwellings of Channel Rock.  Each structure fitted into the natural landscape, such beautiful craftsmanship.  We ate our lunch overlooking the stunning coastline and gardens.

Trekked back along the path to the parking area.  We dropped two hikers off at Whaletown Commons and the rest proceed to the Kw’as trails.  This is a large network of trails and we only had the time to cover a small section.  The section we chose took us along the side of Gunflint Lake and through deep old forests, up to high covered bluffs.  We crossed a bridge that gave us a view of Hague Lake and then continued up and over the manzanita covered bluffs.  We stopped a couple of times at different view spots and to read the information boards posted.  This trail is well marked and indeed beautiful. Unfortunately, we did not have the time to hike to the Old Growth area and all decided we need to return for the whole day next time.  It was a pleasure walking in the cool woods on such a hot day.  The group decided to take a side trip to the Co-op for a nice cold beverage and then onto the ferry line-up.

This was truly a rewarding day and again filled with beautiful memories of another visit to Cortes Island. All hikers arrived home safely and we look forward to seeing the pictures.

Lets return again!

Margot

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Hiking – Channel Rock & K’was Park – 18 Aug 2015

Hiking – Far West Wall – 2 Sept 2015

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 POSTPONED to Saturday, September 5th

Activity Hiking
Destination Far West Wall
Date 2 5 Sept 2015, Wednesday Saturday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info 285-3710 or norris.weimer@ualberta.ca; please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip
Description This hike begins on the south side of South Chinese Mountain.  It then follows a flagged route to a climbing wall.  The route goes around and up to the top of the climbing area.  This involves some big steps and minor scrambling. The effort is rewarded with great views.  About 3 hours.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store for car pooling
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Moderate.  This is a short hike (5km) mostly without a maintained trail and one very steep section
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? no
Notes: Bring lunch

 

Hiking – Nugedzi Lakes – 22 Aug 2015

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 Rescheduled

Activity Hiking
Destination Nugedzi Lakes and overlooks
Date 22 Aug 2015, 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 hike up the old logging road and into the forest.  This trip takes us through some old forest groves and on to the Nugedzi Lakes.  Hopefully, it will be warm enough for a swim.  We would like to visit both of the overlooks, which makes this a fairly long hike (about 12 km) with a moderate amount of elevation gain.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store for car pooling
Departure Time 9:30
Difficulty
 moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs?
Notes: Bring a lunch and possibly a bathing suit.

 

Hiking – Channel Rock & Kw’as Park – 18 Aug 2015

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Activity Hiking
Destination Channel Rock and Kw’as Park Trails, Cortes Island
Date 18 August 2015, Tuesday
Trip Coordinator Margot Wood
Contact Info 285-2393; Please would you let me know before Aug 4th. I need to inform Channel Rock of numbers.
Description I will organize car-pooling for this trip. We will leave on the first ferry to Cortes. The group will visit Channel Rock starting with a beautiful hike along the coast line to Channel Rock. Channel Rock is a 140 acre paradise, protected by a land covenant, powered by solar energy, & accessible by boat or by foot. Surrounded by stunning coastlines, lush forests, & magical ecosystems. Many interesting dwellings have been built over the years, built by the islander’s talented woodworkers, that fit into the natural landscape & offer examples of highest quality craftsmanship & natural building mediums. The gardens are not just bountiful but beautiful. This was the home of Gilean Douglas for over 40 years. Gilean was a journalist, historian, feminist & a nature writer. I have booked a tour for us. This will be our morning trip & in the afternoon we will hike the Kw’as Park Trail Network. This large network of trails varies in difficulty & time depending on the route taken. Trails lead along the side of Hague & Gunflint lakes, through deep old forests & over high manzanita covered bluffs. We will return on the 3:50 p.m ferry.
Meeting Place Cortes ferry line-up.
Departure Time 9:05 a.m. ferry
Difficulty
 easy – moderate
Costs Ferry cost plus Channel Rock tour $15
Trip limits none
Dogs? no
Notes: Bring your lunch and water

Trip Report – Granite Bay – 8 July 2015

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A group of six paddlers enjoyed perfect conditions for a tour around Kanish Bay on July 8th. The smokey atmosphere had cleared and we could enjoy the view across the Inside Passage. We made our way out through Chain Islands, then cut across the calm waters of the bay to Granite Point – a destination you can only attempt in such ideal weather. We poked around the point to take a look into Okisollo Passage, then moseyed back along the north shore of Kanish Bay. We had heard that there were pictographs somewhere along the cliffs, and happily we were able to spot a couple of sketchy images in red pigment. Lunch was on a rocky point part way along the shore, followed by a swim at Orchard Bay. It felt like a pretty mellow day, but we covered 18 km in our circuit around Kanish Bay.

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Kayaking –Granite Bay – 8 July 2015

Trip Report – Surge Narrows – 3 July 2015

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We had a group of 10 for this outing on a hot, sunny and very windy day. Of the ten, five had never been on a hike with the QIOC and the ages spanned more than 50 years. We started at Mine Lake, on the big rock, for a swim and lunch. The water was very warm, but there were white caps on the lake. We drove out to the end of the Surge Narrows road. As we visited the community dock, we were treated to a close encounter with an eagle carrying a fish. We hiked along the Surge Narrows trail to the viewpoint, arriving about a half hour before the max flood current of 10.6 knots, which was very impressive. Some of the group continued on the unmaintained route to the next bay and point, with views up toward Okisollo Channel and lots of wind and waves. There was a ground nesting wasp sting and a hurt foot on the return trip, but the victims took it in stride.

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Hiking – Surge Narrows – 3 July 2015

Kayaking – Kayak Rescue Practice and Potluck – 13 July 2015

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 Postponed until warmer, sunnier weather!

Activity Kayaking and Potluck
Destination Rebecca Spit
Date 13 July 2015, Monday
Trip Coordinator TBA
Contact Info qioutdoorclub@gmail.com
Description This is really two events.  You can do either or both.  We will have a very unstructured kayak practice for bracing and rescues.  There will be no instruction and no gear provided, but we will help each other to practice these important skills.  Following the kayak practice, we will also have a potluck.  You don’t have to be a member to come to the potluck.
Meeting Place Rebecca Spit parking lot by the meadow
Departure Time 16:00 for the kayak practice.   17:30 for the potluck
Difficulty
 It will be what you make of it
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? no
Notes:

Kayaking – Granite Bay – 8 July 2015

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Activity Kayaking
Destination Granite Bay
Date 8 July 2015, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Kathryn Manry and Mark Zimmerman
Contact Info 285-2103 or kamanry@gmail.com.  Please contact the coordinator prior to the trip.
Description A day paddle in the Small Inlet / Orchard Bay / Chain Islands area. Where we go will be determined by the paddling conditions and the interests of the group…
Meeting Place Granite Bay dock
Departure Time 10:00 am
Difficulty
 moderate
Costs launching fee
Trip limits 10
Dogs? must wear life jacket!!
Notes: This should be a fairly mellow trip, but be prepared, as always, for changes in weather, etc. We should be off the water by 4 PM.  Bring lunch.

Trip Report – Mt. Becher – 17 June 2015

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After an early start on Wednesday June 17th, five members of the Quadra Island Outdoor Club safely summitted Mt Becher.  Members on outing included two members of the executive committee, Debbie Quigg, Chair and Norris Weimer, Webmaster as well as members at large; Kathy Sales, Kathryn Manry 1st leader, and Mark Zimmerman 2nd leader.

Our adventure started at the mildly post apocalyptic base of the defunct Forbidden Plateau Ski Resort and shortly after gaining that initial summit we enjoyed more pleasant wandering in the subalpine forest. Early vistas included the Gulf of Georgia and an assortment of small islands, towns, villages and hamlets. Halfway to the summit we overlooked Boston Lake, a great spot for a lunch break. Carrying on we summited a bit after mid-day and had our only look at large mammals, a herd of about a dozen folk of various sex and size, all associated with an outdoor group from Parksville.

Great views of the Comox glacier and surrounding peaks were enjoyed from the summit, before our return.

A partial list of flowers observed include the following:

  • Alpine Lupine
  • Subalpine Daisy
  • Yarrow
  • Leatherleaf Saxifrage
  • Partridgefoot
  • Spotted Saxifrage
  • Alaskan Saxifrage
  • Columbia Lewisia
  • Lance-leaved Stonecrop
  • Spreading Stonecrop
  • Twinflower
  • Paintbrush
  • Tiger Lily
  • Spreading Phlox
  • White Flowered Rhododendron
  • Heather
  • Columbine
  • Birds Beak Lousewort
  • Coast Penstemon
  • Rosy Pussytoes
  • Bunchberry
  • Valerian
  • Small Leaved Montia
  • Slender Bog Orchid

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Hiking – Mt. Becher – 17 June 2015

Hiking – Surge Narrows – 3 July 2015

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 Change of departure time

Activity Hiking
Destination Surge Narrows
Date 3 July 2015, Friday
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 drive to the end of the Surge Narrows Rd and hike along the undulating and relatively short trail for a view of the rapids.  The trip is timed to see the maximum flood current of 10.6 knots at 15:10.  The rocky shore and views are great.  We plan to continue on the unmaintained route a bit further north along the shore.  If time and weather permit, we’ll stop at the Lake on the way back for a swim.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store for car pooling
Departure Time 13:30; 11:30 – some of us are going to leave early for a picnic lunch and swim at Mine Lake on the way to the hike.
Difficulty
 easy
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs?
Notes: Bring a snack and possibly a bathing suit.