Category Archives: dogs OK

Trip Report – Shellaligan Pass Loop – 8 July 2020

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Six QIOC club members and one dog were heralded back onto Quadra trails with a two flipper salute and several large blows from a pair of humpbacks cruising down Hoskyn Channel in front of Shellaligan Beach. Their welcoming slaps set the tone for a very pleasant hike on the “long” Shellaligan loop, luckily sandwiched in between the seemingly never-ending rainstorms of late. Surprisingly, the rock bluffs along the seashore were dry, despite the early morning rain. We took advantage of the good weather to take an early lunch break on the granitic bluffs, even enjoying a few rays of sunshine. The trail was in good condition, branches and deadfall have been cleared in the forest section and bridges are in good repair. Some beach debris (mostly fish- and shellfish -farming debris) has been piled at the beach access points, hopefully to be removed by a boater (or very enthusiastic hiker) soon. Along the trail we saw several outcroppings of Indian Pipe, and one bright spot of “Dog’s Vomit” slime mold (or, more elegantly, “Scrambled Egg” Slime). The “Neurotic Sapsucker” tree amused those who had not done this section of the trail before. We also saw several fresh wolf scats on Boletus Road and Village Bay Main. As we hiked, and stopped for breaks, we had no problems in adhering to our Club’s new distancing and talking protocols. Altogether, a great start to our “Covid” hiking season. Time: 3 hours including a 20 minute lunch break

Valerie

Thanks to Valerie and Diana for the photos

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Shellaligan Pass Loop – 8 July 2020

Hiking – Beech’s Mtn Loop – 29 July 2020

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Activity Hiking
Destination Beech’s Mountain Loop
Date 29 July 2020, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Brent Henry
Contact Info brenthenrys@gmail.com or 250-205-1106 (phone or text).  Contact the coordinator in advance
Description Starting at the Chinese Mountains trailhead, we follow the South Chinese Trail to its juncture with Beech’s Mountain Trail. Along this trail we ascend many steep rock bluffs with spectacular views to the east, west and south from the open bluffs. At the top of Beech’s Mountain, we make a steep descent through the forest to an old rough logging road. Eventually the route veers away from the road onto mossy bluffs with convoluted route-finding using flagging tape. The route connects with the North Chinese Mountain Trail (essentially a steep rubbly old logging road) which we descend to the parking lot.
Meeting Place Chinese Mountain parking lot
Departure Time 10 am or earlier if hot . Contact coordinator.
Difficulty Moderate to difficult (many steep and potentially slippery bluffs to negotiate, as well as steep rocky logging roads)
Costs none
Trip limits 8 participants in 2 pods
Dogs? OK if not running and under control. Owner must have leash available.
Notes: Sturdy hiking shoes/boots required. Coordinator will have 2 family walkie talkies.  Hiking poles may be helpful. Bring a lunch or snack and sufficient water. Estimated time 4 hours.

Hiking – Morte Lake Loop – 15 July 2020

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Activity Hiking
Destination Morte Lake Loop
Date 15 July 2020, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Vikki O’Brien
Contact Info resvo2004@yahoo.com; phone or text 250-938-2864.  Participants must contact the coordinator prior to the trip
Description We will hike the official Morte Lake loop, which passes through a wonderful variety of forest and has great views along the lake.  About 10 km and 4 hours.
Meeting Place Morte Lake parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Moderate.
Costs none
Trip limits Maximum 8 participants, use of pods TBD
Dogs? Dogs welcome on a leash and kept away from others in the group due to covid concerns.
Notes: Bring lunch and gear for the weather.

 

Hiking – Shellaligan Pass Trail – 8 July 2020

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Activity Hiking
Destination Shellaligan Pass Trail
Date 8 July, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Valerie van Veen
Contact Info vvv@qisland.ca; must contact the coordinator by 6:00 pm Tuesday night
Description Shellaligan Trail is a lovely, moderate hike that takes us along a rocky shoreline, to a beach where we can stop for snacks/lunch, then up into the woods to follow trails and old logging roads back to our cars. About 2- 3 hours depending on route, pace (moderate), and breaks.
To reach the trail, take the Hyacinthe Bay Road ( which, for unknown reasons, becomes Bold Point Road at the Granite Bay Road intersection) north to Valdes Road, turn right on Valdes, follow Valdes to the residential area, about one block past Marina look out for logging road access and trail signage on your left.
IF you are carpooling from the South End, as per COVID restrictions as discussed at our organizational meeting July 6, (or phone me for details), meet at Heriot Bay Foods Parking Lot at 10 am.
Otherwise, meet at the junction of the logging road (that accesses the Trailhead) and Valdes Road at 10:30 am. I will be at that junction in a green Toyota 4Runner. We will drive to one of the three trailheads, depending on the weather. If not raining we will do the complete Shellaligan Trail. If it is raining, then we will do only the land loop. As this is a “first of the year” hike for many of us, the pace will be very moderate. Speedy hikers who know the route are welcome to go on ahead.
Meeting Place Logging road access to trailhead
Departure Time 10:30
Difficulty
 Moderate.
Costs none
Trip limits 8-9 max, in singles or “pods” as per our Club discussion
Dogs? MUST be in full control, or on leash (deer and fawns)
Notes: As per our Club discussions, we will walk either singly, or with your pod group of 2-3, separated by 6 ft. Our Club decided that: conversations while hiking would be kept to a minimum, even when possible; no sharing of food/snacks; (sorry Les, we will miss your treats!); we will keep distanced during breaks; no sign-up sheet, trip coordinator will keep a record of hikers for the Trip Report; hikers are expected to bring their own simple first aid kits to keep any emergency contact to a minimum; no non-members, family, friends, guests, or Woofers will be allowed to participate at this time; MUST pre-register with trip coordinator. Call or email by 6 pm TUESDAY NIGHT.

Hiking – Drew Creek and Harbour – 26 Feb 2020

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Activity Hiking
Destination Drew Creek and Harbour
Date 26 Feb 2020, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710.
Please contact the coordinator in advance.
Description A short easy walk.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Tru Value parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty Easy
Costs None
Trip limits None
Dogs? Okay, if they do not run through the group.
Notes:

Hiking – Surge Narrows logging roads – 29 Jan 2020

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Activity Hiking
Destination Forested area east of Mine Lake
Date 29 Jan 2020, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710.
Please contact the coordinator in advance.  With the winter weather, stay in touch with the coordinator.
Description We will leave from near the Mine Lake access and walk logging roads through a woodlot.  The roads are relatively flat.  There may be wet areas.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Tru Value parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty Easy
Costs None
Trip limits None
Dogs? Okay, if they do not run through the group. This is wolf habitat.
Notes: Bring lunch and gear for the weather.

Hiking – Morte Lake Loop – 8 Jan 2020

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Activity Hiking
Destination Morte Lake Loop
Date 8 Jan 2020, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca or 3710; please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip
Description We will hike the official Morte Lake loop, which passes through a wonderful variety of forest and has great views along the lake.  About 10 km and 4 hours.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store for car pooling
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Easy to moderate.
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? okay
Notes: Bring lunch and gear for the weather.  This can be a wet trail in places.

 

Trip Report – Haskin’s Farm & Environs – 20 Nov 2019

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On a sunny, cold morning 13 hikers and 3 dogs set out on the very familiar (to most) Haskin’s Farm trail. After quickly arriving at the beach and enjoying the mid-fall sunshine it was decided that we would visit the big trees along the beach trail, ascend to the top of the bluff and then explore the new trails. We forest bathed under the big Douglas firs then back-tracked to the switchbacks, regrouped and headed along the new trail that skirts the bluff, checked out the man made pond that is part of the new Golf Club development, walked the new trail through the future subdivision and eventually sat down for lunch at the clubhouse picnic tables and basked in the sunshine. Several hikers headed back to their cars and several headed around the golf course, bushwacked for 10 minutes, regained the Haskin’s Farm logging road close to the Todd’s Trail sign, and finished off our 3 hour outing. The new trails are a welcome addition to this classic Quadra hike. 8.5 km, 3 hours.

Vic

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Hiking – Haskin’s Farm Loop – 20 Nov 2019

Hiking – Deepwater & Seymour Shoulder Loop – 18 December 2019

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Adjustments will be made for poor weather.

Activity Hiking
Destination Deepwater & Seymour Shoulder Loop
Date 18 Dec 2019, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca.  Please contact the trip coordinator by email prior to the trip.
Description We will either walk or drive up Deepwater Main from the Granite Bay Rd.  Then we will walk up a steep old logging road on the NW side of Mt Seymour.  From there the road contours around the N side of Mt Seymour with views to the N, then it descends back down to Granite Bay Rd.  About 10.4 km and 4 hours if we walk the whole loop.  If we do a car shuffle, it will be a couple km shorter.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot, to arrange carpools. High clearance vehicles might be best
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Moderate, due to elevation gain and eroded logging roads in places
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? Okay if under control
Notes: Bring lunch, gear for the weather and poles if you use them

Hiking – Reed Lake Loop – 11 Mar 2020

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Activity Hiking
Destination Reed Lake Loop
Date 11 Mar 2020, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Janis McLean
Contact Info 285-3614.  Please contact the coordinator prior to the trip departure.
Description We start at Reed Lake on Walcan Road, hike south on Straight-as-a-Dime, east on Backdoor Trail and north down Dick’s Ride to the large beaver-dammed lake (variously called Yellow Mud, Nighthawk, Hilda’s or Wood Duck Lake). Hiking along the lake, we follow Yellow Mud Trail northwest back to Reed Lake. If the weather is good and hikers are keen, we could expand this loop to include Silk Stockings and Little Black Dress.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot for car pooling
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Easy but trail on bluffs could be slippery.
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs? Yes, under owner’s control
Notes: Hiking stick(s) are useful on the rock bluffs, lunch and rain gear.  Time – 3 hours.