Trip Report – Deadfish-South Morte Lake Loop – 29 Nov 2017

On a blustery day under threat of rain, seven hikers enjoyed a brisk three hour hike around this loop connecting several mountain bike trails.   Beginning at the Morte Lake parking lot, we followed Lower Deadfish, Lost Rider, Ridge and Connector trails to the southwest corner of Morte Lake. The group encountered a few sprinkles here, which eventually passed. We followed the Morte Lake south trail, turned right on Nirvana and then left on 7 Sins with its seven switchbacks. At the junction of this trail and Upper Deadfish, we stopped for a brief lunch and took in the views across to Beech’s Mountain, Morte Lake and Discovery Passage. From there, it was downhill on Upper and Lower Deadfish along Little Morte Creek to the parking lot. Fortunately, we didn’t get rained on. Having had dry weather the previous day, there were very few puddles to cross. We agreed that it was a good workout and the lovely greens of the forest were at their peak. 8.7 km

Janis

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Hiking – Deadfish-South Morte Lake Loop – 29 Nov 2017

Hiking – Deepwater Main & Beyond Loop – 6 December 2017

Activity Hiking
Destination Deepwater Main & Beyond Loop
Date 6 Dec 2017, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 285-3710.  Please contact the trip coordinator 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 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
Departure Time 09:30
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 and poles if you use them

Trip Report – Hopespring-Thompson Trail Loop – 15 Nov 2017

The morning was quite dry, but since it had rained over 100 mm in the last four days, everything was very wet.  And we were still expecting more.  The eight of us hiked this lovely loop on maintained trail, which is quite protected in bad weather.  The fall colours were still strong, and everything was green and lush from the rain.  The maples, cliffs and overhanging rocks, the old growth fir, creeks and moss make this a beautiful walk.  5.3 km; 2 hours.

Debbie and Julie

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Hiking – Hopespring-Thompson Trail Loop – 15 Nov 2017

Hiking – Dead Fish-South Morte Lake Loop – 29 Nov 2017

 

Activity Hiking
Destination Dead Fish-South Morte Lake Loop
Date 29 November 2017, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Janis McLean
Contact Info phone 3614.  Please contact the coordinator in advance.
Description A forested loop on established hiking and mountain biking trails from the Morte Lake parking lot.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty easy
Costs none
Trip limits 10
Dogs? yes
Notes:

Hiking – Hopespring-Thompson Trail Loop – 15 Nov 2017

 

Activity Hiking
Destination Hopespring – Thompson Trail Loop
Date 15 November 2017, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Julie Mellanby
Contact Info phone 3978.  Please contact the coordinator in advance.
Description This is a moderate loop through varied forest, including some old growth.  The walk passes by wetlands, creeks, rocky bluffs.  This is relatively protected in rainy weather, but if the day provides the opportunity, there are views along the way.
Meeting Place Hopespring Trailhead
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? okay
Notes: You might bring a snack, but lunch isn’t expected on the trail.

Trip Report – Main Lake from Surge Narrows Rd – 8 Nov 2017

Six of us hiked the flagged route from the Surge Narrows Rd to the east end of Main Lake.   The day was mild and the brush was dry as we followed the old logging road making a side trip to an un-named lake.  After briefly thrashing in the brush in the wrong direction, we continued through lovely, open forest with lots of white pine and some old growth cedar and fir.  However, there are some sections with major blow-down, which is not just stepped over, but involves the full-body climb up and over.  Near to Main Lake we admired some exceptional old growth Douglas fir and the water falls.  We had lunch at the picnic tables at the campground, enjoying the view of the Lake.  After lunch some remained and enjoyed a fire in the campground fire ring, while others hiked on to Yeatman Bay.  We followed the flagged route back to the vehicles, which is rather more uphill.  9.7 km; 4½ hours.

Debbie

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Hiking – Main Lake from Surge Narrows Rd – 8 Novt 2017

Trip Report – Mt. Seymour – 30 Oct 2017

Six of us took advantage of the fantastic fall weather to hike up to Mt. Seymour to enjoy the views.  The cooler, crisp air was perfect for hiking.  There were hardly any mushrooms on the way up in this drier environment.   We enjoyed the views all along the open, rocky bluffs and visited the three outlooks at the summit for a nearly complete view. We had lunch on the east-facing bluff and stayed quite a while.  We could have stayed there all day!  8.0 km; 4½ hours.

– Norris

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Hiking – Mt. Seymour – 30 Oct 2017

Hiking – Alternate Morte Lake Loop – 1 Nov 2017

Activity Hiking
Destination Alternate Morte Lake Loop
Date 1 Nov 2017, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca or 285-3710.  Please contact the trip coordinator prior to the trip.
Description We will use mountain bike trails and official trails to make a loop.  We expect to start on Morning Beer, but the exact length of the loop will depend on conditions and the group.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot, to arrange carpools
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? okay if under control
Notes: Bring lunch and water.

Hiking – Stramberg Old Growth – 25 Oct 2017

Activity Hiking
Destination Stramberg Old Growth
Date 25 Oct 2017, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 285-3710.  Please contact the trip coordinator prior to the trip.
Description This trail begins near Village Bay Lake and follows open meadows leading into and through the forest on old, unmaintained logging roads.  The reward at the end of the hike is a grove of old growth firs.  This is not an official trail.  Expect blow-down and brush. About 13 km; 5 hours or more.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot, to arrange carpools
Departure Time 09:30
Difficulty
moderate, due to unmaintained trail and quite long
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? okay if under control
Notes: Bring lunch and water.

Hiking – Shellaligan Pass – 27 Sept 2017

Activity Hiking
Destination Shellaligan Pass
Date 27 Sept 2017, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Julie Mellanby
Contact Info 250-285-3978; please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip
Description This is a classic Quadra walk along rocky bluffs overlooking Hoskyn’s Channel and Village Bay, and through forest.  Depending on the group, we can do the shorter or the longer loop.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay grocery store parking lot
Departure Time 9:30 am
Difficulty
Easy
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? yes
Notes: Bring lunch