Category Archives: easy

Hiking – Nighthawk Lake – 4 Feb 2026

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Activity Hiking
Destination Nighthawk Lake and trails
Date 4 Feb 2026, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Valerie van Veen
Contact Info vvv@qisland.ca, 250 285 2329, 778 242 5774
Description At the minimum, we will do an “out and back” on Rob’s Ride from the Upper Gowlland Harbour road access point. If weather/conditions are favourable we will add in the trails on the westerly bluffs.
Meeting Place Community Centre parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Easy if out and back; moderate if we do the bluffs
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs? Under control, must not run through group
Notes: Cancelled only if weather dreadful as the “out-n-back” is an easy hike on well established trail. Decision to do more will be made by the group. Bring lunch, snacks.

Trip Report – Plumper and Deepwater Bays – 3 Dec 2025

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Seven of us hiked the old road to Plumper Bay.  The trail is flat and easy.  We arrived a bit too early for lunch, so we continued on to Deepwater Bay, a short, flagged trail to the gravel beach.  We arrived a bit before high tide so there was only a narrow strip of pebble beach available (at lower tides you can walk the beach a long way).  But there was a nice log to sit on for lunch.  The tide was still rising so we didn’t linger.  We went back to Plumper Bay and toured the meadow and old log dump there, and then we returned to the vehicles, getting back before the rain started.  (7.4 km; 110 m elevation gain, 2¾ hours)

Norris

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Plumper and Deepwater Bays – 3 Dec 2025

Trip Report – Baikie Island – 10 Nov 2025

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Five of us met on the 10 o’clock ferry to start our 3.5 km walk at River Village Park at the foot of Spruce Street. Lots of work has been done there, as it is now the beginning of a much larger walk (7.2km) walk called Quinny’s Quest. After dealing with a flat tire, we got a late start and followed the road across the bridge and along the Campbell River to Baikie Island Nature Preserve. All of the trees we saw from last year’s walk have been planted and, even though all the maples had dropped their leaves, it was nice and green for a fall day. The walk was a little over an hour and we were back for lunch after seeing many spawning salmon, a paddle boarder and two new artist sculptures.

There are QR code story stations along the new trail and could be a walk for the future.  The route also includes:
Public art and interpretive signs
Trail map and rest spots
Family-friendly access and wayfinding
Nature, history, and storytelling along the way
Here is the map: CRV_Map_25

Neil U

Thanks to Neil and Les for the photos

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Baikie Estuary – 10 Nov 2025

Hiking – Plumper and Deepwater Bays – 3 December 2025

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Activity Hiking
Destination Plumper and Deepwater Bays
Date 3 December, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710  Please contact the coordinator by Monday evening.
Description A relatively flat and easy hike on old logging roads. The first part is the same as for going to Maud Island, then instead of turning left, we turn right. The trail is quite gradual down to the water. There has been some recent trail work.  Plumper Bay has a grassy meadow on the waterfront and Deepwater has a gravel shore with a view north up Discovery Passage.  About 8 km roundtrip or more if you walk along the shore.
Meeting Place Community Centre parking lot; we will convoy in our cars from there.
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty Easy, but not a Trail Committee maintained trail
Costs none
Trip limits 10
Dogs?
Notes: Bring lunch. and gear for the weather

Kayaking – Heriot Bay – 21 Dec 2025

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This trip is postponed for weather.

Activity Kayaking
Destination Heriot Bay
Date: 21 Dec, Sunday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-287-0459
Description A winter solstice paddle – weather permitting – to mark the change of seasons. We will paddle familiar territory and circumnavigate the waters in and around Heriot Bay. I.e. Put in at Rebecca Spit, paddle along the Spit and cross over towards Open Bay then veer to the west into Hyacinthe Bay, follow the shore southwards around Heriot Island, the harbour area and then cross from Taku to the boat launch. That’s estimated to take 2 hours so we could take a break at the Len Rd Beach (tide will be near high).
If its a nice day – finish off with a fire and lunch at the Spit; If not so nice…lunch at Heriot Bay Inn.
Meeting Place Rebecca Spit boat launch at 0930
Departure Time 1000 on the water
Difficulty
 Easy if the weather is benign
Costs Lunch
Trip limits None
Dogs? No
Notes: Bad weather alternate day – Monday, December 22.
All paddling guidelines apply. Winter paddling requires another layer or two and an effective paddling jacket/ raincoat.

Hike – Baikie Island and lunch – 10 Nov 2025

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Activity Hike and lunch
Destination Baikie Island
Date 10 Nov. 2025, Monday
Trip Coordinator Neil Unwin
Contact Info neilunwin08@gmail.com
Description We can meet on the ferry and drive to our starting point.  The walk will be about 4.5 km.
Debriefing to be held at More Eatery for lunch
Meeting Place QCove ferry terminal
Departure Time 10:00 ferry
Difficulty
 Easy
Costs Ferry and lunch at More Eatery
Trip limits 10
Dogs? Okay
Notes:

Trip Report – Haskins’ Farm and Golf Course Loop with Lunch – 14 Oct 2025

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We had reservations at the Quadra Golf Course restaurant, The Q, at 12:00.  We met at the Fir Crest parking lot at 10:00 and wandered around the Fir Crest Loop, the Fir Crest Trail and the Haskins’ Farm trails for two hours.  (6.9 km).  The weather was great, sunny with fall colours.  

At the restaurant, it was the second to last day before closing for the season.  A beautiful room and the food was great.

Norris

Click on photos to enlarge

 

Walk and Social – Haskin Farm & Golf Course – 14 Oct 2025

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Activity Walk and Social
Location Haskin Farm, golf course and The Q
Date 14 October 2025, Tuesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer & Debbie Quigg
Contact Info dmquigg@gmail.com; 3710.  It is essential that you RSVP by Thursday evening, 9 October, if you are having lunch at The Q
Description The plan is to park near the Fir Crest gate, hike down through the residential lots, onto the crest trail into Haskin Farm trail system, making a loop, before returning along the eastern crest, up along the northern perimeter and back to the parking area.  From there anyone who wants to will go to The Q restaurant for lunch.  The Q closes for the season on the following day and the menu will be limited and based on availability as they use up what is in the cupboard.  Be flexible.
Meeting Place The parking lot near the Fir Crest entrance gate
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty Easy
Dogs No
Trip Limits 10 or what The Q can accommodate
Cost Lunch, if that is your choice
Notes:

Trip Report – Gowlland Harbour – 21 July 2025

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Nine people gathered at my place for a easy paddle and social on a sunny summer day. Because of the driveway, launching from here is a challenge and the tide was very low. Once in the water we paddled north to check out all the new toys at Camp Homewood. It seems they have acquired many new and different types of boats. Then on to Seascape, now called Jade Resort, to find that the sunken barge had finally been cleaned up. Unfortunately, at the taxpayers cost. On past Gowlland Resort we turned and went to the Vigilant Islets for a quick stop and to stretch our legs. On our return, there was a colony of seals on Wren Islet that were enjoying the warm sunny day. We then paddled between Fawn Islet and Stag Island to return to my home for cold beverages and appetizers provided by everyone.  About 5 km and a 2 hour paddle. 

Les

(click on photos to enlarge)

Kayaking – Gowlland Harbour – 21 July 2025

Trip Report – Woss Lookout and Little Huson Caves – 9-11 July 2025

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Five campers moved the trip dates forward one day due to rain forecast. This turned out to work very well as we only had showers one day and in the nighttime. We were going to camp at Woss Lake, but decided to check out Klaklakama Lake on the way and were very fortunate in getting the first place we stopped. After setting up camps, we had lunch and then proceeded to the Little Huson Caves. Atluck Creek has carved many sculpted images in complex shapes while running through Quatsino limestone. We first took a short walk and descended down the steep stairs to look at the River Cave from the north. The rocks were very slippery from the rain so we were not able to go below the platform and look into the cave. We then took the trail back up to the south opening where you could get down and look through the cave the opposite way. There are many places to explore here along the creek with beautifully shaped limestone. We also visited the Bridge Cave and then walked to Little Huson Lake. We then proceeded back to the campsite to have dinner and visit around the campfire.

(click on photos to view larger)

The next morning, we had a communal breakfast with blueberry pancakes, bacon, and devilled eggs. What a great way to start the day and fuel up for the hard hike up to Woss Lookout. From the parking area, we walked up the old logging road that is steep and has many loose rocks to the trailhead. This is a short steep hike with many ropes to help you up and over the rocks and roots. It was definitely a challenge to navigate up and even worse, coming back down due to the slick roots and rocks. At the summit, we enjoyed excellent views from the old restored lookout tower. You’re able to look up five different valleys from the top so you can see why this was such a good place for a fire tower. After descending, we drove back to camp to have another quiet evening by the lake.  (4.4 km, 3 hours, 375 m elevation gain, 35% in incline in the steep section)

Before heading home the next day, we visited the Upper Klaklakama rec site and walked the short nature loop with many fine old growth trees and some unusual trees like Pacific Yew and Amabilis fir.

Les

Thanks to Les, Jim and Norris for the photos

Multi-day Hiking – Woss Area – 8-10 July 2025