Category Archives: easy

Kayaking – Gowlland Harbour – 2 July 2026

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Activity Kayaking
Destination Gowlland Harbour
Date: 2 July 2026, Thursday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 250-285-2029 or lhquadra@gmail.com
Description This will only be a 2-3 hour paddle followed by a social hour on the deck at my house. I will provide hot dogs so the barbecue will be on. Please bring your favorite beverage and a small appetizer for the group. We will be staying in Gowland Harbor. Please bring a spray skirt and all necessary equipment mandated by the Coast Guard.
If it is more than showers the date will be changed.
Meeting Place 1157 West Rd.
Departure Time Arrive at 9:00; on the water by 9:30
Difficulty
 Easy
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs? No
Notes: Only one vehicle at a time can come down the hill so be on time. I have permission to park vehicles at the landlord’s house. From there it is a steep concrete driveway with a switch back involved. You will need to be able to back up with your mirrors to get down close to the water. Otherwise you will park up above and we will use two people to carry the kayaks down. When you sign up I will explain more as it will not be that hard.

Social Picnic – Open Bay Beach – 17 June 2026

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Activity Picnic Social intertidal exploration
Destination Open Bay Beach
Date 17 June, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Valerie van Veen
Contact Info vvv@qisland.ca, cell 778 242 5774; home 250 285 2329
Description June 17 is predicted to be in the middle of a heat wave, 33c. For me, too hot to hike or kayak. However, it will be a low tide around noon in Open Bay, perfect for intertidal exploration and a beach picnic.
Meeting Place End of Marina Rd, Open Bay
Departure Time 11:00 am
Difficulty Access to the beach is by a short, steep trail.
Costs None
Trip limits None
Dogs? Under control, please
Notes: Be prepared for strong, hot sun ….sunscreen, umbrellas, etc. bring a beach blanket, picnic lunch and WATER (or substitute). Must contact organizer by Tuesday June 16 evening. May be cancelled if temps soar towards 40c.

Trip Report – Mine & Main Lakes – 21 May 2026

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Seven paddlers met at Mine Lake boat launch for a paddle and a small hike on a beautiful spring day. There was supposed to be light winds, but the wind dropped off so we had flat water after coming onto Main Lake. On such a beautiful day, we were surprised to only see one single camper at one site and a small group at the far end. We landed there and then walked over to Yeatman Bay. We hiked the trail in the woods out toward the small island and the tide was low enough that we could cross over to it. Here we had a nice relaxed stop to enjoy the sun and sights.
After we hiked back to the kayaks and had lunch here before launching back onto Main Lake. At the head of the bay, we ran into some stronger winds with light chop. This continued until we reached the channel and then became lighter as we returned down Mine Lake to our vehicles.
About 4½ hours for a 5½ km paddle and a 2½ km hike

Les

Thanks to Les and Louise for the photos

(Click to Enlarge)

Kayaking – Mine and Main Lakes – 21 May 2026

Kayaking – Main Lakes Provincial Park – 21 May 2026

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Activity Kayaking
Destination Main Lake Provincial Park
Date 21 May, Thursday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 285-2029 or lhquadra@gmail.com
Description We will meet at Mine Lake boat launch at about 9:30 to get ready to leave at 10. We will paddle out to from Mine Lake to Main Lake and to the far campground. Then walk across to Yeatman Bay to stretch our legs and have lunch. After lunch, we will walk back to the kayaks and make a decision if we just go back to Mine or paddle a bit farther. The route may depend on wind conditions.
Meeting Place Mine Lake boat launch
Departure Time Leave at 10:00
Difficulty
 Easy; depending on wind.
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs? No
Notes: Bring full paddling gear, lunch, and clothes for changing weather.

Trip Report – Blenkin Park Loop – 2 April 2026

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This walk around Blenkin Park was postponed one day and we were rewarded for it. It turned out to be a calm, sunny, warm day for a casual walk in the woods. We did a zigzag path so as to cover all trails in the park without having to do one twice except in two short areas. The sun was glorious shining through the trees, and especially through the long hanging moss. We took a short side trip out to the edge of the low wetlands before we headed up to the big old Maple at the Homestead. After this we wandered to the fire hall and back before continuing on our zigzag path. We wandered down Homestead Trail, and then took a side trip on Swale Trail before going back to the tennis courts. Many trees had come down in this area from the heavy snowfall and high winds. They have all been cut back now, though, and the trail is open. (7.4 km and 2 hours)

Les

(click on photos to view larger)

Hiking – Blenkin Park Loop – 1 April 2026

Trip Report – Rebecca Spit – Heriot Bay Walk – 11 Mar 2026

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Three hikers, and one honorary member, were able to participate in a last-minute posting for a
ramble around Heriot Bay. Braving very inclement weather, we set off at 10:10 am from the Boat Ramp parking lot to walk out to the end of Rebecca Spit, with the intention of making a go/no-go decision when we got back to our vehicles. The immediate hailstorm and blustery winds were not auspicious for a longer outing. However, by the time we got back to our cars, the skies had lightened, the wind dropped, and a light rain was falling so we decided to continue with the trip plan. We walked through the campground, turned south onto Heriot Bay Road then soon crossed over to the trails in IR 9. We followed a northerly route to eventually come out onto Hooley Road, then Buker to Heriot Bay Road. At this junction, Georgia, with her low slung carriage and bare feet, was quite cold and wet so she took her human back to Rebecca Spit to their warm, and dry, truck, meeting up with the rest of the group at Java Bay Café in Heriot Bay.

The remaining hikers walked along the water-side of Heriot Bay Road up to Pilot, up Pilot onto
Schooner, Schooner to West Road to the mall and Java Bay Café for very welcome
refreshments, and were soon joined by our third hiker. Having endured continual bouts of heavy rain and hail throughout the ramble, we gratefully accepted the offer of a drive back to our vehicle at Rebecca Spit. 3 hours including Café stop. 8 km walking; 2.5 driving

This Ramble is a great winter hike when wilderness trails are too wet/icy/snowy . The Café
break is a very welcome bonus. The route allows for several go/no go decision points, and
having one car parked at the Café is suggested in really bad weather.

Valerie van Veen

Thanks to Valerie for the photos

Click on photos to enlarge
 

Hiking – Rebecca Spit – Heriot Bay Ramble – 11 Mar 2026

Ramble – Rebecca Spit – 11 Mar 2026

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Activity Ramble
Location Rebecca Spit, Heriot Bay
Date 11 Mar 2026, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Valerie van Veen
Contact Info vvv@qisland.ca, cell 778 242 5774, 250 285 2329
Description This will be a Hot Chocolate Ramble for exercise, fresh air and friendship. Given the variable weather, this trip can be easily altered, and ramblers can do as much or as little as they wish. We will meet at the boat launch parking lot in Rebecca Spit Park, walk to the end of the Spit and back, and then out of the Park, cross over Heriot Bay Road and take the “Hooleyville trails” coming our onto Heriot Bay Road. A short walk along the road, then up Pilot, down Schooner, along West Road to Java Bay Cafe for Hot Chocolate, or ??? We can then either head back down Heriot Bay Road or take the longer route retracing some or all of our steps.
Meeting Place Rebecca Spit boat ramp parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty Easy
Dogs On leash in the park and on roads
Trip Limits None, but will be single file on Heriot Bay Road
Cost None, unless you buy hot chocolate
Notes: MUST CONTACT VAL TUESDAY NIGHT   (tonight) IF INTERESTED FOR TRIP TO GO AHEAD.  If there is no interest, the trip will be cancelled.

Hiking – Blenkin Park – 1 April 2026

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Postponed from March 16th

Activity Hiking
Destination Blenkin Park
Date 1 April 2026, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info lhquadra@gmail.com or 285-2029
Description We will weave our way around all of the trails and then back to the parking lot. The back trail can be wet, so be sure and bring appropriate footwear. This is an easy hike so we can do it in poor weather if necessary.
Meeting Place Community Centre parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Easy
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs? Okay, but must be under control.
Notes: As it is only about two hours, if enough people want to, we will go to Aroma for tea and coffee afterwards.

Multi-day Hiking – Beaches and Waterfalls – 24-26 March 2026

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Activity Multi-day hiking, camping
Destination Qualicum Area
Date 24-26 March 2026, Tuesday to Thursday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info dmquigg@gmail.com, land 3710, cell 250-850-9848
Description This is partially an experiment in early season camping, hence the short stay and accessible destination.  Not all of the participants need to camp, however.  Final decisions about activities will be made closer to the time of travel.  Activities will include park beach and trail walking, observing wildlife during the herring season, trips to Englishman River Falls, Little Qualicum River and Rosewell Creek Falls.  These are not very challenging objectives, but more could be available in the greater Nanaimo area. if the group were interested.
Meeting Place Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park
Arrival Time TBD
Difficulty Easy 
Cost Ferries, fuel, camping
Trip limits 10
Dogs?  
Notes: Please let the coordinator know if you are interested in this trip.  More information is available about camping and specific activities on request.

Hiking – Heriot Ridge Bluffs Loop – 10 Feb 2026

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Activity Hiking
Destination Heriot Ridge Bluffs Loop
Date 10 Feb 2026, Tuesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info dmquigg@gmail.com, land 3710, cell 250-850-9848.  Please contact the coordinator prior to the trip departure.
Description We will hike the Hopespring Trail, make a quick stop at the Heriot Ridge viewpoint, continue to the communication tower, descend and then climb up to the High Bluff viewpoint.  We will descend from there to the North Gowlland trail, perhaps visit the Aisle of 19 before climbing back up the Hopespring Trail to the vehicles.  We will be using maintained trails, less maintained trails and routes.  There will be wet places.  The forecast is not perfect.
Meeting Place Hopespring trailhead, because this is off a paved road.
Departure Time 10:30
Difficulty
 Quite short but there will be steep, possibly slippery sections, and little maintained trails and routes
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs?
Notes: Poles may be helpful if you use them. Bring a lunch/snack and gear for the weather.