Category Archives: easy

Trip Report – Haskins Farm-Fir Crest Loop – 15 Mar 2023

Posted on by
Reply

On March 15, 2023 a small group joined the Haskins Farm and Fir Crest walk. It was an easy walk which took approximately an hour and fifteen minutes. We began at the head of the Haskins Farm trail and at the first intersection took a left and walked through the forest, and through the new growth area over to the golf course where we walked along the cart path, past the Fir Crest trail parking and onto the start of the Fir Crest trail continuing down behind the houses of the subdivision to the bottom of the trail where we began the Fir Crest to Haskins Farm trail along the ridge. Deciding to skip the trail down to the beach, we took the trail back through Haskins Farm up to the vehicles.. The whole way is very lovely with a mixture of forest, new growth, and open fairways, while the ridge is particularly beautiful with the moss covered trees and ocean views. (5.9 km)

Vikki

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Haskin Farm & Fir Crest Loop – 15 Mar 2023

Snow – Mt. Washington Area – 22 Mar 2023

Posted on by
1

Activity Snowshoeing
Destination Mt. Washington area
Date 22 Mar, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710.  Please contact the coordinator by Monday night.
Description We will either go Paradise Meadows or to Ramparts Hill, depending on the conditions and the group.
Meeting Place QI Ferry terminal
Departure Time 9:00 ferry
Difficulty
 Easy to moderate
Costs Transportation costs and trail pass if we go to Paradise Meadows (Adult $13)
Trip limits None
Dogs? No
Notes: Bring lunch as we may not eat at Raven lodge.  Have reliable equipment and winter gear.

Hiking – Haskins Farm and Fircrest Loop – 15 Mar 2023

Posted on by
1

Activity Hiking
Destination Haskins Farm, Fircrest and Golf Course Loop
Date 15 March 2023
Trip Coordinator Vikki O’Brien
Contact Info resvo2004@yahoo.com, 250-938-2864
Description We will begin at the Haskin Farm parking area at Smith and Heriot Bay Rd, walk over to the golf course and walk a bit of the golf cart trails, then catch the Fircrest trail back towards Haskins farm, down to the beach and back through Haskin Farm to the vehicles.
Meeting Place Haskin Farm parking area
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty Easy
Costs Zero
Trip limits 12
Dogs? Yes, if on leash in the Golf Course and under control elsewhere.
Notes Bring a snack, gear for the weather

Snow – Mt. Washington Area 1 Mar 2023

Posted on by
Reply

This trip will be postponed or cancelled, but contact the coordinator if interested.

Activity Snowshoeing
Destination Mt. Washington area
Date 1 Mar, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710.  Please contact the coordinator by Monday night.
Description We will either go Paradise Meadows or to Ramparts Hill, depending on the conditions and the group.  Expect a broken trail to follow.
Meeting Place QI Ferry terminal
Departure Time 9:00 ferry
Difficulty
 Easy to moderate
Costs Transportation costs and trail pass if we go to Paradise Meadows (Adult $13)
Trip limits None
Dogs? No
Notes: Bring lunch as we may not eat at Raven lodge.  Have reliable equipment and winter gear.

Trip Report – Kay Dubois Loop – 30 Jan 2023

Posted on by
Reply

Ten intrepid January hikers set out from the WaWaKai end of the Kay Dubois trail. The sky was milky and made a white canopy, the air nippy, and there was a pretty frosting on the fir branches and icicles in the ditches.  Our group followed the trail that turned right at the big tree and looped up the hill, following the logging trails to meet eventually with Cedar Road. We returned via Smiths Road back to warm up at the cabin of 665 WaWaKai Road. Many thanks to all who joined in!  (6.3 km; 2 hours walking)

Amanda

Many thanks to Amanda for her warm hospitality and snacks.
 
Click on photos to enlarge
 

Note: Hair ice forms on moist, rotting wood from broadleaf trees when temperatures are slightly under 0 °C (32 °F) and the air is humid.  In the year 2015, German and Swiss scientists identified the fungus Exidiopsis effusa as key to the formation of hair ice.  [Wikipedia]

Hiking – Kay Dubois Loop – 30 Jan 2023

Trip Report – Plumper Bay – 18 Jan 2023

Posted on by
Reply

Since Mt. Washington did not have good conditions for snowshoeing, we substituted a hike to Plumper Bay and ten of us went.  The first half of this hike is along the Morte Lake to Maud Island trail.  This section is always nice.  Everything is covered with deep green moss and the trail is maintained.  The second part of the hike is along the old logging road between Plumber Bay and Mt. Lolo.  This road is still in amazing condition, but it suffers from trees falling across it.  A lot of deadfall.   Mostly not big trees, but it can make an obstacle course.  The route toward Plumber Bay gets cleared occasionally, but it is not “trail” maintained, and it will probably become an active logging road soon.  Right now it is quite clear except for one alder landslide.  The bay at the destination is a very nice picnic site.  Probably soon to be a log dump.  Until then it is well worth a visit.  

We could have had better weather.  The hints of blue sky we started out with turned into rain.  Quite cold rain, but no wind despite the windstorm the previous night.  Nonetheless, we had a good hike and were glad to go.  (6.3 km; 2hours 20 minutes)

Norris

Click on photos to enlarge
 

Hiking – Plumber Bay – 18 Jan 2023

Hiking – Plumper Bay – 18 Jan 2023

Posted on by
1

Activity Hiking
Destination Plumper Bay
Date 18 Jan, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710.  Please contact the coordinator in advance.
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.  Expect winter conditions with branches down and water on the trail.  Also recent logging in the area.  6 km roundtrip, about 2.5 hours including lunch. The destination is a nice grassy meadow on the waterfront of Plumper Bay (the first large bay north of Seymour Narrows). Bring lunch.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Tru Value parking lot; we will convoy in our cars from there.
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty Easy, but part of the route is unmaintained
Costs none
Trip limits 12
Dogs?
Notes: Bring lunch.

Trip Report – Rebecca Spit Hot Chocolate Walk – 2 Jan 2023

Posted on by
Reply

Eight club members welcomed the New Year with a (very) brisk walk around Rebecca Spit on Monday January 2, making the full loop from the Sasquatch parking lot north to the point, then heading back down via the campground to Heriot Bay road, and back to our cars. We moved to the west side of the Spit to have our Hot Chocolate social out of the light north-east wind.

The trail was surprisingly deserted and only one sailboat (of sorts) was anchored in Drew Harbour. Despite the washout on Heriot Bay Road, the Spit and trails were in good condition.

All New Year’s diet resolutions were postponed until Tuesday as we enjoyed our sweet snacks and hot chocolate (many thanks to Les and Diana for the delicious treats).  (6.1 km; 1.5 hours walking)

Valerie van Veen

 
Thanks to Valerie and Norris for the photos


Click on photos to enlarge

Hiking – Rebecca Spit Hot Chocolate Walk – 2 Jan 2023

Snow – Mt. Washington – 8 Feb 2023

Posted on by
Reply

This outing was originally scheduled for the week of January 18th

Activity Snowshoeing
Destination Mt. Washington nordic
Date 8 Feb
Trip Coordinator Valerie van Veen
Contact Info Vvv@qisland.ca, 250 285 2329; 778 242 5774
Description Never snowshoed and would like to try, or want to get back into winter sport mode… this trip to the Paradise Meadow trails at Mt Washington is for you. These trails are all maintained, tracked  (thus the charge) and well-signed so all we have to do is enjoy ourselves. The trails wind through woods and over the meadows, with beautiful views to the surrounding mountains, and vary from easy and mostly flat to more hills. We will start with the easy trail, doing more if/as the group wishes. Weather permitting, we will stop for a lunch break on the trail, bring lunch and a waterproof sit-upon as we will be sitting in snow. And be sure to bring water…snowshoeing at altitude is a good workout, even on the easier trails. Snowshoe rentals and a cafeteria at Raven Lodge, the Nordic centre. Bring poles if you wish. Expect to be back on the 4:30 ferry.
Meeting Place QI Ferry terminal, carpooling to be determined
Departure Time 9 am ferry *** note new schedule will be in effect on the 18th!
Difficulty
 Easy trail to start
Costs Transportation costs and trail pass, adult $13, Snowshoe rental, full day, $21.
Trip limits None
Dogs? No
Notes: MUST confirm interest in this trip by Monday Feb 6 at 5 pm.
If you are renting, consider booking ahead on the Mt W website (call me if you have trouble navigating their site) You will need waterproof, comfortable boots or hiking boots and gaiters, or you can rent gaiters as well. Bring your own poles if you wish.
Please contact me if you have not snowshoed , or have not snowshoed at Mt W, before and have any questions or concerns about this trip.

Trip Report – Village Bay Main – 30 Dec 2022

Posted on by
Reply

Nine of us set out in rain gear for this rainy-day walk.  As it turned out, it didn’t rain.  And it wasn’t even windy.  It was just a simple, pleasant walk in the woods on a quiet logging road: Village Bay Main.  There were a few alders fallen across the road, but no problems.  We took the short trail that connects to the logging road which accesses the Shellaligan trail system and then returned to the vehicles.  After that, we made a quick visit to the big Douglas fir trees near pole 37 on Valdez Road.  (7.4 km; 2 hours, plus 200 m and 10 minutes for the tree)

Norris

Click on photos to enlarge

Hiking – A Logging Road – 30 Dec 2022