Category Archives: easy

Naturalist Outing – Francisco Point at Low Tide – 17 July 2023

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Activity Intertidal exploration
Destination Francisco Point at low tide
Date 17 July 2023, Monday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg with Deb Cowper
Contact Info dmquigg@gmail.com or 3710.  Please contact the coordinator by Saturday night
Description Deb Cowper, an environmental educator, has graciously offered to accompany us on a low tide walk to identify those creatures we couldn’t figure out in May and perhaps some others.  This will be a walk on cobbled rock, so wear footwear that can get wet and has good traction. No flip-flops, please.  Be prepared for heat and have already had your lunch.  We will explore until about 13:30.
Meeting Place Francisco Point
Departure Time 11:45 to 12:00.  Deb will be coming on the 11:15 ferry
Difficulty There will be little distance covered, but attention needs to be paid to footing.
Costs None
Trip limits 12
Dogs? No
Notes
 Directions to Francisco Point: take Cape Mudge Rd south until it becomes Sutil Rd.  When the road curves to the north, take the right-hand turn onto Petroglyph Rd.  Parking is somewhat limited and car-pooling would be good.

Trip Report – Deepwater and Plumper Bays – 19 June 2023

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Six of us hiked to Deepwater Bay on a warm, somewhat overcast day.  We started out as if going to Maud Island, but turned right at the T-junction instead of left.  From here to Plumper Bay follows an old logging road, not an official trail.  Nevertheless, it has been cleared of the deadfall, so it is an easy,  pleasant walk.  From the Plumper Bay junction we followed another old logging road for a short distance, also easy walking.  Then we plunged into the no-trail part of the day.  There are several flagged routes.  The one we followed was fine until it ended.  Then we pushed through the brush the short remaining distance to the beach.  It was a very low tide and we walked along the shore to a noticeable row of large rocks, where we stopped for relaxing lunch.  We then continued along the shore to a point where you can see into the next bay.  There are some fine cedar and Stika spruce at the edge of the forest. The walk was very interesting for the wide variety of rocks along the shore.  Things the glaciers dragged in from who-knows-where?   On the return, we tried another flagged route back.  This one was much better, although there was a short boggy section at the start.  We stopped at Plumper Bay on the way back to check it out.   (9.4 km; 4½ hours.)

Norris

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Hiking – Deepwater and Plumber Bays – 19 June 2023

Hiking – Plumper and Deepwater Bays – 19 June 2023

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Activity Hiking
Destination Plumper and Deepwater Bays
Date 19 June, Monday
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. There has been some recent trail work.  Plumper Bay has a nice grassy, sunny meadow on the waterfront and Deepwater has a  gravel shore with a view north up Discovery Passage. Both have recently had a beach clean-up.  About 8 km roundtrip.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Tru Value parking lot; we will convoy in our cars from there.
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty Easy, but roughly maintained
Costs none
Trip limits 10
Dogs?
Notes: Bring lunch.

Multi-day Kayaking, Camping – Main Lake Prov Park- 6-8 June 2023

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Activity Multi-day kayaking, camping and hiking
Destination Main Lake Provincial Park
Date 6-8 June 2023, Tuesday to Thursday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-285-2111; text 250-287-0459
Description We will set up camp at Main Lake and spend three days exploring by hiking and paddling. Destinations can vary with the group’s interests.
Meeting Place Mine Lake boat launch
Departure Time On the water at 1030 hr.
Difficulty Easy to moderate if windy
Cost https://bcparks.ca/main-lake-park/
Trip limits 8
Dogs? No.
Notes: This multi-day trip is relatively easy on a local lake, but requires good paddling and camping gear. Bring footwear suitable for hiking (easy).

Ask coordinator about joining for just 1 or 2 days if you have a schedule conflict.

Trip Report – Hyacinthe Bay at Low Tide – 8 May 2023

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On a beautiful spring day, eight of us enjoyed exploring Hyacinthe Bay on a 0.5 metre tide which revealed some history and intertidal life.  After arriving at Chauntaluf Farm, we sat on the deck of the Schoolhouse and talked about the history and ecology of the Bay.  About 25 years ago, the Kellerhals family noticed stakes in the stream channel at low tide.  These turned out to be the remnants of Indigenous fish traps which are several hundred years old.  We also talked about the nearly complete loss of eel grass in Hyacinthe Bay in the last 50 years.  This may be the result of a wasting disease, but it has immense consequences for the creatures who used to live there.

We wandered down to the tidal flats and almost immediately found many of the old stakes.  Although we couldn’t always see the pattern of how the trap would have worked, we were impressed with the resilience of the wood.  We found lots of oyster and clam shells, and further out there were sand dollars, mostly dead, but a few still black.  There were also many moon snail egg cases.  At the very edge of the water there was eel grass, some crabs and sea stars.  There was plenty of diversity .  

As the tide began to flood, we climbed ashore and visited a property which had recently been donated to the Regional District.  The cabin is still in quite good condition.  From there we followed a short trail leading back to the Farm.  We took the lovely, wide, grassy Maple Bay Road back to the vehicles.  This was a very easy relaxed day, giving us the time to enjoy the beautiful day and fascinating things on the shore.  (2.7 km; 2 hours)

Thanks so much for the invitation from Heather Kellerhals and all the help from Robyn.

Debbie

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Hiking – Hyacinthe Bay at Low Tide – 8 May 2023

Multi-day Kayaking, Camping – Morton Lake Prov Park- 23-25 May 2023

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Activity Multi-day kayaking and camping
Destination Morton, Goose and Mohun Lakes
Date 23-25 May 2023, Tuesday to Thursday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info dmquigg@gmail.com or 3710; please contact the coordinator well in advance of the trip
Description We will camp at Morton Lake Provincial Park and explore the three accessible lakes.  Mohun and Goose Lakes are on the Sayward Canoe Circuit. We may do some light hiking including one of the portages. This trip can be done as a one, two or three day trip.  Camping is not required if you wish to come for just one day.  Each participant must book their own campsite.  Morton Lake park is accessed by Menzies Main.
Meeting Place QCove ferry terminal or Morton Lake Provincial Park
Departure Time 9:00 ferry to Campbell River or by individual arrangement
Difficulty Easy to moderate.
Cost Ferry, fuel and camping costs.  If you are over 65, the camping cost (not the booking fee) is half price.
Trip limits 10.
Dogs? No.
Notes: Camping reservations can be made at https://camping.bcparks.ca/    Most of the available tent sites are double sites, where both have to be booked.  If you are trying to join up with someone else, please call the coordinator.  Site availability is limited.

Hiking – Hyacinthe Bay at Low Tide – 8 May 2023

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Activity Hiking
Destination Hyacinthe Bay low tide walk
Date 8 May 2023, Monday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info dmquigg@gmail.com or 3710.  Please contact the coordinator by Saturday night
Description We have very kindly been invited to Chauntaluf Farm.  This will be an afternoon walk to take advantage of the 0.5m low tide at 14:22.  After walking through the farm to Hyacinthe Bay, we will explore the tidal flats for their history and ecology.  Gradually moving to the east, we will arrive at the property donated to the SRD, where we plan to return on old (and unmaintained) trails through the forest.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot
Departure Time 13:30
Difficulty Very easy unless the trail is in poor condition
Costs None
Trip limits 12
Dogs? No
Notes Bring a lunch, gear for the weather

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

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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

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

Snow – Mt. Washington Area – 22 Mar 2023

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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

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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