A few of us made the very short walk up the old logging access to Morte Lake in the late afternoon for the Club’s first ever “happy hour hike.” This area is now protected as part of the Quadra Conservancy Land.  The weather was warm, sunny and breezy.  Recognizing that the social aspect of this event was more important than the exercise, we brought our folding chairs, and whatever drink and appie we wanted.  Sitting on the shore, we relaxed, caught up on recent events, and some swam in the lake.  It being a warm Sunday afternoon, a few others stopped by to swim or to return via paddle board.  Everyone was very cheerful and friendly.  We didn’t stay long, but had a good time.

Happy Hour Hike – Morte Lake– 7 Aug 2022

Four of us started fairly early to avoid the hottest part of the afternoon.  We strolled through the Chauntaluf farm taking time to appreciate the setting, views, animals and trees.  We then followed their Open Bay Rd over to Kolker Main.  We were met by Marianne who accompanied us down the private road to her home on Open Bay. As we had not met Marianne before, we took time to get acquainted before having lunch in the shade at the beach.  It was a very low tide and we walked on the sand to the shore and to Open Bay Creek before heading back.  It was warm ascending the road before we crossed back into the forest of Chauntaluf Farm.  We stopped at the pond for a cool swim before returning to the car.  This outing involved visits to two private properties and we are very appreciative for the invitations from Heather and Marianne.   7.4 km; 4 hours

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Hiking – Chauntaluf Farm to Open Bay– 28 July 2022

Our group of seven parked on Hyacinthe Bay Rd and followed the flagged trail through a mossy and open swale, over a ridge and down to Beaver Lake.  After rounding Beaver Lake on the south, we crossed the creek and stopped for elevenses on a rocky bluff above the lake.  We continued through the transition zone of a recent cut block and then followed the path descending along the creek draining Beaver Lake.  We stopped at a water fall and took a short side trip on an old logging road now covered in moss and grass.  We continued more steeply down to the junction of the creek with Open Bay creek and stopped for lunch.  The route then followed a well maintained trail upstream along Open Bay Creek. This passes through a mature forest often on a high bluff with great views of the meandering creek.  We saw a number of interesting plants along the way.  Since we had arranged a car shuffle, we drove back from the junction of Open Bay Creek and Bold Point Road.  5.7 km; 3 hours.  

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Notes on the plants:
The gnome plant or Hemitomes congestum is quite rare, though found over a large territory in dense forests.  It is the only member of its genus.   It lacks chlorophyll and cannot carry out photosynthesis.  Instead the gnome plant gets nutrients directly from fungi.

Menzies’ pipsissewa or Chimaphila menziesii is also quite rare and found over a large territory in dense forests.  ‘Pipsissewa is a Cree name meaning “it breaks into small pieces” in reference to the leaves, which are thought to help dissolve kidney stones.’

Hiking – Beaver Lake and Open Bay Creek – 29 June 2022

Our group of seven worked for about 1½ hours cutting brush and clearing the first leg of the South Chinese Mountain trail before lunch.  We then went to see the new Hyacinthe Creek trail which was build over the winter.  This very short and easy loop includes some beautiful trees, a bench, an excellent trail with amazing stone work, three viewing platforms and the lovely Hyacinthe Creek.  We had lunch grouped around one of the platforms.  It was cool and peaceful by the creek under the dappled light of the trees.  400m, 3/4 hour

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Work party and Hike – Chinese Mtn and Hyacinthe Creek Trail – 28 June 2022

The recent torrential rains definitely dampened our BC Trail Day celebration, but a few die-hards went for a short walk anyway. We used the Swale Trail and Black Jack to make a tight loop on the Community Centre trails, following some lovely paths through a fine forest.

The Quadra trail system is an amazing heritage that is worth recognizing. At the end of our walk it seemed fitting that we passed by the memorial to Judy Leicester who worked so hard on the trails. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to her and others like Hilda Van Orden, Marcie Wolter, Nole Lax, and Richard Leicester who did so much to develop these trails. And also to the current hard workers who carry on that tradition like John Barclay, Sam Whittingham and Ken Roxborough, and all the other many, many volunteers.

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Hiking – BC Trail Day – 4 June 2022