Hiking – Village Bay Lake Trails – 2 Feb 2022

Activity Hiking
Destination Village Bay Lake trails
Date 2 Feb, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710  Please contact the coordinator by Monday night.
Description Starting on the Surge Narrows Rd, we will hike up a logging road and continue on a trail through a lovely forest near Village Bay Lake.  We will re-join the logging road for a while and then follow another trail which connects with the route along Vic’s Marsh.  There is lots of variety on this short loop.  The route is in good condition, but expect wet and muddy sections especially along the marsh.  About 5 km.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot.  We will drive out in a group.
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
Easy
Costs None
Trip limits None
Dogs?
Notes: Bring gear appropriate for the weather and trail conditions, as well as a snack.

Hiking – Fir Crest/Haskin Farm Trail – 25 Jan 2022

Activity Hiking
Destination Fir Crest/Haskin Farm Trail
Date 25 Jan, Tuesday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 285-2029; lhquadra@gmail.com
Description Easy hike and course will depend on snow. Only about 1 1/2 hour
Meeting Place Haskin Farm trailhead (Smith Rd. & Heriot Bay Rd.)
Departure Time 10:00 pm
Difficulty
Easy
Costs None
Trip limits 8
Dogs? O.K. but not back and forth through group
Notes: Bring a snack if you like, but will not stop for long

Hiking – Campbell River Waterfront – 9 Feb 2022

Activity Hot Chocolate Walk
Destination Campbell River waterfront, to FoggDukkers, return
Date 9 Feb, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Valerie van Veen
Contact Info vvv@qisland.ca;  250 285 2329
Description This will be a brisk walk along the CR waterfront to FoggDukkers for Hot Chocolate (or ?), probable return on 1:30 pm ferry. FoggDukkers will open for us, on request, regardless of weather. Seating will probably still be only outside, current VIHA Covid restrictions. If weather is really awful, we will follow Plan B and turn right instead for a shorter walk, and take our own thermoses (or pick up a hot chocolate at the new coffee shop in Discovery Plaza) to Dick Murphy Park at the Spit, and return.
Meeting Place Ferry Terminal , CR, sidewalk at walk off area
Departure Time 10:00 ferry
Difficulty
Easy
Costs Ferry and hot chocolate
Trip limits None
Dogs? Leash only
Notes: Dress for the weather, and especially for sitting outside. Maybe bring a waterproof sit-upon. Those taking their cars must phone coordinator before Wednesday to arrange a meeting place. Must register by Monday night, phone or email coordinator. Participants will be notified by Tuesday night if Plan B is decided.

Trip Report – West Road Woodlot – 29 Dec 2021

Due to the snow and cold, the planned trip to Village Bay Lake loop was saved for a better day.  The road conditions, the busy holidays and water pipes freezing in the cold kept the group small.  So three of us did a short local hike on logging roads instead.

It was overcast, but we had a pleasant stroll on snowy paths through a peaceful forest, plus a view of Gowlland Harbour.  It was good to get out.   3.9 km, 1¼ hours
 
Norris
 

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – West Road Woodlot – 29 Dec 2021

Hiking – West Road Woodlot – 29 Dec 2021

This is a last minute substitution.

Activity Hiking
Destination West Road Woodlot
Date 29 Dec, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710.  Please contact the coordinator before the trip.
Description We will walk down a few of the out-and-back logging roads.  The route includes mature forest, replanted forest, a view of Gowlland Harbour, and a meandering trail.  About 3km; 1 hour.
Meeting Place Park on Gowlland Harbour Road, near the junction with West Road, by the transformers.
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
Very easy, but expect winter conditions – cold and snow covering some ice.
Costs None
Trip limits None
Dogs?
Notes: Bring gear appropriate for the weather and trail conditions.

Hiking – Quinsam River Trails – 23 Feb 2022

This trip was originally scheduled for Jan 5th.

Activity Hiking
Destination Quinsam River Trails
Date 23 Feb 5 Jan, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca; 250-285-3710.  Please contact the coordinator by Monday evening.
Description We will hike along the east side of the Quinsam River, using mountain bike trails and logging roads.  This follows a variety of terrain down to the river.  Expect some muddy conditions.
Meeting Place QCove ferry terminal;  after exiting the ferry, we will drive to the parking area together.
Departure Time 10:00; drivers will need to be early to ensure that they can board
Difficulty
Easy
Costs Ferry
Trip limits 10
Dogs?
Notes:

Trip Report – Gowlland Harbour – 21 Dec 2021

Paddle into Winter (Solstice)

A very nice winter day provided an opportunity for seven club members to get together for a 2 hour paddle to celebrate the Solstice. With an icy boat launch at April Point and a skim of ice in the harbour it was a wintry day. We paddled out of the marina on calm seas, overcast skies and temperatures around freezing. The three paddlers that put in further east in Gowlland, paddled against the current in the channel and met up with us for the trip out and along Gowlland Island. We rounded the top of Gowlland with Steep Island on our port side and then altered course towards the smaller island group and away from a cold northerly breeze.

The group split up again and four of us rounded Doe Island and headed for April Point and rode the ebb current through the channel.

The highlight of the trip was watching the efforts of an eagle in its attempt to snare a cormorant for its afternoon meal.

Vic

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Kayaking – Gowlland Harbour – 21 Dec 2021

Trip Report – Drew Creek and Rebecca Spit – 11 Dec 2021

On Saturday nine people decided to try a hike even though rain was threatening. To start we did the small trail at the mouth of Drew Creek. This is a wonderful little trail. It even has benches to sit and watch the creek roll by. The tide was extremely high and had the creek backed up for about 150 m.
We then walked to Rebecca Spit and turned south along the ocean down to the Sasquatch sculpture. It was about here that the heavy rain showers started off and on. We proceeded down through the new camping spots that have been developed very well. On the way back to the vehicles we were treated to a rainbow. 5.2 km about 1½ hours

Les

Thanks to Les and Norris for the photos.

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Hiking – Drew Creek and Rebecca Spit – 11 Dec 2021

Hiking – Drew Creek Trail and Rebecca Spit – 11 Dec 2021

Activity Hiking
Destination Drew Creek, then Rebecca Spit
Date 11 Dec, Saturday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 285-2029; lhquadra@gmail.com
Description Easy walk around Drew Creek Trail and then to Rebecca Spit. At the park we will go south to the Sasquatch and then return to the cars.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Rd. at Rebecca Spit Rd.
Departure Time 1:00 pm
Difficulty
Easy
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs? O.K. but under control
Notes: Waiting until after lunch so it warms up a little. Bring a snack if you like as will have short break if weather cooperates. South end is wet so good boots would help.

Trip Report – Kay Dubois Trail and Whittington Woodlot – 1 Dec 2021

Seven of us started out from the end of Fox Road, walked down the hill and along Wa Wa Kie Road. We entered the Kay Dubois Trail and hiked the loop clockwise. For the first half of the walk, it almost looked as though the sun could come through. At the midpoint, when we stopped at the beach viewpoint for tea and a snack, a light rain started and followed us back to our parking spots. It was an easy, social walk and just felt great to be out even if it was a bit wet and muddy. 5.9 km and 1½ hours.

Diana

Thanks to Norris and Rob for the photos.

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Kay Dubois Loop – 1 Dec 2021