Category Archives: easy

Hiking – Village Bay Lake Trails – 29 Dec 2021

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There has been postponed due to the weather.

Activity Hiking
Destination Village Bay Lake trails
Date 29 Dec, 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.  About 5 km.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot.  We will drive out in a group.
Departure Time 13:00
Difficulty
 Easy
Costs None
Trip limits None
Dogs?
Notes: Bring gear appropriate for the weather and trail conditions, as well as lunch or a snack.

Trip Report – South Stramberg Route – 24 Nov 2021

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Thirteen of us hiked this trail even though the forecast was for rain and wind.  As it turned out, the weather wasn’t too bad, just some drizzle for a while.  It’s a forest trail anyway, so no views were missed, and the trees drip even when the rain stops.  The trail is very muddy in sections, so good boots are recommended.

Since the numbers were large, we split up into two smaller groups and that worked well.

We started on a recent logging road in a woodlot and continued on an old logging road through what is now Main Lake Provincial Park.  It’s a very pleasant old forest walk, partly on a mossy track and then through a wetter area.  After crossing the small creek we stopped for lunch in the forest before returning to the vehicles.  6.2 km and 2¼ hours.

Norris

Thanks to Norris and Carrie for the photos.

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – South Stramberg Route – 24 Nov 2021

Trip Report – Thompson Trail-Hopespring Loop – 17 Nov 2021

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On Wednesday four hikers did the Hopespring/Thompson Trail in reverse. It is surprising when you do a circle trip in the opposite direction how much different it seems. Although cool, we were treated to dry weather with even a few sunny breaks. The moss covered rocks were brilliant green in the sunshine. We stopped for a short break at the old growth trees called The Three Sisters. They are magnificent Douglas Fir that survived the big fire of the 20’s.  A little farther down the trail we made a small side trip to visit 19 old growth trees. It is one of the few places on Quadra where so many are gathered together.  From here we climbed back up and over Heriot Ridge to finish the hike. 8.5 km and 2½ hours.

Les

Thanks to Les for the photos.

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Thompson Trail-Hopespring Loop – 17 Nov 2021

Hiking – Kay Dubois Trail – 1 Dec 2021

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Activity Hiking
Destination Kay Dubois Trail and Whittington Woodlot
Date 1 Dec, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Diana McKerracher
Contact Info 250 285 3204 diana@gicable.com
Description Join us for an easy morning hike starting on the Kay Dubois Trail and looping back through the Whittington Woodlot. The lower trail is flat, with a short climb at the end near Sutil Road. The road through the woodlot is flat but has some muddy sections. If the weather is good, we will stop for a tea break at the ocean viewpoint.
Meeting Place South end of Fox Road at Whittington Woodlot gate
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Easy
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs
Notes: Since this is such a short hike, there will not be a lunch break. We will stop for tea & snack at the ocean viewpoint midway along the route.
Walking time approximately 1.5 hours.

Hiking – South Stramberg Route – 24 Nov 2021

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Activity Hiking
Destination South Stramberg Route
Date 24 Nov, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710  Please contact the coordinator by Monday night.
Description Starting at Open Bay Main, we will follow a logging road leading to Main Lake Park.  From there we will hike east along an old logging road which joins the north-south route to the Stramberg old growth grove.  This disused road is in good condition except for wet places and there is little elevation change.  There is a creek very near the end, which is an awkward crossing.  About 5.5 km; 2 hours, plus lunch.
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 lunch.

Hike – Karst and Water – 3 Nov 2021

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Activity Hike
Destination Karst and Water
Date 3 Nov 2021, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info 285-3710 or debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca.
Description Visit some of Quadra’s Quatsino limestone formations, an area which contains karst sinkholes, intakes, resurgences, underground streams and a waterfall.   We will visit two areas, with a very short drive on a logging road.  We will not be walking in caves, but there will be some brush.
Meeting Place Intersection of Surge Narrows/ Bold Point Rd and Granite Bay Rd
Departure Time 13:00
Difficulty
 Easy to moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? no
Notes:

Trip Report – Cultural Walk – 20 Oct 2021

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In honour of Truth and Reconciliation the QI Outdoor Club undertook a unique outing this week. Ten members, and one prospective member, went on an urban walk with a Reconciliation theme. Starting at the “Silver Lining” sculpture (K. McKenzie) with its accompanying homage to the missing children of Canada’s Indian Residential “Schools” (IRS) we set out on our urban “hike”. Downhill to the ferry, across the Passage, and then a sweat-inducing uphill walk to the Laichwiltach Family Society complex on 4th Avenue, on a typical fall day. After being welcomed there by two resident Elders we were introduced to Carey Newman’s “Witness Blanket”, a national monument to recognize the atrocities of the IRS. We spent time studying the replica of this monument (the original is at the Human Rights Museum in Winnipeg; see https://humanrights.ca/story/picking-up-the-pieces-the-making-of-the-witness-blanket for more information) and then heard the very impactful stories of two survivors of residential school. To help each one of us process the emotions and learnings of our experience, our Elder Hosts did a cedar brushing ceremony before our departure.

The next part of our journey took us on a short downhill walk to the Campbell River Museum and the “Sacred Journey” exhibit. https://crmuseum.ca/2021/01/04/sacred-journeys-exhibition/. This stunning multimedia exhibit is in its last weeks before moving on to Victoria and beyond. Produced by Heiltsuk Hemas, Frank Brown, to celebrate the history and renaissance of Pacific North West Coast canoe culture and 30 years of tribal journeys, the exhibit was made possible by the creative talents of several Quadra Islanders.

From the museum we continued our urban walk along Thulin Drive and back into downtown Campbell River where we took our lunch stop at the Crooked Spoon Cafe on Shoppers Row. This was a first for many of the group and the food and service received a very strong endorsement from all. The planned continuation of the trip to Tyee Spit was modified at this point. Well satiated on a big lunch and plenty of discussion, we all decided to continue the day doing our own thing!

Vic

(click on photos to enlarge)

Cultural Walk – Campbell River – 20 Oct 2021

Trip Report – Newcomers’ Hike – 16 Oct 2021

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Six hikers enjoyed a Wet Coast ramble through the beautiful Community Trails on our first-ever “Newcomers” hike. Three Club members were thrilled to welcome three Newcomers, and one “would-be” who was stuck in Nanaimo.  (Hope you are able to join us on an outing soon, Norma!) Though we had originally planned an excursion through the lovely bike/hike trails south of Walcan Road, in the face of our latest monsoon we opted for the Community Trails, less muddy and slippery and more conducive to a relaxed outing. The ramble was ably led by Les, now the Community Trails expert thanks to his self-directed rehab after his leg surgery. Welcome back,Les! We saw many fungi of various sorts, and a downed, rotten alder was a good visual reminder of the dangers of being in the woods in the windstorms. As always, the Community Trails reminded us why we are so lucky to call Quadra our home, as “oldtimers” and as “newcomers”.  2¾ hrs, 7 km

Valerie van Veen 

Thanks to Valerie, Les and everyone who contributed photos.

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Newcomers’ Hike – 16 Oct 2021

Hiking – Newcomers’ Walk – 16 Oct 2021

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Activity Hiking
Destination Trails South of Walcan Rd
Date 16 Oct, Saturday
Trip Coordinator Valerie van Veen
Contact Info vvv@qisland.ca;  250 285 2329
Description This is an opportunity for newcomers to the Club, to Quadra, to hiking on Quadra, to enjoy a relaxed hike with Club members to learn more about our club and our activities.
Meeting Place Morte Lake parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Easy to moderate
Costs None
Trip limits None
Dogs? No
Notes: A relaxed hike on lovely forest trails, about 2 hours. Bring a snack, be dressed for weather. Hikers must keep distance when stopped. Must register with trip coordinator by Thursday Oct 14.

Cultural Walk – Campbell River – 20 Oct 2021

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Activity Urban / Cultural Walk
Destination Laichwiltach Family Life Society, Campbell River Museum, and Tyee Spit
Date 20 Oct. 2021, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-285-2111; (cell 250-287-0459)
Description In Honour of Truth and Reconciliation Day (September 30) this will be an urban walking experience from Q-Cove to the Laichwiltach Family Life Society to experience “The Witness Blanket” (http://www.lfls.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Witness-Blanket-Poster-LFLS-09.20.21.pdf ) and then to the Museum at Campbell River to see the Sacred Journey exhibit (https://crmuseum.ca/2021/01/04/sacred-journeys-exhibition/) to be immersed in the resurging Indigenous canoe culture.
From the museum we will proceed to an optional lunch stop at Crooked Spoon
Cafe OR bag lunch at Robert Ostler Park. Those that prefer a shorter day can take the next ferry home. Others are welcome to continue the urban experience and head out to the Tyee Spit trail (via the Wei Wai Kum gift shop/gallery, netloft and cemetery) and back to the ferry terminal.
Distance/time from Museum to Tyee Spit to Ferry is approximately 6.5 km/ 1.75 hours.
Meeting Place Quathiaski Cove Plaza Parking
Departure Time 8:30 for the 9:00 ferry on foot
Difficulty
 Easy
Costs Museum – $7 for senior; Laichwiltach Society – by donation?;
Trip limits 12
Dogs? No
Notes: 1. For more on the Witness Blanket and its creator, Carey Newman, visit https://humanrights.ca/story/picking-up-the-pieces-the-making-of-the-witness-blanket
2. QIOC is booked for 10:00 am with an Elder/Survivor to introduce us to the Witness Blanket.
3. To respect our hosts and because some of this activity is inside and discretionary, participants need to be fully vaccinated and use a mask when indoors.