Category Archives: easy

Hiking – Snowden Demonstration Forest – 6 Feb 2019

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Activity Hiking
Destination Snowden Forest, Campbell River
Date 6 Feb 2019, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Valerie Van Veen
Contact Info vvv@qisland.ca; please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip
Description Hiking OR snowshoeing through the Snowden Forest, mostly easy to moderate trails. If hiking, we might tackle “difficult” trail depending on group and trail conditions. Bring lunch, suitable gear for conditions. Will snowshoe if enough snow.  8 – 10 km.
Meeting Place Q Cove ferry terminal
Departure Time 9:00 am ferry departure
Difficulty
 easy to moderate
Costs ferry
Trip limits none
Dogs? Must be under control at all times; this is a popular mountain biking area.
Notes: Carpool at ferry. I can take 4 passengers in our 4Runner.

 

Trip Report – Two Mines and Some Karst – 12 Dec 2018

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Having decided that Mt. Washington needed more snow before we make that trip, we substituted this outing.  Seven of us visited a number of caves and karst formations at the north end of Quadra Island.  We started at the Lucky Jim mine, an historic gold, silver and copper mine, which is well signed and has been made safe with gratings over the vertical shafts.  The steam donkey is huge and in good condition considering it was installed in about 1910.   We next visited a mine off of Open Bay Main, which we know very little about.  The horizontal shaft is in good condition. We continued to a karst cave with excellent marbling and were impressed by the risks inherent in the nearby grikes or eroded fissures in the limestone. 

After lunch in the parking area we cut over to the Granite Bay Road and an area of sink holes.  We started at a very large sinkhole with a lovely waterfall and then moved a short distance south for a walk following a creek which is insurgent and resurgent in the limestone.  There are areas where the creek seems to have re-routed for it no longer emerges.  The large sinkholes and walls are impressive.  We didn’t walk very far, but took our time enjoying the sites and the incredible green forest at this time of year.  A bit more than four hours, without the drive out.

Debbie

Photos by Norris

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Exploring – Two Mines and Some Karst – 12 Dec 2018

Exploring – Two Mines and Some Karst – 12 Dec 2018

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Activity Exploring
Destination Two Mines and Some Karst Formations
Date 12 December 2018, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info 3710 or debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca; please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip
Description We will visit an old mine off of Open Bay Main, a limestone cave and grikes in the limestone.  We will also stop at the Lucky Jim mine before continuing on to some sinkhole formations.
The weather is forecast to be very rainy in the afternoon.  Having three sites gives us the flexibility to alter plans if necessary.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot for car pooling.  This will involve some driving on logging roads.
Departure Time 9:30 am
Difficulty
 easy; this will more a visit to multiple sites than a lot of exercise.
Costs
Trip limits none
Dogs? No
Notes: Be prepared for wet.  Bring a good flashlight if you have one.

 

Hiking – Q Cove Trails – 2 Jan 2019

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This hike has been re-scheduled to  January 1st, Tuesday.  

Activity Hiking
Destination Q Cove Trails
Date 1 2 January 2019, Tuesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info 3710 or norris.weimer@ualberta.ca; please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip
Description We will explore a network of forest trails on private, undeveloped land in what will eventually be downtown Q Cove, but which at present is a natural area surrounded by private homes.  The trails are used by the locals from their backyards.  The forest and streams are charming and the locals have added a bit of artwork to it.  About 2 hours.
Meeting Place Behind the Q Cove store
Departure Time 10:00 am
Difficulty
 easy
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? Dogs must not run through the group
Notes:

 

Trip Report – Kay Dubois Loop – 21 Nov 2018

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Eight hikers and two dogs hiked a loop of the Kay Dubois trail and adjoining woodlot from the Sutil Road trailhead.  We hiked down the switchbacks to the rocky beach and enjoyed the rolling waves on a fairly windy day.  We continued along the quiet trail following the shore and then took the connector from the big Sitka Spruce tree up to the top of the bluff and walked the logging road back to the vehicles.  The weather was better than forecast and we stayed dry.  We all went back to Julie’s, where she served us an excellent lunch.  5.1 km; 1½ hours.

Julie and Debbie

Thanks to Norris and Eva for the photos

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Hiking – Kay Dubois Loop – 21 Nov 2018

Trip Report – Haskin Farm & Golf Course Loop – 14 Nov 2018

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Nine of us and three dogs didn’t mind the wet morning.  Although the night was stormy, the day was mostly dry and partly sunny.  We hiked through the forest and meadow on the Haskin Farm trail, down the switchbacks to the beach.  We enjoyed the fresh air, maple leaves thick on the trail, and the waves breaking on the shore.  We continued along the shore, appreciating the few old growth trees.  The golf course was quiet and very green.  There were Bald Eagles and a Red Tailed Hawk close by.  A lovely, easy walk.  5.3 km; 1½  hours.

Julie Mellanby

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Hiking – Haskin Farm & Golf Course Loop – 14 Nov 2018

Trip Report – Big Tree Woodlot Loop – 31 Oct 2018

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On a overcast and drizzling day 11 hikers decided to check out Benner’s woodlot. He has put up a newly painted sign that shows most of the roads in his woodlot. This is easy hiking and good for rainy days. We started at the sign and proceeded to Open Bay Main. From there we headed toward Stramberg Lake. Once in the park we found the creek was flooded over the trail so made a slight detour around. At the lake the level of water was so high from recent rains that the trail to the bluff was submerged. A few brave souls scrambled up the rocks to still get a view down the lake. We then proceeded back to the first opening for lunch. After lunch all hiked back around and came out on Village Bay road and then back to the vehicles. 8.3 km and 2½ hours not counting lunch break.

Les

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Hiking – Big Tree Woodlot Loop – 31 Oct 2018

Hiking – Backdoor/Yellow Mud Loop – 28 Nov 2018

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Activity Hiking
Destination Backdoor/Yellow Mud Loop
Date 28 Nov 2018, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Janis McLean
Contact Info 3614.  Please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip.
Description Starting at Reed Lake, we will go south on Straight as a Dime, turn east on Back Door over the rock bluffs and down to the variously named lake with the large beaver dam.  From here we return along the Yellow Mud trail to Reed Lake.  The loop should take no more than two hours at a leisurely pace.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot for car pooling.
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Easy to moderate (on wet bluffs)
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? Okay under owner’s control
Notes: Bring lunch or a snack, raingear and a hiking pole for slippery bluffs.

Trip Report – Shellaligan Loop – 7 Nov 2018

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Nine hikers and a dog enjoyed this classic hike on a beautiful, sunny, fall day.  We hiked from Valdez Rd, down the logging road and along the rocky shoreline on Hoskyn Channel.  We stopped for a lunch/snack on the rocky bluff at the entrance to Village Bay, overlooking the calm waters with views of the outer islands and mainland mountains.  We were entertained by a sea lion, harlequin ducks and a flock of sea birds.  We shared yummy Belgian brownies before continuing along the shoreline into Village Bay, up the hill, through the forest and back along the logging road to the vehicles.  6.9 km; 2¾ hours.

Julie Mellanby

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Hiking – Shellaligan Loop – 7 Nov 2018

Hiking – Kay Dubois Loop – 21 Nov 2018

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Activity Hiking
Destination Kay Dubois Loop
Date 21 Nov 2018, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Jullie Mellanby
Contact Info 285-3978.  Please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip.
Description We will start at the trailhead at the end of Sutil Road and hike along the official (and newly renovated) trail and through logging roads on the adjoining woodlot.
Meeting Place Kay Dubois trailhead at the end of Sutil Road.
Departure Time 9:30
Difficulty Easy
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? Must not run through the group
Notes: Bring lunch and gear for weather.