The trip into the woods south of the library was scheduled for 2 Jan, but the weatherman was saying heavy rain and high winds, so we moved the trip up to 1 Jan at the last moment.  In the morning there was a very light rain, which was hardly noticeable in the woods.  So nine of us wandered off into the maze of community trails, all unofficial.  This is all private property, so many of the trails connect to someone’s back yard. Some of the trails are on what seems to be easements which extend existing roads.  The main part of property is in the Official Community Plan as a place for future housing.  Until then, it’s a pleasant forest to stroll through, with quite a few small streams and some impressively big cottonwood trees. The trails are well maintained.  The community has decorated the woods with carved masks, beadwork, and a “Word Log”.  We also visited the new stairs connecting Nole Road and Plaza Road.

While we were walking near the end of Nole Road, one of the alders leaning over the trail ahead of us decided to fall across the trail.  There was no wind, no gust of wind, it just decided to fall over for no reason, as alders do. Luckily, we were not too close and not in the wrong place at the wrong time.  Back at the cars, Les provided a little New Year’s tail gate treat with chocolate and pineapple.  4.3 km; 1¾ hours.

Norris

Photos by Norris

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Hiking – Q Cove Trails – 2 Jan 2019

We postponed this hike by a day for better weather and were rewarded with a beautiful, sunny winter day.  Ten of us followed the trail downstream along Open Bay Creek.  The trail is wet in a few places with a bit of winter blow-down, but there are great views of the stream rushing through the lush rainforest.  We made a loop by returning on the logging road, then wandered down Open Bay Main to the start of the mountain bike trail Rio.  This trail climbs steeply and near the top there is a banked bridged, which was slippery, with some loose planks.  After a quick snack break, we returned down the Crikey Creek trail, which is the more developed of the two trails.  We didn’t get a lot of sun, with the sun very low in these deep forests, but it was a good, short walk.  5.4 km; 2 hours.

Debbie

Thanks to Norris and Les for the photos.

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Hiking – Open Bay and Crikey Creeks – 30 Dec 2018

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