Category Archives: easy

Hiking – Haskin’s Farm Loop – 14 Nov 2018

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Activity Hiking
Destination Haskin’s Farm Loop
Date 14 Nov 2018, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Julie Mellanby
Contact Info 285-3978.  Please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip.
Description We will follow the Haskin’s Farm trail to the beach and pass by some great old growth trees before walking through the gently rolling paths on the golf course.
Meeting Place Haskin’s Farm trailhead
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.

Trip Report – Rebecca Spit Loop – 24 Sept 2018

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Heavy rain had been forecast for over a week for Wednesday, so we thought we would do this simple trip.  In the end, it didn’t rain, so that was a bonus.  Seven of us started at the south Rebecca Spit parking lot by the shore and walked the short distance south to see the Sasquatch.  The excellent driftwood sculpture by Alex Witcombe of Driftwood Creations is life sized and convincing.  We continued on to Paddy’s Lagoon and the memorial, and walked further to the open driftwood cabin at the end of the lagoon.  From there we followed the new trail up the hill and through the forest, crossing Heriot Bay Rd and following the old logging roads in a loop out and back to the road.  We walked along the shore by the campground and then made the classic loop to the end of the Spit and back in the park.

This short hike has lots of variety and points of interest along the way.  The maple leaves were at their peak.  The trail is mostly very good and the forest is varied – a lovely, gentle walk.  8.0 km; 2¼ hours.

Debbie

Thanks to Norris and Les for photos

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Hiking – Rebecca Spit Loop – 24 Oct 2018

Hiking – Big Tree Woodlot – 31 Oct 2018

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Activity Hiking
Destination Big Tree Woodlot
Date 31 Oct 2018, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 285-2029 or leshand@gicable.com.  Please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip.
Description We will start at the new sign at Benner’s woodlot. From here we will go via his roads to Open Bay Main and then to Stramberg Lake. Then do a loop back to Village Bay Road. It is about 8 km. We may do another nearby short hike if the group wants more.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot.
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Easy
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? Yes, but no back and forth through the group.
Notes:

Hiking – Rebecca Spit Loop – 24 Oct 2018

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Activity Hiking
Destination Rebecca Spit Loop
Date 24 October 2018, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg / Les Hand
Contact Info 285-2029 or leshand@gicable.com.  Please contact the trip coordinator prior to the trip.
Description We will visit the Sasquatch and then continue to Paddy’s Lagoon.  We will follow some unofficial trails that loop out and then circle back to the campground.  If we then continue to the end of the Spit, the hike is about 8km.
Meeting Place Rebecca Spit parking lot just past the gate on the right by the water at the south end of the park.
Departure Time 1:00 PM
Difficulty
 easy
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs?
Notes: Expect some mud on the way to Paddy’s Lagoon.

Hiking – McKenzie and Douglas Lakes – 26 Sept 2018

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Activity Hiking
Destination McKenzie and Douglas Lakes
Date 26 Sept 2018, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710.   Please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip.
Description McKenzie and Douglas Lakes in Strathcona Park are approached from logging roads off of the road to Mt. Washington.  The 6 km drive each way is rougher than the hiking.  The hike is quite short (about 6 km return) and goes through forest and meadows to two lakes.  This isn’t Helen Mackenzie Lake and this area is not busy.  We can hike further or add other destinations, if this goes quickly.
Meeting Place We will take the 8:00 Quadra ferry.  Rides to be arranged in advance.
Departure Time Drivers need to be early enough to get on the ferry
Difficulty
 Easy
Costs Share gas and ferry costs
Trip limits Vehicles willing to drive the logging road may limit the number of participants
Dogs? Would need to be on a leash at all times
Notes: Bring lunch and appropriate clothing for altitude of 900 m.

Trip Report – Homewood Trails Loop – 22 August 2018

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Five hikers and Rosco the dog enjoyed a three-hour hike in the Heriot Ridge area. A smoky haze from BC wildfires partially blocked the sun but was not as thick as the previous few days. Beginning at the Hopespring trailhead, we hiked up to the height of land and down the west side of the ridge, turning south on Gowlland trail. We sampled a few blackberries along the way, before turning east on the Homewood Bluff trail. On top of Homewood Bluff we stopped for a snack but the view to the west was lacking due to the smoke. Descending the east side of the bluff, we connected with Homewood’s High Bluff trail. This trail is partially overgrown, due to lack of use by the Homewood groups. However, the wolves use this route since wolf scat was observed perched on a log across the trail. After reaching the height of land, a side trip took us up to High Bluff were we enjoyed another rest stop but could barely see Campbell River to the west. From here we hiked north along Heriot Ridge on an unmarked route, stopping to say hello to a grand old Douglas fir tree tucked away in the bluffs. Along the way we stepped over the skeleton of an unfortunate deer not far from the intersection with Hopespring trail. From here we returned to the vehicles. Temperatures remained cool and pleasant throughout the hike due to the haze. 5.3 km.

Janis McLean

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking -Homewood Trails Loop – 22 August 2018

Trip Report – Surge Narrows – 8 August 2018

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Our group of five and a puppy hiked the short trail to see the Surge Narrows rapids at a 9.4 knot flood current. The day was very clear and extremely hot — 33° C in Campbell River. The turbulence was impressive and it was also interesting to watch the few boats that went through the rapids without waiting for slack water.  We walked beyond the first viewpoint, following the unmaintained route, to the next bay and returned to the vehicles. 4.7 km; 3½ hours.

Most of the group then drove back to Mine Lake for a swim.  It was lovely, but we had to stay in the water to stay cool.

Julie

Thanks to Les for the photos

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Hiking – Surge Narrows – 8 August 2018

Trip Report – Woss Lookout & Little Huson Caves – 26 July 2018

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The original plan was to hike to Woss Lookout in the morning to beat the extreme summer heat. But, unexpectedly, when we drove north on Highway 19, it was overcast and quite cool, so we continued on to the Little Huson Caves first. These karst features in Quatsino limestone are very beautifully sculpted into complex shapes with the Atluk Creek running through it. We took the short walk to the northern viewpoint first and explored the big opening in the natural bridge over the River “Cave”. The trail also leads to the south opening of the bridge with even more opportunity to see the sculpted limestone. With the low water and dry weather there are lots of possibilities for exploring. We also visited the Bridge Cave before walking to Little Huson Lake.

We then drove south to the rough logging road leading to the Woss Lookout trailhead. Once the skies cleared at noon, it was already hot. We walked up the upper logging road switchbacks and then took the trail through the forest up to the summit. This is a short, steep hike with lots of rope available for assistance. There were wonderful blueberries and purple huckleberries on the way up. At the summit we enjoyed the excellent restoration of the lookout tower, a very refreshing afternoon breeze, and fantastic view in nearly 360°. The historical photos from 1948 are very interesting. The location of the tower was great as a fire lookout, but also for views. The conical hill is a focus for five valleys. For the hike: 4.4 km; 2¾ hours; 376 m elevation gain; 35% incline in the steep section.

Debbie

Thanks to Norris and Les for the photos, which were updated on August 25th.

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Hiking – Woss Lookout & Little Huson Caves – 27 July 2018

Trip Report – Village Bay Lakes and Main Lake Park – 23 July 2018

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Six people met at the Village Bay Lake ramp at 8:30 and were on the water by 9 a.m. to beat some of the heat. Now that the temperature is reaching 30 degrees it is just too hot late afternoon to have a comfortable paddle. It was a beautiful clear day though with a slight breeze. We paddled up the right side of the lake going into each bay. It is amazing how many houses have been renovated on the lake in the last few years. There are also some new ones. Many are quite unique and some even have ladder trolleys to move goods up to the house. From Village Bay Lake the group paddled through the shallow creek to Mine Lake. There were a couple of blue herons in the reeds that were not bothered by our passing. The water level is quite low and a boat with motor would have a hard time not hitting sticks or the bottom in some areas.  We then proceeded to the big sand beach at the entrance to Main Lake for lunch. There were a few tents pitched there but plenty of room for our group.

We took the same path back, but went down the opposite side of Village Bay Lake. There are many nice houses and cottages on that side as well. In total we traveled 11.4 km and were gone 3.5 hours.

Les

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Kayaking – Village Bay Lake and Main Lake Park – 23 July 2018

Kayaking – Village Bay Lake & Main Lake Park – 23 July 2018

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Change of start time!  Stay in touch with the coordinator.

Activity Kayaking
Destination Village Bay, Mine & Main Lakes
Date 23 July 2018, Monday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 2029 or leshand@gicable.com
Description This will be an easy and protected paddle.The object will be to circumnavigate Village Bay Lake and explore the shoreline. We will go through the creek and have lunch at the sandy beach at Main Lake. 3-4 hours approx.
Meeting Place Village Bay Lake boat ramp
Departure Time meet at 8:30 9:30, launch at 9:00 10 A.M.
Difficulty easy
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? no
Notes: Paddlers must have all equipment as outlined in Paddling Guidelines and please sign up at least one day before the trip.