Category Archives: easy

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.

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

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Hiking -Homewood Trails Loop – 22 August 2018