Category Archives: easy

Trip Report – Karst Formations 21 Mar 2015

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Clouds in the early morning gave way to perfect sunny weather for the Karst Hike on Saturday March 21st, 2015. The previous day’s rain provided plenty of water in the streams, creating ideal conditions in which to really appreciate this distinctive topography.

Karst landscape is largely shaped by dissolving action of water on carbonate bedrock (usually limestone, dolomite, or marble). This geological process, occurring over many thousands of years, results in unusual surface and subsurface features ranging from sinkholes, vertical shafts, disappearing streams, and springs, to complex underground drainage systems and caves.

A narrow band of Quatsino Limestone on Quadra Island extends north from Open Bay and terminates near Luoma Creek. The most significant area north of Canyon Creek contains the most number of caves and karst features. Although the cave sizes are very small, the impressive size of some of the karst features makes this an interesting area for recreational exploration and interpretation.

The Quadra Island Trails Committee has applied to Recreation Sites & Trails BC for two Forest Interpretative Sites to help protect some of finest surface karst features on Quadra Island.

Richard Leicester.

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Karst Formations – 21 March 2015

Trip Report – Heriot System Loop 11 Mar 2015

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Due to the forecast storm, this was proposed as a last minute substitute for the hike to Maud Island. As it turned out there was only a bit of wind and some drizzle in the last half hour. The six of us hiked along the Hope Spring trail to the Gowlland Harbour trail. We admired the old growth fir trees and then took the side trip to the old growth grove. We continued along the Thompson trail and then returned to the cars via the Heriot Ridge route. We stopped for lunch on an open mossy bluff. These trails are in good condition for the end of winter, with noticeable volunteer maintenance. 2 ¾ hours; 6.1 km.

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Trip Report – Blindman’s Bluff & Eagle Ridge 4 Mar 2015

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It was cool in the morning when the five of us left for Eagle Ridge. It was a great sunny day for a hike though. We were surprised to find that the beaver pond was nearly dry on the way there. The ridge was covered in may shades of beautiful green moss and the views of the island mountains great. We returned on the same route and then hiked Blindman’s Bluff Trail. We saw one deer and the bald eagles entertained us why we ate lunch.

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Blindman’s Bluff & Eagle Ridge – 4 March 2015

Hike Carrington Bay – 15 April 2015

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Activity Hiking
Destination Carrington Bay, Cortes Island
Date 15 April 2015, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Margot Wood
Contact Info 250.285.2393.  You MUST contact Margot by Monday, April 13th, 10 a.m. in order to arrange transportation.
Description This hike will be hosted by the Children’s Forest Board of Directors. We will be met at the Cortes Ferry Parking and driven to the start of the hike.
Our guide is a long time resident of Cortes Island, knows the area well and he is filled with the history and knowledge of this beautiful park.

Carrington Bay Regional Park is one of the most widely used mature forest destinations on the island. The main trail out to the lagoon is an old dirt road bed and the many other trails through the forest are suitable for both hiking and mountain biking. The lagoon entrance is a narrow channel through which the tide flows, mixing salt and fresh water for abundant aquatic life. The forests are also home to a significant amount of wildlife, including several species at risk. The mature forest on the way out to the lagoon also hosts a whole network of hiking and biking trails, with several “you are here” maps along the way that will also help you to locate two historic homesteads. Much of the forest that you will hike through to get to the lagoon is private managed forestland. The Forest Trust for the Children of Cortes Island Society has been formed to purchase these forestlands and hold them in trust for the children of Cortes Island in perpetuity. For more information visit http://www.corteschildrensforesttrust.org. Park at the trail head on Coulter Bay Rd. Access is off Carrington Bay Road in Whaletown or down Jimmy Smith Road, through the Cortes Pit. Estimated walking time for several trails: allow at least 2-3 hrs.
Meeting Place Cortes ferry line-up
Departure Time 9:05 a.m. ferry.  We plan to return on the 1:50 p.m ferry or the 3:50 p.m. at the latest.
Difficulty Easy & beautiful
Costs Ferry fare
Trip limits none
Dogs? Yes. Be aware wolves in the area.
Notes: Bring lunch.  This trip is weather dependent.

Karst Formations – 21 March 2015

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Activity Naturalist outing
Destination Quadra’s Karst formations
Date 21 March 2015, Saturday
Trip Coordinator Richard Leicester
Contact Info 285-2663; please contact the coordinator by Thursday if you are interested in going
Description Visit some of Quadra’s Quatsino limestone formations, an area which contains karst sinkholes, intakes, resurgences and underground streams.   We will visit two or three areas, which involves a bit of driving on logging roads and bush walking.  We will not be walking in caves.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot for car pooling. High clearance vehicles will be preferable.
Departure Time TBA
Difficulty
 Easy to moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? no
Notes: Bring lunch and gear appropriate for the weather.  Also, bring a flashlight to see into these geological formations.

Trip Report – New Thompson Trail Loop 30 Dec 2014

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The group of eight met up on a beautiful, cold day to hike a loop consisting of official and unofficial trails, new and old logging roads. We hiked in from the Thompson trailhead to the recently renovated B&B trail. We took this briefly until it is crossed by a new logging road which we followed as it passed by some great mossy bluffs and occasional views. After a few junctions we took a left-hand turn onto an old logging road and then turned left again on the Gowlland Harbour trail. A few in the group took a side-trip down a mountain bike trail, but we all met up for lunch on Rousseau Ridge. The sun and the views were great. We continued on the Gowlland Harbour trail making a side-trip to the old growth grove, which is always impressive. We returned to the Thompson trail making our way back to the cars. 9 km, about 3 hours.

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New Thompson Trail Loop – 30 December 2014

Trip Report – Kay Dubois Loop – 17 Dec 2014

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At the last minute, the destination was changed for the convenience of the participants. The forecast called for rain, but it held off until later in the day, though the forest was definitely saturated. We started at the entrance to the woodlot on Cape Mudge Rd and walked logging roads until we met up with the trail to the beach. We continued on the trail north along the shore and then up hill at the big sitka spruce tree. We returned to the cars following logging roads. Two hours.

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Morte Lake Loop – 17 Dec 2014

Trip Report – Shellaligan Loop 29 Nov 2014

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Six people and a dog hiked the bigger Shellaligan Loop, beginning at the parking closest to the water, counter-clockwise. It was a beautiful, cold, clear day with a bit of north wind. This hike took us over rocky bluffs with great views and then undulated through forest with some old growth and lovely creeks.  7 km, about three hours.

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Shellalligan Trail – 29 November 2014

Hike Rousseau Ridge – 10 Sept 2014

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NOTE:  last minute change of destination and start time!

The trip is now going to The Bluff Above Camp Homewood on Mine Lake.

Activity Hiking
Destination Rousseau Ridge Bluff above Camp Homework on Mine Lake
Date 10 Sept 2014, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info 285-3710; please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip
Description Hike the Hope Spring Trail and Thompson Trail loop, with side trips to Heriot Ridge, the old growth trees and to Rousseau Ridge. There are lots of highlights on this trip.

There is a trail from Camp Homewood on Mine Lake to the top of the hill behind the camp.  It has a great view.  We will start from the Mine Lake boat launch.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Tru Value parking lot to carpool because parking is limited at the trailhead
Departure Time 10:00 09:00
Difficulty Mostly easy
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs?
Notes: Bring lunch. Three to four hours.

Trip Report – Newton Lake 13 August 2014

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The group was undaunted by a few drops of rain at the beginning of the hike into Newton Lake and was rewarded with clearing skies. We had this beautiful and serene lake all to ourselves, but no one went swimming. It was a bit cool and some leeches kept cruising by. After a leisurely lunch and a bit of exploring beyond the second swimming rock, we returned as many others headed up to the lake.  8.9 km; 3 3/4 hours.

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Hike Newton Lake – 13 August 2014