Category Archives: easy

Trip Report – Big Beach Dinner Picnic – 30 August 2024

Posted on by
Reply

Beautiful weather, wonderful company, and delicious treats all made for a delightful picnic social at Big Beach, Open Bay, enjoyed by eight club members and three enthusiastic guests. Ten participants arrived by car, and one paddled in from Heriot Bay … maybe something to consider next time? High tide kept us confined to the foreshore on the east side of the creek, but there were plenty of comfortable logs for those who didn’t pack in their beach chairs. A few gulls, a couple of paddle boarders, and a few other beach-goers were also enjoying the very peaceful West Coast evening. One member, and our guests, braved the cool waters for an evening swim.
Definitely an event worth including repeating on our Summer Schedule.
(2.5 hours, 200 feet distance, some altitude change)

Valerie van Veen

Of Interest: the following day at Open Bay two swimmers and one kayaker were joined by a pair of curious porpoises who swam with the humans for about 10 minutes.

Thanks to Valerie and Norris for the photos
 

Click on photos to enlarge

Social – Picnic at Big Beach – 30 Aug 2024

Trip Report – Quathiaski Cove – 9 Aug 2024

Posted on by
Reply

Ten members of the Club gathered at the Quathiaski Cove boat launch at 1830 on a beautiful summer evening. Eight paddlers launched their kayaks and we left two onshore as they had no paddles!

On calm seas we set out on a flood tide for the green blinker by the seal rocks near Grouse Island. As the currents and very light wind presented no concerns we paddled out of the Cove and along the length of Grouse Is. and then across the gap to the north shore of Q Cove. The Discovery Passage currents were pretty benign so we continued on to the cliff to view the now deserted Guillemot (a small jet-black seabird) colony and its “whitewashed” rockface. As we turned to the south, we could feel the tide carrying us in that direction and we headed back into the Cove, over a boulder field, under the watchful eye of the local eagles.

With the sun getting lower in the smoky skies, the golden hour was upon us as we rounded the corner into Unkak Cove and paddled its very shallow waters. The many crabs and small fishes (sculpins?) scurrying along the bottom were just a foot or two below us. The rising tide allowed us to get very close to the end of the cove where we turned 180 and headed south once again.

We left Unkak Cove and paddled past the numerous docks and buildings adjacent to the old ferry landing and then crossed back over to Grouse Island amidst the raucous screeching of an eagle family with recently fledged eaglets. After viewing the all but abandoned residence and its dilapidated sign it was time to head to the take out. With the red ball of sun at our backs and a beautifully lit Cove ahead we cruised in to the boat launch mere minutes before a stunning sunset. (2.9 NM, 1.75 hours)

This idyllic summer evening paddle ended with a social hour with snacks and beverages and friendly conversation around a propane campfire at the Gladish residence.

Wildlife: Eagles, Oystercatchers, Kingfisher, Great Blue Heron, Crows, Harlequin Ducks, Harbour Seals

Vic

Thanks to Vic and Norris for the photos.

(Click on photos to enlarge)

Social Paddle – Quathiaski Cove – 9 Aug 2024

Social Picnic – Open Bay – 30 August 2024

Posted on by
1

Activity Social Picnic
Destination Big Beach, Open Bay
Date 30 Aug, Friday
Trip Coordinator Valerie van Veen
Contact Info vvv@qisland.ca, 778 242 5774 (cell)
Description End of summer sunset social, bring your picnic dinner, beach blanket, join the seals and eagles of Open Bay to celebrate a great summer season for QIOC. No campfires, but marshmallows do toast quite well over a portable camp stove.  We will meet at parking area end of Marina, then schlep down the trail to the beach. Swimsuit and towel for the keeners. Note..may need to wade across the small stream.
Meeting Place End of Marina Rd, Open Bay
Departure Time 5 pm
Difficulty Easy, but short steep path down to beach
Costs None
Trip limits None
Dogs? No
Notes: Sunset at 8 pm Aug 30. Trip cancelled if rain, windy, cold. I will notify all registered participants by 10 am Friday morning if cancelled. Thursday Aug 29 8 pm sign-up deadline.

Trip Report – Thomspon-Hopespring Trail Loop – 7 Aug 2024

Posted on by
Reply

Eleven hikers, including five guests, started on a morning hike from the end of Thompson Road. It was a beautiful sunny day although warm and a bit smoky already. We continued on past the Gowlland Harbour Trail and turned onto the small trail down into the creek valley with the group of old growth trees. This is a stunning area with some very beautiful majestic, old growth-trees. We then went back to the Hopespring trail and onward to the Three Sisters which are some of the largest old-growth Douglas firs on Quadra. A little way down the trail we turned off again to view another group of nineteen old growth trees. Back on the trail we climbed up to the Heriot Ridge Trail and proceeded to the bench to have lunch and enjoy the view. Afterwards we hiked down to the end of Hopespring and walked the road back to our vehicles. (6.1km, 3 hours).

Les
 
Thanks to Les, Chris and Norris for the photos
 
(click on photos to enlarge)
 

Hiking – Thompson-Hopespring Trail Loop – 7 Aug 2024

Happy Hour Paddle – Quathiaski Cove – 9 August 2024

Posted on by
1

Activity Happy Hour Paddle
Destination Quathiaski Cove
Date 9 Aug, Friday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-287-0459
Description This will be an easy, evening paddle to explore the nooks and crannies of Q Cove and Unkak Cove. It will be about a 90-minute paddle as the tide rises and the sun sets.
The happy hour part will follow at the Gladish residence at 590 Green Rd. Bring a post paddle snack and a favourite beverage. Don’t bring a chair as we have plenty around our imaginary campfire.
Meeting Place Quathiaski Cove harbour/ boat launch
Departure Time 1830
Difficulty Easy
Costs Parking and launching. Bring 4 toonies.
Trip limits 8
Dogs? No
Notes: This will be a chance to check out your paddling gear in preparation for our two night Kanish Bay trip.
Have an early dinner and be ready to paddle.
Looks like the heat wave will still be here.

Trip Report – Kay Dubois Loop – 19 June 2024

Posted on by
Reply

Our hike on the Kay Dubois trail was a lovely, cool forest-bathing-ish treat on a warm summer morning.  We started at the Fox Road entrance and walked on the woodlot road to the trail head at the end of Sutil Road.  When we got to the bottom of the hill, we made a few beach-viewing stops to enjoy the view. The understory growth was phenomenal from all the rain we have had.  We continued on to the giant witchy spruce tree, headed up the hill on the Hansel and Gretel walk and made it back to our starting point with no nibbled body parts.  (5.7 km; 1¾ hours)

Kathy
 
 
Click on photos to enlarge
 

Multi-day Hiking, Camping – Gold River area – 15-17 July 2024

Posted on by
2

Activity Multi-day hiking and camping
Destination Gold River area
Date 15-17 July 2024, Monday to Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info dmquigg@gmail.com or 3710; please contact the coordinator well in advance of the trip
Description We plan to visit the Uphana Caves, hike the Antler Lake Loop, and possibly other local trails.  Activities may depend on the group.  We may camp at the Gold River Municipal campground or at Muchalat Lake Rec Site
Meeting Place QCove ferry terminal
Departure Time 9:00 ferry to Campbell River or by individual arrangement
Difficulty Easy to moderate.
Cost Ferry, fuel and camping costs.
Trip limits 10
Dogs? No
Notes: I have not personally visited the caves, so this will be an exploration. Please read the “comment” below for more information about the plans.

Hiking – Kay Dubois Loop – 19 June 2024

Posted on by
1

Activity Hiking
Destination Kay Dubois Loop
Date 19 June, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Kathy Sales
Contact Info lilsuzyh@hotmail.com, 250-285-3693 or 250-314-4055
Description We will start at the end of Fox road and head down into the woodlot, turning at the “Hansel and Gretel” trail down to the beach. We will continue on the Kay Dubois trail up to the end of Sutil Road, then return to Fox on the woodlot road.
Meeting Place End of Fox Rd
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Easy, with a few steeper parts
Costs None
Trip limits
Dogs
Notes:

Trip Report – Manson’s Lagoon Loop – 22 May 2024

Posted on by
Reply

Eight of us gathered at Heriot Bay on a brilliant sunny day in May and carpooled to Manson’s Lagoon. Here a perfect low tide accommodated our trek across the sand to explore a couple of flower strewn islets in the middle of the lagoon where we sat and ate taking in the spectacular view surrounding us. After lunch we continued along a shoreline pathway and through the forest to the beautiful white sands of Hague Lake where the sun took it’s cue to warm us up enough to go wading in the clear, tepid water. Along the beach and through a forest to a roadway that curved uphill toward Manson’s Landing Coop Store. Here we took advantage of an opportunity to check out lovely local crafts, a great little book store, bakery, coffee shop and organic local grocery outlet. After coffee and yummy local chocolate we continued past Manson’s Community Centre, soccer field, Fire Hall, Museum, Senior’s Home & through the school yard onto a pathway leading through a delightful old growth forest hugging the west facing shoreline which eventually returned us to the Manson’s Dock, white sandy beach, carvings, Manson’s Spit and our vehicle.
Great day and memories.

Cyndy

Thanks to Cyndy for the photos.

(click on photos to view larger)

Hiking – Manson’s Lagoon Loop – 22 May 2024

Multi-day Paddling, Camping, Hiking – Main Lake Prov Park- 12-14 June 2024

Posted on by
Reply

This trip will likely be postponed and/or substituted.

Activity Paddling, camping, hiking
Destination Main Lake Provincial Park
Date 12-14 June 2024, Wednesday to Friday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-287-0459
Description We will set up camp at Main Lake and spend three days exploring by hiking and paddling. Destinations can vary with the group’s interests. Possibilities include paddle into Little Main, Paddle to Village Bay Lake, hike to Yeatman Bay and/or Surge Narrows.
Meeting Place Mine Lake boat launch
Departure Time 1000
Difficulty Easy unless the wind comes up while we’re on the water.
Cost Fee for camping
Trip limits 8
Dogs? No
Notes: This multi-day trip is relatively easy on a local lake, but requires good paddling and camping gear. Bring footwear suitable for hiking (easy). Each participant is responsible for their own camping gear and meals. Tent and meal sharing can be arranged if you buddy up with someone.
Ask coordinator about joining for just 1 or 2 days if you have a schedule conflict.Visit the BC Parks Camping website after May 28th to register and pay for camping.  https//:camping.bcparks.ca under “Backcountry” ;l “Backcountry Registration” ; “Main Lake”