Exploring – Two Mines and Some Karst – 4 Dec 2024

Posted on November 9, 2024 by qioutdoorclub

We won’t be doing this outing. The forest has overwhelmed the sites. Expect an update.

Activity	Exploring
Destination	Two Mines and Some Karst Formations
Date	4 December 2024, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator	Debbie Quigg
Contact Info	3710 or dmquigg@gmail.com; please RSVP by Monday night
Description	We will visit an old mine off of Open Bay Main, a limestone cave and grikes in the limestone. We will also stop at the Lucky Jim mine before continuing on to some sinkhole formations.
Meeting Place	Community Centre parking to carpool or by arrangement
Departure Time	9:30 am
Difficulty	Easy. This will more a visit to multiple sites than a lot of exercise, however the trails will not be maintained
Costs	None
Trip limits	10
Dogs?	No
Notes:	Be prepared for wet. Bring a good flashlight if you have one.

Trip Report – Baikie Estuary – 6 Nov 2024

Posted on November 7, 2024 by qioutdoorclub

After heavy rains and wind on Quadra earlier in the week, complete with power outages, nine of us met a tenth walker at Spruce and 19th to start our walk. Our first block was along an interesting row of river front houses and then a view of a few of Alex Witcombe’s driftwood sculptures near an informative plaque about local wildlife at the river edge.

Then it was up and over the bridge to the Raven trail that follows the estuary and across a number of wooden bridges. Spawning Chum could be seen at many vantage points and as we strolled out to the mill pond, we got a glimpse of many water fowl.

We came upon a recently reconstructed section near the information board and were greeted by a very informative worker who was in the process of hand bombing thousands of trees to bring the island back to where it was before industry. The Greenway Land Trust and Wei Wa Kum have put years, months and many hours into reclaiming this once very industrial area and their efforts are really starting to show.

This short 5K walk only minutes from Campbellton offers everyone a great way to enjoy our surroundings with very little effort as the trails are wide and very accessible. We ended with a fine meal at More Eatery and we headed home without any rain. (4.7 km; 1½ hours for the walk)

Neil U

Thanks to Neil and Norris for the photos

(click on photos to enlarge)

: Alex Witcombe’s art

: Chum salmon spawning

: Learning about the restoration

: Rose hips

: The plants and the planters

: Lunch at More Eatery

Hiking – Baikie Estuary – 6 Nov 2024

Hike – Baikie Estuary – 6 Nov 2024

Posted on October 28, 2024 by qioutdoorclub

Activity	Hike and Lunch
Destination	Baikie Estuary and River Nook
Date	6 Nov. 2024, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator	Neil Unwin
Contact Info	neilunwin08@gmail.com /604 202 4762
Description	We can meet on the ferry and drive to our starting point. The walk will be about 4.5 km. Call for carpooling arrangements. 604 202 4762 Debriefing to be held at More Eatery for lunch
Meeting Place	QCove ferry terminal
Departure Time	10:00 ferry
Difficulty	Easy
Costs	Ferry and lunch at More Eatery
Trip limits	10
Dogs?	Okay
Notes:

Trip Report – Morte Lake Loop – 24 Oct 2024

Posted on October 26, 2024 by qioutdoorclub

Nine hikers set out on a cool, cloudy day to go around Morte Lake. We went up Lower Deadfish Trail from the parking lot to get a better view of the creek, which was running well after all the heavy rains. At the first junction, we crossed back over the creek and proceeded on to the lake. The moss and foliage has really greened up since the rain. There was also an abundance of mushrooms, but some types are dying back now. We decided to go counterclockwise around the lake and stopped at the first beach to look at all the ducks that were at the end. We proceeded up the newer mountain bike trail that has many switchbacks up the side of the hill before we went out on to the rock bluffs. There are many great views of the lake along this portion. We stopped at the picnic table at the west end for lunch. A wind came up a bit so it was quite cool. The lake level was very high for this time of year. After this we proceeded through the Conservancy land and back around Morte Lake.

When we got back to the small bridge close to the parking lot, we were treated to a special event. There were 100 or more chum salmon spawning at the bridge. We were all amazed at that amount of fish churning up the water there. After this, we decided to stop down at the salmon viewing platforms at Hyacinthe Creek. There were a few hundred there with some of them having died already. It would seem that all of the work that the Salmon Enhancement Society has done is paying off. (10.5 km and 4 hours)

Les

(click on photos to enlarge)

: Coral mushroom

: Morte Lake

: Fly agaric

: Lobster mushroom

: The lunch break

: Fly agaric

: Chum

: Chum salmon spawning

Hiking – Morte Lake Loop – 24 Oct 2024

Posted on October 18, 2024 by qioutdoorclub

Change of date and time!

Activity	Hiking
Destination	Morte Lake Loop
Date	24 Oct, Thursday ~~23 Oct, Wednesday~~
Trip Coordinator	Les Hand
Contact Info	lhquadra@gmail.com or 285-2029
Description	We will go around Morte Lake. Exact route will be determined by who comes along. Bring a lunch.
Meeting Place	Morte Lake parking lot
Departure Time	11:00 ~~10:00~~
Difficulty	Easy
Costs	None
Trip limits	10
Dogs?	O.K. but must not run back and forth through the group
Notes:	Dress for the weather as this will take 3 or more hours. If it is raining hard it will be canceled so be sure and sign up so I can contact you.

Kayaking – Round the Cape – 31 Oct 2024

Posted on October 3, 2024 by qioutdoorclub

This trip has been cancelled.

Activity	Kayaking
Destination	Round the Cape (QCove to Smith’s Rd)
Date	31 Oct, Thursday
Trip Coordinator	Vic Gladish
Contact Info	250-287-0459
Description	This is about a 4 hour paddle from Quathiaski Cove to the shore access at the bottom of Smiths Rd. The trip requires a shuttle which will be arranged once I know who is participating. The day/time is picked with the tidal movements in mind so the trip is easy to moderate depending on wind. The trip will be canceled if the weather forecast is for wind and/or rain.
Meeting Place	Quathiaski Cove parking lot at 1000 h.
Departure Time	On the water by 1030
Difficulty	Easy, but wind could be a factor.
Costs	Parking ($2-4) and launch fee ($4)
Trip limits	8
Dogs?	No
Notes:	I have a kayak trailer that holds up to 5 kayaks, and which could play a role in the shuttle, if necessary. Ocean going kayaks that meet club and coast guard safety standards are required.

Hiking – Quinsam River Trails – 9 Oct 2024

Posted on September 19, 2024 by qioutdoorclub

Activity	Hiking
Destination	Quinsam River Trails
Date	9 Oct, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator	Debbie Quigg
Contact Info	dmquigg@gmail.com; 3710. Please contact the coordinator by Monday evening.
Description	We will hike along the west side of the Quinsam River, using hiking and mountain bike trails starting at Argonaut Rd. This follows a variety of low and high bank along a picturesque river. There will be some muddy sections and possibly trail damage from dirt bikes. About 12km; 4 hours.
Meeting Place	QCove ferry terminal
Departure Time	9:30 sailing
Difficulty	Mostly easy
Costs	Ferry
Trip limits	10
Dogs?	No
Notes:	Please arrange carpooling in advance. Come prepared for the weather and bring lunch. We have not been in this area since 2021 and hope that the trail is still in good enough condition.

Trip Report – Quathiaski Cove – 9 Aug 2024

Posted on August 11, 2024 by qioutdoorclub

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)

: Paddling out

: The ferry arriving

: Looking in to QCove

: The north bluff

: Entering Unkak Cove

: Calm and shallow

: Re-entering QCove

: Back at the boat launch

Social Paddle – Quathiaski Cove – 9 Aug 2024

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Quadra Island Outdoor Club

hiking, paddling, and other outdoor activities on or near Quadra

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