Trip Report – Drew Creek and Paddy’s Lagoon – 11 Mar 2024

Posted on March 14, 2024 by qioutdoorclub

On a windy, overcast day seven hikers met at the back parking lot of Rebecca Spit. It was +5° outside, but felt like -5° in the heavy wind. It was blowing 25 knots and gusting to 40 so the ocean was very rough toward Cortes Island. This made for some very interesting viewing as we made our way down to the Sasquatch and Paddy’s Lagoon. The trail was surprisingly dry considering all the snow that we had the week before. We retraced our steps back up the beach and then went through the campground to Drew Creek Trail.

This is a short loop, but an excellent chance to see what the salmon enhancement committee has done. There have been multiple signs put in to explain the salmon spawning in the stream.
We then went back through the campground to have a short break for snacks, cookies, and tea. We moved the vehicles to the Drew Harbour side, where there was much less wind at the picnic tables. After this, part of the group made their way around the end of the Spit to add to the walking distance. We got back to the large field just as it started to rain so a perfect ending. 7.3 km; about 2 hours walking

Les

Thanks to Les and Norris for the photos.

(click on photos to enlarge)

: Winter storm

: Susquatch driftwood sculpture

: Other beach art

: Floatplane crash memorial

: Ferry from Cortes Island

: Art in the campground

: Drew Harbour

: Crossing Drew Creek

Hiking – Drew Creek and Rebecca Spit – 11 Mar 2024

Hiking – Drew Creek Trail and Paddy’s Lagoon – 11 March 2024

Posted on March 9, 2024 by qioutdoorclub

Activity	Hiking
Destination	Drew Creek and Paddy’s Lagoon
Date	11 March, Monday
Trip Coordinator	Les Hand
Contact Info	285-2029; lhquadra@gmail.com
Description	We will start with the Drew Creek walk. Then we will go down past the Sasquatch sculpture and visit Paddy’s Lagoon.
Meeting Place	Parking lot in the park; turn right after the yellow gate and follow the drive to the lot by the water at the south end of the park.
Departure Time	10:00
Difficulty	Easy
Costs	None
Trip limits	10
Dogs?	Yes, but under control
Notes:	This is a late change, but please let the coordinator know in advance Trip will go unless heavy wind and rain, so dress prepared.

Hiking – South End/Tsakwaluten Trails – 10 April 2024

Posted on March 6, 2024 by qioutdoorclub

Activity	Hiking
Destination	South End/Tsakwaluten Trails
Date	10 Apr, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator	Vic Gladish
Contact Info	vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-285-2111; text 250-287-0459
Description	Easy walking on two separate hikes: southern route to viewpoints and maple forest and back to the Lighthouse; northern route through the campground to Cape Mudge Village and back.
Meeting Place	Cape Mudge Lighthouse
Departure Time	9:30
Difficulty	Easy
Costs	None
Trip limits	10
Dogs?	On leash
Notes:	Note earlier start time 0930. Lunch will be a social outing to Kameleon (https://www.kameleonfoodanddrink.ca/) in the Cove. Let Vic know by email if you’re going to Kameleon so an approximate number can be provided to the restaurant ahead.

Hiking – B&B Trail Loop – 3 Apr 2024

Posted on March 6, 2024 by qioutdoorclub

Activity	Hiking
Destination	B&B Trail Loop
Date	3 Apr, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator	Debbie Quigg
Contact Info	dmquigg@gmail.com or 3710. Please contact the coordinator by Monday night
Description	We will hike up Thompson Trail, climb to the first viewpoint for views north and east, then descend the mossy bluffs of the open ridge in a northward direction. This area is much changed since we did this hike five years ago. We will briefly follow a new logging road and trail to join the B&B Trail as it descends to Hyacinthe Bay Rd. We will retrace our steps up along the creek and then take a short side trip to another creek, falls and log bridge. We will return to the B&B trail and continue up the creek and back to the Thompson Trail and Thompson Rd. We may go the the next viewpoint on the Thompson Trail if that is convenient.
Meeting Place	Thompson trailhead on Thompson Road. Carpool if you are able as parking space is somewhat limited.
Departure Time	10:00
Difficulty	Easy to moderate (on steep and potentially slippery, mossy bluffs)
Costs	none
Trip limits	10
Dogs?
Notes:	We will not do this trip in poor weather.

Trip Report – Shellaligan Pass Loop – 21 Feb 2024

Posted on February 26, 2024 by qioutdoorclub

Our Shellaligan hike began with an unexpected twist. Given the wet, drizzly conditions the plan was to take the eastern forest loop. However, our group of seven hikers first spent a few minutes on the rocky out-croppings overlooking the Hoskyn Channel so our out-of-town guest could see the lovely ocean view. There we encountered three people, obviously very well-equipped for some sort of adventure. We learnt that this was an international crew who film nature videos around the world, Shellaligan was their Canadian destination. Mexico was next! We were undecided if we were pleased that Shellaligan was indeed as unique as we feel it is, or concerned that this would encourage even more visitors to Quadra! (https://lovenature.com/)

We then drove to the trailhead at the first parking lot and began our hike on the western loop in a clockwise direction. After working our way through the logging roads, now well-signed, we began on the gradual incline to the crest of the ravine, then down its steep bank to the shoreline. The trail is in good condition, surprisingly no blowdowns, and bridges all intact. The creek was flowing quite noisily, good to see water in the creeks again! By the time we reached the beach, the drizzle had stopped and we enjoyed a pleasant break on the logs, the oyster farm still visible in the bay. On the steep trail out of the ravine we found two rough-skinned newts, identified by their orange bellies, (https://canadianherpetology.ca/species/species_page.html?cname=Rough-skinned%20Newt)
thanks to the sharp eyes of our guest. At the sign-posted junction we headed back to the second parking lot. The trees along that part of the trail have grown considerably, a pleasant surprise. A short walk back up the logging road brought us to our cars.
Two hours hiking the loop with break; 5.1 km.

Valerie

Click on photos to enlarge

: Sap-sucker holes on cedar

: Lunch break

: Village Bay shoreline

: Rough-skinned newt

: Old logging road

Hiking -Shellaligan Loop – 21 Feb 2024

Trip Report – Stramberg Old Growth – 12 Feb 2024

Posted on February 14, 2024 by qioutdoorclub

Eleven of us, and one very polite dog, had a beautiful, sunny, cool day for this hike through varied forest to see some of Quadra’s biggest old growth trees. The first part of the hike skirts Vic’s Marsh through open forest and meadows passed Vic’s barn-like house. We stopped briefly at the bluff overlooking the open water part of the marsh to enjoy the view. The next section follows a narrow, flagged trail which undulates, often along a creek or below bluffs and heads into Main Lake Provincial Park. After the T-junction with the logging road, the right turn leads more or less north with a gradual grade and wide allowance, though very wet at this time of year. This area has the feel of a very remote rainforest, with lichen, moss and lungwort. After crossing a small creek, the trail ascends to the glade with old growth Douglas fir and cedar. We stopped for lunch in the grove and three followed the loop around the glade before returning the way we had come.

Some of this trail is actively maintained and the flagging on the rest is very helpful. The Club had not done this hike in nearly four years and it’s good to see the trail condition is not too bad and that people are using it to see into the old Main Lake Park forest. 11.4 km round trip, 5 hours.

Debbie

: Vic’s Marsh

: Bluff over the marsh

: Old Man’s beard lichen

: Along the old logging road

: By the big Douglas fir

(click on photos to view larger)

Hiking – Stramberg Old Growth Grove – 12 Feb 2024

Hiking – Bike Trails south of WalCan Rd- 19 March 2024

Posted on February 12, 2024 by qioutdoorclub

Originally scheduled for 11 March

Activity	Hiking
Destination	Bike Trails south of WalCan Rd
Date	19 March, Tuesday
Trip Coordinator	Les Hand
Contact Info	hquadra@gmail.com or 285-2029. Please contact the coordinator prior to the trip.
Description	We will follow mountain bike trails for this hike. We’ll do some of Nighthawk, Rob’s Ride, Navel and Straight as a Dime. It will probably take about 3 to 3½ hours..
Meeting Place	Heriot Bay Store
Departure Time	10:00
Difficulty	Moderate
Costs	none
Trip limits	10
Dogs?	O.K. but under control
Notes:	Some of this trail can be wet if there has recently been rain. If it is raining hard or high wind, the trip will be rescheduled. Please sign up so that I may contact you if things change. Dress for the weather and bring a lunch as well as poles if you use them.

Trip Report – Elk Falls Loop – 5 Feb 2024

Posted on February 8, 2024 by qioutdoorclub

Seven hikers set out on a frosty but bright and sunny day to see the massive amount of water that is coming over Elk Falls due to the atmospheric river and the huge snow melt last week. There is a lot of work still going on at the dam, upgrading it for the possibility of an earthquake. They are now filling in the old trench, where the three huge aqueducts were, with dirt and gravel from work on the dam.

After walking across this area, we turned right and hiked down the long hill to the old powerhouse. There is a nice viewing spot there with totem poles. This did make for quite a few stairs and a long hike back up the hill though. We then walked down the multiple stairs to the suspension bridge. The amount of water coming over Elk Falls is phenomenal. We were the only ones there so we ate lunch on the far side of the suspension bridge in the nice warm sunshine. Afterwards we went back across and down to the viewing platform right in front of the falls. There was a huge amount of mist being churned up by all the water coming over the falls.

We then proceeded to do a loop through Elk Falls park. We went through the old growth and then down to Moose Falls and followed the trail around to the old viewing platform. There were a few trees down on the trail that we had to crawl over and under. The view from this platform was very good as well. After this we proceeded back to the vehicles. 5.8 km; 2½ hours.

Les

Thanks to Les, Bonnie and Norris for the photos

(click on photos to view larger)

: View on the ferry

: The Campbell River

: Elk Falls from the bridge

: The river below

: Viewing platform

: Elk Falls from the platform

: The suspension bridge

: Moose Falls

: Elk Falls from the old viewpoint

: Spray from the falls

Hiking – Elk Falls Loop – 5 Feb 2024

Hiking – Shellaligan Loop – 21 Feb 2024

Posted on February 7, 2024 by qioutdoorclub

Activity	Hiking
Destination	Shellaligan Pass Trails
Date	21 Feb, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator	Valerie Van Veen
Contact Info	250 285 2329 vvv@qisland.ca 778 242 5774
Description	This will be a moderately-paced hike, probably on the shorter route, going clock-wise so we can enjoy lunch on the rocky bluffs overlooking the Channel. A well-developed trail, a few uphill stretches, through woodlands to the ocean bluffs, then a short walk on the logging road back to our cars.
Meeting Place	Heriot Bay store parking lot or Valdes Drvie
Departure Time	10 am Heriot Bay store parking lot OR 10:20 am (approx) at turn-off to logging road on Valdes Drive. Call for directions if needed.
Difficulty	Moderate.
Costs	None
Trip limits	None
Dogs?	Must not run through group; must be under control; dogs and owners will go ahead of group
Notes:	Call coordinator if you need directions to meeting point on Valdes, and/or if you have any questions about this hike. Dress for the weather, light rain ok. Co-ordinator will notify registered participants if weather might be an issue. Bring lunch or a snack.

Work Party – North Chinese Mtn – 26 Feb 2024