Category Archives: Hiking

Hiking – Kay Dubois Loop – 18 Dec 2023

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Activity Hiking
Destination Kay Dubois Loop
Date 18 Dec, Monday
Trip Coordinator Louise Squire
Contact Info lsquire@sasktel.net
Description Starting at the entrance to Kay Dubois trailhead, we will carry on through past the big tree and make our way to the end near Sutil Road. At the end of Sutil Rd, we will follow the logging roads east and north. Before reaching Fox Rd, we will turn east onto a small trail that winds its way back to the Kay Dubois Trail, connecting at the big mother spruce tree. From here it will be a short hike back to the trail head.
Meeting Place End of Smith Rd at Kay Dubois trailhead
Departure Time 10:30
Difficulty
 Easy
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs Under control or on leash
Notes: The turnaround at the trail head parking area is very tight. Recommend large vehicles park at the beach access area (bottom of Smith Rd) and walk to the trailhead.The trail takes about 45 min to walk one way along the ocean and is quite flat until Sutil Rd where there is a steep incline. There are a few side paths to the beach to walk and if lucky, will have the opportunity to witness a whale breach or two.

Hiking – Hopespring-Thompson Trail Loop – 13 Nov 2023

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Activity Hiking
Destination Hopespring – Thompson Trail Loop
Date 13 Nov, Monday
Trip Coordinator Louise Squire
Contact Info lsquire@sasktel.net
Description We will meet at Hopespring Rd trail head and circle Heriot Ridge ending up on Thompson Rd and walking back to the trailhead. There will be 2 or 3 short side trips to check out Heriot Ridge viewpoints, some old growth and perhaps to the old homestead. Depending on weather and time, we will stop at Rousseau Rock for lunch (with a view), or stop at a grassy nook for a short lunch break and comradery.Fund Fact – Comradery is a spirit of friendship and community between two people or a group of people. The members of the group are comfortable around each other and support each other.
Meeting Place Hope Spring Rd Trail Head
Departure Time 10:30
Difficulty
 Moderately easy
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs? Under control or on leash
Notes: Bring a lunch, clothes for the weather, a seating pad and poles are recommended.

Hiking – Eagle Ridge Loop – 20 Nov 2023

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Activity Hiking
Destination Eagle Ridge Loop
Date 20 Nov 2023, Monday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710
Description This hike will include the official trail to Eagle Ridge and an unmarked route descending the ridge and continuing on to the higher ridge to the north.  From there we will descend to the logging road and return to the vehicles. The descent from Eagle Ridge is briefly very steep on mossy rocks.  There is no trail.  Three to four hours hiking.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 The section up to Eagle Ridge is a maintained trail of moderate difficulty.  The descent from Eagle Ridge is briefly tricky.  The segment to the next ridge and down to the logging road is on an unmarked route through mostly open forest.
Costs none
Trip limits 10
Dogs? No
Notes: Bring lunch, poles if you use them, and gear for weather.

Hiking – Nole to Noble – 4 Dec 2023

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Activity Hiking and Social
Destination Nole to Noble/ QCove Trails
Date 4 Dec 2023, Monday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-285-2111; text 250-287-0459
Description Happy Hour in the morning….coffee, etc at our meeting point, followed by an easy walk. We will walk the “Nole to Noble” right of way including the big staircase and several side trails which we will zig and zag on while looking for Johann’s perched carvings.
Meeting Place Aroma Cafe
Departure Time Meet for coffee, etc at 0900; Walk at 1000
Difficulty
 Easy
Costs Breakfast, snack, beverages
Trip limits 8
Dogs? On leash
Notes: Parking can be a challenge.
The trails are mostly on private property, thus the limit of 8.
This event will go rain or shine. In the event of high winds however, I will cancel as this forest is subject to windfall.

Trip Report – Kw’as Park, Cortes – 30 Oct 2023

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Eight of us met early for the 9:05 ferry to Cortes, which turned out to be unnecessary as the line-up of vehicles was short.  We had a beautiful, clear, cold, autumn morning for the trip over to Cortes Island and we saw a few humpback whales on the way.  We started the hike at the trailhead near the Cortes Island Motel and appreciated the maps at the junctions which are new since we hiked this loop in 2020.  We ascended up toward the Summit and then along the Millennium Trail undulating over rocky outcroppings and through an open forest.  We had views of Hague Lake before we reached the Swim Rock, where we stopped for lunch.  It was wonderfully sunny and warm..
 
We continued on the trail high along the cliff with arbutus and great views.  We descended the ladder along the Rock Face and made a short side trip to visit the impressive Survivor Fir.  The old arched, wooden bridge crossing the narrows between Hague and Gunflint Lakes has been replaced by a new aluminum bridge, which has less charm, but is certainly safe.  We walked the loop to the south, including Pierre de Trail and the Cedar Ridge, enjoying the large Douglas fir at the junction, which is even bigger than the Survivor Fir.  We returned over the bridge and walked the trail along the west shore of Gunflint Lake, with great views along the way and the steam donkey remains.  
 
This is a great hike with lots of variety and highlights.  The trail was very quiet at this time of year.  The views at Whaletown, waiting for the return ferry, were lovely in the afternoon light, as was the return trip to Quadra. It was altogether a beautiful day.  9.1 km, 4¼ hours.
 
Debbie
 

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Kw’as Park, Cortes – 30 Oct 2023

Hiking – Mt. Seymour – 6 Nov 2023

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Change of start time! Dress for the weather.

Activity Hiking
Destination Mt. Seymour
Date 6 Nov 2023, Monday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info lhquadra@gmail.com or 285-2029
Description We will meet at Heriot Bay store and then drive the half hour to the Granite Bay approach. From here we will hike approximately two hours up to the top. We will have lunch and then come back down. It will take approximately 4 to 4 1/2 hours with lunch. Dress for the weather. If there is snow or heavy rain, the trip will be postponed or canceled. Please sign up at least a day early so that I may contact you if there are changes.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store parking lot
Departure Time 10:30 9:30
Difficulty
 Challenging but we will try taking it a little slower.
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs? No
Notes: Bring poles if you use them and good footwear as there are rocky and steep areas.

Hiking – Kw’as Regional Park, Cortes – 30 Oct 2023

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Activity Hiking
Destination Kw’as Regional Park, Cortes
Date 30 Oct 2023, Monday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info 285-3710 or dmquigg@gmail.com.  Please contact the coordinator by Monday.
Description We will hike through this lovely park, situated between Gunflint and Hague Lakes on Cortes Island.  Along with great views, there is fine old growth, interesting geology and history, and a good variety of trails.  We hope to include a bit of everything in the day’s hike.  We will return on the 1:50 or 3:50 ferry.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay ferry terminal to Cortes.  Drivers will need to be early enough to be on the ferry.
Departure Time 9:05 ferry
Difficulty
 Moderate.  A few steep and undulating places, but mostly reasonable walking on good trails. The possible loops vary, but we may hike about 10 km.
Costs Ferry costs; bring your ferry card.
Trip limits 10
Dogs?
Notes: Bring lunch and gear for weather.

Trip Report – Haig-Brown House and Baikie Estuary – 16 Oct 2023

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The forecast was fairly grim, with big wind and rain predicted, but five of us went ahead with the planned outing.  We started at the Haig-Brown Heritage House, situated on the Campbell River, and enjoyed the tour and Marjorie’s informative talk.  Centred in the family’s library and Roderick Haig-Brown’s office, we learned about the family’s history.  We also enjoyed seeing the rest of the main floor of the house and a walk in the beautiful garden.  More information about Roderick Haig-Brown, the family and the house are available here:  https://www.haig-brown.bc.ca/haig-brown-family-history/

The second part of our outing took us to two pocket parks on the Campbell River: the Spruce St. viewpoint and the River Nook, both just a block apart.  The river is beautiful, but Alex Witcombe’s driftwood sculptures of bear and fish, and his fish mural add a whole new dimension to these tiny, urban parks.  Here is more information about Alex Witcombe and his work:  https://driftedcreationsart.ca/

We walked across the bridge over the Campbell River and down into the paths on the north side of the River and its side channels.  The fall colours were great and there were still a few salmon in the channels, but most were dead after spawning.  We followed the quiet trail through this area, which has been restored from log dumping and milling.  There is lots of Campbell River history here and there are interpretive signboards to document it. The rehabilitation effort has taken place over 25 years, with lots of money and volunteer work to make it happen. The transformation is quite wonderful.  Here is more information about the rehabilitation of the Baikie Estuary:  https://www.greenwaystrust.ca/projects/baikie-island-and-campbell-river-estuary/  (4.5 km; 1½ hours for the walk)

We retraced our steps back to the vehicles and then went for lunch at More Eatery.  We had a lovely, social meal there before heading our separate ways.  Amazingly, the rain held off while we walked, but deluged during lunch.  We counted ourselves lucky.

Debbie

(click on photos to enlarge)

Tour and Hike – Haig-Brown House and Baikie Estuary – 16 Oct 2023

Trip Report – Morte Lake Loop – 11 Oct 2023

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The rain quit in the morning and three hikers enjoyed a beautiful sunny autumn day. We started up the mountain bike trail known as Dead Fish. There has been considerable work done on this trail. Mountain bikers have made new jumps and numerous banked corners. They have moved large amounts of rocks and dirt to do this. The small creek is now running again after the few rainfalls we have had. There were numerous multicoloured mushrooms that have just come up because of the rain as well. We crossed back over to the old Morte Lake Trail where Dead Fish turns and goes up the hill. We proceeded on past the two small lakes that are very low and to the east end beach of Morte Lake. It is very low as well, and a lot of new sand showing on the beach. Instead of taking the new mountain bike route that makes huge switch backs up the side of the hill ,we kept to the old trail, which is much shorter. It is in poor condition now, though, as it has quit being maintained.
We stopped at the north west beach to have lunch. Someone has cleared many of the rocks into piles so it is a very sandy beach with the water so low. We enjoyed the sun here and the lake before going on around the lake. We kept to the old route all the way back to the cars. (11 km; 3½ hours moving time)

Les
 
Thanks to Les, Valerie and Carrie for the photos.
 
(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Morte Lake Loop – 11 Oct 2023

Hiking – Morte Lake Loop – 11 Oct 2023

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Activity Hiking
Destination Morte Lake Loop
Date 11 Oct 2023, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info lhquadra@gmail.com  or 285-2029
Description We will do the classic around the lake hike. May do some small adjustments depending on the group.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Easy
Costs none
Trip limits 10
Dogs? OK, but must be under control and not run back-and-forth through group
Notes Sorry for the short notice for this hike. I thought maybe some of us would like to work off some of the turkey, LOL.
Please contact one or two days early to sign up as only those who have signed up will be contacted in case of postponement or cancellation due to weather.