Category Archives: Hiking

Trip Report – Heriot Ridge Loop – 29 Mar 2023

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On a bright and sunny spring day, eight people started out to hike the Heriot Ridge Loop with some side attractions. After climbing up to the ridge on Hopespring Trail, we descended down the other side, turning right on Gowlland Harbour Trail and on to the first small bridge. From there we sidetracked a few hundred yards to look at the stand of 19 old growth trees that managed to survive the big fire of 1925. We then progressed on to look at the Three Sisters, that are some of the largest old growth trees on the Island. A short way down the path we turned left to go into a small creek valley, where there is another stand of old-growth trees. Back on the main path, we continued on to the turn off to Rousseau Ridge. We hiked to there to have a lunch while taking in the magnificent scenery. With our lunches, we enjoyed an appetizer of crackers, cream cheese, and smoked sockeye salmon.

After lunch, we hiked back to Thompson Trail and continued down it to the turn off for the Heriot Ridge Route. There is more open bluff hiking as you head up the ridge to the overlook where a bench has been placed. We paused to enjoy the view before hiking on back to our vehicles. (8.1 km, 4½ hours) 

Les

Thanks to Les and Norris for the photos.

Click on photos to enlarge
 

Hiking – Heriot Ridge Loop – 29 March 2023

Hiking – Carrington Bay and Forest – 1 May 2023

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Rescheduled from March 6th.

Activity Hiking
Destination Carrington Bay and Forest, Cortes Island
Date 1 May 2023, Monday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info dmquigg@gmail.com or 3710.  Please contact the coordinator well in advance of the trip, so that car pools can be arranged.
Description After the ferry crossing we will drive to the Carrington trailhead and follow the trails to Carrington Bay and lagoon.  We will have lunch at Carrington Bay and continue on to Grandmother’s Grove following the stream.  We plan to return on the 3:50 pm ferry.
Meeting Place Cortes ferry line-up.
Departure Time 9:05 am ferry; vehicles need to be in the ferry line-up not later than 8:15 am for this  busy sailing.
Difficulty
 Easy to moderate.
Costs Ferry travel costs; bring your experience card and ID
Trip limits 12
Dogs? no
Notes: Bring lunch and gear for weather.  Please arrange carpools in advance.

Hiking – Trout Creek Falls – 12 Apr 2023

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The date for this hike was changed from April 10th to 12th.

Activity Hiking
Destination Trout Creek Falls
Date 12 April, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca; 250-285-3710.  Please contact the coordinator by Monday evening.
Description We will drive out Menzies Main a short distance to the trailhead for Trout Creek.  This undulating and varied trail passes by three falls, each very different and scenic.  The trail is basic and it may be a bit muddy, rooty and rocky.  There are a few steep sections, but it’s quite short overall.  It can be made into a loop by returning on a logging road.  About 5km; 2½ hours.
Meeting Place QCove ferry terminal
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs Ferry
Trip limits 10
Dogs? No
Notes: Bring gear for the weather and lunch.

Trip Report – Haskins Farm-Fir Crest Loop – 15 Mar 2023

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On March 15, 2023 a small group joined the Haskins Farm and Fir Crest walk. It was an easy walk which took approximately an hour and fifteen minutes. We began at the head of the Haskins Farm trail and at the first intersection took a left and walked through the forest, and through the new growth area over to the golf course where we walked along the cart path, past the Fir Crest trail parking and onto the start of the Fir Crest trail continuing down behind the houses of the subdivision to the bottom of the trail where we began the Fir Crest to Haskins Farm trail along the ridge. Deciding to skip the trail down to the beach, we took the trail back through Haskins Farm up to the vehicles.. The whole way is very lovely with a mixture of forest, new growth, and open fairways, while the ridge is particularly beautiful with the moss covered trees and ocean views. (5.9 km)

Vikki

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Haskin Farm & Fir Crest Loop – 15 Mar 2023

Hiking – Maud Island – 4 April 2023

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This trip was originally scheduled for March 13th

Activity Hiking
Destination Maud Island
Date 4 Apr 2023, Tuesday
Trip Coordinator Vikki O’Brien
Contact Info resvo2004@yahoo.com, 250-938-2864
Description Maud Island is situated beside Seymour Narrows and has a spectacular view of the narrows and it is a scenic walk in many areas. We will begin the trail from the far end of Morte lake at the Maud Island parking area. This hike is easy walking overall except for a section where it climbs up the bluffs at the base of Mt Lolo and there is a hill to get to the lookout. It is good to have your poles for the bluffs. On the return we will not take the bluffs, but rather will take the shoreline route. Maud Island has a beautiful lookout area where we will have lunch. This is approximately 4 – 4 1/2 hours including the lunch break.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty Moderate
Costs Nil
Trip limits 12
Dogs? Yes, if under control.
Notes Bring lunch, water, good footwear and walking poles. This hike is approximately 10 km.

Hiking – Heriot Ridge Loop – 29 Mar 2023

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Activity Hiking
Destination Heriot Ridge  Loop
Date 29 March 2023, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info lhquadra@gmail.com or 285-2029
Description We will do a circle of Heriot Ridge leaving and returning to the end of Hopespring Road. There will be two short side trips to see old growth. We will also go to Rousseau Rock for lunch and the view.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty Moderate
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs? Okay if under control
Notes: Bring a lunch, clothes for the weather, poles recommended. Will be postponed if heavy rain.

Hiking – Haskins Farm and Fircrest Loop – 15 Mar 2023

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Activity Hiking
Destination Haskins Farm, Fircrest and Golf Course Loop
Date 15 March 2023
Trip Coordinator Vikki O’Brien
Contact Info resvo2004@yahoo.com, 250-938-2864
Description We will begin at the Haskin Farm parking area at Smith and Heriot Bay Rd, walk over to the golf course and walk a bit of the golf cart trails, then catch the Fircrest trail back towards Haskins farm, down to the beach and back through Haskin Farm to the vehicles.
Meeting Place Haskin Farm parking area
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty Easy
Costs Zero
Trip limits 12
Dogs? Yes, if on leash in the Golf Course and under control elsewhere.
Notes Bring a snack, gear for the weather

Hiking – Maud Island – 13 Mar 2023

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This outing has been postponed due to snow on the ground. 

Activity Hiking
Destination Maud Island
Date 13 March 2023, Monday
Trip Coordinator Vikki O’Brien
Contact Info resvo2004@yahoo.com, 250-938-2864
Description Maud Island is situated beside Seymour Narrows and has a spectacular view of the narrows and it is a scenic walk in many areas. We will begin the trail from the far end of Morte lake at the Maud Island parking area. This hike is easy walking overall except for a section where it climbs up the bluffs at the base of Mt Lolo and there is a hill to get to the lookout. It is good to have your poles for the bluffs. On the return we will not take the bluffs, but rather will take the shoreline route. Maud Island has a beautiful lookout area where we will have lunch. This is approximately 4 – 4 1/2 hours including the lunch break.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty Moderate
Costs Zero
Trip limits 12
Dogs? Yes, if under control.
Notes Bring lunch, water, good footwear and walking poles. This hike is approx 10 km.

Hiking – Rousseau Ridge Loop – 29 Mar 2023

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Activity Hiking
Destination Rousseau Ridge Loop
Date 29 Mar, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info dmquigg@gmail.com or 3710; please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip
Description We will start from the North Gowlland road and hike the Gowlland Harbour trail to Rousseau Ridge.  We will take a flagged route and logging road to circle back to the Gowlland Harbour trail and back to the vehicles.  This is an interesting route over open bluffs with great views.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot to convoy to the trailhead
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs? No
Notes: Bring lunch; dress for the weather; bring hiking poles if you use them.  We will not do this trip in very poor weather.

Trip Report – Surge Narrows Trail – 24 Feb 2023

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Eight of us joined the Surge Narrows hike on Feb 24th. It was a nice crisp day with no rain. The first part of the trail was a new route with some up and down areas after we crossed the impressive new bridge. We noticed it was quite crunchy underfoot with crystallized ice formations and rocky over the new section. We crossed two other dilapidated bridges along the route, taking turns crossing, and then wound down to a scenic outcrop where we had lunch and checked out the ebbing tide forming rapids at the narrows. Heading back the same way we arrived, someone commented that the trail was good for cardio even though it isn’t too long a hike. Once we finished the trail we walked the road leading to the boat ramp and took a short trail off to the right to check out the dock. There was a marine radio on the dock for emergencies. It was an enjoyable hike and worth the drive. (3.8 km; 2 hours)

Vikki

Thanks to Vikki and Norris for the photos

Click on photos to enlarge
 

Hiking – Surge Narrows Trail – 24 Feb 2023