Category Archives: Hiking

BC Trail Day – 4 June, Saturday

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We encourage you to celebrate BC Trail Day on Saturday, June 4th by enjoying Quadra’s amazing trail system.  BC Trail Day is part of a larger, international celebration.  Quadra is particularly fortunate to have an amazing trail system built and maintained over many decades by the Trail Committee.  The Trail Committee dates back to the 1980s.  Building the Morte Lake trail in 1986, with the assistance of Forestry and government grants, was a milestone in the development of a trail system, which grew to include other trails on Crown land using old logging roads.  As the system has expanded, so has the volunteer base.  Over the last three years, more than 2,000 hours have been devoted each year by 50 to 60 volunteers to maintain and improve the trails.  The Quadra trail system has now developed to include a network of mountain bike trails and paths to access rock climbing routes.  The Quadra Island Outdoor Club began 10 years ago, taking advantage of this great trail infrastructure and the amazing forests, lakes and views we have.  Normally there is a trip each week throughout the year. 

There are many ways for you to participate in supporting and enjoying our trails.  Volunteers to help with the maintenance of the trail system are always appreciated by the Trail Committee and the community at large.  If you are interested in volunteering to work on trails, you could contact John at 250-285-3897.

Another possibility is to join the Outdoor Club for a hike on Saturday, June 4th.  We will have a variety of hikes, at different levels of difficulty, available for you to join.  You do not need to be a member of the Club to participate.  We particularly encourage those who are new to the trail system to join us for an outing.   We will be meeting at the southwest corner of the Community Centre parking lot at 10:00.  Because of COVID we are unable to offer carpooling.  If possible, please RSVP to qioutdoorclub@gmail.com about your plans to participate.

An alternative option is to get a trail map from Aroma Café or Robin at 250-204-0748 and venture out on your own, whenever that is convenient for you.  Although the winter clean-up is still a work in progress on some trails, most trails are well maintained and easy to follow on your own or with your friends.  And always remember to leave the places you pass through as beautiful as you found them.

Hiking – Ripple Rock – 8 June 2022

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Activity Hiking
Destinatio Ripple Rock Trail, Campbell River
Date 8 June Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Diana McKerracher
Contact Info Diana@gicable.com
Description Ripple Rock Trail starts 16 km north of Campbell River. It is a moderate hike of just over 9 km, taking 4 to 4.5 hours return. There are several metal bridges, and a 47-step staircase near the top.
Meeting Place QCove ferry line up
Departure Time 9:00 ferry
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs Ferry and gas
Trip limits 10
Dogs? No
Notes: Please let me know on Monday, June 6 if you plan to come on this hike. We can carpool to save on ferry and gas costs, but only if we know ahead of time who is going. If it looks like ferry overloads are going to be a huge issue, we will propose a different hike here on Quadra. Bring a lunch and dress for the weather.

Hiking – Shellaligan Pass Loop – 4 May 2022

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Postponed due to weather.

Activity Hiking
Destination Shellaligan Pass long loop
Date 4 May, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Valerie Van Veen
Contact Info 250 285 2329 vvv@qisland.ca
Description A classic Quadra Island hike, we follow the coastline then head inland, we will take the long loop through the woods, coming out onto an old logging road, then back to the main logging road to our cars, About 3 hours.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store parking lot or logging road turnoff on Valdes Road
Departure Time 10 am: meet at Heriot Bay store parking lot to carpool (see notes); 10:20 meet at turn off to logging road on Valdes Road
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs? Must not run through group; must be under control; dogs and owners will go ahead of group.
Notes: Must confirm with coordinator by MONDAY MAY 2, 9 pm, so I can confirm any carpooling arrangements. I will meet the group at the logging road turnoff on Valdes Road at 10:20. Bring snacks and lunch, this hike will be comfortably paced to enjoy the varied scenery. Weather permitting we will take a break early on to enjoy the coastal view before heading inland. Hopefully the whales will make an appearance again!

Hiking – Mt. Seymour – 25 May 2022

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Activity Hiking
Destination Mt. Seymour
Date 25 May 2022, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-285-2111; text 250-287-0459
Description We will meet at store and then drive the half hour out to trailhead. We will go out and back the lower route so it will be easier. About 9km and 4 hours including lunch. I am told there is some blowdown on the trail so be prepared for that.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store parking lot
Departure Time 1000 meet up; on the trail by 1030
Difficulty
 Challenging
Costs Nil
Trip limits 10
Dogs? No
Notes: Bring lunch, poles if you use them, and gear appropriate for the weather.

Trip Report – Main Lake – 22 Apr 2022

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At the last minute, the trip coordinator was unable to come on the trip, but the remaining seven paddled out from the Mine Lake boat launch through the narrows and across Main Lake to a grassy pullout through the brush.  The morning was very calm and relatively warm.  From there, we hiked a short distance, starting along Clear Lake Creek.  We followed a flagged route most of the way to two big trees: a Douglas fir with a circumference of 8 metres and a Western Red Cedar with a circumference of 7.2 metres.  It seemed a fitting destination for Earth Day.  We briefly wandered through the open forest of Main Lake Provincial Park to a bluff and then returned to the shore for lunch.  Four of the group returned directly to the vehicles and the other three paddled along the shore to the east, exploring camping possibilities and trailheads.  We didn’t see another person during the paddle or the hike and it was a lovely peaceful trip.  11.0 km; 4 hours

Debbie
 
Thanks to Norris, Terry and Jonathan for the photos.

(click on photos to enlarge)

Paddling/Hiking – Main Lake Provincial Park – 22 Apr 2022

Hiking – Eagle Ridge and Blindman’s Bluff – 6 July 2022

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Postponed due to weather from 18 May

Activity Hiking
Destination Eagle Ridge and Blindman’s Bluff
Date 6 July 2022, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 250-285-2029 or lhquadra@gmail.com
Description We will do Eagle Ridge which has wetlands and views of Discovery Passage then Blindman’s Bluff which has more open views south. This is a great hike for viewing the east side of Quadra.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs
Trip limits 10
Dogs? O.K. but must not run back and forth through group.
Notes: Please contact coordinator 2 days prior as things may change due to weather.
Bring lunch and and gear for weather.

Trip Report – Mt. Lolo – 13 Apr 2022

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Despite the ominous weather forecasts, Wednesday turned out to be a very nice day.  Seven of us, including one guest, took full advantage of it by hiking up to one of Quadra’s best viewpoints.  Mt. Lolo is strategically placed to have a clear view both up and down Discovery Passage.  After starting on the trail to Maud Island, we followed overgrown logging roads with gentle incline and steeper deer paths to open, mossy bluffs. We had a leisurely lunch break on the bluff, checking out the birds, the views and the vegetation.  7.3 km; 4¼ hours

Norris
 
Thanks to Norris and Colin for the photos.

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Mt. Lolo – 13 Apr 2022

Trip Report – Maud Island – 6 April 2022

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On an overcast, chilly, four degree morning seven hikers set out to Maud Island. As we walked down the old road the moss seemed especially green. There were quite a few trees here and there that had been brought down by the heavy snows of last winter. All in all though the trail was in good shape for this early in the spring. We kept to the lower route rather than going up and over Lolo as the rocks would probably be quite slick. The causeway to Maud Island is eroding more and water is running under it at low tide.

We had lunch over looking Seymour Narrows. The current was at a max of 7.8, which isn’t much considering that it can run to 14 kn. Still there were plenty of whirlpools and current to admire. We were even treated to a couple sea lions playing below us in the current. After lunch we returned via the same route. 10.3 km and four hours counting lunch.

Les

Thanks to Les for the photos

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Maud Island – 6 Apr 2022

Trip Report – Trout Creek Falls Trail – 30 Mar 2022

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Seven of us had a great day to hike up the trail along Mohun Creek and view the three Trout Falls.  The first falls is very near the trailhead on Menzies Main and was immediately rewarding.  There was lots of water flow with the wet spring we have been having.  We then followed the undulating forest trail to the middle falls, with the biggest height drop of the three.  The trail was in good condition and most winter windfall had been cleared.  We followed the short, steep section of trail to the top of the falls and continued to the third falls into the crack.  We stopped for lunch on a mossy bluff above the last falls, enjoying the view and gentle sunshine.  

The group decided it preferred a loop rather than returning along the creek, so we followed a good trail along the creek continuing upstream until it veered to join the Mary Lake logging road. This was an easy downhill ramble and we stopped to visit Mary Lake along the way.  The lake was lovely and quiet, but it is clearly heavily used at times.  We closed the loop with a short, undisturbed walk on Menzies Main and arrived at the vehicles just before a rain shower.  These are some of the most impressive falls in the Campbell River area and the trail is in good condition and well used.  It was a lovely spring outing.  (7.3 km; 3¼ hours)

Debbie
 
Thanks to Carrie and Norris for the photos
 

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Trout Creek Falls – 30 Mar 2022

Hiking – Mt. Lolo – 13 Apr 2022

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Activity Hiking/Exploring
Destination Mt. Lolo
Date 13 Apr, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710  Please contact the coordinator by Monday night.
Description We will begin on the trail to Maud Island and then follow very convenient, but overgrown, logging roads and routes to the Mt. Lolo bluff overlooking Discovery Passage.  After exploring the short ridge with great views we will return the same way.  About 8 km; 4 hours.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot.  We will drive out in a group.
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Moderate, requiring tolerance for moving through some brush and deadfall.
Costs None
Trip limits None
Dogs? No.
Notes: Bring lunch, poles if you use them and gear for the weather.  This is a trip better done in good weather and might be postponed if the forecast is poor.