Category Archives: Hiking

Trip Report – BC Trail Day – 4 June 2022

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The recent torrential rains definitely dampened our BC Trail Day celebration, but a few die-hards went for a short walk anyway. We used the Swale Trail and Black Jack to make a tight loop on the Community Centre trails, following some lovely paths through a fine forest.

The Quadra trail system is an amazing heritage that is worth recognizing. At the end of our walk it seemed fitting that we passed by the memorial to Judy Leicester who worked so hard on the trails. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to her and others like Hilda Van Orden, Marcie Wolter, Nole Lax, and Richard Leicester who did so much to develop these trails. And also to the current hard workers who carry on that tradition like John Barclay, Sam Whittingham and Ken Roxborough, and all the other many, many volunteers.

Debbie

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – BC Trail Day – 4 June 2022

Hiking – Discovery Passage Bluffs – 22 June 2022

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Change of start time to 10:00

Activity Hiking/Exploring
Destination Discovery Passage Bluffs
Date 22 June, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710  Please contact the coordinator by Monday night.
Description This short trip explores a bit of the west coast of Quadra Island.  It follows deer paths along mossy bluffs overlooking Discovery Passage and sections of it are along the rocky shore.  Unfortunately there is one section of salal to cross.  Wear good boots and bring your hiking poles if you use them. About 3 km; 3 hours.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot.  We will drive out in a group.
Departure Time 10:00 13:00;  the timing is for a low tide.
Difficulty
 Moderate, requiring tolerance for moving through brush and deadfall, and crossing uneven rocks.
Costs None
Trip limits None
Dogs? No.
Notes: Bring a snack or lunch, water and gear for the weather.

Hiking – Beaver Lake to Open Bay Creek – 29 June 2022

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Activity Hiking
Destination Beaver Lake to Open Bay Creek
Date 29 June 2022, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca or 3710; please contact the coordinator by Monday night.
Description This hike follows a reasonably well maintained trail, but not part of the Trail Committee system.  The first part is downhill, briefly steeply, and then flat.  We will pass around the south end of Beaver Lake, walk a short way on a logging road through a recent clear cut before picking up a trail following a creek which joins Open Bay Creek.  About 5.8 km, 3 hours.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Mostly quite easy, but the trail is rough, brushy and steep in places.
Costs none
Trip limits 10
Dogs?
Notes Please Note:  This trip requires a car shuffle.  So participants need to be willing to share a vehicle with others for a five-minute ride back to the starting point.  Bring lunch, poles if you use them, and gear for the weather.

Trip Report – Mt. Seymour – 25 May 2022

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As usual this spring, the weather threatened to cancel yet another hike – BUT – five determined club members defied the odds and set out on a windy, grey morning to ascend Quadra’s highest “peak”. It took us a little over an hour to hike up into the fast moving clouds and another 35 minutes to reach our goal and the first hints of some sunshine and breaking clouds. The views opened up as we ate lunch, out of the wind and in sight of the summit cairn. After an hour of eating and socializing we made our way back down the trail, which, by the way, is in very good condition.   3½ hours plus a 1 hr lunch.

Vic
 
Thanks to Vic for the photos.
 

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Mt. Seymour – 25 May 2022

Paddling/Hiking/Camping – Main Lakes Provincial Park – 11-13 June 2022

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This trip has been postponed by two days from the original posting.

Activity Multi-day Paddling/Hiking/Camping
Destination Main Lake Provincial Park
Date 11-13 June, Saturday to Monday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710; please contact the coordinator by Monday night
Description We will set up camp at Main Lake and spend three days exploring by hiking and paddling.  Destinations can vary with the group’s interests.  We hope to explore a new area.  We encourage people to come out for the day on Sunday.  This will be the best day for the weather.  You must let the coordinator know so that meeting plans can be arranged.
Meeting Place Mine Lake boat launch
Departure Time On the water by 10:30
Difficulty
 Moderate depending on weather
Costs No camping fee before June 15th
Trip limits 8
Dogs? No
Notes: This multi-day trip is relatively easy on a local lake, but requires good paddling and camping gear.

Hiking – Mine Lake Bluff – 15 June 2022

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This trip will be postponed due to trail flooding around Mine Lake.  There will be an alternative destination.

Activity Hiking
Destination Mine Lake Bluff
Date 15 June 2022, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca or 3710; please contact the coordinator by Monday night.
Description We will hike through the Camp Homewood site on Mine Lake and then move steeply up to great views from the bluff. We return with a loop down the north side following under the cliffs.  This is a hike with lots of variety.
Meeting Place Parking area north of the Mine Lake boat launch
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Moderate, with some challenging spots on the steep hike up.  There is some exposure in a few places.
Costs none
Trip limits 10
Dogs? no
Notes We will not do this trip in wet weather. If you are not comfortable with heights, this won’t be a good hike for you.

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.