Category Archives: Hiking

Trip Report – Cape Mudge Trails – 2 Mar 2022

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Five of us walked these lovely and varied trails on the We Wai Kai land.  The trails were well maintained after winter storms and well used.  We started on the forest loop, enjoying the old and interesting Big Leaf Maples and the deep ravine before coming out on the bluff overlooking Willby Shoals.  We continued on past the lighthouse and campground, joining a trail along Discovery Passage, heading north toward Yaculta.  This section has good views and some big Douglas fir trees.  On the return, we stopped for a bite at a picnic table in the campground.  The rain held off for us and it was a gentle day, good for a walk.  A few of the group met up at Quathiaski Cove cafés after the hike for hot drinks and treats.  7.4 km; 2½ hours without the snacks.

Debbie
 
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Hiking – Cape Mudge Trails – 2 Mar 2022

Hiking – Trout Creek Falls – 30 Mar 2022

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Activity Hiking
Destination Trout Creek Falls
Date 30 Mar, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info debbie.quigg@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.  About 5km; 2½ hours.
Meeting Place QCove ferry terminal
Departure Time 10:00; drivers will need to be early to ensure that they can board
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs Ferry
Trip limits 10
Dogs?
Notes: Bring gear for the weather and lunch.

Hiking – Heron Point and Mt. Sweat – 9 Mar 2022

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Activity Hiking
Destination Heron Pt and Mt. Sweat loop
Date 9 Mar, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710  Please contact the coordinator by Monday night.
Description This is a short hike starting on Kolker Main. We will briefly follow a logging road, a short connector and a mossy bluff to Heron Point for great views of Hyacinthe Bay and the Chinese Mtn area.  From there we will take a cairned route through forest trails and rocky bluffs to Mt. Sweat. We descend to Kolker Main and return to the vehicles on the logging road.  This is a view hike and will not be done in poor weather.  About 4 km; 2½ hours.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot.  We will drive out in a group.
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Most easy, but some interesting places on Mt. Sweat.  If there are sufficient participants, a second, more level option is possible.
Costs None
Trip limits None
Dogs? No.
Notes: Some of this trip is on private property and we thank Heather Kellerhals for allowing our visit to Chauntaluf Farm.  Bring gear appropriate for the weather and trail conditions, as well as lunch.

Trip Report – Quinsam River Trails – 23 Feb 2022

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On a bright and very cold morning, five of us hiked some of the trails on the east side of the Quinsam River.  We entered this complex trail system at Boneyard Bypass and rambled through the forest and ravines until we came out on a high bluff with great views of the Vancouver Island mountains and some warm sunshine.  Returning to the forest, we encountered a bit of snow before descending to the river bank.  This is a beautiful salmon river with a high bank to the west.

Our lunch stop was at the bench overlooking a bend in the river.  The bench is amazingly comfortable and perfectly situated to catch the mid-day sun.  Unfortunately the river is undercutting the bank beneath the bench and more bank was falling into the river during our brief stay.  We continued south and climbed back up to the high land, wandered along many trails with interesting names like Wind-Up, Slammin’ Salmon, Squirrel Run, Eagle Rest and Jade Dragon.  This route covered a variety of forest, open bluff and ravine edge for some dramatic terrain.  Completing a loop, we returned back along the same path.  On this beautiful day, there was something new on this trip for everyone, and for many it was the first visit.  (10.2 km; 3½ hours)

Debbie
 

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Hiking – Quinsam River Trails – 23 Feb 2022

Trip Report – Upper Gowlland Bike Trails – 16 Feb 2022

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This hike explored some of the lesser used trails accessed via the Missing Links FSR road off Upper Gowlland Harbour Road. From the parking area we went north-east on Bite the Bullet, past the remains of an old rifle range. We crossed the road to Sam’s Shorty on Marlow’s woodlot and then crossed over again to climb Cash Only, then west on Back Door. Our lunch stop was at the high point of the trail on a mossy bluff. From there we began the descent on Silk Stockings through the tailings of an abandoned copper mining operation with old rails and ore carts still visible. Along the way we found other possible scenic rest points with views of a lake and the Vancouver Island mountains. Our group of four walked the 6.8 km in 2.5 hours plus a half lunch stop with lots of good conversation and laughter.

Rob
 
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Hiking – Upper Gowlland Trails – 16 Feb 2022

Trip Report – Campbell River Waterfront – 9 Feb 2022

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The best laid plans of mice and (wo)men and all that….it was supposed to be a “Hot Chocolate” walk but, while it was a good, brisk walk, unfortunately there was no hot chocolate, or coffee, hot or cold,  for that matter.  Meeting up after the 10am ferry, five enthusiastic walkers strode briskly south in a light drizzle along the Campbell River waterfront to our destination, FoggDukkers.  We enjoyed the opportunity to view the unique and moving Memorial Garden, the Yoda-like wood sculpture, and give our (inexpert) opinions on various dwellings along the route.  However, our intended hot chocolate stop was, sadly, closed.  We opted to not stay to have an early lunch at the intriguing ‘Big Garage‘ restaurant opposite, but did note this as a possible destination for a personal trip another time . And maybe the bad luck was in our favour as the weather closed in and turned to a thick drizzle as we headed back, a longer trip would have been very wet!  The fast walkers were on the 12:30 ferry heading home to dry out and enjoy hot chocolate, or soup, in comfort. (Note to self ….make sure to confirm with FD in person before committing to this walk in winter again )  (2 hours. 8.7 km)

Valerie van Veen
 

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Hiking – Campbell River Waterfront – 9 Feb 2022

Hiking – Upper Gowlland Harbour Trails – 16 Feb 2022

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Activity Hiking
Destination Upper Gowlland Harbour trails
Date 16 February, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Rob McKerracher
Contact Info 250 285 3204;  mckerr@gicable.com
Description Well-used trails on the north side of Gowlland Harbour Road – rolling terrain with open bluffs, forest and a lake.   Distance 6.9 km   Elevation gain 200 m.   2.5 hours walking time plus lunch stop
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Tru Value parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Easy to moderate
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs?
Notes: Dress for the weather – bring a lunch.

Hiking – Cape Mudge Trails – 2 March 2022

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Activity Hiking
Destination Cape Mudge trails
Date 2 March, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca or 3710  Please contact the coordinator by Monday night.
Description We will hike the forest and bluff trail from the lodge.  There are a few wet places in the forest.  From there will will continue to the lighthouse.  Depending on the group and the weather we can walk to the village and back.  There is also an option to make this a hot chocolate walk by stopping at Aroma Cafe or Farm to Table after the hike.
Meeting Place Tsa-Kwa-Luten parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Easy
Costs None
Trip limits None
Dogs?
Notes: Bring gear appropriate for the weather and trail conditions, as well as lunch or a snack.

Trip Report – Village Bay Lakes Loop – 2 Feb 2022

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Nine of us walked this short “new” loop between Village Bay Lakes and Vic’s Marsh.  Some of it is on a gated logging road, some of it is on an old, maintained trail that we’ve recently rediscovered.  It passes through a very nice forest.  Perhaps the loop was a riding trail when Vic had horses at the marsh.  In the eighties?  Then the trail connects to the Vic’s Marsh trail, returning to the cars along the marsh and passing by the remains of Vic’s barn.  Despite a poor weather forecast, it did not rain or snow on us and this loop was mostly clear of snow while other trails in the area are still covered.  Back at the vehicles, the groups shared some yummy snacks before departing.   4.2 km, 1⅓ hours

Norris
 

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Hiking – Village Bay Lakes Loop – 2 Feb 2022

Trip Report – Haskin Farm-Fir Crest Loop – 25 Jan 2022

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On a cool, foggy day we set out for a casual hike. The Haskin Farm Trail had been recently cleared of fallen trees and widened out very nicely after all the bad weather. Thanks to all that may have participated.
Fir Crest was in good condition with the occasional peek out through the fog to the ocean. The golf course was in great condition considering all the snow that we have had. All the green grass made you feel as if spring was coming. We returned to the vehicles through the wood lot. 6.5 km and 1¾ hours

Les

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Hiking – Haskin Farm-Fir Crest Loop – 25 Jan 2022