Category Archives: Hiking

Trip Report – Mt. Elma – 25 Sept 2025

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Nine of us took advantage of an overcast, but gentle day to make this lovely hike to Mt. Elma.  It has been a very dry summer on the Forbidden Plateau and the autumn colours were not as intense as some years, but deep reds nonetheless.  We walked through Paradise Meadows on the boardwalk and continued up to Battleship Lake where we admired the views from the various platforms.  We carried on past Kooso and Lady Lake before turning off on the now well worn trail up to Mt. Elma.  The route is increasingly steep as it nears the ridge and then flattens out as it meanders through the excellent sub-alpine terrain with great views and foliage.  We stopped for lunch at the south end of the ridge and managed to eat most of what we had brought, in spite of very aggressive Canada Jays.  We returned via Helen Mackenzie Lake to make the trip more varied and then were quickly back to the parking lot.  As we reached the vehicles, we saw Sandhill Cranes flying overhead and circling around. 14.7 km; 500m elevation gain; 6¼ hours.

Debbie

Thanks to Carrie, Jim and Norris for the photos

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Mt. Elma – 25 Sept 2025

Multi-day Hiking – Hornby & Denman Islands – 5-8 Oct 2025

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Activity Multi-day Hiking
Destination Hornby and Denman Islands, staying at Fillongley Prov Park campground
Date 5-8 Oct 2025, Sunday to Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info 3710 or dmquigg@gmail.com; please contact the coordinator well in advance of the trip
Description We will have two half-days and two full days to explore the two islands.  There is lots to do: on Hornby Island, by ferry: Mt. Geoffrey Regional Park (a significant walk on a bluff with good views if the weather cooperates), Tribune Bay Prov Park (a walk on the beach), Helliwell Provincial Park (a rocky, coastal walk), Heron Rock (sculpted rock beach walk)
on Denman Island: Boyle Point Prov Park (short, easy walk to a view of the Chrome Island Lighthouse), possibly a walk to or toward Tree Island (Sandy Island Marine Park if the tide is right; this is long and flat)  We will decide as we go, what we will do each day.
Each person or group will need to make their own arrangements to stay at Fillongley Provincial Park campground or elsewhere.  The cost is half-price for seniors.
Meeting Place QCove ferry
Departure Time 8:30 ferry to Campbell River for the 10:00 ferry from Buckley Bay to Denman Island.  This is weather dependent and will be confirmed later.
Difficulty Moderate and varied
Cost The ferries, fuel and camping
Trip limits 8
Dogs? No
Notes: The season is changing.  Bring a variety of gear.

Trip Report – Kanish Bay and Beyond – 9-11 Sept 2025

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Day 1.  Six of us launched from the boat launch at the Granite Bay Park.  We paddle out of Granite Bay and across Kanish Bay to Orchard Bay, where we unloaded the kayaks at quite a low tide.  We explored the area, set up the tents and had lunch before heading out again.  The morning had been a bit overcast, but the afternoon was lovely.  We paddled into Small Inlet and beached the kayaks at the peninsula where the trail comes down to the shore.  We chose this site because the low tide was going to make it impossible to reach the end of Small Inlet.  We hiked over to Waiatt Bay, which was already much quieter than in the high season.  After a short break we hiked back and paddled back through the islets in Small Inlet.  (14.3 km paddling and walking; 5 h)  We gathered for dinner under the huge Big-Leaf Maple tree.  With the sun setting before 8:00 pm, we were in the tents quite early.

(Click on the photos to enlarge)

Day 2.  After a leisurely breakfast, the morning fog was beginning to lift as we left shortly after 10:00. We paddled along the north shore of Kanish Bay against a light breeze pausing only to admire the big cliff with pictographs.  With the increasing sunshine and benign conditions we carried on around the northwest tip of Quadra Island and into Okisollo Channel. We paddled a short distance beyond Metcalf Island and had lunch on the sunny, north-facing beach.  On our return, we had a bit more wind and waves, which subsided as we turned downwind in Kanish Bay.  Our route took us south of Nixon Island, then returning to Orchard Bay.  (15.1 km; 5 h)  We watched some wildlife in the Bay and had happy hour on the very small, shell beach waiting for the high tide, which came up to and under the boats. It was an exceptionally beautiful day.  We visited the steep, mossy bluff to the east before again having dinner under the Maple tree. Some stayed up a bit later around the fire pit.

Day 3.  Our final day was quite short as some had deadlines.  We packed up, loaded the kayaks at a medium tide and paddled out to the eastern edge of the Chained Islets.  After circling a few islets, we checked out the derelict house at the east end and the tiny islet with the white shell beach before heading into the inlet to Granite Bay and the boat ramp. (6.0 km; 2 h)

This was a great trip to a beautiful area in perfect conditions.  We were fortunate to see some wildlife including multiple encounters with mink, harbour porpoise, harbour seals, and birds: Belted Kingfishers, Great Blue Heron, Surf Scoters, Short Billed Gulls, Glaucous Winged Gulls, Vultures, Bald Eagles, and Crows.

Debbie

Thanks to Louise and Norris for the photos

Multi-day paddling and camping – Kanish Bay and Beyond – 9-11 Sept 2025

Hiking – Mt. Elma, Strathcona Park – 25 Sept 2025

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The date for this hike has been changed!

Activity Hiking
Destination Mt. Elma, Strathcona Park
Date 25 Sept 2025, Thursday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info dmquigg@gmail.com or 3710; Please contact the coordinator by Monday evening.
Description We will hike from Raven Lodge up to Battleship Lake and continue on the Forbidden Plateau trail, passing Lady Lake.  The trail up Mt. Elma is not an official, maintained trail.   The Mt. Elma summit  is 1,420m and will have good views in all directions, weather permitting.  Approximately 14 km, 420 m elevation gain, 5+ hours.
Meeting Place QCove ferry terminal
Departure Time 8:00 ferry.
Difficulty
 Moderate to challenging
Costs Ferry and fuel
Trip limits 10
Dogs? No
Notes: If you wish to car pool, please make your own arrangements.  We will not do this trip in poor weather.

Trip Report – Beech’s Mtn Loop – 27 Aug 2025

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Instead of doing Campbell River Lookout, due to heat and unexpected circumstances, we decided to do a Beech’s Mountain Loop. This is a challenging hike, but not as much as Campbell River lookout. We had an early 8:15 start from South Chinese Mountain parking lot. It was a lovely 15° but with smoky skies. On the way up, Norris showed us a short alternate route instead of going up the washed out creek. When we got back on the main trail, we continued to the junction of Beech’s Mountain and South Chinese and had a short water break. This is a excellent spot to listen to frogs in the early spring. Once we got onto one of the open ridges we were surprised to find a big Canadian flag in one of the trees. There are great views on the open ridges to the west, but the smoke hampered some of the pictures. We continued the steep ascent and took a break on the large open rocks where you have great views to Rebecca Spit and the mainland mountains. After this, we had lunch on the top of Beech’s Mountain, where we enjoyed the views and shade after the steep climb.

There was a steep descent then to the old road that comes up from the Nugetzi Lake turn off. This trail is not well used, but was flagged well. The old road is quite washed out with many loose rocks, but was a nice walk in the shade of the trees. We came to the turn off that goes to North Chinese Mountain and were surprised to find that it has hardly been used the last few years. I had an old track from 2014 that we followed. We came across a few old flags that marked the trail, but there is much blow down and salal and would not recommend it to anyone that does not like bush whacking. There are many large bluffs along the way that give great views. When we came to the last bluff before North Chinese Trail, we were surprised to find that someone had brought up a large, old fishnet and strung it between three large trees over the top of the bluff. I actually think this could be quite dangerous as it is 8′ above the rocks in some places.

We continued on to North Chinese trail and descended back to the parking lot and our vehicles. It was starting to warm up now so we were quite pleased that we had left early.
(6.5 km, 3¾ hours, 420m ascent)

Les

Thanks to Jim, Carrie, Les and Norris for the photos

(Click on the photos to enlarge)

(click on photos to view larger)

Hike – Beech’s Mtn Loop – 27 Aug 2025

Multi-day Kayaking and Camping – Kanish Bay and Beyond – 9-11 Sept 2025

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Activity Kayaking and camping
Destination Kanish Bay and beyond
Date 9-11 Sept 2025, Tuesday to Thursday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg and Louise Squire
Contact Info dmquigg@gmail.com or 3710.  Please register well in advance of the event.
Description This will be a two night, multi-day paddling trip out of Granite Bay. We will set up a base camp at Orchard Bay and explore the familiar haunts of Small Inlet and Kanish Bay.
Day 1: Paddle out from Granite Bay.  Cross the Bay and set up camp at Orchard Bay.  Paddle in to Small Inlet and hike to Waiatt Bay.  The low tide is around 10:30.
Day 2: Explore Kanish Bay, the Chained Islets and whatever the conditions and interests permit.
Day 3: We will likely pack up and go home, but if there are further interests, this could change
The weather and wind conditions will affect this itinerary.  We hope to have a short night excursion to see bioluminescence.
Meeting Place Granite Bay boat launch
Departure Time Meet up 9:00. On the water by 9:45.
Difficulty Moderate, but difficulty variable with the wind.
Cost $5 fee for launching/parking per day
Trip limits 8
Dogs? No
Notes: Must have ocean kayaks with sealed hatches and sprayskirt with all Transport Canada required safety equipment. Please review our paddling guidelines, which have recently been amended.
You need drinking water for three days, your own camping gear and food. Be aware of the weather forecast when prepping your gear and clothing. There are no food caches or outhouses.

Hiking – Beech’s Mtn Loop – 27 Aug 2025

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This is a substituted hike due to heat and difficulty.

Activity Hiking
Destination Beech’s Mountain Loop
Date 27 Aug 2025, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 250-285-2029 or lhquadra@gmail.com
Description Starting at the Chinese Mountains trailhead, we follow the South Chinese Trail to its juncture with Beech’s Mountain Trail. Along this trail we ascend many steep rock bluffs with spectacular views to the east, west and south from the open bluffs. At the top of Beech’s Mountain, we make a steep descent through the forest to an old rough logging road. Eventually the route veers away from the road onto mossy bluffs with convoluted route-finding using flagging tape. The route connects with the North Chinese Mountain Trail (essentially a steep rubbly old logging road) which we descend to the parking lot.  Expect it to be hot.
Meeting Place Legion parking lot
Departure Time 8:00
Difficulty Moderate to difficult (many steep and potentially slippery bluffs to negotiate, as well as steep rocky logging roads). Flagged route on the return.
Costs none
Trip limits 8
Dogs?
Notes: Sturdy hiking shoes/boots required.  Hiking poles may be helpful. Bring a lunch or snack and sufficient water. Estimated time 4 hours.

Hiking – Maud Island – 20 Aug 2025

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Activity Hiking
Destination Maud Island
Date 20 Aug, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Valerie van Veen
Contact Info Vvv@qisland.ca, 250 285 2329, cell 778 242 5774
Description This will be a great, and rare, opportunity to see the Narrows in max flood (12 knots at 1 pm) while we enjoy lunch in the sunshine! We will meet at the Morte Lake parking lot to carpool to the Maud Island trailhead. We will take the lower trail by the lagoon out and back. Bring lunch . About 3 hours, maybe longer to watch the current action . This will be a moderately paced hike. Fortunately the weather forecast is for average summer temperatures.
Meeting Place Morte Lake parking lot to carpool
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty Moderate
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs? No not recommended due to trail conditions
Notes Must contact coordinator by Tuesday evening.

Trip Report – Manzanita Bluff – 8 Aug 2025

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The Manzanita Bluff hike was postponed due to weather and it was worth the wait. Attending were six adventurous hikers that survived the long drive up the logging roads to the trailhead. We were surprised to find the first 100ft of the trail recently groomed with the blackberry and salmonberry branches removed. The route is now a well marked trail up to the Bluffs following the creek bed and eventually through an open forest with beautiful mature Douglas Fir trees.  By consensus, we decided that this trip was fairly challenging.

The group had a light snack surrounded by the Manzanita bushes and taking in the amazing views. The trail taken back was a loop back to Darkwater Lake where we all had a great lunch and a few took the opportunity for a cool swim before returning to the trailhead.  

Afterwards, most of the group went down to the bay on Discovery Passage for the view. 

Total distance of 5.1km, 340m ascent and total time of 4hrs 16 min.

Louise
 

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Manzanita Bluff – 8 Aug 2025

Hiking – Campbell River Lookout (aka Broken Eyes) – 27 Aug 2025

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Activity Hiking
Destination Campbell River Lookout (aka Broken Eyes)
Date 27 Aug 2025, Wed
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 250-285-2029 or lhquadra@gmaill.com
Description This hike is located about 20 km north of Campbell River. It includes some difficult sections over a long, narrow log bridge and very steep climbs, sometimes assisted by fixed chains. The creek should be dry enough that you could cross on foot. There are excellent views from the summit. Elevation gain is 500 m; 7 km. For this hike you need to be fit, experienced and confident. You need good cardio and knees. This is a view hike so we need good weather. Be sure and sign up at least two days before in case date is changed.
Meeting Place Q Cove Ferry terminal
Departure Time 8:00 ferry
Difficulty
 Challenging
Costs Ferry
Trip limits 8
Dogs? No
Notes: Be sure and be at the ferry terminal early enough to get on the 8 o’clock. It is summertime busy. You need good footwear for this hike. Also, I would suggest one or two hiking poles; gloves may be helpful on the chains.. Be sure and bring a lunch and lots of water.
If anyone wants to carpool sign up early, and I will give you names of who is going, but the responsibility is yours for transportation.