Category Archives: Hiking

Hiking – Shellaligan Forest Trails – 3 Jan 2018

Posted on by
1

Activity Hiking
Destination Shellaligan Forest Trails
Date 3 Jan 2018, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Valerie van Veen
Contact Info vvv@qisland.ca or 285 2329
Description A post-Christmas social: walk through the forest (we will not do the Oceanside section of the trail) on good trails then all hikers are invited back to Valerie’s house for coffee/tea; bring any Christmas baking leftovers to share if you wish.
Meeting Place Meet at Heriot Bay store parking lot to carpool: meet up with coordinator at intersection of Valdes and logging road to trailhead at 10:15
Departure Time 9:55 am
Difficulty
 Easy
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? Must be under control at all times; must be left in cars at Valerie’s place
Notes: Hikers must contact coordinator by day before.

 

Trip Report – Deadfish-South Morte Lake Loop – 29 Nov 2017

Posted on by
1

On a blustery day under threat of rain, seven hikers enjoyed a brisk three hour hike around this loop connecting several mountain bike trails.   Beginning at the Morte Lake parking lot, we followed Lower Deadfish, Lost Rider, Ridge and Connector trails to the southwest corner of Morte Lake. The group encountered a few sprinkles here, which eventually passed. We followed the Morte Lake south trail, turned right on Nirvana and then left on 7 Sins with its seven switchbacks. At the junction of this trail and Upper Deadfish, we stopped for a brief lunch and took in the views across to Beech’s Mountain, Morte Lake and Discovery Passage. From there, it was downhill on Upper and Lower Deadfish along Little Morte Creek to the parking lot. Fortunately, we didn’t get rained on. Having had dry weather the previous day, there were very few puddles to cross. We agreed that it was a good workout and the lovely greens of the forest were at their peak. 8.7 km

Janis

Click on photos to enlarge

Hiking – Deadfish-South Morte Lake Loop – 29 Nov 2017

Trip Report – Little Black Dress & Silk Stocking Loop – 22 Nov 2017

Posted on by
Reply

Six of us met on a blustery grey morning to walk the mountain bike trails from North Gowlland Harbour Road. We parked at the Missing Links trail parking lot. We made a loop up Little Black Dress and returned via Back Door and Silk Stockings.   It was a beautiful meandering path through mixed forests and rocky outcrops. Along the way we passed the remnants of an old copper mine. We were quite protected in the forest and it was more  foggy and misty than rainy.  There is no signage on the trail and several T-junctions.  We were reminded of the importance of waiting for the group at each intersection, so that the group stays together. There was some timely conversation about basic safety equipment for day hikes. We hiked 6.8 km in 3 hours 20 minutes, including a stop for lunch.

Diana

(click on photos to view larger)

Hiking – Little Black Dress & Silk Stocking Loop – 22 Nov 2017

Hiking – Deepwater Main & Beyond Loop – 6 December 2017

Posted on by
1

Activity Hiking
Destination Deepwater Main & Beyond Loop
Date 6 Dec 2017, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 285-3710.  Please contact the trip coordinator prior to the trip.
Description We will either walk or drive up Deepwater Main from the Granite Bay Rd.  Then we will walk up a steep old logging road on the NW side of Mt Seymour.  From there the road contours around the N side of Mt Seymour, with views to the N, then it descends back down to Granite Bay Rd.  About 10.4 km if we walk the whole loop.  If we do a car shuffle, it will be a couple km shorter.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot, to arrange carpools
Departure Time 09:30
Difficulty
 moderate, due to elevation gain and eroded logging roads in places
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? okay if under control
Notes: Bring lunch and poles if you use them

Trip Report – Hopespring-Thompson Trail Loop – 15 Nov 2017

Posted on by
Reply

The morning was quite dry, but since it had rained over 100 mm in the last four days, everything was very wet.  And we were still expecting more.  The eight of us hiked this lovely loop on maintained trail, which is quite protected in bad weather.  The fall colours were still strong, and everything was green and lush from the rain.  The maples, cliffs and overhanging rocks, the old growth fir, creeks and moss make this a beautiful walk.  5.3 km; 2 hours.

Debbie and Julie

(click on photos to view larger)

Hiking – Hopespring-Thompson Trail Loop – 15 Nov 2017

Hiking – Dead Fish-South Morte Lake Loop – 29 Nov 2017

Posted on by
1

 

Activity Hiking
Destination Dead Fish-South Morte Lake Loop
Date 29 November 2017, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Janis McLean
Contact Info phone 3614.  Please contact the coordinator in advance.
Description A forested loop on established hiking and mountain biking trails from the Morte Lake parking lot.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty easy
Costs none
Trip limits 10
Dogs? yes
Notes:

Hiking – Silk Stocking and Little Black Dress – 22 Nov 2017

Posted on by
1

 

Activity Hiking
Destination Silk Stocking and Little Black Dress
Date 22 November 2017, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Diana & Rob McKerracher
Contact Info 250 285 3204.  Please contact the coordinator in advance.
Description A forested loop on established trails and mountain bike trails, near Morte Lake.  Basic route is about 7 km and takes almost 3 hours to walk. Poles are helpful on some of the wet bits and rocky slopes.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty moderate, with some steep sections
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? on leash
Notes: If the weather is great, we can extend this basic route. Bring lunch and dress for the weather.

Hiking – Hopespring-Thompson Trail Loop – 15 Nov 2017

Posted on by
1

 

Activity Hiking
Destination Hopespring – Thompson Trail Loop
Date 15 November 2017, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Julie Mellanby
Contact Info phone 3978.  Please contact the coordinator in advance.
Description This is a moderate loop through varied forest, including some old growth.  The walk passes by wetlands, creeks, rocky bluffs.  This is relatively protected in rainy weather, but if the day provides the opportunity, there are views along the way.
Meeting Place Hopespring Trailhead
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? okay
Notes: You might bring a snack, but lunch isn’t expected on the trail.

Trip Report – Main Lake from Surge Narrows Rd – 8 Nov 2017

Posted on by
Reply

Six of us hiked the flagged route from the Surge Narrows Rd to the east end of Main Lake.   The day was mild and the brush was dry as we followed the old logging road making a side trip to an un-named lake.  After briefly thrashing in the brush in the wrong direction, we continued through lovely, open forest with lots of white pine and some old growth cedar and fir.  However, there are some sections with major blow-down, which is not just stepped over, but involves the full-body climb up and over.  Near to Main Lake we admired some exceptional old growth Douglas fir and the water falls.  We had lunch at the picnic tables at the campground, enjoying the view of the Lake.  After lunch some remained and enjoyed a fire in the campground fire ring, while others hiked on to Yeatman Bay.  We followed the flagged route back to the vehicles, which is rather more uphill.  9.7 km; 4½ hours.

Debbie

(click on photos to view larger)

Hiking – Main Lake from Surge Narrows Rd – 8 Novt 2017

Trip Report – Alternate Morte Lake Loop – 1 Nov 2017

Posted on by
Reply
 We were fortunate to have yet another beautiful fall day for this hike around Morte Lake.  The forecast called for showers, but it was clear and cool.  We left the Morte Lake parking lot and hiked up the Morning Beer mountain bike trail, stopping for views of Chinese Mountains and glimpses of the outer islands.  We continued on to Lost Rider, Ridge Trail, the tripod and Connector.  None of that was the original plan, but it was a lovely walk.  At the south end of Morte Lake there was a cold wind with white caps on the lake, but when we carried on to the picnic table, it was sunny and sheltered.  The hike along the north bluffs over Morte Lake was sunny and there were great views. 10.5 km; 4½ hours.

Debbie

(click on photos to view larger)

Hiking – Alternate Morte Lake Loop – 1 Nov 2017