Category Archives: Hiking

Trip Report – Maud Island – 24 June 2017

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Seven of us hiked to Maud Island to see Seymour Narrows at the most current of the whole year, a 15.9 knot flood.  It was also on perhaps the hottest day so far this year, but beautifully sunny.  Fortunately most of this walk is in a cool, shaded forest.

We could hear the tidal action from quite a distance away, while we were still on Mt. Lolo.  And at the viewpoint we could look down at the white/green water along the shore.  Not surprisingly, there were no boats passing through the Narrows, but a half dozen jet-skis came through at max current.  Four hours; 10.5 km.

Norris

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Hike – Maud Island – 24 June 2017

Trip Report – Beech’s Mountain Loop – 21 June 2017

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With the arrival of a strong high pressure ridge and the first day of summer, the time was right to hike the Beech’s Mountain loop. Eight hikers and two dogs climbed Beech’s Mountain via the South Chinese Trail. Beech’s trail follows a series of rock bluffs between fir and hemlock forested sections, with arguably the best views of any trail on the Island, scanning the far distance to the south, west and east at various viewpoints.   The dry weather was welcome, since there are several steep sections on rock. After numerous photo stops and a rest at the top, the group continued on a route only, descending the north side and dropping down to an old logging road. After about fifteen minutes on the road, we followed a convoluted route over another series of bluffs which brought us to the North Chinese Mountain trail. From here, it was a straightforward walk down the steep trail to the parking lot.  The second half of this loop is not recommended unless hiking with someone who knows the route down the far side of Beech’s Mountain. The Davidson’s penstemons at the top were sadly all but finished blooming, but there was columbine, yarrow, saxiphrage, brodiaea, yellow monkey flower and veronica along the way. Total time was four and a half hours; 6.9 km.

Janis

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Hiking – Beech’s Mtn Loop – 14 June 2017

Camping, Hiking, Kayaking – Savary Island – 7-9 Aug 2017

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Activity Camping, hiking, kayaking
Destination Savary Island
Date 7-9 August 2017, Monday to Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Cyndy Chidley
Contact Info 250-285-3575; Please make arrangements with the coordinator well in advance of the trip.
Description
Savary is a jewel of an island surrounded by white sand beaches.  We will hike or kayak on Tuesday.  Cyndy’s place is off grid with two outdoor composting toilets, a wood fired sauna, and indoor propane cooking facilities.  There is a solar panel for lights and charging cell phones. Water is hand pumped.  Remember that August is the busiest time of year and Monday is a holiday.
Getting there: Your own boat (kayak, motor or sailboat).  There is no moorage on a dock; you can anchor. Other options are a water taxi from Campbell River, or a water taxi combined with truck taxi from Lund.  These can be shared.  There is also a 15 minute reasonably priced float plane ride on Coralair from Campbell River that will land you close to the cabin, weather permitting, if you reserve ahead.
Meeting Place Cyndy’s place, Savary Island
Departure Time Arrive Savary on Monday, Aug 7 and depart on Wednesday, Aug 9 on you own schedule
Difficulty
 Easy to Medium…Hiking or kayaking would take most of one day
Costs Cost of transportation to Savary Island
Trip limits 10 people
Dogs? Yes if hiking; No if kayaking.  Dogs love Savary Island, but you must pack water for them.
Notes: Please bring your own gear for camping, cooking and boating, as well as your own food.  Kayaks are not available to rent on Savary, so you need to bring your own if you want to kayak.  We ask that you take your garbage off the island when you leave with the exception of burnables and compost.

Hiking – Mt. Seymour – 19 July 2017

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Activity Hiking
Destination Mt. Seymour on north end of Quadra
Date 19 July, 2017, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Mark Zimmerman / Kathryn Manry
Contact Info 285-22103.  Please contact the coordinator prior to the trip.
Description Hike up to the summit of Mt Seymour. We will do this as a loop (to include Nugedzi Lakes) if car pooling permits. This is a moderately demanding hike with an elevation gain of about 425 metres and about 12 km for the loop route. The trail is steep in places but there is no scrambling.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store parking lot
Departure Time 9:00 am
Difficulty
 Moderately difficult
Costs none other than possibly offering to share gas expense for car pooling
Trip limits 12
Dogs? Very well behaved or on leash (bring a leash)
Notes: Bring lunch and lots of water.

Hiking – Morte Lake Loop – 12 July 2017

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Activity Hiking
Destination Morte Lake Loop
Date 12 July, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Julie Mellanby
Contact Info 285-3978; please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip
Description We will hike the official Morte Lake loop, with opportunities for a picnic lunch and swimming.  4 to 5 hours.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store for car pooling
Departure Time 9:30
Difficulty
 Moderate.
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? okay
Notes: Bring lunch and something to swim in, if you want to.

 

Hiking – Maud Island- 24 June 2017

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Activity Hiking
Destination Maud Island
Date 24 June 2017, Saturday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710.  Please contact the coordinator prior to the trip.
Description Hike to Maud Island to view Seymour Narrows at a 15.9 knot flood tide at 15:17.  This will be an unusually big current.  The hike is always interesting with the varied forest and terrain, Mt. Lolo, the causeway to Maud Island, the salt water lagoon and the history of the Ripple Rock explosion.  Allow 5 hours, including driving, for this walk of approximately 10km.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store for car pooling
Departure Time 12:30
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? No
Notes: Bring a snack and poles if you use them.

Trip Report – Shellalligan Trail – 14 June 2017

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The scheduled Beech’s Mountain loop was postponed due to a weather forecast of showers. Instead the group of eight hikers and two dogs hiked the Shellalligan trail. As it turned out, the weather was fine – cloudy and a bit breezy in exposed places, but no rain. We walked along the open rock shelves adjacent to Hoskyn Channel, with good views eastward to Read Island and Dunsterville Island. Further along, we had long views south to Marina Island, Mitlenatch Island and beyond. As the trail turned west and inland a bit we entered Village Bay. Sitka spruce made an appearance along the trail, and numerous very large and gorgeous maple trees greeted the group.   We dropped down to a rocky beach on Village Bay for lunch. The second half of the loop took us through varied forest of different species and age classes, very lush and green at this time of year. Trip time was three hours; 4.7 km. We convened at the home of Valerie and Allard Van Veen in Open Bay for tea and cake, with great views of Open Bay and good conversation. Thank you Valerie!

Janis

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Hiking – Darkwater Lake & Kanish Bay – 28 June 2017

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 Rescheduled from June 28

Activity Hiking
Destination Darkwater Lake and Kanish Bay
Date 1 Aug 2017, Tuesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710; please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip.
Description A short hike to Darkwater Lake on a flagged trail, about 1 km round-trip. There might be swimming potential. Darkwater Lake is a bit south of Kanish Bay. We will also do a short walk to Kanish Bay on an old logging road, about 2 km roundtrip. There is also the possibility of walking an old logging road on Bodega Point if the group is interested.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store for car pooling
Departure Time 9:30 10:00
Difficulty
 easy
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? okay
Notes: This trip will be dependent on logging activity in the area. There is quite a bit of driving on active and old logging roads to reach the two areas.

 

Trip Report – Hopespring – Homewood Loop – 24 May 2017

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Ten hikers and three dogs enjoyed a three and a half hour hike on a loop of trails and routes in the Heriot Ridge area. The weather was sunny and cool with a brisk northwest wind blowing. Starting at the Hopespring trailhead, we walked up to the height of land, then headed south along Heriot Ridge. Our first stop was the location of the new North Island communication tower. From there we dropped off the south end of the ridge and proceeded south through the woods to High Bluff where we had great views south and west.   We hiked west on the High Bluff trail, then south on Gowlland Harbour trail to Homewood Bluff where we stopped for lunch and enjoyed more views west to the Vancouver Island Mountains.   Dropping off the east side of Homewood Bluff, we picked up the High Bluff trail back to High Bluff, then north across Heriot Ridge to Hopespring trail and back to the vehicles. The wildflowers on the open bluffs of Heriot Ridge were a bonus.  5.9 km.

Janis

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Hiking – Hopespring – Homewood Loop – 24 May 2017

Trip Report – Cortes Island – 15-18 May 2017

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Day 1: Eight energetic hikers left for four hiking days on Cortes Island. On arrival at Cortes we drove to Carrington Trails. We took the main trail to the lagoon, which is an old dirt road. At the lagoon it was a delight to see purple star fish. On the trails there were lots of beautiful wild flowers. We walked on to Grandmothers’ Grove, ate our lunch and then continued through the mature forests. (10.5 km; 3½ hour)  The Forest Trust for the children of Cortes Island has been formed to protect these forestlands. Our group donated $60 at the end of our trip to the Forest Trust for the children of Cortes.

We packed our baggage into the Linnaea Farm House and chose our rooms. We then drove to Hank’s Beach for a short walk through the forest to a secluded wide sandy beach, overlooking Twin Islands. Beautiful rock formations, all enjoyed a good climb. Unfortunately it was pretty windy. (2.9 km; 1 hour)  Returned to Linnaea Farm. Team 1 prepared a delicious dinner along with wine and active communication. Had a wonderful log fire in the room at the  farmhouse.

Day 2: After breakfast, we put on our hiking boots. A beautiful day filled with sunshine.  Janis led the group into Kw’as Park, we vowed to spend the entire day in the park because we had never walked all its wonderful trails. 173 acre park,  20% of the park is still virgin old growth and the rest is mature second growth forest. The trails led through a number of rugged areas, many steep areas overlooking Gunflint and Hague Lakes. Magnificent old growth groves. We climbed ladders, held onto ropes to enable us to reach the high manzanita covered bluffs. We ate lunch overlooking Gunflint Lake and then upward and onward to the Summit. This was a superb day and returned to the farm house filled up with its beauty.  (14.2 km; 7½ hours)  Team 2 prepared another delicious dinner, some joined Janis in needed yoga moves. All ready for a good nights sleep.

Day 3: Breakfast. We took the cars and drove to near Squirrel Cove to take the trail to Von Donop Marine Park. Debbie and Norris led us on this trail. The first part of the trail was well maintained and marked. Later we came across wind-fallen trees and all managed bush whacking over and around trees. Again, a lovely forested area, we took the trail that led to Mud Bay. This bay is a beauty, lovely warm coloured rocks, small inlets, a boaters paradise. Enjoyed eating our lunch and taking in the surrounding beauty. Returned to the trail and hiked back to the trail head. (12.1 km; 5 hours)  Returned to Linnaea Farm.  Five of us hiked up to Easter Bluff. This trail is steep and rocky in many places, a really good work-out.  Gorgeous views at the top overlooking the south and west end of Cortes Island and the snow covered mountains. A lovely clear afternoon allowing us to see over to Powell River and beyond. (5.9 km; 2½ hours)  We treated ourselves to pizza for dinner followed by dessert. Julie led a few of us in a crazy board game.  Norris lit and kept an amazing fire going in the room.

Day 4: Packed our bags, ate breakfast. Moved our baggage out to the cars. We drove to Green Mountain trailhead. The trail was a steep trek and part of the trail looked like a streambed. The view at the top of Green Mountain is spectacular, overlooking Gorge Harbour, Marina Island, Quadra and to the mountains beyond. Beautiful rock ledges, old growth, manzanita covered slopes with huge arbutus. We hiked the loop and then continued on to Nutshell Lake. A small lake which the locals use for skating in the winter. Beautiful wild flowers along the edge of the lake. Ate our lunches on a warm rocky slope. Picked up a newly made biking trail and returned to the trailhead. (7.2 km; 3¼ hours)  We then drove to the ferry and returned to Quadra with our memories of Cortes.

This was four packed days of hiking, seeing and experiencing the beauty of Cortes, great food, laughter, wonderful company with eight wonderful hikers from Quadra. A truly beautiful happening.

Margot

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Multi-day Hiking – Cortes Island – 15-18 May 2017