Category Archives: Hiking

Hiking – Campbell River Loop – 26 April 2017

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Activity Hiking
Destination Campbell River Loop
Date 26 April 2017, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info 285-3710 or debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca.  Please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip in order to arrange carpools.
Description The plan is to hike the full loop beginning at the logging bridge across the Campbell River.  We will hike along the north shore of the River (hopefully there will still be some trillium and fawn lilies in bloom), across the Canyon View Bridge, up to the Elk Falls viewing area, Moose and Deer Falls, before heading back down on the south side of the River.  This will depend on weather and construction.  About 12 km and 5 hours, if we do the full loop.
Meeting Place Q Cove Ferry terminal.  Drivers will need to be early enough to be on the ferry.
Departure Time 9:00 ferry
Difficulty
 A few steep places, but mostly reasonable walking on good trails.
Costs Shared ferry costs
Trip limits None
Dogs?
Notes: Bring lunch and gear for weather.

Trip Report – Thompson-B&B Trail Loop – 15 Mar 2017

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Six hikers and two dogs, Joe and Luna, enjoyed a three and a half hour hike on a loop which was new to most of the group. The weather was cloudy and mild with no rain. Starting at the Thompson trailhead, we hiked to the first viewpoint and proceeded on a route north down the ridge, dropped off the ridge at the big moss-covered maple tree and continued on a route through the forest to the old B&B trail. We turned up the B&B trail, hiking along the pretty bedrock stream as far as the logging road crossing. The group walked down this road towards North Gowlland Harbour Road. We saw one rough-skinned newt on the road, and more in the water-filled quarry. Not far past the quarry we turned south on a fairly new bike trail leading towards Rousseau Ridge. After climbing the ridge, we took a break to enjoy the view and have lunch. Our return route followed the Gowlland Harbour trail, then the Thompson trail back to the vehicles.

Janis

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Thanks to Stephen for the photos.

Hiking – Thompson & B&B Trails Loop – 15 Mar 2017

Trip Report – Eagle Ridge and Beyond – 8 Mar 2017

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Despite the forecasts for bad weather Wednesday, the weather cleared just long enough for ten of us to do this hike. The sun even made a brief appearance. The slushy snow from Tuesday was still on the ground so the walking was a bit wet and a bit slippery. We hiked passed the wetland and up to the top of the Eagle Ridge trail with great views to the west. We took an alternate route down, using an unlikely easy route through an otherwise impossible and impressive cliff band. Then we switched to the next ridge to the north and followed mossy, open ridges up to a local summit for lunch. Then we gradually descended the ridge to the east to an overgrown logging road, which provided a good way down to the bigger logging road and easy walking for a loop back to the cars. 4.9km; 2¾ hours.

Norris

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Hiking – Eagle Ridge and Beyond – 8 Mar 2017

Trip Report – Maud Island – 25 Feb 2017

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It was a bright sunny day, although a chilly -2 C, as ten of us headed out to Maud Island. We went the lower route to be on time for the maximum tide. We found the tide to be near slack though, as I had read the wrong chart. Sorry. We did enjoy a snack though in bright sunshine and even saw a sea-lion. The return was via Mt. Lolo. We stopped at an open area to have lunch and enjoy the view. The total time was 4 1/2 hours and about 10.5 km.

Les

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Hiking – Maud Island – 25 Feb 2017

Trip Report – Bluffs West of N Gowlland Rd – 22 Feb 2017

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The trip Wednesday was a partly off-trail adventure over some classic Quadra scenery – open moss-covered ridges, with views from along the top of cliffs on those ridges.  Seven of us took advantage of the sunny, almost-Spring day.  From the active quarry on the NW side of North Gowlland Road, we followed the open ridges to the high point near the Little Black Dress mountain bike trail.  From there we opted to do a loop of mountain bike trails including Little Black Dress, Silk Stocking and Back Door.  We descended back to North Gowlland Road on a partially developed trail.  7.6 km; 3¾ hours.

Norris

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Hiking – Bluffs West of N Gowlland Rd – 22 Feb 2017

Hiking – Bluffs West of N Gowlland Rd – 22 Feb 2017

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Activity Hiking
Destination Bluffs West of North Gowlland Rd
Date 22 Feb 2017, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info 285-3710 or norris.weimer@ualberta.ca.  Please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip.
Description This hike starts up briefly on an active logging road and then climbs steeply up onto open bluffs.  There is no trail or flagged route, but there are views to the south and west.  The route continues through mostly open forest and mossy bluffs (only a bit of bushwhacking) to join the Little Black Dress trail.  The trip is flexible in length by choosing the many mountain bike trail options.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot for car pooling.
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 This trip includes industrial logging roads, steep mossy bluffs without trails and mountain bike trails.  It will have a bit of everything.
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? Okay
Notes: Bring lunch and gear for weather.

Bird Watching – Qualicum shoreline – 29 March 2017

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 Change of date from March 29 to April 12!

Activity Bird Watching
Destination Qualicum area shoreline
Date 12 April 29 March 2017, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Mark Zimmerman
Contact  mz.markzimmerman@gmail.com or 285-2103; please contact the coordinator ten days to one week prior to the trip to ensure car pooling availability.
Description The focus of the trip will be on local area birds and water birds, particularly brants.  The group may visit more than one location depending on the cooperation of the birds.  Actual destinations will be decided closer to the time of the trip and will remain flexible.
Meeting Place Q Cove ferry terminal
Departure Time Early ferry departure TBD
Difficulty
 Easy walking
Costs Shared fuel and ferry costs
Trip limits
Dogs? no
Notes: Bring lunch, gear for the weather and binoculars.

Hike – Chinese Mountain – 22 Mar 2017

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 POSTPONED

Activity Hiking
Destination South and North Chinese Mountain
Date 22 March 2017 Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 285-2029.  Please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip.
Description We will go up the south side to South Chinese Mtn. and have lunch while enjoying the view. Then down the north path and up North Chinese Mtn. and back to the vehicles.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store parking lot for car pooling
Departure Time 10:30
Difficulty
 Moderate, but up and down
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? No, as trail is narrow in spots.
Notes: It is only 3.4 km around South Chinese so we will go up north as well. Not everybody has to do both.

Hiking – Thompson & B&B Trails Loop – 15 Mar 2017

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Activity Hiking
Destination Thompson & B&B Trails Loop
Date 15 Mar 2017, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Janis McLean
Contact Info 285-3614; please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip.
Description This hike will include official trails, flagged routes and unofficial trails.  The loop will pass over rocky bluffs with views, follow along creeks and travel through undulating forest.  There are a variety of options depending on the interests of the group, including Rousseau Ridge.
Meeting Place Trailhead for Thompson Trail on Thompson Rd.
Departure Time 9:30
Difficulty
 moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? okay
Notes: Bring lunch, a pole and gear for weather