Category Archives: Hiking

Trip Report – Hope Spring-Thompson Loop – 10 Feb 2016

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This was supposed to be a trip to Mt. Washington, but the conditions again were uncooperative. When they closed the nordic trails at Paradise Meadow because of high water table, we knew that It had been really warm up on the hill for days. So five of us went for a hike from the Hope Spring trailhead, down to the Gowlland Trail and on to Thompson Trail. We admired the old growth Three Sisters and encountered early season newts. The trail was pleasingly dry for winter conditions and the forecast wind and rain didn’t happen until later.

Debbie

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Hiking – Cortes Island – 18-20 Apr 2016

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Activity Hiking
Destination Cortes Island, Linnaea Farm
Date 18-20 Apr, Monday-Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Margot Wood
Contact Info 250-285-2393.  Please contact the coordinator by April 1st.
Description Planning three days of hiking on Cortes Island, staying at Linnaea Farm House. This is an eight bedroom rustic farmhouse, on the edge of Gunflint Lake at the gateway to many of the hiking trails on Cortes. This is still an active farm & was once the residence of the farmers who ran Lakeview Dairy, the last raw milk in B.C.
I have ordered beautiful weather, allowing us to hike many of  the trails, Green Mountain, Easter Bluff, Kw’as Park, Hanks Beech Forest Park, Sisken Forest Park, Carrington Trails etc. Or you can sign-up for farm chores. If you wish to bring your kayak, we can paddle the lake & beyond.
A schedule of trails will be developed & presented daily with your input. I would also like to take you to the ‘Free Store’….pretty neat.
Pot-luck dinners will be organized, using the kitchen at the farmhouse.
You may chose to stay one/two nights……..let me know.
Please check:  www.linnaeafarm.org
Meeting Place Cortes ferry terminal
Departure Time 9:05 ferry to Cortes
Difficulty easy to moderate
Costs $50 per night with bed linens/ $30 per night with own sleeping bag. Ferry round trip.
Trip limits When the bedrooms are full.
Dogs? No. Not allowed at the farm.
Notes: Car pooling will be organized.
Bring food for breakfast, & lunch and pot-luck dinners.
Hope you can make this trip before we get out into the garden.

Trip Report – B&B Trail Loop – 3 Feb 2016

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Despite the gloomy forecast for a blustery rainy day, five hikers set out on the Thompson Trail from the Thompson Road trailhead, then branched off to the first marked viewpoint. Although the Coast Mountains were hidden due to the weather, there was still a good view to the east over the islands. From the viewpoint, we followed the open mossy ridge downhill to a forested trail which connected to the B&B Trail. This trail was named for two now defunct Bed and Breakfast establishments in the vicinity of Harper Graham’s corner on Hyacinthe Bay Road, where the trail begins. We turned left (south) on the B&B Trail to an unmarked junction where we branched off on a side trail to the right (north), which led us uphill to a bluff above Hyacinthe Bay Road. We climbed west to the top of the ridge (153 meters altitude which is slightly higher than the Hopespring viewpoints) over mossy open bluffs.   At the top we had a panoramic ocean view to the east and southeast, and forests to the west and south, well worth the effort. We returned on the side trail to the B&B unmarked junction and turned right to carry on uphill (south).   For a good part of its length, the B&B Trail overlooks a rushing stream set in a deep gully. At the Thompson Trail junction we turned left (east) and hiked back to Thompson Road. Total hiking time was approximately 2.5 hours, including time for photos and taking in the views. Hiking level moderately difficult over bluff sections.

Janis

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Hiking – B&B Trail – 3 Feb 2016

Trip Report – WalCan Rd Loop – 27 Jan 2016

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The trip to Mt. Washington was cancelled because conditions were too wet, warm and windy, so four of us braved the forecast rain for a hike. We started at the Morte Lake parking lot and Janis lead us along Lower and Upper Dead Fish through lovely open forest to the rocky bluffs. We continued down Seven Sins and Ridge Trails to the Mud Lake Trail. We crossed the WalCan road and followed Yellow Mud and Jack Rabbit for the return to the parking lot. There was lots of water in the streams and a bit on the trails. The weather was more atmospheric than serious rain and we were glad we went.  6.7 km; 2 hours.

Debbie

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Trip Report – Shellaligan Loop – 20 Jan 2016

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Seven of us, and two dogs, hiked the shorter Shellaligan loop. The weather wasn’t perfect, but it avoided the snow at the north end of the island and rain that was forecast for the afternoon. The views along Hoskyn Channel are always beautiful in any weather. After climbing back up from the beach, we made a side trip down the longer loop trail along the creek and shore to a rocky point for a great snack with Les’ smoked salmon. It’s too bad about the deteriorating aquaculture floats resulting in garbage and styrofoam beads on the shore in Village Bay. A gentle walk – 2¼ hours, 4.7 km.

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Hiking – Shellaligan Loop – 20 Jan 2016

Hiking – B&B Trail – 3 Feb 2016

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Activity Hiking
Destination B&B Trail and beyond
Date 3 February 2016, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Janis McLean
Contact Info 285-3614; please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip
Description This hike will be on trails, both maintained and unmaintained, and on routes.  The plan is to venture beyond the trail to Eileen’s lookout, with an excellent view.  The hike can be further extended depending on the group.
Meeting Place Thompson trailhead
Departure Time 9:30 am
Difficulty
 moderate
Costs  none
Trip limits  8
Dogs? yes
Notes: Be prepared for wet.  Bring a snack or even lunch.

 

Hiking – Maud Island – 13 Feb 2016

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Activity Hiking
Destination Maud Island
Date 13 Feb 2016, Saturday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 285-2029;  Please contact the trip coordinator prior to the trip.
Description Hike to Maud Island to view Seymour Narrows at 12 knot ebb tide at 11:50. We will go over Mt. Lolo going and the lower route coming back. Total distanced is about 10.5 km.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot for car pooling
Departure Time  9:30
Difficulty
  moderate
Costs  none
Trip limits  none
Dogs? No.  The narrow and steep sections of this trail make it dangerous to bring dogs.
Notes:  Bring a lunch to eat at the narrows.

Hiking – Shellaligan Pass – 20 Jan 2016

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Activity Hiking
Destination Shellaligan Pass
Date 20 January 2016, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Mark and Kathryn
Contact Info 250-285-2103; please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip
Description Due to snow at Granite Bay we will change the destination from Deepwater Bay to Shellaligan.  This is a lovely walk along rocky bluffs and through forest.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay grocery store
Departure Time 10:00 am
Difficulty
 Suitable for most
Costs
Trip limits 10
Dogs? If well behaved
Notes: Be prepared for wet. Bring a snack.

 

Trip Report – Blindman’s Bluff – 30 Dec 2015

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Five of us took advantage of the cold (for here anyway), crisp weather to hike up to the Blindman’s Bluff viewpoints. There was a bit of crunchy snow beneath our feet and blue skies above our heads. The walk started from the collapsed culvert and took about 1.5 hours, 3.3 km total.

Norris

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Hiking – Blindmans’ Bluff – 30 Dec 2015

Naturalist – Karst Formations – 24 February 2016

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Activity Naturalist outing
Destination Quadra’s karst formations
Date 24 February 2016
Trip Coordinator Richard Leicester
Contact Info 285-2663; please contact the coordinator by Sunday if you are interested in going
Description Visit some of Quadra’s Quatsino limestone formations, an area which contains karst sinkholes, intakes, resurgences and underground streams.   We will visit two or three areas, which involves a bit of driving on logging roads and bush walking.  We will not be walking in caves.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot for car pooling. High clearance vehicles will be preferable.
Departure Time 9:30
Difficulty
 Easy to moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? no
Notes: Bring lunch and gear appropriate for the weather.  Also, bring a flashlight to see into these geological formations.