The group hiked the longer loop, on a warm, sunny, windy afternoon. This is a beautiful forest and coastal walk.
Hiking Shellaligan Trail 27 July 2013
Four intrepid hikers went for this challenging hike on a clear, warm day. We hiked up to the Seymour summit with excellent views of Little Nugedzi Lake, the outer islands, coastal mainland and Vancouver Island. The trail was in excellent condition after being cleared from winter damage by volunteers for the Trails Committee. We continued on to Nugedzi Lake for lunch. There was an amazing display of wild tiger lilies around the lakes. The hike then followed the Nugedzi trail through the forest and past the beaver ponds, with a side trip to the viewpoint over Georgia Basin. There has been significant wind damage in this forest over the past winter. From this point the route followed an unmaintained track along the ridge to Beech’s Mountain. Progress was very slow, as the wind damage was severe in this area also. After bush whacking and climbing through fallen trees, the group reached the Beech’s Mountain with rewarding views to the east. The wild flowers were still very good along the way. On the descent to the Chinese Mountain parking lot we encountered a grouse with chicks. It took us 7 1/2 hours to go the 12.2 km, with lots of breaks and stops for photos.
Hiking Seymour Ridge 13 July 2013
| Activity | hiking |
| Destination | Shellaligan Trail |
| Date | Saturday, 27 July 2013 |
| Trip Coordinator | Syd Lapan |
| Contact Info | 285-2999. Please contact the trip coordinator prior to the trip. |
| Description | We will be hiking the smaller loop, and stopping at the rocky ledges to enjoy the view. |
| Meeting Place | Heriot Bay store parking lot, to arrange carpools |
| Departure Time | 13:30 |
| Difficulty |
Easy, with some steep sections |
| Costs | none |
| Trip limits | none |
| Dogs? | no |
| Notes: | Bring a snack and water |
Six people hiked to Maud Island on a warm, sunny day. The views were good from Mt. Lolo cliffs and the Seymour Narrows overlook. There was a spectacular grove of foxglove and lots of fringed pine sap. At the narrows, there were whale watching boats, yachts, log booms, fishing boats, and eagles. There is a lot of nice variety to this trail — mossy forest walk, descending the cliffs on Mt. Lolo, the causeway to Maud Island, and Saltwater Lagoon.
Hiking Maud Island 30 June 2013
| Activity | Kayaking or Canoeing |
| Destination | Main Lake Provincial Park |
| Date | Wednesday, August 21, 2013 |
| Trip Coordinator | Darcy Mitchell |
| Contact Info | darcm@telus.net or 250 285 2739 . Please contact me at least 48 hours before the trip to let me know if you are coming. |
| Description | Departing from the Mine Lake boat launch, we will paddle to the northeast corner of Main Lake where there is a 1.6 kilometre trail leading to Yeatman Bay. Following a hike and lunch, and perhaps a swim, we will return to the boat launch by a more or less direct route, depending on the interest and energy of participants. Not counting travel time to the lake, the trip should take between 4 and 5 hours, including about an hour to hike to Yeatman Bay round trip. The trip is weather dependent – I will contact you by 9 p.m. the night before if the trip will be cancelled due to weather. |
| Meeting Place | Mine Lake boat launch |
| Departure Time | Please arrive by 9:00 a.m. so that we can be on the water by 9:30. |
| Difficulty |
Easy |
| Costs | None |
| Trip limits | None |
| Dogs? | No |
| Notes: | Kayaks/canoes and equipment must meet Transport Canada requirements. Be sure to bring shoes suitable for walking the trail; it is an easy trail but may be muddy if we have rain near the date of the trip. For a map of the park, click here: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/main_lk/main_parkmap.pdf |
Park info:
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/main_lk/
| Activity | Social |
| Location | Heriot Bay Inn |
| Date | 9 August 2013 |
| Trip Coordinator | Valerie Van Veen |
| Contact Info | vvv@qisland.ca |
| Description | You are invited to join the Valley Outdoor Association members for drinks after dinner in the HBI (exact time to be confirmed in August). Your suggestions– and your company on any outing – would be much appreciated. Over 50 members of VOA will be staying on Quadra from August 9 to 13 for paddling, hiking and cycling. |
| Notes: | http://valleyoutdoor.org |
| Activity | Sail, Naturalist |
| Destination | Mitlenatch Island |
| Date | 5 July 2013 |
| Trip Coordinator | Debbie Quigg |
| Contact Info | 285-3710 |
| Description | Travel with JD aboard the Knot Again sailboat to Mitlenatch Island Provincial Park which is home to the largest seabird colony in the Strait of Georgia. The gulls should have chicks by then and there should also be wildflowers and marine mammals. To protect the birds the trails are quite limited, but you can cross the island, watch from the bird blind, and talk with the naturalist. The trip is very weather dependent, so there could be a last minute change. |
| Meeting Place | Heriot Bay Inn dock |
| Departure Time | 9:45 am sharp |
| Difficulty |
Easy |
| Costs | $25 |
| Trip limits | 8 persons |
| Dogs? | No pets at the park |
| Notes: | The expected return time is 6:00. It is at least two hours travelling time in the boat each way. What to bring: lunch, footwear to get wet or waterproof high boots, sun lotion, and protective clothing. There are life jackets on board. |
| Activity | hiking |
| Destination | Surge Narrows |
| Date | Saturday, 28 Sept 2013 |
| Trip Coordinator | Julie Mellanby |
| Contact Info | 285-3978 |
| Description | Magnificent views of tidal rapids |
| Meeting Place | Heriot Bay store parking lot – gravel area, carpool |
| Departure Time | 09:30 |
| Difficulty |
Moderate, 3 km round trip |
| Costs | none |
| Trip limits | none |
| Dogs? | yes |
| Notes: | Bring a lunch & watch Surge Narrows. 1 hour in to ocean, 1 hour out with a possible swim at Mine Lake afterward. |
| Activity | backpacking |
| Destination | Landslide Lake – Elk River Trail |
| Date | Saturday-Sunday, 24-25 August 2013 |
| Trip Coordinator | Debbie Quigg |
| Contact Info | 3710, qioutdoorclub@gmail.com |
| Description | 11 km each way |
| Meeting Place | Quadra ferry |
| Departure Time | 08:00 |
| Difficulty |
Easy |
| Costs | $10 per night per person camping fee |
| Trip limits | none |
| Dogs? | no |
| Notes: | 1 hour drive to trailhead. Second campsite is 9.1 km in. |
On Saturday, six members hiked into Carrington Bay, checked out the narrows to the lagoon at a low tide and the campground. Everyone continued on the Rave On trail to the Grandmothers’ Grove for lunch. It’s a great forest with lots of old growth cedar, moss and bracket fungi. After visiting the Gorge Harbour Marina, three returned to Quadra and the others stayed at the newly renovated campground at Smelt Bay Provincial Park.
Sunday dawned clear and calm at Smelt Bay. The group hiked up Green Mountain for excellent views in all directions and took a side trip to Nutshell Lake, a lily pond/bog with some unusual plants in the area. With more time and energy, the group carried on to Easter Bluff, a quick hike to great views to the east, and then on to Brigitte’s and Hank’s Beach. There was even time for a walk on the beach at Seavista.
Quadra Island Outdoor Club 