Although the forecast threatened considerable snowfall and high winds, five hikers and Luna-dog braved the snowy trails of Heriot Ridge. Trail conditions were slightly tricky as old snow and icy patches were covered with an inch of fresh snow. We expended a little more energy than usual being careful not to slip, and the hiking poles came in handy. Beginning at the Hopespring Trailhead we hiked Hopespring Trail up and over the ridge, turning right on the Gowlland Trail and right again onto Thompson Trail to the trailhead at Thompson Road. Snow fell lightly throughout the hike offering us lovely Christmas card surroundings in the forest.  4.9 km, 2 hours.

Janis

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Twelve hikers and two dogs came out for this classic Quadra hike around Morte Lake, and several had not done this hike before.  We hiked up the old logging road to the north beach on the lake, with lots of water in the lake, the creeks and on the trail in places.  After a short stop to enjoy the view we continued up the hill, following the newly constructed route, hiking counter-clockwise around the lake.  Between some very wet places on the trail, we enjoyed views from the high bluffs, before descending to the lake level, over some under-construction trail, and stopping for lunch at the southwest beach.  We carried on through the Conservancy Lands, past the southeast beach and over the undulating trail on the east side of the lake.  After re-joining the main approach trail, we crossed the creek and followed Lower Deadfish back to the parking lot.  Even on an overcast day, the forest, water features and forest were beautiful.   9.9 km, 3½ hours.

Debbie

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Hiking – Morte Lake Loop – 8 Jan 2020

The weather forecast was dismal, and it was mostly accurate.  However five bold adventurers set out anyway, in spite of wind and rain, on the theory that Mt. Seymour would block the wind for us.  We were just lucky with the rain because there was a hole in the system, a window of opportunity when we needed it.  So we set off, walking up the steep old logging road, which after the heavy rain was more like a shallow river,  It was a good day for waterproof boots.  Further up the hill we had green spongy moss covering the logging road.  Those are the best kind.  Then further up the hill we hit snow.  Fresh snowball-quality snow.  After a brief lunch stop at the viewpoint (in the cloud), we followed the old road as it descended back to the cars.  Of course there were some more water features, places where the trail resembled a cascade or lake.  We all made it safely home before the deluge resumed.  We were dry from the ankles up and remarkably cheerful.  7.1 km, 3¼ hours.

Norris

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Hiking – Deepwater-Seymour Shoulder Loop- 18 Dec 2019