Category Archives: moderate

Trip Report – Forbidden Plateau – 21 Sept 2022

Posted on by
Reply

Four enthusiastic hikers enjoyed an absolutely perfect Fall Equinox Day as we hiked in Paradise Meadows/Forbidden Plateau. Our ultimate destination was Kwai Lake, via the circle route through Paradise Meadows and past Lake Helen Mackenzie. Taking the 8 am ferry, we were on the trail by 9:20 am.

We enjoyed a pleasant break at Lake Helen Mackenzie with stunningly beautiful reflections of the surrounding hills.  Debbie had wisely suggested we go counter-clockwise, as we always seem to go clockwise when hiking in this area. Even though this meant going uphill on the dreaded “Helen Mackenzie headwall”, it was still better than stumbling down the steep, rooty, eroded trail at the end of a long hike.

We were not the only ones enjoying the early autumn sunshine, as the number of cars in the parking lot attested. We encountered several backpackers on their way out, two school groups camping in the backcountry group camps, and many day-hikers like ourselves.  At Kwai Lake we found a quiet grassy area on the southwest shore for lunch, away from a large school group taking their break on the rocky outcropping on the opposite shore.  After lunch, we completed the circle, passing Croteau, Lady, Kooso and Battleship Lakes. Some sections of this circle route are boardwalk, protecting wetlands and tree roots, the rest varies from pleasant forest paths to very eroded, rooty trails.  About 6½ hours, approximately 17 km.

Valerie van Veen

Thanks to Valerie and Norris for the photos

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Strathcona Park – 21 Sept 2022

Kayaking – Maud Island; Morte Lake Stream Outlet – 25 Oct 2022

Posted on by
Reply

Activity Kayaking/ Indigenous history focus
Destination QCove to Smiths Road Shore Access
Date 25 Oct, Tuesday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-287-0459 text; or phone 250-285-2111.
Description According to Joy Inglis’s “Petroglyphs of Quadra Island” there are several petroglyphs located along Quadra’s west shore at the outflow of Morte Lake Stream just east of Maud Island.
We will put in at the Lieshmans Rd shore access by 1000 am and paddle north towards Maude Island. It is about a 1 hr paddle to the old village site of Kawstin at the outflow of Morte Lake Stream. Depending on the amount of time spent here we may or may not paddle another 30 minutes into Maud Island and perhaps hike to the Seymour Narrows view point.
Meeting Place 0930 at Lieshmans Road Shore Access (Whalebone Cove)
Departure Time On the water by 1000 hrs
Difficulty
 Moderate depending on weather. Currents will be a factor.
Costs Vehicle fuel
Trip limits 8
Dogs? No
Notes: The tides/currents will be a factor. In order to view the petroglyphs I am planning our arrival for low tide with less attention to what the current will be doing. Poor weather and/or wind will mean this trip will be cancelled.
All participants must be equipped for ocean paddling in cooler weather – required equipment as per club guidelines (https://qioutdoorclub.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/paddling-guidelines-aug2018.pdf) and appropriate clothing.
I will email to each participant the petroglyph information relevant to the location.
Bring lunch, hot drinks, extra warm layers and something to sit on.

Trip Report – QCove to Smiths Rd – 15 Sept 2022

Posted on by
Reply

With just a few days remaining of summer ’22, seven kayaks set out from Quathiaski Cove to complete a “Round the Cape” adventure. With the help of non-paddling spouses, we managed the shuttling of vehicles between Q-Cove and the Shore Access at the end of Smiths Road that made it possible to do this trip.

By 8:50 we were on the water just as the ferry was docking – one less thing to worry about. Weather, tides and currents were all in our favour as we rounded Whiskey Point and headed south to Cape Mudge. We passed by the Village and the campground and then rounded the Cape. The often turbulent waters were very calm, due to our timing, and we headed into the boulder strewn shallows of the south shoreline.  By this time we were looking for a reasonable place to pull out for a “rest” and stretch. A cobbly beach was the best we could do.

We were treated to a good showing of sea birds throughout the trip and numerous seals and sea lions and/or dolphins quite a ways offshore. No doubt they were after salmon which were seen jumping near our kayaks.

The rest stop ended up being a little longer and some snacked enough that we put off our lunch stop until the takeout. Back on the water and the sun appeared, warming things up even more as we cruised northward from Francisco Pt to our destination at Smiths Road. Once ashore, lunch and beverages were enjoyed on the beach.

List of bird sightings – at least two dozen Common Loons (very vocal), many Harlequin ducks, Common Mergansers, Bonaparte’s, Glaucous-winged, and Mew Gulls, Cormorants, Great Blue Heron, geese, Bald Eagles, Vultures, Horned Grebes,

About 3.5 hours of paddling; Distance – 15.3 km

Vic Gladish

Thanks to Jan and Norris for the photos

(click on photos to enlarge)

Kayaking – QCove to Smiths Rd – 15 Sept 2022

Hiking – Strathcona Park – 21 Sept 2021

Posted on by
1

Activity Hiking
Destination Strathcona Park
Date 21 Sept, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Valerie Van Veen
Contact Info 250 285 2329 vvv@qisland.ca
Description Celebrate the fall equinox on the beautiful Forbidden Plateau, Strathcona Park. Starting from Raven Lodge we will aim for Kwai Lake following well-established trails. A full day – about 20 km return. Maybe a group dinner in CR? Weather dependent.
Meeting Place QCove ferry terminal to arrange carpools as desired
Departure Time 8:00 am ferry
Difficulty
 Moderate to challenging due to length
Costs Ferry
Trip limits 10
Dogs? Must be on leash in the Park
Notes: This trip is weather dependent. Must contact coordinator by Monday evening, Sept. 19.

Hiking – Shellaligan Pass Loop – 7 Sept 2022

Posted on by
1

Change of destination to Rebecca Spit due to wind.

Activity Hiking
Destination Shellaligan Pass long loop
Date 7 Sept, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Valerie Van Veen
Contact Info 250 285 2329 vvv@qisland.ca
Description A classic Quadra Island hike, we will take the long loop, weather permitting. We will stop early in the hike to look for whales from the rocky bluffs. We’ve been luck on every recent hike/kayak in Shellaligan.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store parking lot or logging road turnoff on Valdes Road
Departure Time 10 am: meet at Heriot Bay store parking lot to carpool (see notes); 10:20 meet at turn off to logging road on Valdes Road
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs? Must not run through group; must be under control; dogs and owners will go ahead of group.
Notes: About 3 hours. Dress for the weather, bring lunch, snacks.  MUST contact coordinator by Monday evening, Sept. 5.

Kayaking – Village Bay Beach – 31 Aug 2022

Posted on by
Reply

Postponed.

Activity Kayaking
Destination Village Bay Beach
Date 31 Aug, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Valerie Van Veen
Contact Info 250 285 2329 vvv@qisland.ca
Description Forecast warm day with light winds; high tide just around launch time (yay!), not a huge tidal change that day. We will meander to Village Bay, enjoying maybe the last of summer kayaking weather. Swim at VB if desired, then home. We can go by the lava tunnels at Valdes Beach if anyone hasn’t already seen them.
Meeting Place Len Road launch
Departure Time 9 am meet, on water by 9:40
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs None
Trip limits 8 kayaks
Dogs? Experienced kayak dogs only
Notes: This is a pleasant paddle, usually seals, maybe the last of the orcas and humpies, migrating birds???
MUST confirm with organizer by Monday eve Aug 29.  Must comply with Club paddling guidelines and Coast Guard requirements.

Trip Report – Alternate Chinese Mountain Loop – 24 Aug 2022

Posted on by
Reply

It was forecast to be another scorching hot day, so we moved the start time an hour earlier.  Instead of taking the usual hiking trail up South Chinese Mountain, the four of us took a climbers’ path, which goes steeply up to the base of the rock wall.  From there the path is less steep and goes up a swale between the south peak and a minor southeast bluff.  We took a side trail which goes up that bluff for excellent viewpoints, a rest and a snack.  We continued on the path back down to meet the main trail at the “mud hole”.  Coming back down the regular trail we took the new “scenic route” trail which avoids a badly eroded section of the original trail.  Then we took another scenic route, which avoids another part of the main trail which is more stream bed than trail.  The second scenic section is not marked or flagged, but it is a very nice alternative route.  It rejoins the main south bluff trail near a viewpoint.   3.4 km; 2½ hours; 220 m elevation gain.

Norris
 

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Alternate Chinese Mtn Loop – 24 Aug 2022

Kayaking – QCove to Smiths Rd- 15 Sept 2022

Posted on by
1

Activity Paddling
Destination QCove to Smiths Road Shore Access
Date 15 Sept, Thursday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-287-0459 text; or phone 250-285-2111.
Description End of Summer – around the Cape; This paddle will involve a shuttle which will require an earlier start in order to be ready for a 0930 put in. We will put in at the Q Cove boat launch and leave the Cove just before the current changes (slack) to ebb and enter the back eddy as we head south to the lighthouse. We will round Cape Mudge and head north along QI’s east coast as far as the Shore Access off Smiths Road.
Meeting Place QCove boat launch
Departure Time Meet at put in at 0800; Shuttle vehicles to take out; On the water by 0930
Difficulty
 Easy to moderate depending on the weather. Currents will be a factor.
Costs None
Trip limits 8
Dogs? No
Notes: The shuttle will be the first challenge of the day. Try to arrange your own shuttle if a spouse or friend is willing to help. Otherwise we will do something like this: All meet at QCove and unload kayaks. All cars will go to Smiths Road (I will stay with the kayaks and gear); As few cars as necessary will drive back to QCove with all paddlers. We should probably meet at 0800, unload, shuttle and plan to put in at 0900.
Be sure to read our paddling guidelines and make sure you are properly outfitted.

Trip Report – Kanish Bay Paddle – 17 Aug 2022

Posted on by
Reply

Six paddlers got an early start – 9:15 – from the Granite Bay boat launch on a beautiful summer day, with the forecasted northwesterly looking very manageable. Taking a counter clockwise route this time we headed to Orchard Bay for a quick pit stop and a stretch. We headed along the north side of Kanish Bay for a couple of kilometers and then decided it was time to head across to the Chained Islands in case the wind got any stronger. We encountered some chop coming nearly broadside and then some interesting waves as we got close to the second last island. Circling this island we arrived at the campsite in a sheltered bay and had a leisurely lunch in the shade. As the day was getting much warmer a couple of us attempted a swim in the very chilly water.

Getting back on the water we cruised in the shelter of the islands along the south side of Kanish Bay. Several salmon were spotted jumping and a flock of mergansers were working hard to keep ahead of us. With the day getting much hotter it was a good time to head to the take out and go in search of cold beverages.  12.0 km; 4 hours.

Vic Gladish

(click on photos to enlarge)

Kayaking – Granite Bay and Beyond – 17 Aug 2022

Hiking – Alternate Chinese Mtn Loop – 24 Aug 2022

Posted on by
1

Change of start time due to hot weather.

Activity Hiking
Destination Alternate South Chinese Mtn Loop
Date 24 Aug, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710  Please contact the coordinator by Monday night.
Description Using climbing access trails, hiking trails, open forest and bluffs, we will hike a loop on South Chinese Mountain with maximize fantastic viewpoints, but does not go to the traditional lookout.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot.
Departure Time 9:00  10:00, or earlier if it is hot
Difficulty
 Moderate, quite short but steep in sections.
Costs None
Trip limits None
Dogs? No.
Notes: Bring la snack.  Poles are recommended if you use them.