Activity | Hiking |
Destination | Shellaligan Loop |
Date | 15 Feb, Wednesday |
Trip Coordinator | Brent Henry |
Contact Info | brenthenrys@gmail.com or text: 250-205-1106. Please contact the coordinator by Monday night. |
Description | This will be the shorter loop, most often started near the second parking lot, with a short walk down the road to access the coastal trail. This follows the shoreline and rocky outcrops to the point near the entrance to Village Bay. It then continues to the oyster farm, from where we would head inland, up the drainage and further on to the parking lot. As this is done so often in this direction, we may do this trail in the opposite clockwise direction, just for a change, heading inland from the parking lot. |
Meeting Place | Heriot Bay store parking lot |
Departure Time | 10:00 |
Difficulty |
Moderate, with pronounced step-ups over the rocks on the coastal section. Somewhat steep on parts of the interior section between the fish farm and the parking lot. Not a bad idea to bring hiking poles. |
Costs | None |
Trip limits | 10 |
Dogs? | Yes, if under control. Owners must bring a leash along. |
Notes: | This will be in winter, but will proceed unless we have severe weather, such as strong coastal winds. Please bring good rain wear, proper footwear for rough walking and spare clothing. this will be a 2-3 hour walk, and will have a stop for lunch, most likely midway at the point. |
Category Archives: moderate
Hiking – Carrington Bay and Forest – 6 March 2023
Activity | Hiking |
Destination | Carrington Bay and Forest, Cortes Island |
Date | 6 March 2023, Monday |
Trip Coordinator | Debbie Quigg |
Contact Info | dmquigg@gmail.com or 3710. Please contact the coordinator well in advance of the trip, so that car pools can be arranged. |
Description | After the ferry crossing we will drive to the Carrington trailhead and follow the trails to Carrington Bay and lagoon. We will have lunch at Carrington Bay and continue on to Grandmother’s Grove following the stream. We plan to return on the 3:50 pm ferry. |
Meeting Place | Cortes ferry line-up. |
Departure Time | 9:05 am ferry; vehicles need to be in the ferry line-up not later than 8:15 am for this busy sailing. |
Difficulty |
Easy to moderate. |
Costs | Ferry travel costs; bring your experience card and ID |
Trip limits | 12 |
Dogs? | no |
Notes: | Bring lunch and gear for weather. Please arrange carpools in advance. |
Hiking – Little Black Dress & Silk Stocking Loop – 20 Feb 2023
Activity | Hiking |
Destination | Little Black Dress and Silk Stocking Loop |
Date | 20 February 2023, Family Day Monday |
Trip Coordinator | Debbie Quigg |
Contact Info | dmquigg@gmail.com or 3710 |
Description | We will start at the Copperhead logging road and hike this counter-clockwise. This includes a variety of terrain with open bluffs, a good forest (and recent logging), old mining and a forest lake. Very roughly 7 km and 3 hours with lunch |
Meeting Place | Heriot Bay store parking lot |
Departure Time | 10:00 |
Difficulty | moderate, with some steep sections |
Costs | none |
Trip limits | 12 |
Dogs? | on leash |
Notes | Dress for the weather. Bring lunch and poles if you use them. |
Trip Report – South Morte Lake Loop – 25 Jan 2023
Once again we had big participation with 13 hikers. The weather was not as nice as forecast, but adequate for the event. It was soft and gentle even if grey. We crossed the Walcan Rd and started out on Jackrabbit, crossing McKercher Creek and wandering up along the creek through the lush, green forest to Reed Lake. There were a few wet crossings of minor creeks, but nothing unexpected in winter. After re-crossing the Walcan Road, we followed along Reed and Mud Lakes until we took the Tripod trail over to the southwest corner of Morte Lake. With the high water levels, the sandy beach was not inviting for lunch so we continued out to the point where we could perch with views of the lake.
After lunch, we followed the trail along the south shore at a brisk pace rejoining the main trail from the parking lot to Morte Lake at the east end of the lake. We diverged at the Lower Deadfish junction and followed the creek down through this lovely, open forest back to the parking lot. It was a beautiful day for a forest walk. (8.5 km; 3 hours)
Debbie
- Crossing McKercher Creek
- Small creek crossings
- New stone bridge at south beach
- Lunch at Morte Lake
- Oregon Grape
- One of Barry’s new benches
- Bike trail on a log
Trip Report – Overload Hike south of Walcan Rd – 9 Jan 2023
The good news was that Les’s scheduled Eagle Ridge hike was quickly filled, so two of the six Club members on the (unprecedented?) wait list decided to hike together, opting for the lovely forest trails south of Walcan Road. We set off on Jack Rabbit to Yellow Mud down to NightHawk Lake. The recent heavy rains ensured that the trail was suitably “muddy” and, in places, virtually a small creek. We were delighted to see a small flock of six Trumpeter Swans gliding peacefully on Nighthawk Lake. After turning around at the logging road, we took Dicks Ride up the ridge, keeping right onto Cash Only, then right onto Plaything to wind our way back downhill to join up with Yellow Mud. At the junction leading to Plaything we were shocked to see clear cuts and new, wide gravel roads where there had been forest just a year ago. GPS, a map app, and mountain biking knowledge helped us reconnect with the forest trail “Plaything”. We returned to our cars just as the rain began again. Altogether a beautiful hike, and wonderful to know that 10 more members of our Club were also out enjoying our amazing trails. 2.5 hours
Valerie van Veen
Thanks to Valerie for the photos.
Trip Report – Eagle Ridge and Blindman’s Bluff – 9 Jan 2023
It was a cloudy cool day as 10 of us set out for a hike. We parked on the Copperhead logging road near the repaired culvert as there is more parking there. We first went up the Blindman’s Bluff trail. There were a few trees down and wet salal on the trail. All in all though it is in good condition and a fine hike. The many open bluffs give excellent views to the east and south. Visibility was good, but you could see the rain coming from the southeast. We paused for a brief snack, and to enjoy the views at the largest open area. We then circled back to the main trail.
The old road had quite a bit of water, running down it to the beaver pond. The water level was quite high in the pond and it was starting to rain now so we pushed on to Eagle Ridge. We stopped at the top to have a quick lunch. The rain started coming heavy so we headed back to the vehicles. We were all soaked by the time we got back to the vehicles but we’re quite happy that the first two hours were dry. 7 km, 3 1/2 hours.
Les
Thanks to Les and Norris for the photos.
- Views at the short break
- Rough-skinned newt
- Remnants of the Missing Link
- Oregon Grape
- Wetland views
- Weather coming
- Rain arrived
Kayaking – Maud Island and petroglyph at mouth of Morte Creek – 22 Mar 2023
Activity | Kayaking |
Destination | Maud Island and petroglyph at mouth of Morte Creek |
Date | 22 March 2023, Wednesday |
Trip Coordinator | Vic Gladish |
Contact Info | 250-285-2111; or 250-287-0459 text |
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 creek just east of Maud Island. We will put in at the Leishmans Rd shore access by 1000 am and paddle north towards Maud Island. It is about a 1 hr paddle to the old village site of Kawstin at the outflow of Morte Lake creek. 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 | Shore access at Leishmans Rd |
Departure Time | 1000 on the water; meet at 0930 |
Difficulty |
Moderate depending on weather and currents. |
Costs | None |
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. |
Kayaking – Bays and Bretons – 1 Feb 2023
This trip has been cancelled due to poor weather.
Activity | Paddling |
Destination | Bays and Bretons |
Date | 1 Feb 2023, Wednesday |
Trip Coordinator | Vic Gladish |
Contact Info | 250-285-2111; or 250-287-0459 text |
Description | This might be our only club paddle for the winter! Let’s call it Groundhog Day. After putting in at the Len Rd shore access we’ll paddle the bays working our way to Breton Island for hot drinks and snacks (in the sun!). The return trip could take us on a beeline to Herriot Island and back to the take out. |
Meeting Place | Len Rd |
Departure Time | 1000 hrs at put in and on the water by 1030. |
Difficulty |
Easy to medium depending on weather. |
Costs | None |
Trip limits | None |
Dogs? | No |
Notes: | This outing is for fully equipped and experienced paddlers due to the season. Bring a lunch and hot drinks. |
Hiking – Eagle Ridge and Blindman’s Bluff – 9 Jan 2023
This trip is FULL
Activity | Hiking |
Destination | Eagle Ridge and Blindman’s Bluff |
Date | 9 Jan 2023, Monday |
Trip Coordinator | Les Hand |
Contact Info | 250-285-2029 or lhquadra@gmail.com |
Description | We will do Eagle Ridge which has wetlands and views of Discovery Passage then Blindman’s Bluff which has more open views south. This is a great hike for viewing the east side of Quadra. |
Meeting Place | Heriot Bay Store |
Departure Time | 10:00 |
Difficulty |
Moderate |
Costs | |
Trip limits | 10 |
Dogs? | O.K. but must not run back and forth through group. |
Notes: | Please contact coordinator 2 days prior as things may change due to weather. Bring lunch and and gear for weather. |
Trip Report – ERT Loop – 14 Dec 2022
We had 10 for this quite long, unusual walk through Campbell River. Unfortunately the original organizer, Vic, wasn’t feeling well, but wanted the trip to go ahead. After taking the 9:00 ferry, we walked through town to the ERT (Elk River Timber) trail head and then followed this level route, which feels quite remote even though it is in the city. Some of the forest is slated for development, so that may change. There was some hard compacted snow under foot, which was being plowed as we walked. The ERT leads directly into the Beaverlodge Lands. There are many well marked trails through this forest and we didn’t have a firmly defined route. The vague plan was to cross the major road further north and continue through residential areas down to Willow Point. However, some combination of snow on the side trails and general inattention resulted in us exiting the forest near the Hilchey Rd intersection, so we walked down that noisy, urban road, where the side walks were mostly unshovelled.
Most of us went for lunch at Daves’ Bakery, where the sandwiches are excellent. Half of the group decided not to walk back to the ferry, with four taking the bus, which was a first for everyone. The remaining five walked back along the sea walk paralleling Discovery Passage. This was snow-free, easy walking along a developed promenade. This walking group returned to Quadra on the 2:30 ferry. For the Outdoor Club this is a very unique and varied hike. (11.4 km; 2¾ hours to Daves’ Bakery and 7.1 km and 1½ hours from there to the ferry terminal)
(click on photos to enlarge)
- Checking the route
- ERT trailhead
- Frozen wetlands
- Rail Trail in Beaverlodge
- Walking in the bike lane on Hilchey
- Daves’ Bakery
- Sea walk facilities
- The racoon dressed for Christmas
- Maritime Centre lighthouse
- The government docks
- The Welcome Pole on our return