Category Archives: moderate

Hiking – Beaver Lake to Open Bay Creek – 14 Nov 2024

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Activity Hiking
Destination Beaver Lake to Open Bay Creek
Date 14 Nov 2024, Thursday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info lhquadra@gmail.com 285-2029
Description We will leave from Hyacinth Bay Road and follow a flagged trail down to Beaver Lake. From there we will continue on to Open Bay Creek and follow it back to Village Bay Road.
Meeting Place Community Centre parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs none
Trip limits 10
Dogs? O.K. but must not run back and forth
Notes Bring a lunch or snack and dress for the weather.

Trip Report – Blindman’s Bluff – 16 Oct 2024

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There wasn’t a lot of interest in the original destination, so those who wanted an outing opted for a change to Blindman’s Bluff.  A short hike worked well because of deteriorating weather in the afternoon.  Five of us approached the hike from the traditional Copperhead logging road.  After crossing the creek, we found a newly constructed logging road spur that we decided to explore.  From the end of the spur we continued on a short bushwhack through open forest, to more directly join the Blindman’s Bluff trail.

We followed the loop around clockwise, quickly arriving at the high, open bluffs with 180° views to the east. It was a perfect autumn day, with great views at the right temperature.  We stopped for a snack/lunch at the southeast viewpoint with great views over Gowlland Harbour and Vancouver Island.  We stopped again at the southwest viewpoint before continuing back on the trail and the logging road to the vehicles.  (3.7 km; 2 hours; 170 m ascent)

Norris and Debbie

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Trip Report – Quinsam River West – 9 Oct 2024

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Three of us had a great hike along the west side of the Quinsam River on a beautiful fall day.  The trail along the low bank of the river was very busy with the salmon run and many people fishing.  We started on the trail from the bridge on Quinsam Road and followed it up stream to the salmon hatchery.  From there we hiked up into the forest following mountain bike trails to the high bank area.  The maples were at their peak of colour and the forest is quite varied as it meanders up stream.  Mostly the trail was in good condition and drier than expected, but unfortunately the motor bike abuse is causing erosion of the trail and bank in places.  Occasionally the brush had grown in, but this might deter the motor bikes.

We reached the bend in the river where the bank is especially high and the view down to the river is excellent.  We could see the bench where we have lunch on the east side of the river.  We continued briefly on the trail following a side ravine, until we reached a logging road and electrical poles.  We returned to Eagle Bluff for a lunch stop in the dappled sun before heading back down the river.  This area is often overlooked because of the popularity of Elk Falls and the Campbell River, but it is very accessible and well worth the walk.  (11.6 km; 4 hours)

Debbie

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Hiking – Quinsam West- 9 Oct 2024

Trip Report – Hornby Bluffs Loop – 2 Oct 2024

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On October 2nd, we embarked on an unforgettable journey to Hornby Island. The four of us departed on the 7am ferry from Quadra Island, followed by a drive down Island to catch the Hornby ferry. Despite a delay due to roadwork, we enjoyed a stunning sunrise.

Once on Hornby, we hiked up to Middle Bench Trail. From there we took in spectacular panoramic views of the coast and distant lighthouses, with picturesque arbutus and fir trees lining our path. Our dog Farah added to the joy as she frolicked along the cliffside. We continued our trek to the southern tip of Hornby, descending to a beach near a farmstead where Cyndy once lived. The sandstone beach, with its intricate arches and waterways was a highlight of the trip.

We enjoyed lunch on magical Toby Island, thanks to the low tide. Unique patterns in sandstone cliffs provided a perfect backdrop for our meal and some leisurely exploration. With spirits high, we looped back on the Ford Cove to Shingle Spit Trail, catching the 4pm ferry.

In total, we covered 13 kilometers or 21,000 steps, immersing ourselves in the natural beauty and history of Hornby Island. It was a day of perfect weather, stunning landscapes, and great company. Returning home tired but fulfilled, already looking forward to our next club adventure.

Cyndy
 

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Hiking – Hornby Island Bluff Loop – 2 Oct 2024

Hiking – Hornby Island Bluff Loop – 2 Oct 2024

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Activity Hiking
Destination Hornby Island Bluff Loop
Date 2 Oct 2024, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Cyndy Chidley
Contact Info 250-285-3575; please contact the coordinator by Tuesday
Description
We will hike a loop in the Mount Geoffrey Escarpment Provincial Park, going out on a higher bluff and returning lower on the bluff.  We will pass through Ford Cove and return to Shingle Spit.
Here are the ferry sailings to make this work as a day trip:
Leave QCove, Quadra at 7:00
Leave Buckley Bay at 8:20
Leave Gravelly Bay, Denman Island at 9:40 as pedestrians
Return from Shingle Spit, Hornby Island at 4:00
Hope to return from Denman West at 4:40 or 5:40
Meeting Place: QCove ferry terminal
Departure Time 7:00 sailing to Campbell River
Difficulty
 Moderate, but some flexibility for the group
Costs Ferries and fuel
Trip limits 10
Dogs?
Notes: Bring your lunch with you.  The weather forecast is good, but come prepared.  Please make you own carpooling arrangements.

Trip Report – Main Lake and Yeatman Bay – 27 Sept 2024

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After rescheduling the hike and surviving a major storm on Thursday, Friday dawned a beautiful day.  A dozen of us hiked from the Surge Narrows Road down the trail into Main Lake Provincial Park.  The trail was in excellent condition and we enjoyed the fine mature forest, lots of mushrooms, a quick stop at Roscoe Lake with very high water levels, two waterfalls and a few big old growth Douglas firs along the way.  After admiring the new outhouse at the East Beach campsite and the under-construction bridge, we enjoyed the view of the calm lake before walking a bit further to the big sunny rock where we had lunch.  Most of the group continued on the Yeatman Bay to complete our journey from forest to lake to the ocean.  The trip was very social, but we encountered no one on the trail nor at the campsite. It was a beautiful, autumn day.  (9.9 km; 4 hours)  

Debbie
 
Thanks to Carrie and Norris for the photos.
 

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Hiking – Main Lake and Yeatman Bay – 25 Sept 2024

Hiking – Santana Mine – 16 Oct 2024

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Cancelled.  Call the coordinator for more information.

Activity Hiking
Destination Santana Mine
Date 16 Oct, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710. Please contact the coordinator by Monday night.
Description We will hike to the historic Santana Mine from Conville Point Rd.  We will use logging roads of varying ages to reach the mine, along with a short and rough connection.  This outing combines a walk through a good forest and a mine with a horizontal shaft. The history of the mine is quite interesting.  Here is a link to the claim information:  https://minfile.gov.bc.ca/summary.aspx?minfilno=092K%20%20013
Meeting Place Community Centre parking lot or other arrangement
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Moderate;  this is not long, but not a maintained trail
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs? No.
Notes: Bring a flashlight.  Bring gear for the weather and lunch.

Trip Report – Beech’s Mountain – 11 Sept 2024

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Six hikers started out from the parking area at Chinese Mountain trailhead at approximately 10 am. Morning showers had been forecast the night before, but the trail was dry with no rain. There are some areas of trail which could be awkward if there has been any amount of rain as the trail follows a dry creek bed for a short distance and would require a bit of bushwhacking to get around. Also most of the trail is on bare rock so in damp conditions it could be slippery in sections. The weather was overcast in the morning with more blue sky peeking through as day went on. There are several viewpoints on the way up with good views of Drew Harbour, East and West Quadra Island and views beyond. One viewpoint just before the top of the mountain gives an amazing 180 degree view of the East side of Quadra Island and if we had less cloud cover the peaks of the Coast Mountains. It was close to 12 noon when we reached the peak so we stopped for a lunch break and a rest after the steep ascent. We retraced our trail and had an easy downhill trek back to the parking area.  (6.9 kilometers up and down, 4 hours, 350 meters elevation gain)

Allan

Thanks to Jim and Norris for the photos.

(click on photos to view larger)

Hiking – Beech’s Mtn  – 11 Sept 2024

Hiking – Main Lake and Yeatman Bay – 27 Sept 2024

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Change of date due to weather!

Activity Hiking
Destination Main Lake and Yeatman Bay from Surge Narrows Rd
Date 27 Sept, Friday – new date!
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info dmquigg@gmail.com or 3710; Please contact the coordinator by Wednesday night.
Description This moderate hike starts from Surge Narrows Road through a beautiful old forest, passing by a lake and along a creek, to the east end of Main Lake. We will continue on the portage track to Yeatman Bay.  Those that want a shorter hike can wait at Main Lake.
Meeting Place Community Centre Parking lot or by arrangement
Departure Time Meet at 9:30
Difficulty Moderate
Costs none
Trip limits 12
Dogs? Must not run through group.
Notes: Come prepared for the weather

Hiking – Forbidden Plateau Loop – 18 Sept 2024

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Activity Hiking
Destination Forbidden Plateau Loop, Strathcona Park
Date 18 Sept, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Louise Squire
Contact Info lsquire@sasktel.net
Description Due to longer hike, we will be meeting at the Q-Cove parking lot to ensure we are on the 8:30am ferry to travel Mt Washington. We will be starting at Raven Lodge. While there are actually three potential loops, we will be taking the larger loop through Paradise Meadows, past Battleship Lake and carrying on past Croteau Lake and eventually making our way around Kwai Lake and back to Raven Lodge. September should be a beautiful time to enjoy the lower temperatures and fall colours. There will be 2 or 3 km to the west of Helen Mackenzie Lake that will be harder, so the decision of which way we decide to complete the loop will be finalized once we have arrived. Bring lots of water and a lunch and snack as the trip will be about 6-7 hours, plus driving time and 18km.
Meeting Place Q Cover Ferry Terminal
Departure Time 8:30 am ferry departure time
Difficulty
 Moderate for long day and elevation
Costs Ferry costs and shared fuel
Trip limits 10
Dogs? No
Notes: Car pooling to be organized in advance to limit vehicles and costs. Please let me know if you will be driving or if you would like to carpool with someone else.  This trip is weather dependent.