Category Archives: moderate

Hiking – Trout Creek Falls – 30 Mar 2022

Posted on by
1

Activity Hiking
Destination Trout Creek Falls
Date 30 Mar, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca; 250-285-3710.  Please contact the coordinator by Monday evening.
Description We will drive out Menzies Main a short distance to the trailhead for Trout Creek.  This undulating and varied trail passes by three falls, each very different and scenic.  The trail is basic and it may be a bit muddy, rooty and rocky.  There are a few steep sections, but it’s quite short overall.  About 5km; 2½ hours.
Meeting Place QCove ferry terminal
Departure Time 10:00; drivers will need to be early to ensure that they can board
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs Ferry
Trip limits 10
Dogs?
Notes: Bring gear for the weather and lunch.

Hiking – Heron Point and Mt. Sweat – 9 Mar 2022

Posted on by
1

Activity Hiking
Destination Heron Pt and Mt. Sweat loop
Date 9 Mar, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710  Please contact the coordinator by Monday night.
Description This is a short hike starting on Kolker Main. We will briefly follow a logging road, a short connector and a mossy bluff to Heron Point for great views of Hyacinthe Bay and the Chinese Mtn area.  From there we will take a cairned route through forest trails and rocky bluffs to Mt. Sweat. We descend to Kolker Main and return to the vehicles on the logging road.  This is a view hike and will not be done in poor weather.  About 4 km; 2½ hours.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot.  We will drive out in a group.
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Most easy, but some interesting places on Mt. Sweat.  If there are sufficient participants, a second, more level option is possible.
Costs None
Trip limits None
Dogs? No.
Notes: Some of this trip is on private property and we thank Heather Kellerhals for allowing our visit to Chauntaluf Farm.  Bring gear appropriate for the weather and trail conditions, as well as lunch.

Trip Report – Quinsam River Trails – 23 Feb 2022

Posted on by
Reply

On a bright and very cold morning, five of us hiked some of the trails on the east side of the Quinsam River.  We entered this complex trail system at Boneyard Bypass and rambled through the forest and ravines until we came out on a high bluff with great views of the Vancouver Island mountains and some warm sunshine.  Returning to the forest, we encountered a bit of snow before descending to the river bank.  This is a beautiful salmon river with a high bank to the west.

Our lunch stop was at the bench overlooking a bend in the river.  The bench is amazingly comfortable and perfectly situated to catch the mid-day sun.  Unfortunately the river is undercutting the bank beneath the bench and more bank was falling into the river during our brief stay.  We continued south and climbed back up to the high land, wandered along many trails with interesting names like Wind-Up, Slammin’ Salmon, Squirrel Run, Eagle Rest and Jade Dragon.  This route covered a variety of forest, open bluff and ravine edge for some dramatic terrain.  Completing a loop, we returned back along the same path.  On this beautiful day, there was something new on this trip for everyone, and for many it was the first visit.  (10.2 km; 3½ hours)

Debbie
 

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Quinsam River Trails – 23 Feb 2022

Trip Report – Mt. Washington – 15 Feb 2022

Posted on by
Reply

A small but enthusiastic group enjoyed a perfect “bluebird” day on the Snowshoe trails on Mount Washington on Tuesday, February 15. Though no new snow, the conditions were excellent, slightly crusty, and the trails were more navigable than on our January trip.

We headed out clockwise on Lost Cabin to Crooked Creek trail. This lovely loop meanders over the summertime ponds and marshes, following and sometimes crossing Crooked Creek. We stopped at the return point, going off the trail to take shelter from the rising wind behind a small copse. We were beside an unmarked but well used trail which we suspected went out to Battleship Lake. We didn’t have time to explore this but noted it for future trips. We then returned to Lost Cabin trail opting to take the slightly longer Tree Beard trail back to the Lodge which took us up to the junction with Rossiter’s Ridge, a favourite lunch spot. We stopped briefly to admire the stunning view, then headed back to the Lodge. We enjoyed lingering over well-earned cups of hot chocolate on the deck in the sunshine – a beautiful day after so much fog, cloud, and drizzle of the past few weeks.  2 hours on trail;  5 km.

Valerie 

Thanks to Misha Cook for the photos

(click on photos to enlarge)

Snow – Mt. Washington – 15 Feb 2022

Trip Report – Upper Gowlland Bike Trails – 16 Feb 2022

Posted on by
Reply

This hike explored some of the lesser used trails accessed via the Missing Links FSR road off Upper Gowlland Harbour Road. From the parking area we went north-east on Bite the Bullet, past the remains of an old rifle range. We crossed the road to Sam’s Shorty on Marlow’s woodlot and then crossed over again to climb Cash Only, then west on Back Door. Our lunch stop was at the high point of the trail on a mossy bluff. From there we began the descent on Silk Stockings through the tailings of an abandoned copper mining operation with old rails and ore carts still visible. Along the way we found other possible scenic rest points with views of a lake and the Vancouver Island mountains. Our group of four walked the 6.8 km in 2.5 hours plus a half lunch stop with lots of good conversation and laughter.

Rob
 
(Click to enlarge)
 
 

 

Hiking – Upper Gowlland Trails – 16 Feb 2022

Snow – Mt. Washington – 15 Feb 2022

Posted on by
1

Activity Snow shoeing
Destination Mt. Washington
Date 15 Feb, Tuesday
Trip Coordinator Valerie van Veen
Contact Info vvv@qisland.ca;  250 285 2329
Description Snowshoe Mt Washington trails.  There is a trail pass charge (see below).  Mt Washington trails are excellent and very beautiful.
Meeting Place Parking lot just off highway at Mt Washington turnoff
Departure Time 9:00 ferry
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs Ferry, fuel and Mt Washington show shoe trail pass $12
Trip limits None
Dogs? No
Notes: Excellent trails for all levels of experience. Snowshoes can be rented at the Nordic Centre, https://www.mountwashington.ca/snowshoeing.html to book ahead. Must register by Monday night to participate. Bring lunch, snacks. Participants are expected to carry the usual winter safety gear for this sport.

Hiking – Upper Gowlland Harbour Trails – 16 Feb 2022

Posted on by
1

Activity Hiking
Destination Upper Gowlland Harbour trails
Date 16 February, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Rob McKerracher
Contact Info 250 285 3204;  mckerr@gicable.com
Description Well-used trails on the north side of Gowlland Harbour Road – rolling terrain with open bluffs, forest and a lake.   Distance 6.9 km   Elevation gain 200 m.   2.5 hours walking time plus lunch stop
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Tru Value parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Easy to moderate
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs?
Notes: Dress for the weather – bring a lunch.

Trip Report – Mt. Washington – 19 Jan 2022

Posted on by
Reply

Amazingly, and thankfully, the cold rain and wind held off long enough for five of us to enjoy the wonderful snowshoe trails of Mt Washington.  While this is not a free activity, like most of our outings, the well marked and tracked trails justify the cost ( $12 per person) .

After obtaining trail passes and one rental, we were on the trail by 10:30.  The initial blast of winter that greeted us let up and we set off in just sub zero weather and low cloud.  The snow was crunchy underfoot, thankfully no ice.   
 
We travelled clockwise, starting off on the green “Old Cabin Loop”, a very pretty and fairly flat loop through the forest and around the meadow.  It was wonderful to see several young families, and a herd of excited school kids, also enjoying this local treasure.  About ⅔ along “Old Cabin” we branched off onto “ Tree Beard” which, appropriately, heads up into the forest. A small plateau usually provides an excellent view, making for the perfect rest stop.  However, with a bit of a wind, and no view, we opted for a quick standing lunch break. Learning from other snowshoers that Rossiter’s Route was at least navigable, we opted for the longer return to Raven Lodge via Rossiter’s rather than continue on “Tree Beard”. “Rossiter’s” is one of two “black/difficult” snowshoe trails at Mt Washington and duly identified as a route ( not trail) on the map.  However, though long, it was not difficult going especially as we were going clockwise, thus going gradually down Rossiter’s Ridge.  In the wild, when there is a down there will almost inevitably be an up. Sure enough, a steep up eventually wound us back to Raven Lodge.  The promised ice rain finally materialized ensuring we were suitably wet as we returned to our cars.
 
Altogether a great winter outing, after so many trip weather-related postponements this season.  4.2 km. 2 hours
 
Valerie

(click on photos to enlarge)

Snow – Mt. Washington – 19 Jan 2022

Kayaking – Bays, Bretons, and Beyond – 23 March 2022

Posted on by
Reply

Postponed due to weather.

Activity Paddling
Destination Bays, Bretons, and Beyond
Date 23 Mar, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-285-2111; text 250-287-0459
Description The first paddle of spring could be short or long depending on the weather and the group! A calm day could allow us to aim for Dunsterville Islet, then Breton Islands and back. An iffier day could see us meander through Hyacinthe, Open and Moulds before a lunch break at Breton Island then return.
Meeting Place Len Road Shore Access
Departure Time 9:30 am on the water
Difficulty
 Easy to moderate
Costs None
Trip limits 8
Dogs? Only very strong swimmers!
Notes: Please contact the trip coordinator 48 hours before the trip to confirm your attendance. A go/no go decision that reflects the weather forecast will be made by noon the day preceding the trip date.
Must have equipment that meets club and coast guard regulations. Bring lunch and gear for the weather.

Snow – Mt. Washington – 16 Feb 2022

Posted on by
Reply

This trip needs a new coordinator and possibly a new destination.

Activity Snow shoeing or cross country skiing
Destination Mt. Washington
Date 16 Feb, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca or 3710;  Please contact the coordinator by Monday night.
Description We will go either to Rampart Hill or Mt. Washington depending on the group and conditions.
Meeting Place QCove ferry terminal
Departure Time 9:00 ferry;  drivers need to be early to board.
Difficulty
 Moderate, depending on conditions.
Costs Ferry and fuel. If we go to Mt Washington the snow shoe trail pass is $12 and the x-country ski pass is $20 for seniors.
Trip limits None
Dogs? No
Notes: Bring lunch and gear for winter conditions,  Let the coordinator know if you need to rent gear.  It’s best not to assume that we will have lunch indoors.