Category Archives: moderate

Trip Report – Beaver Lake and Open Bay Creek – 30 Oct 2025

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We had a small but enthusiastic group for a hike on a lovely autumn day.  We started from Hyacinthe Bay Road and followed a flagged route down to Beaver Lake.  The fungi were amazing.  We crossed the outflow creek without any problem and paused on the bluff above Beaver Lake  before heading east on the open logging road and then into the forest and down the path following the creek to Open Bay Creek. The water was flowing well and when we reached the falls we always visit, we noticed that there were falls higher up, so we bushwhacked to see these other cascades. There were two sets which were more impressive than the falls by the trail.  After lunch on an open, mossy bluff, we bushwhacked back to the trail and down to Open Bay Creek.  From there we meandered upstream along the creek, mostly on high bank, but sometimes at the creek level.  There were no salmon in the creek, but the forest and the views were lovely.   (5.9 km and 3 hours)

Debbie
 
Thanks to Carrie and Norris for the photos
 

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Hiking – Beaver Lake and Open Bay Creek – 30 Oct 2025

Hiking – Elk Falls Loop – 6 Nov 2025

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This hike has been cancelled due to weather.

Activity Hiking
Destination Elk Falls – Canyon View trails
Date 6 Nov, Thursday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info 250-287-0459; vicgladish@gmail.com
Description This is a well developed, popular trail that follows the Campbell River along the north shore and into Elk Falls Park and to the Suspension Bridge. We will have lunch at Elk Falls, and return on the River Trail.
We will start from the parking lot on the north side of the river across the “log” bridge before the Quinsam Campground. TURN RIGHT off of Hwy 28.
Anyone not wanting the full, 4 hr hike, could loop back to the starting point when we get to the bridge.
Meeting Place Q Cove Ferry terminal
Departure Time 9:30 ferry
Difficulty Moderate
Costs Ferry costs
Trip limits None
Dogs? On leash; warning.. the ramps and bridge at Elk Falls are made of metal grids that are hard on dogs’ feet
Notes: Bring lunch. We will hike at a leisurely pace to really enjoy this beautiful area. (fall colours?) Unless extreme weather, we will at least do the Canyon View Trail. About 2 – 4 hours, 5 – 10 km depending on route. Carpooling from the ferry parking lot will be attempted. Drivers should arrive to be in line for the 0930.Elk Falls Park/Trails Map here: https://nrs.objectstore.gov.bc.ca/kuwyyf/elk_falls_parking_trails_map_68efc975fd.pdf

Hiking – Beaver Lake to Open Bay Creek – 30 Oct 2025

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Activity Hiking
Destination Beaver Lake to Open Bay Creek
Date 30 Oct 2025, Thursday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info dmquigg@gmail.com or 3710
Description We will leave from Hyacinthe Bay Road and follow a flagged trail down to Beaver Lake. After crossing the outflow creek, we will continue on to Open Bay Creek mostly following the creek with some sections of steep descent.  The path along Open Bay Creek is undulating, but mostly flat.  This involves a car shuffle.
Meeting Place Community Centre parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs none
Trip limits 10
Dogs?
Notes Bring a lunch or snack and dress for the weather.

Trip Report – Big Trees and Clear Lake – 22 Oct 2025

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With ten hikers, we approached Main Lake Provincial Park from the west and hiked into a valley with a number of large Douglas firs.  The biggest has a diameter of nearly 8 meters.  We hiked up the dis-used logging road with Alders growing over it and into the dense forest on an already quite dark day.   Following a flagged route we crossed the saddle and descended into the protected valley.  Progress was fairly slow navigating the deadfall even with a path.  After admiring the group of big trees near the small creek, we continued on toward Clear Lake.  With water levels already quite high, some continued on to lake views while others started their lunch on the mossy open bluff above the lake.  Lunch included contributions of muffins from Julie and smoked salmon from Vic which were much appreciated.  As we headed back it began to rain lightly, but it was a gentle day for a forest walk. (4.9 km; 3 hours.)
 
Here is a video of the biggest tree in the group, with views that were not available to us:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MARVLftC-YY    
 
Debbie
 

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Hiking – Big Trees & Clear Lake – 22 Oct 2025

Trip Report – Denman & Hornby Islands – 5-8 Oct 2025

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Sunday: Seven of us went straight from the 10:00 ferry from Buckley Bay to the Morning Beach trailhead to take advantage of the relatively low tide, and walk to Tree Island (aka Sandy Island).  We descended the stairs on the east side of Longbeak Point and walked north along the shore and then across the sandy flats to Tree Island.  It was a perfect, sunny day.  We walked across the wooded area for the view north before heading back.  We hurried a bit, not wanting to be too late with the turn of the tide, but there was no problem and we could have taken more time.  We had lunch once we returned to Longbeak Point on Denman and then continued to the trailhead.  (7.5 km, 3h)  We went to Fillongley Provincial Park and set up our campsites in this popular park on Lambert Channel.  Several people explored Denman a bit more and visited Chickadee Lake looking for the best swimming spot.  (2.25 km, 45m).  The evening was cool and the group gathered around a fire for happy hour and later for dessert.  The moon was nearly full as it rose over the Salish Sea.

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Monday – The weather was again perfect.  We took the 9:40 ferry to Hornby and positioned the vehicles for a car shuffle.  Starting from Mount Road, we hiked up Middle Bench in the Mt. Geoffrey Escarpment Provincial Park and almost immediately had wonderful views to the west, over Lambert Channel and Denman Island.  The gradual climb continued on Outer Ridge up to the summit of Mt. Geoffrey at 330m.  But the views are not at the summit, they are along the embankment with the unusual conglomerate geology. We continued on the Cliff Trail in Mt. Geoffrey Regional Park, with views that included the Hornby farmlands and the scenery to the north.  We descended the dirt stairs down to Lea Smith Road and took the ferry back to Denman Island for the evening at Fillongley.  The trail was very quiet and we encountered only one group of mountain bikers all day.  (9.2 km, 3¾ hours, about 300m ascent)  Once again the campfire was the social centre and the truly full moon rose over Hornby Island.

Tuesday – We had a spectacular sunrise, which was followed by significant cloud cover until late in the afternoon.  We again returned to Hornby Island on the 9:40 ferry and went to Helliwell Provincial Park to walk the south-facing bluffs.  The views are great and the cliff formations from conglomerate are fascinating.  We walked north to the park boundary and then followed the trail loop counterclockwise.  There were sea lions swimming below the cliffs and in a colony on nearby Flora Island.  (5.4 km, 1¾ hours).  After visiting the Hornby Coop Store, which is an amazing source of anything that you might need, we continued on to Tribune Bay for lunch and to enjoy the fine sand and the scenery.  After a quick visit to Little Tribune Bay, there were a variety of short explorations before returning to Denman for the evening.  Regrettably, we did not have time or tide to explore the rock formations at Heron Rock and elsewhere.  Back on Denman, a few in the group went to explore the Lindsay Dickson Nature Reserve and Graham Lake, which were both worth the visit.  (2.9 km, 1h)

Wednesday: For most of us, this was a short and cloudy day.  A group hiked the eastern shore in Boyle Point Provincial Park to see Eagle Rock and the view of the Chrome Island lighthouse.  This was a gentle walk through a fine forest.  (2.9 km, 1h)

We then headed home after a great trip with an amazing variety of hikes and scenery.

Debbie

Thanks to Jim, Louise, and Norris for the photos

Multi-day Hiking – Denman & Hornby – 5-8 Oct 2025

Hiking – Big Trees and Clear Lake – 22 Oct 2025

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Activity Hiking
Destination Big Trees and Clear Lake
Date 22 Oct, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info dmquigg@gmail.com or 3710; please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip
Description The destination for this trip is one of the biggest Douglas fir on Quadra.  We will hike up a logging road and into Main Lake Park.  There is no trail and part of the route is quite steep, but the distance is not long. We can visit several big trees in this valley.  Expect to climb over deadfall.  We will continue on to the south end of Clear Lake.  To reach the beach may be very wet.
Meeting Place Quadra Community Centre parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Moderate for some steep parts and mostly no trail
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs?
Notes: Bring lunch; hiking poles if you use them.  Wear good boots.  The approach involves a logging road, so we will need vehicles for that.

Multi-day Hiking – Hornby & Denman Islands – 5-8 Oct 2025

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Activity Multi-day Hiking
Destination Hornby and Denman Islands, staying at Fillongley Prov Park campground
Date 5-8 Oct 2025, Sunday to Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info 3710 or dmquigg@gmail.com; please contact the coordinator well in advance of the trip
Description We will have two half-days and two full days to explore the two islands.  There is lots to do: on Hornby Island, by ferry: Mt. Geoffrey Regional Park (a significant walk on a bluff with good views if the weather cooperates), Tribune Bay Prov Park (a walk on the beach), Helliwell Provincial Park (a rocky, coastal walk), Heron Rock (sculpted rock beach walk)
on Denman Island: Boyle Point Prov Park (short, easy walk to a view of the Chrome Island Lighthouse), possibly a walk to or toward Tree Island (Sandy Island Marine Park if the tide is right; this is long and flat)  We will decide as we go, what we will do each day.
Each person or group will need to make their own arrangements to stay at Fillongley Provincial Park campground or elsewhere.  The cost is half-price for seniors.
Meeting Place QCove ferry
Departure Time 8:30 ferry to Campbell River for the 10:00 ferry from Buckley Bay to Denman Island.  This is weather dependent and will be confirmed later.
Difficulty Moderate and varied
Cost The ferries, fuel and camping
Trip limits 8
Dogs? No
Notes: The season is changing.  Bring a variety of gear.

Trip Report – Kanish Bay and Beyond – 9-11 Sept 2025

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Day 1.  Six of us launched from the boat launch at the Granite Bay Park.  We paddle out of Granite Bay and across Kanish Bay to Orchard Bay, where we unloaded the kayaks at quite a low tide.  We explored the area, set up the tents and had lunch before heading out again.  The morning had been a bit overcast, but the afternoon was lovely.  We paddled into Small Inlet and beached the kayaks at the peninsula where the trail comes down to the shore.  We chose this site because the low tide was going to make it impossible to reach the end of Small Inlet.  We hiked over to Waiatt Bay, which was already much quieter than in the high season.  After a short break we hiked back and paddled back through the islets in Small Inlet.  (14.3 km paddling and walking; 5 h)  We gathered for dinner under the huge Big-Leaf Maple tree.  With the sun setting before 8:00 pm, we were in the tents quite early.

(Click on the photos to enlarge)

Day 2.  After a leisurely breakfast, the morning fog was beginning to lift as we left shortly after 10:00. We paddled along the north shore of Kanish Bay against a light breeze pausing only to admire the big cliff with pictographs.  With the increasing sunshine and benign conditions we carried on around the northwest tip of Quadra Island and into Okisollo Channel. We paddled a short distance beyond Metcalf Island and had lunch on the sunny, north-facing beach.  On our return, we had a bit more wind and waves, which subsided as we turned downwind in Kanish Bay.  Our route took us south of Nixon Island, then returning to Orchard Bay.  (15.1 km; 5 h)  We watched some wildlife in the Bay and had happy hour on the very small, shell beach waiting for the high tide, which came up to and under the boats. It was an exceptionally beautiful day.  We visited the steep, mossy bluff to the east before again having dinner under the Maple tree. Some stayed up a bit later around the fire pit.

Day 3.  Our final day was quite short as some had deadlines.  We packed up, loaded the kayaks at a medium tide and paddled out to the eastern edge of the Chained Islets.  After circling a few islets, we checked out the derelict house at the east end and the tiny islet with the white shell beach before heading into the inlet to Granite Bay and the boat ramp. (6.0 km; 2 h)

This was a great trip to a beautiful area in perfect conditions.  We were fortunate to see some wildlife including multiple encounters with mink, harbour porpoise, harbour seals, and birds: Belted Kingfishers, Great Blue Heron, Surf Scoters, Short Billed Gulls, Glaucous Winged Gulls, Vultures, Bald Eagles, and Crows.

Debbie

Thanks to Louise and Norris for the photos

Multi-day paddling and camping – Kanish Bay and Beyond – 9-11 Sept 2025

Kayaking – Round the Cape – 17 Sept 2025

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Postponed to a date TBD

Activity Kayaking
Destination Round the Cape
Date 17 Sept 2025, Wed
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info Text 250-287-0459; call 250-285-2111; vicgladish@gmail.com
Description We will put in at the boat launch in Quathiaski Cove and paddle south and around Cape Mudge. The route then goes north past Francisco Point and will finish at the Smith Rd shore access. It is a 3-4 hour paddle with opportunities to get out along the south shore or the woodlot.
Meeting Place Quathiaski Cove parking lot at 0830 h.
Departure Time On the water by 0900
Difficulty
 Moderate due to distance
Costs Parking ($2) and launch fee ($4)
Trip limits 8
Dogs? No
Notes: 1. This trip will depend on good weather with light wind.
2. All paddlers must be in sea kayaks with spray skirt and all safety equipment as per club guidelines.
3. Only club members with kayaking experience will be included.
4. You must arrange your own shuttle between put in and take out. Some pooling will be worked out.
5. Dress for the weather and bring snacks/lunch and water.

Trip Report – Beech’s Mtn Loop – 27 Aug 2025

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Instead of doing Campbell River Lookout, due to heat and unexpected circumstances, we decided to do a Beech’s Mountain Loop. This is a challenging hike, but not as much as Campbell River lookout. We had an early 8:15 start from South Chinese Mountain parking lot. It was a lovely 15° but with smoky skies. On the way up, Norris showed us a short alternate route instead of going up the washed out creek. When we got back on the main trail, we continued to the junction of Beech’s Mountain and South Chinese and had a short water break. This is a excellent spot to listen to frogs in the early spring. Once we got onto one of the open ridges we were surprised to find a big Canadian flag in one of the trees. There are great views on the open ridges to the west, but the smoke hampered some of the pictures. We continued the steep ascent and took a break on the large open rocks where you have great views to Rebecca Spit and the mainland mountains. After this, we had lunch on the top of Beech’s Mountain, where we enjoyed the views and shade after the steep climb.

There was a steep descent then to the old road that comes up from the Nugetzi Lake turn off. This trail is not well used, but was flagged well. The old road is quite washed out with many loose rocks, but was a nice walk in the shade of the trees. We came to the turn off that goes to North Chinese Mountain and were surprised to find that it has hardly been used the last few years. I had an old track from 2014 that we followed. We came across a few old flags that marked the trail, but there is much blow down and salal and would not recommend it to anyone that does not like bush whacking. There are many large bluffs along the way that give great views. When we came to the last bluff before North Chinese Trail, we were surprised to find that someone had brought up a large, old fishnet and strung it between three large trees over the top of the bluff. I actually think this could be quite dangerous as it is 8′ above the rocks in some places.

We continued on to North Chinese trail and descended back to the parking lot and our vehicles. It was starting to warm up now so we were quite pleased that we had left early.
(6.5 km, 3¾ hours, 420m ascent)

Les

Thanks to Jim, Carrie, Les and Norris for the photos

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Hike – Beech’s Mtn Loop – 27 Aug 2025