Category Archives: moderate

Trip Report – Forbidden Plateau – 16 Sept 2019

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Four of us headed out into Paradise Meadows on a nice autumn morning after a weekend of heavy rain.  The first part of our loop went quickly on good boardwalk from which we could appreciate the bogs, ponds, meadows and lakes and their flora without tramping through mud.  After passing Battleship, Kooso, Lady Lakes and numerous meadows, we had lunch at Croteau group campsite and yurt.  As the forecast rain held off, we decided to hike the Kwai Lake Loop, so we continued on to Kwai Lake and up the hill to the Ranger cabin. Passing through a meadow surrounded by blueberries and huckleberries, we surprised two  black bears: a mom and cub.  The long descent to Helen Mackenzie Lake is through forest and features roots, rocks and mud.  This section always seems endless.  However, on the plus side, there were many varieties of mushrooms to admire.  And it didn’t rain until we got back to the car.    17.2km; 187m elevation gain; 6 hours, 

On the drive back to Campbell River a large black bear cub ran across the four lane highway in front of us, near Black Creek, with a big mama bear watching from the ditch.

Norris

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Hiking – Forbidden Plateau – 16 Sept 2019

Hiking – North Gowlland Loop – 30 Oct 2019

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Activity Hiking
Destination North Gowlland Loop
Date 30 Oct 2019, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info 285-3710 or debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca.  Please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip.
Description We will use bike trails, logging roads and a bit of official hiking trail to make this loop on both sides of North Gowlland Road: Marlow’s Road Climb, North Gowlland Trail, Missing Link, Little Black Dress, Back Door, Cash Only and Lady Lumps.  If the weather is good we will visit Rousseau Ridge.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store for car pooling
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? Okay if they don’t run through the group
Notes: Bring lunch and gear for the weather.

Trip Report – Maud Island – 11 Sept 2019

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Six hardy souls prepared for rain and began the lovely stroll through the forest before reaching the rockier trails. Recent rains had helped the mosses to pop out in colour, but possibly the most stunning visuals were the fungi. Many we were able to identify, but a small, white cauliflower shaped fungi with shiny red and black markings was unknown and stunning.  

Lunch and a rest at the lookout is always entertaining, watching various boats pass by, especially with so many whirlpools gathering below in Seymour Narrows.  We could see rain coming and so after half an hour, began to return to the cars, only getting drizzled on along the way. The rocky parts of this trail are tricky when wet, so we were all very careful and arrived safely.  A lovely hike, as always.  10.0 km; 4 hours for walking and lunch with a one hour drive.

Sandra

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Hiking – Maud Island – 11 Sept 2019

Hiking – South Morte Lake Loop – 6 Nov 2019

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 This hike was originally scheduled for Oct 23rd

Activity Hiking
Destination South Morte Lake Loop
Date 6 Nov 2019, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca or 3710.  Please contact the coordinator in advance.
Description Starting from the Morte Lake parking lot, we will hike up Morning Beer, joining Deadfish and on to other mountain bike trails.  We will descend maybe by Tripod, carry on along Reed Lake, cross the Wal Can Road and return to the Morte Lake parking lot following McKercher Creek.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? okay, but must not run through the group
Notes: Bring a snack or lunch, poles if you use them, and gear appropriate for the weather.

Hiking – Hope Spring-Thompson Trail loop – 2 Oct 2019

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Activity Hiking
Destination Hope Spring-Thompson Trail loop
Date 27 Feb 2019, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Julie Mellanby
Contact Info 3978
Description We will begin the loop at the Hope Spring trailhead and hike clockwise.  This is a classic loop on official trails, with lots of variety: creeks, old growth Douglas fir, and some wetlands..  The hike will be about two hours.
Meeting Place Hope Spring trailhead
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Fairly short and undulating
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? Okay if they don’t run through the group.
Notes: Bring a snack or lunch and poles if you use them.

Hiking – Strathcona Park – 16 Sept 2019

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Activity Hiking
Destination Forbidden Plateau, Strathcona Park
Date 16 Sept 2019, Monday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Information norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710
Description Weather permitting, a ramble through Paradise Meadows in Strathcona Park to admire fall colours and any late flowers. Bring lunch and water.
Meeting Place QCove ferry terminal
Departure Time 9:00 ferry; be early if you are driving as this will be a busy sailing
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs Ferry costs and shared fuel
Trip limits none
Dogs? Must be on leash in Paradise Meadows
Notes: Please contact the coordinator by Saturday night in order to arrange carpooling.  Bring lunch and gear appropriate for the weather.  The trip will be postponed if serious rain is forecast.

Trip Report – Nugedzi Lakes and Views – 4 Sept 2019

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Our group of eight and two dogs hiked up to the Nugedzi Lakes, beginning the hike on the fairly steep old logging road.   Near the end of the logging road we stopped at a viewpoint toward the northeast to enjoy the view and cool off in the shade.  The day was clear, sunny, and quite warm.  We continued on, deciding to take the side trip to the lily pond and the viewpoint to the southeast.  We then followed the undulating trail through the forest up to the Lakes.  Most of the forest along the way is mature with a few old cedars and lovely, open understory.  We stopped for lunch on the rocky point on Nugedzi Lake and some of the group swam in the not quite warm water.  Again the group chose to carry on to the viewpoint to the west over Discovery Passage and views of Vancouver Island.  On the way back we made the small extension to visit Little Nugedzi Lake before hiking back down the steep, eroded logging road.   10.8 km and 5½ hours.

Debbie

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Hiking – Nugedzi Lakes and Views – 4 Sept 2019

Trip Report – Sayward Area Caves- 25 June 2019

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On Tuesday, June 25th, nine of us went caving with Bill West-Sells to the White River caves in the Sayward area.  We hiked for approximately half an hour to a series of four caves.  We did quite a bit of bridging to avoid getting wet feet.  There were many shelves and a few upper holes which we climbed through.  Everyone enjoyed their time exploring the various caves, the impressive karst environment, and the forest trails between.

Cyndy

Thanks to Bill for the photos

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Natural History – Sayward Area Caves – 25 June 2019

Trip Report – Eagle Ridge & Blindman’s Bluff – 28 Aug 2019

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Six people drove up the hill at the end of Leishmans Road to a spot past the bridge. From there we hiked to the beaver pond which was low and covered with lily pads. We turned left and proceeded up Eagle Ridge. It was a clear day so there were splendid views of the passage. Mt. Victoria really stood out with the blue sky background.

After a short break we backtracked the same route and went up to Blindman’s Bluff. Hiking it counterclockwise, we stopped for lunch before we ran out of shade as it was getting hot. That area has great views of Gowlland Harbour. After lunch we did the open rocks and back down to the vehicles. On the way out we stopped to admire the old growth fir at the entrance. 5.7 km and 3 hours

Les

Thanks to Les the photos

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Hiking – Eagle Ridge & Blindman’s Bluff – 28 Aug 2019

Trip Report – Small Inlet – 25 Aug 2019

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This trip was scheduled for Aug 21 but was postponed, due to poor weather, until August 23rd. On August 23rd several of us conferred early in the day and decided again that the weather was not conducive to an enjoyable outing. Two paddlers arranged to meet for an afternoon paddle when the the weather made a change for the better. We enjoyed a 3 hour outing to the Breton Islands. A humpback whale made an appearance out in Sutil Channel and we encountered numerous seals, oystercatchers, and turnstones in and around the islands and rocks. It was decided that we would try again to get our Kanish Bay trip done and it was arranged for Sunday 25th.

Four paddlers met at Granite Bay on a sunny but windy morning and set off, finally, for our planned outing. Conditions on the water very quickly dictated that we implement plan B and we headed to Small Inlet instead of out into Kanish Bay. With wind and tide helping us we reached the portage trail in an hour, visited with a camper briefly and then set off for Waiatt Bay. We had the trail to ourselves, enjoyed the warm sunshine at Waiatt Bay and then headed back to Small Inlet. We decided to try for Orchard Bay for lunch and headed west into a strong headwind and rising tide. We battled our way out of the Inlet and eventually had to agree that, with the wind not abating as forecasted, we would pass on Orchard and head to the midden campsite in Granite Bay. We shared the beach and headland with a large family picnicking there and had an enjoyable and leisurely late lunch. It was a short paddle to the boat launch from there to conclude a 7 NM, 6 hour outing. The Chained Islands and Orchard Bay will have to wait for another day!

Vic

Thanks to Vic for the photos

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Kayaking – Kanish Bay/Small Inlet – 23 Aug 2019