Category Archives: moderate

Hiking – Maud Island- 27 March 2019

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This trip was originally scheduled for 27 February

Activity Hiking
Destination Maud Island
Date 27 March Feb 2019, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Sandra Burns
Contact Info sandraburns.ca@gmail.com or 3977.  Please do not call after 8:00pm.  Contact the coordinator in advance of the trip.
Description Hike to Maud Island through varied forest and terrain.  We will do a loop passing over the shoulder of  Mt. Lolo, crossing the causeway to Maud Island, enjoying views of Seymour Narrows, and returning by the salt water lagoon.  Allow 5 hours, including driving, for this walk of approximately 10km.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store for car pooling
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? no
Notes: Bring lunch, poles if you use them and gear for the weather.  We don’t usually do this trip in very poor weather.

Kayaking – Steep Island – 12 Nov 2018

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Activity Kayaking
Destination Steep Island
Date 12 Nov 2018, Monday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 285-2029 or leshand@gicable.com   Be sure and sign up so I can call you if weather changes
.Description This will be a trip with some current. We will ride the ebb north and there should not be too much current coming back as max is 4.4 at 11:50. This is a higher tide so will be a good time to explore Unkak Cove. If wind comes up we will change to a April Point launch and do Gowlland Harbour.
Meeting Place Quathiaski Cove Ramp
Departure Time Meet at 10:30, launch at 11 am.
Difficulty
 Moderate.
Costs parking
Trip limits none
Dogs? no
Notes: All participants must conform to QIOC paddling guidelines. Participants must have all Coast Guard required equipment and spray skirts.

Hiking – Shellaligan Loop – 7 Nov 2018

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Activity Hiking
Destination Shellaligan Loop
Date 7 Nov 2018, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Julie Mellanby
Contact Info 285-3978.  Please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip.
Description Partly due to the deteriorating condition of the road, we will park at Valdez Rd and walk to the shorter loop along the beach, the bluffs and into village Bay.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot for car pooling.
Departure Time 9:30
Difficulty
 Easy to moderate.  There are a few rocky bluffs to scramble up and some undulating sections.
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? Dogs must not run through the group.
Notes: Bring lunch and gear for weather.

Trip Report – Morte Lake Mountain Bike Loop – 17 Oct 2018

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Eight of us had a beautiful fall day for this hike through open forest, over panoramic bluffs,  and passing by lovely, calm lakes.  We were in shirt sleeves for this very scenic loop.  We started up the bike trail Morning Beer onto upper Deadfish, stopping to enjoy the view at Seven Sins.  We descended Nirvana to the hiking trail around Morte Lake and stopped for lunch at the east side Morte Lake viewpoint. We ascended the South Bluff trail and followed along Mud and Reed Lakes to the Walcan Road.  We crossed and hiked along Yellow Mud to Jack Rabbit, connecting back to the parking lot.  We enjoyed the great views and the fall foliage.  9.6 km; 4 hours.

Debbie

Thanks to Norris and Les for the photos

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Hiking – Morte Lake Bike Loop -17 Oct 2018

Trip Report – North Gowlland Harbour Bike Trail Loop – 10 Oct 2018

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Seven hikers and Joey, the dog, enjoyed a three hour hike in the area north and west of North Gowlland Harbour Road. The weather was perfect – mostly sunny with a few clouds and pleasantly cool. Starting at the Cash Only trailhead, we made a grand loop following Backdoor to Silk Stockings where we passed an area recovering from past copper mining and enjoyed views south to Gowlland Harbour.   The lake on the east side of the trail reflected the changing fall colours. From there we dropped down to the Missing Links Road, then paralleled North Gowlland Harbour Road along Bite the Bullet. As we entered John Marlow’s woodlot on the east side of the road, we stopped on the bridge for Les’s pizza and marvelled at the large beaver dam built at the south end of the wetland. Sam’s Shorty trail behind the wetland brought us back to the vehicles. After much rain, the forest and mosses were bright green, punctuated by brilliant yellows of turning maples.  7.3 km.

Janis McLean

Thanks to Norris and Les for the photos

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Hiking – North Gowlland Bike Trail Loop – 10 Oct 2018

Hiking – Morte Lake Bike Trails Loop – 17 Oct 2018

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Re-scheduled to 17 Oct

Activity Hiking
Destination Morte Lake loop via Dead Fish
Date 17 24 Oct 2018, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca or 285-3710;  Please contact the coordinator several days prior to the trip
Description We will start from the Morte Lake parking lot and hike up Morning Beer on the southern ridge.  We will follow mountain bike trails to Seven Sins, then descend on Lost Rider to Reed Lake.  We will cross the road and the creek and continue on Yellow Mud and Jack Rabbit back to the parking lot.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store for car pooling
Departure Time 10:00 A.M.
Difficulty
 moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? Okay on leash or out front – we may encounter bikes or animals
Notes: Bring lunch.  Expect some steep sections, wet sections, mountain bike trails, and views.

 

 

Hiking – Stramberg Creek and North Grove – 17 Oct 2018

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This hike has been postponed.

Activity Hiking
Destination Stramberg Creek and North Grove
Date 17 Oct 2018, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca or 3710.  Please contact the trip coordinator prior to the trip.
Description We will begin at the Main Lakes Park parking access to Stramberg Lake and follow Little Main Road north, paralleling Stramberg Lake and Creek.  We will cross Stramberg Creek and follow a flagged route north of the lake to a grove of old growth trees.  This trip will not go to Stramberg Lake, unless the group wants to make a short side trip.  Expect some bushwhacking and a creek crossing.  If it’s too late in the season to do this creek crossing, we will have a substitute. About 12 km; 4.5 hours without the driving.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot, to arrange carpools
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs?
Notes: Bring lunch, gear appropriate for the weather and maybe rubber boots.

Trip Report – Maud Island – 3 Oct 2018

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Twelve hikers thoroughly enjoyed this classic hike through the forest to the bluffs overlooking Seymour Narrows. The big-leaf maples were in their beautiful fall bloom, the moss was brightly coloured after the rains, and the red Oregon Grape highlighted the floor of the forest, along with newly emerging fungi.

Nine hikers chose to go up to the bluffs at Mt. Lolo and three took the lower, more direct path to the viewpoint. Upon arrival at the Seymour Narrows viewpoint, we were all delighted by the sight of a couple of orcas frolicking, a porpoise, and sea lions enjoying some time in the kelp bed below.

Lunch and conversation was enjoyed by all then the return via the Saltwater Lagoon. 10.4 km; 4½ hours.

Sandra

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Hiking – Maud Island – 3 Oct 2018

Trip Report – McKenzie and Douglas Lakes – 26 Sept 2018

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Eight of us and a dog set out on a beautiful, crystal clear fall day to visit Douglas and McKenzie Lakes on the Forbidden Plateau in Strathcona Park.  The short way to get there involves an half hour, 6.3 km drive on a rough old logging road.  We made it and then walked 700 m into the park on a rough but easy trail through old growth trees and blueberries.

At this point it is necessary to cross the outlet stream from McKenzie Lake.  It turned out that the Lake level was a few inches higher than expected and the puddle jumping rocks were under water.  At this obstacle, five people and the dog decided to go up to Paradise Meadows, leaving three to continue to the Lakes as planned.

Having found a dry way across the creek using rocks and logs, we arrived at the sunny side of the stream, the path was found and the lakes were beautiful, the meadows were beautiful and the weather was beautiful.  So after lunch at McKenzie Lake, we explored the trail towards the main area of Paradise Meadows via Kwai and other Lakes.  The trail gains some elevation, follows a sequence of small lakes and was in unexpectedly good condition.  Now we want to come back and do the whole trail from Raven Lodge to the old ski area beyond Mt. Becher.  We saw a Western Toad, maybe a toadlet, grouse and a glimpse of sandhill cranes migrating south.  11.8 km, 5¼ hours.

The alternate group hiked the Battleship Lake – Helen MacKenzie Lake loop and said it was great.

Norris

Reporting from Paradise Meadows and beyond –   On a perfect fall day, we began with the intent of hiking to Douglas and MacKenzie Lakes, and enjoyed the drive and short hike in. Then, deciding to eschew the fun of wading across the high water in the creek in our bare feet, five of us, and one dog, decided to walk in Paradise Meadows instead. We had a lovely, brisk walk around the Battleship Loop with a brief lunch stop in the Meadows, alive with the vibrant fall colours. The views across the lakes were astounding. We enjoyed chatting with some of the overseas visitors we met on our perambulation.  10.5 km

Valerie

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Hiking – McKenzie and Douglas Lakes – 26 Sept 2018

Trip Report – Gowlland Island and Harbour – 19 Sept 2018

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Six people met at April Point Marina an hour after low tide to launch their kayaks. The weather was sunny and calm as we paddled through the narrow entrance into Gowlland Harbour. This is where we encountered the most current, but it was not that heavy. Once into the harbour we paddled between Mouse and Crow Islets. Then by Wren Islet and up the northeast side to the log dump. The clouds moved in as we headed for May Island for lunch. Just as we got there the heavens opened up and we all got soaked.

After lunch the weather turned back dry and we left for the opening between Steep and Gowlland Islands. The flood current here was not anywhere near the 4 knot max that the charts showed was occurring off Orange Point. We also found this the case for just off April Point so we slid on down to the next little bay. From there we returned to April Point Marina in another shower. All in all it was a great paddle.  12.7 km taking 3.75 hours.

Les

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Kayaking – Gowlland Island and Harbour – 19 Sept 2018