Category Archives: moderate

Hiking – Hopespring-Thompson Trail loop – 21 Feb2018

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Activity Hiking
Destination Hopespring-Thompson Trail loop
Date 21 Feb 2018, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Sandra Burns
Contact Info sandraburns.ca@gmail.com
Description This is a classic loop on official trails, with lots of variety: a big descent, old growth Douglas fir, some optional views, creeks, and forest.  The hike will be about two hours.
Meeting Place Hopespring trailhead
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Fairly short and undulating
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs?
Notes: Bring a snack and poles if you use them.

Trip Report – Mt. Washington – 14 Feb 2018

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Another day in Paradise – Meadows and surrounding area.  Six of us enjoyed the warm sunshine and clear views, provided by the fresh north wind for some show-shoeing and cross-country skiing.  The few centimetres of snow from the night before provided excellent conditions.  The snow-shoers did the Great Big View loop and the Snow Paws trail.  5.9 km, 2½ hours, plus lunch.  The skier did a loop of the Ponds, Paradise Meadows, Jack Rabbit, and later, Jutland.  Approx 15km.  We had lunch on the sunny balcony at Raven Lodge with great views and Whiskey Jacks.

– Norris

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Snow – Mt. Washington – 14 Feb 2018

Trip Report – Maud Island – 8 Feb 2018

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The weather forecasters promised much better weather if we postponed this trip one day, so we did and they were right. The wet winds from the southeast shifted to dry winds from the northwest, and the day was sunny, with clear sky and views of the mountains with all their fresh snow.

Seven of us made the trek to the Maud Island viewpoint overlooking Seymour Narrows and the Ripple Rock site.  We did the hike as a loop, stopping at the Mt. Lolo bluff on the way out and continuing through the forest and over the causeway to Maud Island.  We were impressed with how much tidal action there was only a half-hour after slack water, with the wind against tide.  A group of sea lions used the calmer water right beneath the cliffs to relax and play.  We had lunch at the viewpoint, including Les’ wonderful smoked salmon, and then returned via the Saltwater Lagoon.  10.1 km; 4⅓ hours.

– Norris

Photos by Norris and Les

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Hiking – Maud Island – 7 Feb 2018

Hiking – Eagle Ridge & Blindman’s Bluff – 14 March 2018

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Activity Hiking
Destination Eagle Ridge and Blindman’s Bluff
Date 14 Mar 2018, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 285-2029 or leshand@gicable.com.  Please contact the trip coordinator prior to the trip.
Description Eagle Ridge trail has wetlands as well as rocky bluffs for views of Discovery Passage. We will then go to Blindman’s Bluff for more open views.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot.
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? Yes, but no back and forth through group
Notes: Please contact coordinator before trip as may be changed due to bad weather.

Snow – Mt Washington – 14 Feb 2018

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Activity Snow
Destination Mt. Washington
Date 14 Feb 2018, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca or 3710;  please contact the coordinator by Sunday night.  Please indicate whether you are willing to drive and whether you are snowshoeing or cross country skiing.
Description Come to Mt. Washington for Valentines Day!  We hope to have both snowshoeing and cross country skiing on this outing. We will probably leave from Raven Lodge.  As always, the trip is weather dependent.
Meeting Place Quadra ferry terminal to Campbell River.  Car pools should be arranged in advance.
Departure Time 9:00 ferry to Campbell River.  Those taking cars need to be early enough to get on the 9:00 ferry.
Difficulty
 Depends
Costs Ferry, shared fuel and the trail pass If we go to Raven Lodge.  The snowshoe day pass is $10 or the cross country pass is $23 for adults or $19 for seniors.  It may be slightly cheaper if you buy in advance online.
Trip limits Availability of cars going up to Mt. Washington.  It may be necessary for cars going up to have chains.
Dogs? No
Notes: Bring equipment, warm clothing and lunch.

 

Trip Report – Mt. Washington – 24 Jan 2018

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This trip had been postponed for a week, during which time more than a metre of snow fell on Mt. Washington.  Wednesday was the first day that the nordic area re-opened after they prepared a few snowshoe trails, plowed the road and parking lot.  Eleven of us arrived on the mountain to unexpectedly sunny weather. It was gorgeous.  Only a few trails were officially open, but it didn’t matter because people had broken trails everywhere.  We started on Tree Beard’s Trail and returned on Old Cabin Loop to Raven Lodge for lunch.  The snow covered trees and fresh snow were beautiful.  We spent a relaxing hour on the Raven Lodge balcony in the sun with a great view of Strathcona Park before heading out again, this time on Rossiter’s Rise.  The big climb down meant we had a big climb back up.  We again met up with Tree Beard’s Trail and returned to the cars, just as clouds for the next storm were rolling over the mountains.  5.9.km; 3 hours, plus lunch.

Debbie

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Snow – Mt. Washington – 17 Jan 2018

Hiking – Heriot Ridge and North Loop – 21 Mar 2018

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Activity Hiking
Destination Heriot Ridge and North Loop
Date 21 March 2018, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Janis McLean
Contact Info phone 3614
Description We will hike up Hopespring trail to the top of the ridge, turn south along the upper ridge, past the communication tower, to a bluff overlook, then return north to Hopespring trail on a lower ridge level.  Here, we will continue north on the Heriot Ridge trail and finish on the Thompson trail.
Meeting Place  upper end of Hopespring Road
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty Easy to moderate – must be comfortable on wet bluffs
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? okay if under control
Notes: Hiking poles will be useful.  Hiking time 2-3 hours.  Bring a snack/lunch and hot drink.

Hiking – Maud Island- 7 Feb 2018

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 This hike has been postponed to Thursday, February 8th.

Activity Hiking
Destination Maud Island
Date 8 7 Feb 2018, Thursday Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710.  Please contact the coordinator prior to 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. The currents in the Narrows will not be impressive at this time.   Allow 5 hours, including driving, for this walk of approximately 10km.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store for car pooling
Departure Time 9:30
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? No
Notes: Bring a snack, poles if you use them and gear for the weather.  We don’t usually do this trip in very poor weather.

Snow – Mt Washington – 17 Jan 2018

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 This trip has been postponed to Jan 24th.

Activity Snow
Destination Mt. Washington
Date 24 17 Jan 2018, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca or 3710;  please contact the coordinator by Sunday night
Description  We’re expecting lots of fresh snow prior to this trip.
Meeting Place Quadra ferry terminal to Campbell River.  Car pools should be arranged in advance.
Departure Time 9:00 ferry to Campbell River.  Those taking cars need to be early enough to get on the 9:00 ferry.
Difficulty
 Depends
Costs Ferry, shared fuel and the trail pass (If we go to Raven Lodge).  The snowshoe day pass is $10 or $18 if you rent equipment.
Trip limits Availability of cars going up to Mt. Washington.
Dogs? No
Notes: Bring equipment, warm clothing and lunch.

 

Hiking – Blindman’s Bluff – 24 Jan 2018

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 This trip has been postponed

Activity Hiking
Destination Blindman’s Bluff
Date 24 Jan 2018, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info phone 3710 or norris.weimer@ualberta.ca. Please contact the coordinator in advance.
Description A classic loop through open bluffs with great views.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs?
Notes: Bring lunch or snack, and poles if you use them.  This trip will be weather and road dependent.  Stay in touch with the coordinator.