Category Archives: moderate

Hiking – Hopespring-Thompson Trail Loop – 15 Nov 2017

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Activity Hiking
Destination Hopespring – Thompson Trail Loop
Date 15 November 2017, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Julie Mellanby
Contact Info phone 3978.  Please contact the coordinator in advance.
Description This is a moderate loop through varied forest, including some old growth.  The walk passes by wetlands, creeks, rocky bluffs.  This is relatively protected in rainy weather, but if the day provides the opportunity, there are views along the way.
Meeting Place Hopespring Trailhead
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? okay
Notes: You might bring a snack, but lunch isn’t expected on the trail.

Trip Report – Main Lake from Surge Narrows Rd – 8 Nov 2017

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Six of us hiked the flagged route from the Surge Narrows Rd to the east end of Main Lake.   The day was mild and the brush was dry as we followed the old logging road making a side trip to an un-named lake.  After briefly thrashing in the brush in the wrong direction, we continued through lovely, open forest with lots of white pine and some old growth cedar and fir.  However, there are some sections with major blow-down, which is not just stepped over, but involves the full-body climb up and over.  Near to Main Lake we admired some exceptional old growth Douglas fir and the water falls.  We had lunch at the picnic tables at the campground, enjoying the view of the Lake.  After lunch some remained and enjoyed a fire in the campground fire ring, while others hiked on to Yeatman Bay.  We followed the flagged route back to the vehicles, which is rather more uphill.  9.7 km; 4½ hours.

Debbie

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Hiking – Main Lake from Surge Narrows Rd – 8 Novt 2017

Trip Report – Alternate Morte Lake Loop – 1 Nov 2017

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 We were fortunate to have yet another beautiful fall day for this hike around Morte Lake.  The forecast called for showers, but it was clear and cool.  We left the Morte Lake parking lot and hiked up the Morning Beer mountain bike trail, stopping for views of Chinese Mountains and glimpses of the outer islands.  We continued on to Lost Rider, Ridge Trail, the tripod and Connector.  None of that was the original plan, but it was a lovely walk.  At the south end of Morte Lake there was a cold wind with white caps on the lake, but when we carried on to the picnic table, it was sunny and sheltered.  The hike along the north bluffs over Morte Lake was sunny and there were great views. 10.5 km; 4½ hours.

Debbie

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Hiking – Alternate Morte Lake Loop – 1 Nov 2017

Trip Report – Mt. Seymour – 30 Oct 2017

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Six of us took advantage of the fantastic fall weather to hike up to Mt. Seymour to enjoy the views.  The cooler, crisp air was perfect for hiking.  There were hardly any mushrooms on the way up in this drier environment.   We enjoyed the views all along the open, rocky bluffs and visited the three outlooks at the summit for a nearly complete view. We had lunch on the east-facing bluff and stayed quite a while.  We could have stayed there all day!  8.0 km; 4½ hours.

– Norris

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Hiking – Mt. Seymour – 30 Oct 2017

Trip Report – Stramberg Old Growth Grove – 25 Oct 2017

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The cold front and rain passed in the night, so in the morning we had beautiful fall day.  Nine of us hiked the path from Village Bay Lake, passing by Vic’s Marsh and the old cabin to the pond viewpoint.  From there the trail heads north through the forest into Main Lake Park.  Although neglected for some years, the trail is now quite well flagged and maintained.  We passed through the junction of the old logging roads to the south and east of Stramberg Lake and we continued on the eastern road headed north.  With the sun and recent rain, everything was vibrant green.  The mushroom, mosses and liverwort were abundant.  We crossed the little creek and climbed up to the old growth grove.  After admiring the old trees and stopping for lunch, we followed the loop through the glade and retraced our path back to the vehicles.  About 12 km, 5+ hours.

– Norris

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Hiking – Stramberg Old Growth Grove – 25 October 2017

Hike – Mt. Seymour – 30 October 2017

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Activity Hiking
Destination Mt. Seymour
Date 30 October 2017, Monday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info 285-3710 or norris.weimer@ualberta.ca
Description This is a great hike and we’re hoping for wonderful views on a clear day.  It’s a steady climb up old logging roads, until the trail branches off and follows open bluffs and forest to the summit at 620 m, the highest point on Quadra Island. We will then descend by the same route.  Four to five hours.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Tru Value parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty moderate to difficult
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs?
Notes: Bring lunch and hiking poles if you use them.

Hiking – Main Lake from Surge Narrows Rd – 8 Nov 2017

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Activity Hiking
Destination Main Lake from Surge Narrows Rd
Date 8 November 2017, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca or 3710.  Please contact the coordinator in advance.
Description This is a flagged route from the Surge Narrows road, following old logging roads and paths through mature forest to the east end of Main Lake.  The route is not far (about 7.0 km), but quite slow due to rough conditions.  Expect wet sections and some climbing over deadfall.  If the group wants more of a walk, we can continue on to Yeatman Bay.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Tru Value parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty Moderate due to the rough trail conditions.
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs?
Notes: Bring lunch.

Hiking – Alternate Morte Lake Loop – 1 Nov 2017

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Activity Hiking
Destination Alternate Morte Lake Loop
Date 1 Nov 2017, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca or 285-3710.  Please contact the trip coordinator prior to the trip.
Description We will use mountain bike trails and official trails to make a loop.  We expect to start on Morning Beer, but the exact length of the loop will depend on conditions and the group.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot, to arrange carpools
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? okay if under control
Notes: Bring lunch and water.

Hiking – Stramberg Old Growth – 25 Oct 2017

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Activity Hiking
Destination Stramberg Old Growth
Date 25 Oct 2017, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 285-3710.  Please contact the trip coordinator prior to the trip.
Description This trail begins near Village Bay Lake and follows open meadows leading into and through the forest on old, unmaintained logging roads.  The reward at the end of the hike is a grove of old growth firs.  This is not an official trail.  Expect blow-down and brush. About 13 km; 5 hours or more.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot, to arrange carpools
Departure Time 09:30
Difficulty
 moderate, due to unmaintained trail and quite long
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? okay if under control
Notes: Bring lunch and water.

Trip Report – Eagle Crag – 20 Sept 2017

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We had a beautiful fall day for this short hike to Eagle Crag. It was clear and cooler, with maple leaves on the ground and fresh snow on the Vancouver Island mountains. We started up the trail on the south side of South Chinese Mountain, but kept going straight at the right-hand turn along the creek. The flagged path winds up, sometimes steeply, under the ridge. After passing along the base of some climbing routes, the path skirts the west end of the rock face and emerges at the top of the bluff. We wandered along the rock ledges, through manzanita, until we arrived at the east end. We took a break and admired the view before returning to the vehicles. 3.8 km; 2¾.

Debbie

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Hiking – Eagle Crag – 20 Sept 2017