Trip Report – Around Mt. Seymour – 13 Sept 2017

On a cool, clear, crisp fall day, six of us set out to do the hike around Mt. Seymour.  The first leg was up the trail to Nugedzi Lake and it was a relief not to have the climb up in the scorching temperatures of the previous weeks.  We stopped at the viewpoint near the top of the steep part and appreciated the smoke-free air again and the views of the mountains which had been hidden by smoke most of the summer.  Not much snow left on them anymore.

We had lunch at Nugedzi Lake and a couple pairs of feet were cooled off in the lake.  Then there was a short bushwhack through a little salal and we joined a flagged route.  No idea who flagged this route, but it is very pretty, going along the ridge and valleys through old open forest, then it makes a descent and joins an old logging road.  The old logging road is easy walking, going past a couple of lakes, then it contours around the north side of Mt. Seymour.  We stopped at several more viewpoints.  Finally the logging road descends and meets the Granite Bay road and the cars we had placed there in the morning.  12.6 km; 6¾ hours.

Norris

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Hiking – Around Mt. Seymour – 13 Sept 2017

Trip Report – Kanish Bay – 30 Aug 2017

After weeks of dry weather, August 30 started out in a shower of rain, delaying, but not cancelling, the planned kayak outing to the Chained Islets in Kanish Bay. Four club members launched at the Granite Bay ramp and made our way along the south coast of the Bay to the Islets. After a short break for a snack, we ambled back, meeting rain about half an hour before returning to Granite Bay. The main benefit of the weather was the calm to light breezes from the southeast, rather than the heavy north westerlies that often blow into the Bay.  9.9 km; 3¼ without the shore break.

Darcy Mitchell

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Kayaking – Kanish Bay – 30 August 2017

Hiking – Around Mt. Seymour – 13 Sept 2017

Activity Hiking
Destination Around Mt. Seymour
Date 13 Sept 2017, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710.  Please contact the trip coordinator prior to the trip.
Description We will hike around Mt. Seymour on maintained trails, old logging roads and flagged routes.  We will start at the Nugedzi trailhead and end at the gravel pit on the Granite Bay Road.  There are several small lakes along the way.  The route goes up around the backside (west) of the mountain but does not go to the summit.  There are some viewpoints on the north side. A car shuffle will be necessary.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot, to arrange carpools
Departure Time 09:00
Difficulty
moderate but fairly long
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs?
Notes: The Club has done this trip once before, but this will be shorter and easier walking, however still very much off the beaten path.

Hiking – Eagle Crag – 20 Sept 2017

Activity Hiking
Destination Eagle Crag
Date 20 Sept 2017, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info 285-3710 or debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca; please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip
Description This hike begins on the south side of South Chinese Mountain.  It then follows a flagged route to a climbing wall.  The route goes around and up to the top of the climbing area.  This involves some big steps and minor scrambling. The effort is rewarded with great views.  About 3 hours.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store for car pooling
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
Moderate.  This is a short hike (5km) mostly without a maintained trail and one very steep section which may feel exposed.
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? no
Notes: Bring lunch

 

Trip Report – Nugedzi Lakes & Lookouts – 16 Aug 2017

The five of us and a dog enjoyed all the lakes and lookouts along the Nugedzi trails.  We stopped at two viewpoints off the steep section on the old road, with views to the northeast which were somewhat hazy with smoke.  We then continued on to the Lily Pond and the viewpoint looking southeast. We hiked through the ancient forest arriving at Nugedzi Lake in time for lunch and a refreshing swim. Continuing on, we stopped at the viewpoints over Discovery Passage and then retraced our steps, making the loop to Little Nugedzi on the return.   Everyone enjoyed the hike and returned pleasantly tired, especially Joe, the dog.  11.5 km; 5½ hours.

Debbie and Julie

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Hike – Nugedzi Lakes &Views – 16 Aug 2017

Trip Report – Savary Island – 7-9 Aug 2017

We took advantage of Cyndy’s generous offer to visit Savary Island. Getting there can be a challenge, but there are many ways to do it. We came by boat and anchored off Indian Point at the west end of the island. On Tuesday we walked along the beach taking advantage of a very low tide in the middle of the day. The heat of the day was reduced by the smoky haze clouding the coastal skies from inland BC fires. Savary is famous for its sandy beaches and shallow shoreline. Starting at Indian Point, we walked east appreciating the interesting intertidal life. We stopped at the spring, the mermaid rock, admired the burrowing anemone, sand dollars, crabs, snails and shells. After lunch on the beach, we crossed the island on trails in the undeveloped central lands. We passed by the disused airstrip and continued on to the south shore with sand dunes and high bluffs. We met Jen, whose family has had property on Savary since 1930. We made a side trip to the spirit tree before continuing along the shore where some families were enjoying the beach. After checking out an antique store, we returned to Indian Point on the Sunset Trail. Cyndy’s local knowledge made a huge difference in exploring Savary. 16.6 km; 6½ hours.

Debbie

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Multi-day trip – Savary Island – 7-9 August 2017

Trip Report – Open Bay to Breton Island – 9 Aug 2017

Four members enjoyed an unusually calm and peaceful paddle from Len Road Beach to Open Bay. We paddled past Seal Rock at the mouth of Hyacinthe Bay to check out the seal colony then stopped briefly at Big Beach in Open Bay, where we observed a few tents at the high tide line. Enjoying the foreshore and intertidal exposed by the very low tide, we explored the caves and outcroppings of Open Bay, the extreme infolding and convolutions of the unique geological formations of this area were clearly visible. We continued over to the Breton islets, lazily watched by the seal colony draped over the exposed rocks, and a few curious Bonaparte Gulls. We were pleased to see so many sea-stars back again, and carpets of sea urchins in the more active waters between the islets. After a short lunch stop on the south Breton, we paddled back to Len Beach across the glass-still ocean, concluding the calmest paddle I have ever enjoyed on Quadra.

Valerie van Veen, Trip Coordinator

Note:   In the last photo, Len, our newest member, demonstrates the new membership requirement for carrying kayaks. Existing members are grand-fathered/mothered from this requirement. 😃 lol

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Kayaking  – Open Bay to Breton Island – 9 Aug 2017

Kayaking – Open Bay to Breton Island – 9 Aug 2017

Activity Kayaking
Destination Open Bay to Breton Island
Date 9 August 2017, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Valerie
Contact Info vvv@qisland.ca,  or 250 285 2329; must contact coordinator 24hrs before to confirm
Description A casual half-day paddle to Open Bay and islets.
Meeting Place Len Road launch
Departure Time Arrive in time for 10:00 departure
Difficulty
moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? no
Notes: No lake or recreational kayaks. Kayaks must be ocean-worthy wilth all safety equipment. Bring snack, water, appropriate clothing for a half day paddle. Cancelled if winds greater than 20 knots.

Trip Report – Newton Lake and Beyond – 26 July 2017

Seven hikers trekked from the Newton Lake trail parking lot to the Lake, where several people swam and we had a quick lunch, accompanied by the intermittent serenade of loons.   We then headed down the trail to Small Inlet, and over to Waiatt Bay.  We returned through the ‘portage’ branch,  which skirts a rather mysterious bubbling spring, then along the beach and back to the main trail. There was a bit of puffing and panting up the rather steep climb back to Newton Lake, where swimmers again enjoyed a cool break.  It was a lovely day, sunny and not too warm.  We met several other parties on the trail (busy for Quadra!).  Except for the steep bit on the return from Small Inlet to Newton Lake, the trail is good throughout, although there is a fair amount of loose rock between the parking lot and the Lake, which makes for tricky footing in parts.  14.8 km; 6¼ hours.

Darcy

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Hiking – Newton Lake and Beyond – 26 July 2017

Hiking – Mine Lake Bluff – 5 Sept 2017

 This trip has been postponed or cancelled.  

Activity Hiking
Destination Mine Lake Bluff
Date 5 September 2017, Tuesday
Trip Coordinator Julie Mellanby
Contact Info phone 3978.  Please contact the coordinator in advance.
Description We will leave from the parking area on the road near the Mine Lake access and walk to Camp Homewood.  From there the route ascends steeply the rocky bluff to the north of Mine Lake with great views (weather permitting).  A loop will be made by a trail which descends to the north and circles back to the trail just before Camp Homewood.  The route up the bluff can feel a bit exposed.  On the return, there will be the opportunity for a swim in Mine Lake.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Tru Value parking lot
Departure Time 9:30
Difficulty moderate, and challenging if not comfortable with exposure
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs?
Notes: Bring lunch and swimming gear if you wish.