Category Archives: moderate

Trip Report – Mt. Washington – 7 Apr 2016

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The wonderful, though late, snow at Mt. Washington was too much to resist. Four of us went for one last snowshoe outing, a day later than planned, but it was worth it for the great weather. The ski resort was closed during weekdays, but the conditions were very good – lots of snow, warm, but not slushy. We headed across the meadows and up to Battleship Lake. We paused for lunch sheltered by the trees and continued on to Helen Mackenzie Lake. From there we followed the main track back to Raven Lodge. It was excellent – brilliant sunshine, the great snow, and no crowds. 7.6 km; a bit more than 3 hours.

Debbie

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Snow – Mt. Washington – 6 Apr 2016

Trip Report – Beech’s Mtn Loop – 30 Mar 2016

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Eight hikers and one dog enjoyed a spectacular sunny day on this five hour hike, including guests Dina and Daryl from the Bulkley Valley. The maintained trail, which branches off South Chinese Mountain trail, was followed to the top of Beech’s Mountain, the second highest point on Quadra Island after Mt. Seymour. Our lunch break was spent overlooking an 180 degree panorama of the east side of Quadra and beyond to the mainland.

From the top of the mountain, we followed a flagged route down and around the mountain, and onto the North Chinese ridge at its north end. From there, the route over sunny mossy bluffs took us back to the North Chinese Mountain trail near the point where it heads up to North Chinese Mountain viewpoint. We headed down the steep rubbly trail/old logging road and back to the vehicles at the Chinese Mountain parking lot.   There were lots of stops to appreciate the views across to both the Vancouver Island and Coast Mountains, as well as views south down Georgia Strait.

I think this is one of the best hikes for stunning views on a clear day. Hiking level is moderate with sustained uphill and a few short difficult sections over bluffs on the way up the mountain. The route on the second half of the hike includes two long downhill sections of rock-strewn old logging roads which can be hard on tender knees. Walking sticks are recommended.

Janis

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Hike – Beech’s Mtn Loop – 30 Mar 2016

Snow – Mt Washington – 6 April 2016

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 POSTPONED TO 7 APRIL

Activity Snow
Destination Mt. Washington
Date 7 6 April 2016, Thursday Wednesday
Trip Coordinator QIOC
Contact Info qioutdoorclub@gmail.com;  please e-mail by Sunday night
Description This is one last trip to Mt. Washington, with spring conditions.  Activities and destination will depend on the interests of the group.
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
 Up to the group.
Costs Ferry and shared fuel.  Snowshoe pass at Raven Lodge is $8, but we might not go there.
Trip limits Availability of cars going up to Mt. Washington
Dogs? No
Notes: Bring equipment, warm clothing and lunch.

 

Trip Report – DW1 Copper Mine – 2 Mar 2016

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It was a cloudy but mild day as four hikers set out to do some exploring. We drove to the summit of Deepwater Main and started from there.  There was lots of water in the creeks and on the trail from recent rain.

We first climbed a steep old road for 1.5 km to an old copper mine. It was once probably the largest mine on Quadra. There are many old remnants around the entrance. The main shaft has started falling in so if you go to the mine be very careful. Water has filled the shaft but there is an excellent view from a side shaft. We explored a bit more then returned to where we had parked.

Our next adventure was to explore an old logging road that veers south and up from the Deepwater Main. We climbed for 3.1 km this time until we met an old road that comes in from the Granite Bay gravel pit. We had hoped for this as the other road showed on an old topography map. At this point we decided to call it a day and returned via the same path.

The trip was 9.2 kilometers and 440 meters of vertical in 4 hours. This was a good workout as we had spent an hour looking around at the mine.

Les

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Hike – DW1 Copper Mine – 2 March 2016

Hiking – Beech’s Mtn Loop – 30 Mar 2016

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Activity Hiking
Destination Beech’s Mtn Loop
Date 30 Mar 2016, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Janis McLean
Contact Info 285-3614; please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip.
Description This hike will be on trails, logging roads and routes.  We will hike to the summit of Beech’s Mtn, then descend the backside  to the old Beaver Rd and then follow a flagged route down the parallel ridge to the Chinese Mtn parking lot.  About 4 hours, 7km.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot for carpooling
Departure Time 9:00 am
Difficulty
 moderate
Costs  none
Trip limits  8
Dogs? yes
Notes: Bring lunch and a walking pole if you like them.  If the weather is poor, we will hike to an alternative destination.

 

Hiking – Morte Lake Loop – 23 March 2016

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 POSTPONED

Activity Hiking
Destination Morte Lake Loop
Date 23 Mar 2016, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Julie Mellanby
Contact Info 285-3978.  Please contact the trip coordinator prior to the trip.
Description We will hike the classic loop on maintained trails.  This is a lovely walk through open forest around the lake on bluffs, old logging roads and trails.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot, to arrange carpools
Departure Time 09:00
Difficulty
 moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? yes
Notes: Bring lunch and water.

Hiking – Mt. Seymour – 9 March 2016

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Re-Scheduled

Activity Hiking
Destination Mt. Seymour
Date 13 April 9 Mar 2016, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Julie Mellanby
Contact Info 285-3978.  Please contact the trip coordinator prior to the trip.
Description We will hike up the old logging road and then follow the trail over rocky bluffs with great views of the Nugedzi Lakes and Discovery Passage.  From the summit there are views of Vancouver Island and mainland mountains.  Four to five hours, about 8 km and 425m elevation gain.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot, to arrange carpools
Departure Time 09:00
Difficulty
 moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? yes
Notes: Bring lunch and water.  If you use a walking stick, bring it. If the weather is poor, we will do an alternative hike.

Trip Report – Maud Island – 13 Feb 2016

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Even thought there was a forecast for rain, four hikers decided to give it a go. The first half an hour was indeed wet but the trees protected us quite a bit. Moss among the trees is especially green now.  The rain let up as we scrambled up over Mt. Lolo being careful of the slippery rocks.

When we crossed the causeway to Maude Island the wind was really howling. We were lucky though and the lunch spot over the narrows was in the lee of the island. While we ate lunch the ebb tide rapids put on a great show at 12 knots. At that speed the ocean was more like a white water river.  There were five sea lions playing and feeding at the edge of the heavy current as well as many whirlpools.

On the way back rain started again, but all and all it was a great hike of about 10.5 km; 3.75 hours.

Les

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Hike – Maud Island – 13 Feb 2016

Hiking – Cortes Island – 18-20 Apr 2016

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Activity Hiking
Destination Cortes Island, Linnaea Farm
Date 18-20 Apr, Monday-Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Margot Wood
Contact Info 250-285-2393.  Please contact the coordinator by April 1st.
Description Planning three days of hiking on Cortes Island, staying at Linnaea Farm House. This is an eight bedroom rustic farmhouse, on the edge of Gunflint Lake at the gateway to many of the hiking trails on Cortes. This is still an active farm & was once the residence of the farmers who ran Lakeview Dairy, the last raw milk in B.C.
I have ordered beautiful weather, allowing us to hike many of  the trails, Green Mountain, Easter Bluff, Kw’as Park, Hanks Beech Forest Park, Sisken Forest Park, Carrington Trails etc. Or you can sign-up for farm chores. If you wish to bring your kayak, we can paddle the lake & beyond.
A schedule of trails will be developed & presented daily with your input. I would also like to take you to the ‘Free Store’….pretty neat.
Pot-luck dinners will be organized, using the kitchen at the farmhouse.
You may chose to stay one/two nights……..let me know.
Please check:  www.linnaeafarm.org
Meeting Place Cortes ferry terminal
Departure Time 9:05 ferry to Cortes
Difficulty easy to moderate
Costs $50 per night with bed linens/ $30 per night with own sleeping bag. Ferry round trip.
Trip limits When the bedrooms are full.
Dogs? No. Not allowed at the farm.
Notes: Car pooling will be organized.
Bring food for breakfast, & lunch and pot-luck dinners.
Hope you can make this trip before we get out into the garden.

Trip Report – B&B Trail Loop – 3 Feb 2016

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Despite the gloomy forecast for a blustery rainy day, five hikers set out on the Thompson Trail from the Thompson Road trailhead, then branched off to the first marked viewpoint. Although the Coast Mountains were hidden due to the weather, there was still a good view to the east over the islands. From the viewpoint, we followed the open mossy ridge downhill to a forested trail which connected to the B&B Trail. This trail was named for two now defunct Bed and Breakfast establishments in the vicinity of Harper Graham’s corner on Hyacinthe Bay Road, where the trail begins. We turned left (south) on the B&B Trail to an unmarked junction where we branched off on a side trail to the right (north), which led us uphill to a bluff above Hyacinthe Bay Road. We climbed west to the top of the ridge (153 meters altitude which is slightly higher than the Hopespring viewpoints) over mossy open bluffs.   At the top we had a panoramic ocean view to the east and southeast, and forests to the west and south, well worth the effort. We returned on the side trail to the B&B unmarked junction and turned right to carry on uphill (south).   For a good part of its length, the B&B Trail overlooks a rushing stream set in a deep gully. At the Thompson Trail junction we turned left (east) and hiked back to Thompson Road. Total hiking time was approximately 2.5 hours, including time for photos and taking in the views. Hiking level moderately difficult over bluff sections.

Janis

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Hiking – B&B Trail – 3 Feb 2016