Category Archives: moderate

Trip Report – Cortes, Linnaea Farm – 18-20 Apr 2016

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Eight members met at Cortes Ferry line-up for our three day hiking trip to Cortes Island. A lovely cruise on the ferry and a time for details about the trip. We first took a quick visit to Whaletown, a sweet community, then onto Gorge Harbour; walked the property and the dock. On to Linnaea Farm to leave our baggage. We began the first hike and hiked up to Easter Bluff, gorgeous views overlooking the south and west ends end of Cortes, Quadra and the mountains beyond. In the afternoon we walked at Hank’s Beach Forest Conservation Park, spent time on the beach.  The group enjoyed a delicious dinner around the big table at the farm.

Tuesday, Sabina, a marine biologist, took us on a walk from Smelt Bay to Manson’s Landing. This was a day filled with marine knowledge: identified wolf prints, sea-weeds, shells, grasses, birds, ducks, history of Cortes etc. It was a wonderful experience. Lunch near the beautiful maple trees and onto Manson’s Landing. Afternoon we walked Siskin Forest Park, one of the newer parks on Cortes. Again, a delicious dinner.

Final day we hiked in Kw’as Park. This is a large network of trails filled with old growth. We hugged the sides of Gunflint Lake and Hague Lake. Managed to climb up to the summit, a lovely display of wild flowers, arbutus and manzanita. We marveled at the huge red cedar trees and the dear survivor Douglas fir tree. We only managed to hike part of the park and certainly want to return.

Gunflint Lake was inviting and some chose to swim in order to cool down. Packed and onto the ferry, returning to Quadra.

I truly enjoyed this trip: the weather was a plus, the group was fantastic, the farm stay enjoyable and the hikes amazing. We all expressed what a gem Cortes Island is.

Margot

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Multi-day Hiking – Cortes, Linnaea Farm – 18-20 Apr 2016

Hiking – Sooke – 16-18 May 2016

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Activity Hiking
Destination Sooke
Date 16-18 May, Monday-Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca or 3710; please contact the coordinator by May 1.
Description We will spend three days (two nights) in Sooke. The suggested accommodation will be camping at the Sooke River Campground. They also have three rustic cabins for rent. We have reserved three tent sites.  Please contact the coordinator about these.  If you want an RV site or a cabin, please make the arrangements yourself (250-642-6076).

The primary hiking destinations will be the Coast Trail in East Sooke Regional Park, the Sooke Potholes, or other trails in the area. There is also the opportunity to bike along the Galloping Goose trail, or kayak in the harbour.
Meeting Place Sooke River Campground; 2259 Phillips Rd, Sooke
Departure Time na
Difficulty The Coast Trail is challenging. The walk along the Potholes is easy.
Cost Transportation and camping ($25/night/tent or $40 or $60/night for the cabins)
Trip limits none
Dogs? Possible, but challenging
Notes: This is a very historical area on Vancouver Island. Recommended reading: West Coast Pioneer – John Muir

Trip Report – Mt. Seymour – 13 Apr 2016

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Ten people and two dogs climbed Mt. Seymour. We all stayed dry while watching rain clouds over Vancouver Island. We visited the east, north and west viewpoints and enjoyed a short lunch stop trying to huddle out of the wind (6° C).  We hiked quickly and enjoyed the workout.  3½ hours, 8 km, 425m elevation gain.

Julie

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Hike – Mt. Seymour – 9 Mar 2016

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.