Category Archives: moderate

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

Hiking – B&B Trail – 3 Feb 2016

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Activity Hiking
Destination B&B Trail and beyond
Date 3 February 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, both maintained and unmaintained, and on routes.  The plan is to venture beyond the trail to Eileen’s lookout, with an excellent view.  The hike can be further extended depending on the group.
Meeting Place Thompson trailhead
Departure Time 9:30 am
Difficulty
 moderate
Costs  none
Trip limits  8
Dogs? yes
Notes: Be prepared for wet.  Bring a snack or even lunch.

 

Hiking – Maud Island – 13 Feb 2016

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Activity Hiking
Destination Maud Island
Date 13 Feb 2016, Saturday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 285-2029;  Please contact the trip coordinator prior to the trip.
Description Hike to Maud Island to view Seymour Narrows at 12 knot ebb tide at 11:50. We will go over Mt. Lolo going and the lower route coming back. Total distanced is about 10.5 km.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot for car pooling
Departure Time  9:30
Difficulty
  moderate
Costs  none
Trip limits  none
Dogs? No.  The narrow and steep sections of this trail make it dangerous to bring dogs.
Notes:  Bring a lunch to eat at the narrows.

Trip Report – Mt. Washington – 6 Jan 2016

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Four of us snow shoed at Mt. Washington, starting at Raven Lodge. We had mostly misty clouds and quite warm temperatures. We followed Rossiter’s Rise trail untracked, all to ourselves, and then looped back to the Lodge for lunch. In the afternoon we followed Tree Beard’s Trail, Crooked Creek, and part of Old Cabin Loop. There was lots of snow and the accumulated snow on the trees made imaginative shapes. 8.4 km; about four hours.

Debbie

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Snow – Mt. Washington – 6 Jan 2016

Snowshoeing – Kelowna – 19-22 Feb 2016

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Activity Snowshoeing
Destination Kelowna, BC
Date 19-22 February 2016, Friday to Monday
Trip Coordinator Gloria Heisterman
Contact Info heisterman@shaw.ca or 778-420-0683
Description
A trip to Kelowna to snowshoe in their beautiful dry snow! Kelowna area has so much to offer; two of our favorites are Crystal Mountain and past Big White; a pristine trail to a secret little cabin tucked in the forest. We have arranged for us from the QIOC to billet and snowshoe with fun people from the Kelowna Adventure Club. In return we will host them on Quadra (probably in the spring or summer 2016)
Tentative plans are as follows;
-leave Quadra early Friday morning Feb 19th for travel to Kelowna
-meet with billet hosts Friday evening after we have had dinner
-Sat and Sunday snowshoe;
–Monday Feb 22nd return to Quadra Island
Difficulty
 Moderate; there will be some hills.
Costs Will try to keep this a budget trip. Accommodation will be free, but will need to pay for ferry and  share vehicle expenses. Details re meals will be determined once we are further into the planning.
Trip limits
Number of people could be limited to 8 or 10 and we will also be limited by number of volunteer vehicles/drivers.
If you think you are interested please let me know now, but must commit by Jan 26, 2016
Must have ability to host billets from Kelowna
Snowshoes will be available to rent in Kelowna
Dogs?  No
Notes: Dates are tentative; if you would love to go, but Feb 19th weekend doesn’t work for you please let me know.

 

Hiking – Bike Trails – 17 Feb 2016

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 POSTPONED TO 16 MARCH

Activity Hiking
Destination Bike trails, north of North Gowlland Harbour Rd.
Date  16 March 17 February 2016, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Mark and Kathryn
Contact Info 250-285-2103; please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip
Description Carpool from store, 3 to 4 hours estimated total time, snack breaks may be taken.  Be prepared for wet!
Meeting Place Heriot Bay grocery store
Departure Time 10:00 am
Difficulty
 Suitable for most
Costs Coffee and gas
Trip limits 10
Dogs?  If well behaved
Notes:

 

Hiking – Blindman’s Bluff – 30 Dec 2015

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Activity Hiking
Destination Cape Mudge Blindman’s Bluff
Date 30 December 2015, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info phone 3710 or norris.weimer@ualberta.ca.  Please contact the coordinator in advance.
Description We’re expecting cold, sunny weather for this scenic walk.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs?
Notes: Bring lunch or snack.

Mine Lake Bluff – 18 November 2015

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Activity Hiking
Destination Mine Lake Bluff
Date 18 November 2015, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Julie Mellanby
Contact Info phone 3978.  Please contact the coordinator in advance.
Description Park near the Mine Lake boat access and walk to Camp Homewood.  From there the route ascends the bluff to the north of Mine Lake with great views — and the weather forecast is very good.  The trail going up the bluff can feel a bit exposed.  This is a hike, not a climb, but do have good footwear and be careful.  The trail down is a regular trail and it loops back underneath the bluffs to the start of the steep bit.  You could go up the down trail, but don’t try to go down the up trail.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Tru Value parking lot
Departure Time 09:30
Difficulty moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? yes
Notes: Bring lunch.