Category Archives: moderate

Hiking – Mt. Becher – 17 June 2015

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Activity Hiking
Destination Mt. Becher
Date 17 June 2015, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Kathryn Manry and Mark Zimmerman
Contact Info 285-2103; please contact the coordinator on or before Monday, June 15 to sign up
Description Mt Becher is on the SE corner of Forbidden Plateau. The trail goes from the burnt-out Plateau Ski Lodge up to the sub-alpine summit (1390 m). There is a view down to Boston Lake and a lovely waterfall en route. Views over Forbidden Plateau, Comox Lake, Georgia Strait and the norther Gulf Islands from the top.
Meeting Place Q Cove Ferry parking area
Departure Time 7:15 for the 8:00 ferry – we will sort out car pooling then
Difficulty
 moderate to strenuous;  about 10 km return, 580 m elevation gain
Costs shared gas and ferry fee
Trip limits minimum of 4, maximum 12
Dogs? on leash, please
Notes: Bring lunch.

 

Trip Report – Newton Lake, Small Inlet & Waiatt Bay – 17 May 2015

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Seven of us set out on a hike to Waiatt Bay on Sunday. It was overcast and cool but just right for a long hike. The road from Granite Bay to the trail head is much better due to the logging road expansion. The trail in to Newton Lake is in good shape and the uphill hike makes for a good warm up. We stopped at the swimming spot for a snack and to admire the blue/green aqua color of the lake. As we descended to Small Inlet we passed the waterfall from the lake, which was gorgeous as usual. As we passed the head of the inlet we took the inland route which seems to be the preferred route now for hikers.  The tide was out at Waiatt Bay so made for a variety of spots for lunch.

On the return trip we took the portage trail to Small Inlet. It is in poor shape and much in need of some chainsaw work. It is always amazing though to see the bubbling spring near the ocean. From there we returned the same route in sunshine. The total trip was 14 km and took about 5 and a half hours.

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Hiking – Newton Lake, Small Inlet & Waiatt Bay – 17 May 2015

Kayaking – Carrington Bay – 23-25 June 2015

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Activity Kayaking and camping
Destination Carrington Bay, Cortes Island
Date 23-25 June 2015 Tuesday-Thursday
Trip Coordinator Margot Wood
Contact Info 285-2393.  Please inform Margot before June 19th, 2015.
Description Three days of kayaking and hiking in and around Carrington Bay.

We will take the first ferry to Cortes, drive to Seavista to launch our kayaks with our camping equipment. Kayaks have to be carried down to the beach, leaving our cars at the top parking area. We will paddle through Plunger Passage, Coulter Bay, into the Sutil Channel and onto Carrington Bay. This is interesting and can be a challenging paddle. On arrival at Carrington Bay we will set-up our tents near the lagoon entrance, a narrow channel through which the tide flows, mixing salt & fresh water. This is indeed  a lovely camping area with many sunny spots & the lagoon for swimming.
Carrington Bay is home to a significant amount of wildlife, beautiful old growth trees and a network of hiking trails. Days will be spent paddling & exploring Carrington Bay, north to Quartz Bay, all dependent on the weather conditions. Hikes to be taken within the Carrington Bay Park.  The return paddle will be the same route, taking time to explore Coulter Bay. Hopefully arriving in time to take the 3:50 p.m. return ferry.
Please note: one must have camping equipment, food, water, clothing to fit into their sea kayaks,  and all required safety equipment.  Also we are camping in wildlife country. First night pot-luck dinner, will arrange at a later date.
Margot will have different plans to accommodate the weather conditions.
Meeting Place Quadra ferry terminal to Cortes
Departure Time 9:05 ferry to Cortes
Difficulty
 moderate to difficult
Costs ferry to Cortes
Trip limits sea kayaking skills
Dogs? no
Notes: Please do your best to plan car sharing. We will be watching the weather patterns closely.

Trip Report – Noel’s Pizza Peak – 13 May 2015

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The weather forecast for this trip had been “60% rain” for a long time, so we had a back-up plan in place for an alternate destination. On the day of the trip, we awoke to rain. But by the time we arrived at the meeting place, the rain had stopped and it looked like it would be a nice day. So, back to Plan A. Seven of us went up the North Chinese Mountain trail to the flagged route up the ridge parallel and to the northeast of the Beech’s Mountain ridge. We followed Beaver Lake logging road for a while and then the flagged route to Noel’s Pizza lookout for lunch. Great views from there even though the mountains were in cloud. After lunch we went up the ridge to the upper cairn (475 m), descended to the saddle and took a short-cut to the flagged route to Beech’s Mountain. We enjoyed the views from the top, then down the maintained trail to the parking lot. 8.0 km; 5 hours. The moss is already dry, but the wild flowers were superb: columbine, wild bleeding heart, monkey flower, blue-eyed Mary, chocolate lily, coral root orchid, death camas, wild rose, yellow violets, penstemons, and many more.

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Hiking – Nole’s Pizza Peak – 13 May 2015

Hiking – Ripple Rock- 26 May 2015

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Activity Hiking
Destination Ripple Rock
Date 26 May 2015, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Julie Mellanby
Contact Info 285-3978; please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip
Description We will take the 9:00 ferry and drive north of Campbell River to the trailhead.  The trail has been much improved in recent years.  The Club has not done this walk since the suspension bridge has been replaced.  This is a lovely walk through forest and along the shore, climbing at the end to the western bluff of Seymour Narrows.  There are great views.   About 4 hours.
Meeting Place Q Cove ferry terminal; car pools will be arranged in advance
Departure Time 9:00 ferry; if you are driving, come early as this is a busy ferry
Difficulty
 moderate
Costs ferry
Trip limits none
Dogs?
Notes: Bring lunch.

 

Hiking – Newton Lake, Small Inlet & Waiatt Bay – 17 May 2015

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Activity Hiking
Destination Newton Lake, Small Inlet and Waiatt Bay
Date 17 May 2015, Sunday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 285-2029; please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip
Description First we will drive to Granite Bay and the trail head. The road in to the trailhead is much better due to logging activity. We will hike to Newton Lake and then descend down to Small Inlet. This is the new Heart of Quadra Park area. We will use the portage trail to cross to Waiatt Bay and return via the same route.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store for car pooling
Departure Time 9:30
Difficulty
 First part easy and second moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? Yes, as long as they will stay by you
Note: Bring a lunch.
Parts of the trail can be wet this time of year.
About 12 km at an easy pace;  about 4-5 hours including driving.

 

Trip Report – Kayaking Gowlland Harbour – 6 May 2015

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Six members met at April Point marina. The very low tide provided an excellent opportunity to see intertidal marine life. Paddled the east side of Gowlland Island, picking up two further kayakers. We kept out of the way of the tug boat coming in with a log boom. The islands gave us a beautiful display of wildflowers, the yellow/pink blush. We enjoyed floating amongst the seals, they put on quite a display. The sea urchins and starfish were amazing along the rock and floor of the ocean.  Paddled over to the shipwreck off May Island and held our lunch on May Island. The island was covered with flowers, such a beautiful wild garden. Margot showed us the old eagles nest and the disaster that happened a couple of years ago.  We then paddled over and along the shore of Quadra Island, beautiful rock faces coloured with an array of flowers. We paddled past Gowlland Harbour Resort, Fawn, Stag, and Doe islands, and eventually on to April Point. The day felt like summer, a brilliant blue sky and warm sunshine all day. The eagles and seals delighted us, a lovely paddle and a good start off for further kayaking trips.

What a magnificent way to spend a day.

Margot Wood

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Kayaking – Gowlland Harbour – 5 May 2015

Hiking – Noel’s Pizza Peak – 13 May 2015

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Activity Hiking
Destination Noel’s Pizza Peak
Date 13 May 2015, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info 285-3710 or norris.weimer@ualberta.ca; please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip
Description Noel’s Pizza is the informal name for the west ridge of Beech’s Mountain.  It is a great viewpoint overlooking Morte Lake.  It is a flagged route, not an official trail.  There are several different approaches that we can use and a loop is possible.  About 4 hours.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store for car pooling
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? no
Notes: Bring lunch.  If you use poles, bring them.

 

Trip Report – Carrington Bay, Cortes – 15 April 2015

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Imagine a forest in trust to the children of Cortes Island.

On Wednesday, April 15th, 13 walkers plus one black dog experienced a part of this forest. We took the 9:05 a.m. ferry to Cortes and were met by Andy and Andrew who hosted this walk on behalf of ‘Forest Trust’. Andy Ellingsen began by giving us an overview of the walk in the woods. These forest lands, at the heartland of Cortes Island, are ecologically significant and contain wetland, herbaceous plants, woodland and old growth. We followed the old logging road and onto well marked paths.  Andy took us to the site of an old settlement, the old fruit trees in full bloom. We continued onto Carrington Lagoon, a narrow channel through which the tides flows. We sat and had our lunch in this beautiful area with a number of lovely campsites. From here we continued onto ‘Grandmothers Grove’, a beautiful old growth stand of trees, along side James Creek watershed that supports cutthroat trout & spawning salmon. Andy fed us all so much information on identifying trees and what to look for in trees. His father was a logger in Van Donop region and gave Andy a wealth of knowledge.

We then continued onto the parking area filled with the memory of a small part of northern Cortes Island.

We thank our hosts Andy, Andrew & Christine Robinson for organizing this hike.

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Hike Carrington Bay – 15 April 2015

Trip Report – Kayaking Open Bay – 8 April 2015

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On Wednesday, April 8, six paddlers gathered at Len Road and were rewarded with a gorgeous day. The wind was light to nonexistent and water near flat. Sunscreen was definitely a good idea. We headed toward Heriot Island to look at flowers on the small dry islands on the way. After rounding the small islets we headed to Seal Rock, where of course there were seals, and then on to the sandy beach at Open Bay.

After lunch some members wanted to paddle more so the group divided. Two went back to Len Road for a total of about two hours paddling as planned. The other four went on to the Bretons, rounded the south island, and then paddled back. By then the tide was quite low and the inter-tidal viewing was excellent. One could not have hoped for a more ideal spring day for a paddle.

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Kayaking – Open Bay 8 April 2015