Category Archives: moderate

Trip Report – Bays and Bretons – 2 April 2025

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Six eager kayakers set out on a beautiful, sunny, spring day for our first group paddle of ‘25. For our first outing we were not too ambitious and were granted gentle conditions.  However, the Len Rd shore access had its challenges, as usual – a very small beach beyond a log jam for our put-in; 200 m of beach to cross on our return at low tide.

We were on the water at about 10:00 and paddled out, on calm waters, amid a flock of ducks (Buffleheads, Goldeneyes) fleeing our approach. We crossed the mouth of Hyacinthe Bay, and stayed close to the shoreline as we rounded Hyacinthe Point to enter Open Bay. A slight NW breeze rippled the water and we paddled halfway into the Bay before crossing to a group of rocky islands and then along the shore again. The tide was now low enough that we had to go around Valdez Point rather than picking a way through the rocky islets. The rock formations in this area are always fascinating to see close up. At this point two paddlers headed straight over to Breton Island and four of us continued on into Moulds Bay under the watchful eyes of a pair of eagles, one probably sitting on an egg or two, and a rest stop at a gravelly beach below a rustic home. A leg stretch is always welcome after an hour of paddling!

So as not to over-extend ourselves it was decided to head south through the small islands of the Breton group. A few Oystercatchers and Cormorants were sighted on the rocky outcrops. Then on to our lunch stop at the Breton Island “campsite”. It’s a nice sunny spot to relax and view the Salish Sea, from its “deep end”, south to the middle regions beyond Mitlenatch Island. No whale blows were sighted! The island has been closed to camping since becoming the Breton-Whitbridge Reserve under the BC Nature Trust in 2021.  Visit https://www.naturetrust.bc.ca/news/a-treasured-island for more information.

After lunch we set our sights on Turtle Island and started on the final leg. With about an hour remaining to a very low tide it seemed unlikely that we’d get around Turtle, and headed to the take out instead, which was now 200 metres from the parked cars! The portage to the headland was made much easier with four sets of kayak wheels which worked quite well on the firm, sandy beach. Everyone was glad to have finally got out on the water after a winter of cancelled paddle outings.(13.2 km; 4 hours)

Vic

Thanks to Carrie and Stephen for the photos.


(click on photos to enlarge)

Kayaking – Bays and Bretons – 2 April 2025

Hiking – Beech’s Mountain – 16 April 2025

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Activity Hiking
Destination Beech’s Mountain
Date 16 April, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 285-2029 or lhquadra@gmail.com
Description This will be a hike up to the second highest peak on Quadra with some magnificent views. We will be going up and back unless there are enough people that want to go over South Chinese on the way back. Wear good footwear and bring your hiking poles if you use them.
Meeting Place Community Centre parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty Moderate but some steep rocky areas
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs? No
Notes: Please sign up at least two days before as will be canceled or postponed if heavy rain.

Trip Report – Yellow Mud Loop – 26 March 2025

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Seven hikers enjoyed an 8 km, 3 hour hike in the area south of Walcan Road, starting at the pullout at Reed Lake. The weather was great for March – cloudy but with no rain, no wind and a pleasant 8° C. We headed south on Straight-as-a-Dime Trail, following a combination of newer bike trail sections and old logging roads. Turning east onto Backdoor Trail, we hiked over vibrant green moss-covered rock bluffs and through a pine forest. We continued on to Dick’s Ride and eventually ended back on Yellow Mud where we had lunch at the beaver dam before continuing on the last stretch of the trail. We heard many birds and were happy to listen to the croaking of the frogs. We continued northwest down Yellow Mud Trail through lush sword fern, hemlock and a Douglas fir forest.  Much work has been done on this part of the trail and the trail has been renamed Rob’s Ride in memory of Rob McKerracher. (8.2 km and 3 hours)

Louise

Thanks to Carrie, Les, Jim and Norris for the photos

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Yellow Mud Loop – 26 Mar 2025

Trip Report – Powell River – 21-24 Mar 2025

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The 2025 multi-day hike in Powell River was exceptional based on the weather forecast predicting rain, rain and more rain. Yet, seven enthusiastic hikers deciding to go regardless of the forecast and we were rewarded with three great days of hiking.

Friday: The group travelled to Powell River on the 10am ferry and wasted no time in exploring the trails.  On day one of a three-day hiking getaway in Powell River seven of us hiked the Lost Lake Loop which is accessed from Inland Lake Provincial Park. The loop is a small part of the Sunshine Coast Trail, which winds for 185 km and can be accessed via potholed logging roads in many locations. The hike was 8 km through a lovely sun dappled mossy forest with amazing cedar trees, and nice lake views. The trail was easy on the knees and soft on the feet, and the lake showed evidence of a healthy beaver population.

(click on photos to view larger)

Saturday – Our second day had the best weather forecast, so we planned TWO hikes. The first was Scout Mountain. We started on Sutherland Avenue to get to the Sunshine Coast Trail, and then we went southeast. It was a gentle climb through mossy trees and some open views until we reached the summit trail. We went counterclockwise and we’re so glad we did! There’s a steep climb before the summit. There was a bench to sit on at the top, and we were rewarded with amazing views in the sunshine. From the top, you can see wide-open views of Georgia Strait north and south, as well as Powell Lake. After a short break, we descended and took in more inspiring scenery. It was 5.5 km and 2¾ hours.

Next, after lunch, we explored Stillwater Bluffs, which is all on private land. The start of this trail is at a private residence, so you need to park back by the mailboxes. This is a gentle walk through the forest to the ocean. Here you can enjoy the ocean views before continuing on to the many open bluffs and breathtaking views north and south, or west to Texada Island. Partway there is a stone throne to sit on and enjoy the views. You go up and down many times on large rock formations along the coast, and then you return through the trees. It was 4 km and 1¾ hours.

Sunday – Day three we explored Blackwater Creek Trail which was a well groomed, excellently marked, beautiful forest hike to Kelly and David Lam Falls. There are gentle inclines and declines along this shaded hike. The trail features flush creeks, greenery, and a few picnic tables as well as a wooden observation deck at the waterfall. Part of the trail is called Green Road with is amply named for the lush moss, trees and undergrowth. We decided to start our hike in the early afternoon to allow the weather pattern to pass, and were rewarded with only a slight mist. Overall, we travelled 6.5 km and 2½ hrs on this creek trail.

The multi-day trip was a success thanks to everyone in the group that either helped with planning the hikes, connecting with the information center, taking pictures, prepping meals, creating parts of the trip report, but most importantly working together as a coherent group.

Louise and the team

Thanks to Jim, Carrie, Les, Norris and passing strangers for the photos

Multi-day Hiking – Powell River – 21-24 Mar 2025

Hike – Nugedzi Lakes – 9 April 2025

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This trip was re-scheduled from March 19th.

Activity Hiking
Destination Nugedzi Lakes and Views
Date 9 April, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info lhquadra@gmail.com 285-2029
Description We will start this trip at the Nugedzi trailhead near Granite Bay Road and Village Bay Road and finish at the start of Mt. Seymour Trail. We will be leaving a car at each end of the trail so it will be a bit shorter and we may go out to the Nugedzi lookout.
Meeting Place Quadra Community Centre
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty Moderate
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs? OK, but must be under control and on a leash if we encounter wildlife.
Notes: If it is raining very hard, it will be postponed as the hill is too much work with rain gear on. Bring a lunch or snack and dress for the weather.

Trip Report – Shellaligan Loop – 24 Feb 2025

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On a partially sunny day four hikers and two dogs set out to do the shorter loop counter clockwise. The rocks were wet, but trail was in good shape. The ocean views with the snowy mountain peaks in the distance are very picturesque on this shoreline walk. We paused on the Village Bay rocky point for the views up Hoskyn channel. We did not stay long as there was a cool breeze coming off the water. The group then continued down the shoreline and up the hill to the fork in the trail. From here we traveled down the gully and over the bridge. The creek was running fast and high. We continued on to the oyster farm where we enjoyed a lunch while watching the birds. After we returned back up the hill and to our vehicles.  (4.5 km and 2½ hours)

Les

Thanks to Les and Valerie for the photos

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Shellaligan Loop – 24 Feb 2025

Snow – Mt. Washington – 12 March 2025

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Previously scheduled on March 3rd.

Activity Snowshoeing
Destination Mt. Washington
Date 12 March, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710.  Please contact the coordinator by Saturday evening
Description We will head uphill from the Nordic centre taking the trails for Big View and Finger Glades.  Some sections are quite steep. About 5.5 km, 250 m elevation gain, 3.5-4 hours.  Snowshoes can be rented if needed and there is a $16 day pass that is required.
Meeting Place Quathiaski Cove Ferry terminal
Departure Time 9:30 ferry
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs Ferry, fuel and $16 Day Pass
Trip limits 10
Dogs? No
Notes: There is a lot of recent snow on the mountain now.. Bring lunch and gear appropriate for the weather.

Hiking – Shellaligan Loop – 24 Feb 2025

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Activity Hiking
Destination Shellaligan Loop
Date 24 Feb, Monday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info lhquadra@gmail.com  or 285-2029
Description We will drive out to Valdez Road and to the second parking spot. We will do the route counterclockwise. The first part is scrambling over some rocky bluffs so wear good shoes. We will possibly go down to the old oyster farm as well. Much of this trail is along the ocean shoreline so hopefully there will not be any snow. If there is a need to change the destination, I will contact anyone that has signed up.
Meeting Place Community Centre parking lot
Departure Time 10 am
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs? OK but must not run back-and-forth through the group
Notes: Bring a lunch or snack as we will stop on the open area at the entrance to Village Bay if there is no wind. You may want to use poles on the steeper section.

Trip Report – Nymph Falls to Comox Lake – 27 Jan 2025

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This was a very popular hike because we had never done it before and the weather was beautiful and crisp.  Thirteen of us took the ferry and then drove to the Comox Valley, parking at the Nymph Falls Nature Park.  We briefly walked down stream along the Puntledge River to view the falls, with its rock ledges and wide span.  We then followed the well constructed and maintained trail upstream to the weir, past the islands, through the mature forest and meandering trail, arriving at the dam.

Conveniently, there were picnic tables mostly in the sun for our lunch.  We wandered out to the bridge on the Comox Main logging road for a narrow view of Comox Lake and watched a guy jump into the frigid January water.  We then turned back and mostly returned by the same route, with a few short-cuts.  The group enjoyed the great weather, easy walking, the new scenery and the sociability. 14.2 km; 4½ hours.

Debbie 

Thanks to Jim and Norris for the photos

(click on photos to view larger)

Hiking – Nymph Falls to Comox Lake – 27 Jan 2025

Multi-day Hiking – Powell River – 21-24 March 2025

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Activity Multi-day hiking
Destination Powell River
Date 21-24 March 2025, Friday to Monday
Trip Coordinator Louise Squire
Contact Info 306 539 3813 or lsquire@sasktel.net  Anyone who is interested MUST contact the coordinator by March 1.
Description Multi-day hiking excursion in Powell River.
Day hikes only.
More details to follow, but feel free to call or email at anytime.
Meeting Place TBD
Departure Time TBD
Difficulty Moderate
Dogs No
Trip Limits 10
Costs Ferry to Powell River, meals and accommodations and any personal expenses.
Notes We are not trying to find a single accommodation for 10 people.  There will be more than one location for sleeping and eating.