Category Archives: multi-day trip

Multi-day Kayaking, Camping – Granite & Kanish Bays, Small Inlet – 22-24 Aug 2023

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This is now a day trip on August 22, Tuesday.

Activity Multi-day kayaking, camping and hiking
Destination Granite and Kanish Bays, Small Inlet
Date 22-24 Aug 2023, Tuesday to Thursday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-285-2111; text 250-287-0459
Description This will be a two night multi-day paddling trip out of Granite Bay. We will set up a base camp at Orchard Bay and explore the familiar haunts of Small Inlet and Kanish Bay. As well as doing lots of paddling we will do the hikes to Waiatt Bay and Newton Lake.
Day 1: paddle to Chained Islets and Bodega Pt and finish at Orchard Bay on a rising tide.
Day 2: paddle to east end of Small Inlet and hike to Waiatt Bay and/or Newton Lake (not a lot of tidal change on this day); camp at Orchard Bay
Day 3: paddle to Granite Pt., Nixon Is, Ashlar Creek and return to Granite Bay and take out on a rising tide.
WEATHER/WINDS will determine the final trip plan and itinerary. We will be very flexible.
Meeting Place Granite Bay boat launch at 0830
Departure Time 0900
Difficulty Distances, winds, and tides make this a moderately difficult multi day trip.
Cost Parking and launch about $15 to $20. Carpooling means fewer cars in the lot and lower costs.
Trip limits 8
Dogs? No.
Notes: Must have ocean kayaks with sealed hatches and sprayskirt with all Transport Canada required safety equipment. PLEASE REVIEW OUR PADDLING GUIDELINES. You will not put in unless fully equipped. (https://qioutdoorclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/paddling-guidelines-july2023.pdf ) Trip is weather and wind dependent. Only signed-up participants will be contacted of any changes in plans. MUST sign up by Sunday evening, August 20.
You need drinking water for 3 days, your own camping gear and food. Be aware of the weather forecast when prepping your gear and clothing. There are no food caches or outhouses. We will hang our food and have a designated “outhouse” area.

Trip Report – Main Lake Provincial Park – 6-8 June 2023

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Five club members took part in a three day paddle, camp, hike in our beautiful, “backyard” playground, Main Lake Provincial Park. The flawless weather – sunny and hot – set the scene for a tremendous outing.

On day one we got organized at the Mine Lake boat launch and set off for the 45 minute paddle across Mine and Main Lakes in a fairly stiff breeze, to “Howard’s Site” on the north shore. After setting up our campsite we did a short walk/scramble to two nearby viewpoints. The hot afternoon sun tempted us back to the shade of our campsite and a first swim in 2023, for some of us. R and R, conversation and supper followed by a good night’s sleep rounded out the day.  (Paddle 3.5 km, 1 hour; hike 1.4 km, 1 hour)

(click to enlarge photos)

Day two started with a leisurely breakfast and the decision to paddle two lakes. Variable winds – speed and direction – and lots of sun, as we headed west to the end of Main Lake and into Shadowbrook leading to Little Main Lake. We did some fancy paddling to navigate the stream and stepped out of the kayaks to get past a shallow spot and a downed tree. Signs of beaver were evident and the air was filled with birdsong and activity. We circled Little Main Lake and then retraced our route back into Main Lake where we finally took a break after about three hours on our butts. After our lunch stop at the campsite northwest of Howard’s, we paddled on to the eastern end of the lake. BTW, we had seen only a few other people on the water and no other campers. After beaching our kayaks we set off on the Yeatman Bay hike, keeping cooler in the shade of the forest. At Yeatman Bay, due to a very low tide, we were able to add some distance to our hike by going out to the now accessible island and the reward of a much wider view of Okisollo Channel. Not a boat on the water here either!! Turning back, we made the return hike and short paddle back to our base camp – very hot, happy with the day, and pretty well played out. A swim, a beverage and snacks were well earned.  (Paddle 12.2 km, 4 hours, hike 3.8 km, 1¾  hours, paddle 1 km, 19  min)

A very quiet, moonlit night ended early with the first birdsong in the wee hours of our third day. We managed to break camp and get on the water by 0830 and paddled to the lake’s eastern beach/campsite once again. This early start provided the opportunity to hike the Surge Narrows Road trail in the cool of the morning with the forest beautifully illuminated…. highlighting the big trees, lush moss, ferns, creeks, lakes. Evidence of wolves feasting on a deer in a past season was scattered on a section of the trail; evidence of timber harvests by Quadra’s pioneers were scattered throughout the forest. While resting briefly at Surge Narrows Road someone commented on the fine view of a well-maintained Quadra thoroughfare! Sometimes the journey is more rewarding than the destination. On the return hike we investigated the old squatter’s campsite on the shore of “Roscoe Lake”, opined that the “artifacts” were likely never to be removed, and then headed to the kayaks. The 50 minute paddle to the takeout on Mine Lake, with a slight headwind, completed a very successful mid-week weekend.  (paddle 1 km, ¼ hour, hike 5.8 km, 2½ hours, paddle 4 km)

Vic

Multi-day kayaking, camping – Main Lake Provincial Park – 6-8 June 2023

Trip Report – Morton Lake Provincial Park – 23-25 May 2023

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Tuesday:  There were seven of us on this camping, kayaking and hiking trip, with flexible arrival and departure times.  Les went out early and stayed Monday night at Morton Lake Provincial Park.  The rest of us arrived on Tuesday morning and set up our campsites right away.  After a picnic lunch at the Mohun Lake boat launch in the sun, we launched and paddled south into Mohun Lake with a light northwest breeze following us and fabulous views of Strathcona Park ahead.  We checked out two campsites on the way and then got out at the Pacific Yew Rec Site to stretch our legs before heading back.  The Lake and campgrounds were very quiet and we only saw two canoes all day.  The water levels were high everywhere, sometimes making it tricky to get ashore.  After returning to the Provincial Park, most of us took a short walk along Morton Lake to a rocky outcropping along the shore where people had made many, many cairns.  We enjoyed a great happy hour at Les’ campsite with much too much yummy food, before a restful evening at our campsites.

(click to enlarge photos)

Wednesday: We were on the water shortly after 9:30 on a clear day with a light northwest breeze.  We headed north through the old trestles into Goose Lake, with the Menzies Massif high above the Lake.  We made leisurely progress checking out the campsites on the shore and getting out at G6 and G7 for closer inspection.  We continued north to Seagull Bay and hauled out there.  After lunch on the dock, most of us walked the portage trail connecting to Twin Lakes.   The forest walk was lovely with dappled light in a good forest and the trail often following a creek.  There was a guided group of students at the north end with four canoes, just about to launch.  We returned to the boats and headed south, enjoying the many islands and islets, before turning into the lagoon to explore.  We paddled the very shallow waters over to the campsite at Loon Bay, which had a great location and set-up.  We headed back to the campsite and again had great appies at Stephen and Carrie’s campsite before another quiet evening.

Thursday: Terry had to head home and Les departed at check-out time.  The remaining five of us first walked the loop trail north of the campground leading to Andrew Lake and then back.  Next, we walked the old railroad line out to the trestles at the narrows between Mohun and Goose Lakes.  There were flowers and lake views along the way.  We went a bit further through the forest to open shore by an islet, with a spectacular view of Mohun and the mountains beyond it.  After returning to the campground, Bonnie, Norris and Debbie departed, with Stephen and Carrie remaining another night. They explored Morton Lake by kayak and poked into Mohun Creek.

Friday:  Stephen and Carrie took a trail south of Morton Lake to a lovely lake perhaps named Oglarama, if you can believe the sign on the tree.

This is a beautiful area book-ended by Menzies on the north and Strathcona Park on the south.  This was the perfect time to visit with excellent weather and very few people on the Lakes and in the campsites.

Debbie

Thanks to Carrie, Bonnie and Norris for the photos

Multi-day kayaking and camping – Morton Lake Provincial Park – 23-25 May 2023

Multi-day Kayaking, Camping – Main Lake Prov Park- 6-8 June 2023

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Activity Multi-day kayaking, camping and hiking
Destination Main Lake Provincial Park
Date 6-8 June 2023, Tuesday to Thursday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-285-2111; text 250-287-0459
Description We will set up camp at Main Lake and spend three days exploring by hiking and paddling. Destinations can vary with the group’s interests.
Meeting Place Mine Lake boat launch
Departure Time On the water at 1030 hr.
Difficulty Easy to moderate if windy
Cost https://bcparks.ca/main-lake-park/
Trip limits 8
Dogs? No.
Notes: This multi-day trip is relatively easy on a local lake, but requires good paddling and camping gear. Bring footwear suitable for hiking (easy).

Ask coordinator about joining for just 1 or 2 days if you have a schedule conflict.

Multi-day Kayaking, Camping – Morton Lake Prov Park- 23-25 May 2023

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Activity Multi-day kayaking and camping
Destination Morton, Goose and Mohun Lakes
Date 23-25 May 2023, Tuesday to Thursday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info dmquigg@gmail.com or 3710; please contact the coordinator well in advance of the trip
Description We will camp at Morton Lake Provincial Park and explore the three accessible lakes.  Mohun and Goose Lakes are on the Sayward Canoe Circuit. We may do some light hiking including one of the portages. This trip can be done as a one, two or three day trip.  Camping is not required if you wish to come for just one day.  Each participant must book their own campsite.  Morton Lake park is accessed by Menzies Main.
Meeting Place QCove ferry terminal or Morton Lake Provincial Park
Departure Time 9:00 ferry to Campbell River or by individual arrangement
Difficulty Easy to moderate.
Cost Ferry, fuel and camping costs.  If you are over 65, the camping cost (not the booking fee) is half price.
Trip limits 10.
Dogs? No.
Notes: Camping reservations can be made at https://camping.bcparks.ca/    Most of the available tent sites are double sites, where both have to be booked.  If you are trying to join up with someone else, please call the coordinator.  Site availability is limited.

Trip Report – Main Lake Provincial Park – 11-13 June 2022

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This was supposed to be an easy start to the camping season, spending a few days at the Main Lake Provincial Park.  But the weather forecasters didn’t cooperate.  Instead of early summer, we were given early spring.  Looking on the bright side, there were no crowds.  Actually the weather turned out better than expected.  No rain at all, warm enough during the day.  We did postpone the trip by two days to avoid the atmospheric river.

Saturday – First surprise – the lake level was far higher than expected, higher than we had seen it during the winter.  It’s been a rainy spring.  We paddled 40 minutes (3.4 km) to Howard’s campsite and set up the camp.  We then paddled another 10 minutes (0.5 km) to the Bay campsite and changed into hiking boots.  We followed the stream up from the campsite to a small lake and back (3.6 km; 3¾ hours).  There are some very nice waterfalls along the way and some impressive trees.  We now know that the best route on the upper section is between the stream and the canyon wall on the east.  For the lower section it’s not clear what the best route through a flat boggy area is.  Then a 10 minute paddle back to camp for a relaxing evening.

(click to enlarge photos)

Sunday – The wind shifted to northwest.  We were joined by Les for the day.  We paddled over to the channel between Main Lake and Little Main Lake and through the willows.  Where Stramberg Creek joins Shadow Brook Creek, we decided to land, have lunch and stretch our legs since it was windy on Little Main Lake and there were few places to get out of the kayaks.  We explored where there used to be squatters..  The very high water levels made it easy to get through to Little Main after lunch.  In the lake we saw a beaver swimming .  We paddled back to Main Lake, parted with Les and returned to Howard.  (10.5 km; 3 hours)  Later in the afternoon we hiked up the ridge north of the campsite, which has steep cliffs on the east and west.  This was a pleasant hike through open forest with some big trees and views.  (2.0 km; 1½ hours)  It was still windy through the night with a super almost-full moon.

Monday –  We packed up the camp and paddled to East Beach campsite.  (1.3 km; 20 min)  We changed to hiking boots for a hike to Yeatman Bay on Okisollo Channel.  The stream was a problem to cross, so we used an old logging bridge a bit up from the campsite.  At the Bay, it was a very low tide, so took the opportunity to we walk out to what is often an island and back to the campsite for lunch (3.6 km; 1½ hours), and then paddled back to the Mine Lake boat launch.  (4.0 km; 1 hour).  As we began to drive home, the rain started.

Norris

Multi-day paddling, hiking, camping – Main Lake Prov Park – 11-13 June 2022

Paddling/Hiking/Camping – Main Lakes Provincial Park – 11-13 June 2022

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This trip has been postponed by two days from the original posting.

Activity Multi-day Paddling/Hiking/Camping
Destination Main Lake Provincial Park
Date 11-13 June, Saturday to Monday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710; please contact the coordinator by Monday night
Description We will set up camp at Main Lake and spend three days exploring by hiking and paddling.  Destinations can vary with the group’s interests.  We hope to explore a new area.  We encourage people to come out for the day on Sunday.  This will be the best day for the weather.  You must let the coordinator know so that meeting plans can be arranged.
Meeting Place Mine Lake boat launch
Departure Time On the water by 10:30
Difficulty
 Moderate depending on weather
Costs No camping fee before June 15th
Trip limits 8
Dogs? No
Notes: This multi-day trip is relatively easy on a local lake, but requires good paddling and camping gear.

Trip Report – Texada Island – 7-11 Sept 2021

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What originally was planned as a kayak trip to Jedediah Island morphed into a trip to Texada Island, mostly to hike. Four of us took three ferries the day after Labour Day to reach Shingle Beach on a beautiful afternoon.  We settled in to the spacious campsites at the Forestry Recreation Site and enjoyed walking and relaxing on the beach. The beach walk south lead to an old homestead and a cabin in ruins. (3.2 km; 1¼ hours)  We watched the sunset from the bluffs.

(click to enlarge photos)

On Wednesday morning we kayaked south from Shingle Beach in steadily increasing southeast wind. We had no fixed destination and returned to the beach as the white caps pushed us home. (5.7 km; 1½ hours)  In the afternoon, we drove to Shelter Point and walked the gentle Kay Garner nature walk. This trail loops first along a shore bluff on Mouat Bay and then through the forest. The ocean views and old growth were excellent. (3.8 km; 1 hour)  After dinner we again enjoyed the sunset from bluffs at the campground.

After some night rain, Thursday was mostly overcast. We hiked up to the Mt. Pocahontas summit at 462m, which was the site of Canada’s first fire lookout in 1924. This fairly short hike is rewarded with excellent views of Malaspina Inlet and mainland mountains to the east, and Lesqueti, Georgia Strait and Vancouver Island to the west. Part of the group continued on to other nearby viewpoints (7.9 km; 3¼ hours) while others went to Emily Lake to look for turtles, which are common on Texada.  Everyone browsed through Van Anda and some stopped at beaches on Gillies and Davie Bays on the way back to the campsite.  Just above the Shingle Beach campsite, we hiked the short, rambling Colossus Grove trail with an exceptional old growth cedar tree (0.9km).

On Friday, we drove uphill on good-condition logging roads to Bob’s Lake, another Forestry Recreation site with camping.  The lake was beautiful, quiet and very inviting as a camping destination.  Nearby, we hiked up to Mt. Davies with the summit at 609m.  This hike was even shorter than the Mt. Pocahontas hike and mostly through a beautiful, mossy forest with completely open understory.  After enjoying the 360° views during lunch, we hiked on looking for the viewpoint from Mt. Blood.  We underestimated the number of routes flagged with identical flagging tape in the area and some ended up elsewhere, but all had great views.  Some of us swam in Bob’s Lake before returning to the campground for dinner. (5.5km; 3¼ hours)

Three of us were able to linger for a hike on Saturday before returning home.  It was quite windy and lightly raining. We headed to the north end of Texada and hiked in the Eagle Cove Trail system. We made a loop which included a gnome village, some hard walking on rocky, mossy terrain along circuitous trails, dramatic bluffs above wetlands and really impressive bluffs along the Malaspina Inlet shore.

We enjoyed Texada much more than we expected with its amazing variety and beauty, and felt we could have spent much longer exploring trails, lakes, beaches and logging roads.  We hope to go back.

Debbie

Thanks to Norris and Vikki for the photos

Multi-day Kayaking – Jedediah Island – 7-11 Sept 2021

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Activity Multi-day kayaking
Destination Jedediah Island via Texada Island
Date 7 to 11 Sept 2021, Tuesday to Saturday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-285-2111
Description Three days on the water; one travel day to get there and one to get home; Camp on Texada on day 1 with the crossing to Jedediah early on day 2. Return to Texada on day 5 and on to ferries and home.  Details will be posted soon.
Meeting Place Quathiaski Cove ferry lineup at 0630
Departure Time 0705 ferry Quathiaski Cove
Difficulty
 A 2km crossing from Texada to Jedediah makes this, depending on weather, a more difficult trip.
Cost About $200 for ferries and camping fees
Trip limits 6
Dogs? No
Notes:
Sept 7  – Travel day; Meet at Q-Cove Ferry by 6:30 AM; to Little River to board 0955 ferry to Powell River; hopefully onto the next ferry to Texada Island; Drive to Shingle Beach Campsite
Sept 8  – Paddle to Jedediah Is
Sept 9/10 – hiking/paddling Jedediah/Lasqueti/ etc
Sept 11 – Paddle back to Shingle Beach; ferries to Powell River (330 pm)/ Comox (510 pm)/ Quadra (??)
This itinerary could easily be shortened by a day for whatever reason. However, it does not allow any time to visit the Townsite Brew Pub 😥.
Please take the time to read the club’s paddling guidelines – https://qioutdoorclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/paddling-guidelines-aug2018.pdf
If the weather forecast for the week looks windy/wet on Sunday, Sept 5 we will communicate re cancellation.
Plan to be self-sufficient for camping. NOTE: there is no drinking water on Jedediah so bring enough water for 4 days.
Feel free to email, text (250-287-0459), or call Vic Gladish

Trip Report – Strathcona Park-Ralph River – 15-18 June 2021

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When the kayak trip to Bligh Island unraveled, the remnants of that trip booked into the Ralph River campground at the last minute.  This was not a carefully scripted trip; we mostly made it up as we went along.

Day 1 – After a late start and a ferry overload wait, we arrived at 3:00 at the campground, set up the tent amongst the amazing old growth trees in the Ralph River campground, and left to begin hiking at 4:00.  Given the time available, we explored some of the trailheads in that area: the Auger Point Traverse (steep), Shepherd Creek route (impressive canyon), Flower Ridge, and Price Creek (river views, then follows an old level road for a while).

(click to enlarge photos)

Day 2 – We hiked up the Buttle Bluffs and Park Main logging roads from the Western Mine road.  These are steep, gated roads surrounded by clear-cuts, but they provide excellent views and a rapid approach to higher elevation destinations.  The spring flowers were still quite good, the geology was fascinating, and there is an excellent water falls at 5 km.  The views of the Buttle Lake valley are really exceptional.  We continued about 7.5 km and 840 meters elevation gain, until we crossed a high point in the road and could see into the next valley surrounded by high mountains.

Day 3 –  We planned to kayak on Jim Mitchell Lake, but that didn’t work out because the condition of the Jim Mitchell Road changes from 2-wheel drive to 4-wheel drive at the Bedwell trailhead.  We didn’t have the right vehicles, so we walked up the road to see the Lake.  We returned part way down the road and then followed the Bedwell Trail out through a beautiful old forest to Thelwood Creek and the suspension bridge for lunch.  After lunch we drove just a bit further and walked the short approach to Lower Myra Falls.  This is always a beautiful falls, with great rock ledges and pools.  There was lots of water coming through the falls with the spring run-off.  The final short hike of the day was the Shepherd Creek loop, which leaves from the Ralph River bridge.  This short trail has a lot of variety with the river, some big trees, a mossy bluff, a wetland, and interesting saprophytes and fungus.  We still had time to explore the campground which is nestled in a beautiful forest between the Ralph River and Buttle Lake with lots of shoreline and views.  There were other folks from Quadra so the evenings were very social.

Day 4 –  We packed up the camping gear and drove to the Buttle Lake boat launch to kayak on the Lake.  We crossed to Rainbow Island in a freshening breeze.  At the moment it’s not an island because the water level in Buttle Lake is quite low.  We paddled to the south, sheltered side, explored a bit and had lunch.  There was a racing shell boat practicing in the lake.  After lunch we poked around some cliffs and an island to the south before returning to the boat launch.  Further exploration would be great, but more water and less wind would have been ideal.

This is an exceptionally beautiful area with access to amazing hiking at the Lake level or in the surrounding mountains.  The combination of the fjord-like lakes, the mature forests and the numerous mountains makes this a wonderful base for hiking and boating.

Debbie