Category Archives: Paddling

Kayaking – Maud Island; Morte Lake Stream Outlet – 25 Oct 2022

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Activity Kayaking/ Indigenous history focus
Destination QCove to Smiths Road Shore Access
Date 25 Oct, Tuesday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-287-0459 text; or phone 250-285-2111.
Description According to Joy Inglis’s “Petroglyphs of Quadra Island” there are several petroglyphs located along Quadra’s west shore at the outflow of Morte Lake Stream just east of Maud Island.
We will put in at the Lieshmans Rd shore access by 1000 am and paddle north towards Maude Island. It is about a 1 hr paddle to the old village site of Kawstin at the outflow of Morte Lake Stream. Depending on the amount of time spent here we may or may not paddle another 30 minutes into Maud Island and perhaps hike to the Seymour Narrows view point.
Meeting Place 0930 at Lieshmans Road Shore Access (Whalebone Cove)
Departure Time On the water by 1000 hrs
Difficulty
 Moderate depending on weather. Currents will be a factor.
Costs Vehicle fuel
Trip limits 8
Dogs? No
Notes: The tides/currents will be a factor. In order to view the petroglyphs I am planning our arrival for low tide with less attention to what the current will be doing. Poor weather and/or wind will mean this trip will be cancelled.
All participants must be equipped for ocean paddling in cooler weather – required equipment as per club guidelines (https://qioutdoorclub.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/paddling-guidelines-aug2018.pdf) and appropriate clothing.
I will email to each participant the petroglyph information relevant to the location.
Bring lunch, hot drinks, extra warm layers and something to sit on.

Trip Report – QCove to Smiths Rd – 15 Sept 2022

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With just a few days remaining of summer ’22, seven kayaks set out from Quathiaski Cove to complete a “Round the Cape” adventure. With the help of non-paddling spouses, we managed the shuttling of vehicles between Q-Cove and the Shore Access at the end of Smiths Road that made it possible to do this trip.

By 8:50 we were on the water just as the ferry was docking – one less thing to worry about. Weather, tides and currents were all in our favour as we rounded Whiskey Point and headed south to Cape Mudge. We passed by the Village and the campground and then rounded the Cape. The often turbulent waters were very calm, due to our timing, and we headed into the boulder strewn shallows of the south shoreline.  By this time we were looking for a reasonable place to pull out for a “rest” and stretch. A cobbly beach was the best we could do.

We were treated to a good showing of sea birds throughout the trip and numerous seals and sea lions and/or dolphins quite a ways offshore. No doubt they were after salmon which were seen jumping near our kayaks.

The rest stop ended up being a little longer and some snacked enough that we put off our lunch stop until the takeout. Back on the water and the sun appeared, warming things up even more as we cruised northward from Francisco Pt to our destination at Smiths Road. Once ashore, lunch and beverages were enjoyed on the beach.

List of bird sightings – at least two dozen Common Loons (very vocal), many Harlequin ducks, Common Mergansers, Bonaparte’s, Glaucous-winged, and Mew Gulls, Cormorants, Great Blue Heron, geese, Bald Eagles, Vultures, Horned Grebes,

About 3.5 hours of paddling; Distance – 15.3 km

Vic Gladish

Thanks to Jan and Norris for the photos

(click on photos to enlarge)

Kayaking – QCove to Smiths Rd – 15 Sept 2022

Kayaking – Village Bay Beach – 31 Aug 2022

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Postponed.

Activity Kayaking
Destination Village Bay Beach
Date 31 Aug, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Valerie Van Veen
Contact Info 250 285 2329 vvv@qisland.ca
Description Forecast warm day with light winds; high tide just around launch time (yay!), not a huge tidal change that day. We will meander to Village Bay, enjoying maybe the last of summer kayaking weather. Swim at VB if desired, then home. We can go by the lava tunnels at Valdes Beach if anyone hasn’t already seen them.
Meeting Place Len Road launch
Departure Time 9 am meet, on water by 9:40
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs None
Trip limits 8 kayaks
Dogs? Experienced kayak dogs only
Notes: This is a pleasant paddle, usually seals, maybe the last of the orcas and humpies, migrating birds???
MUST confirm with organizer by Monday eve Aug 29.  Must comply with Club paddling guidelines and Coast Guard requirements.

Kayaking – QCove to Smiths Rd- 15 Sept 2022

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Activity Paddling
Destination QCove to Smiths Road Shore Access
Date 15 Sept, Thursday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-287-0459 text; or phone 250-285-2111.
Description End of Summer – around the Cape; This paddle will involve a shuttle which will require an earlier start in order to be ready for a 0930 put in. We will put in at the Q Cove boat launch and leave the Cove just before the current changes (slack) to ebb and enter the back eddy as we head south to the lighthouse. We will round Cape Mudge and head north along QI’s east coast as far as the Shore Access off Smiths Road.
Meeting Place QCove boat launch
Departure Time Meet at put in at 0800; Shuttle vehicles to take out; On the water by 0930
Difficulty
 Easy to moderate depending on the weather. Currents will be a factor.
Costs None
Trip limits 8
Dogs? No
Notes: The shuttle will be the first challenge of the day. Try to arrange your own shuttle if a spouse or friend is willing to help. Otherwise we will do something like this: All meet at QCove and unload kayaks. All cars will go to Smiths Road (I will stay with the kayaks and gear); As few cars as necessary will drive back to QCove with all paddlers. We should probably meet at 0800, unload, shuttle and plan to put in at 0900.
Be sure to read our paddling guidelines and make sure you are properly outfitted.

Trip Report – Kanish Bay Paddle – 17 Aug 2022

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Six paddlers got an early start – 9:15 – from the Granite Bay boat launch on a beautiful summer day, with the forecasted northwesterly looking very manageable. Taking a counter clockwise route this time we headed to Orchard Bay for a quick pit stop and a stretch. We headed along the north side of Kanish Bay for a couple of kilometers and then decided it was time to head across to the Chained Islands in case the wind got any stronger. We encountered some chop coming nearly broadside and then some interesting waves as we got close to the second last island. Circling this island we arrived at the campsite in a sheltered bay and had a leisurely lunch in the shade. As the day was getting much warmer a couple of us attempted a swim in the very chilly water.

Getting back on the water we cruised in the shelter of the islands along the south side of Kanish Bay. Several salmon were spotted jumping and a flock of mergansers were working hard to keep ahead of us. With the day getting much hotter it was a good time to head to the take out and go in search of cold beverages.  12.0 km; 4 hours.

Vic Gladish

(click on photos to enlarge)

Kayaking – Granite Bay and Beyond – 17 Aug 2022

Kayaking – Granite Bay and beyond- 17 Aug 2022

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Activity Paddling
Destination Granite Bay/ Kanish Bay/ Small Inlet
Date 17 Aug, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-287-0459 text; or phone 250-285-2111.
Description Paddle into Kanish Bay and/or into Small Inlet for the hike across to Waiaitt Bay if weather and tides permit. About 4 to 5 hours depending on what we decide to do. Bring a lunch.
Meeting Place Granite Bay boat launch
Departure Time Meet at 8:45; on the water by 9:15
Difficulty
 Easy to moderate depending on the weather.
Costs Launch fee – $5.00
Trip limits 8
Dogs? No
Notes: Low tide (1.6 m) middle of day making our lunch stop trickier and perhaps eliminating the hike.
Be sure to read our paddling guidelines and make sure you are properly outfitted.

Trip Report – Kayak Practice – 23 June 2022

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Five club members met at Mine Lake to practice kayak rescues. As it was sunny, but cool and windy, blowing onshore, the decision was made not to paddle to another location and practice was held close to the boat launch. Participants discussed deck layout, paddle floats, and a dry running of a paddle float rescue and a group rescue.

Participants got in their boats or entered the water to practice solo rescues, including paddle float rescues with and without a sling assist. One couple also practised an assisted rescue involving two boats. Everyone seemed to be happy that they tried at least one rescue, and all came to the conclusion that rescue skills greatly diminish over a year’s period, and that at least two practices a year would definitely be beneficial and make paddlers more confident.

We had a relaxing lunch onshore as the day warmed up and two paddled along the south shore of Mine Lake and into the narrows, while the others returned home.

Brent Henry

(click on photos to enlarge)

Kayaking Practice – Mine Lake – 23 June 2022

Kayaking – Granite Bay – 7 July 2022

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Postponed until later in the summer

Activity Paddling
Destination Granite Bay
Date 7 July, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Darcy Mitchell
Contact Info mitchelldarcy51@gmail.com  Please contact the coordinator by noon on July 6th.
Description Paddle around Kanish Bay and into Small Inlet for the hike across to Waiaitt Bay if weather and tides permit. About 4 to 5 hours depending on what we decide to do. Bring a lunch. This trip is also posted on the CR Sea Kayakers Facebook page.
Meeting Place Granite Bay boat launch
Departure Time On the water at 10 a.m.
Difficulty
 Easy to moderate depending on conditions.
Costs Launch fee – $5.00
Trip limits 12
Dogs? No
Notes: Bring footwear for walking.  Must have equipment that meets club and coast guard regulations.

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.

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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

Trip Report – Bretons and Beyond – 1 June 2022

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Four paddlers put in from the Len Road access on a rare dry spring day, and headed off on calm waters. We picked our way through the rocks between the Bretons (staying well clear of the seals with pups) and then made the two km crossing to the Dunsterville Islands on the Read Island side of Hoskyn Channel. Circling the middle island of the group we observed many purple ochre sea stars, urchins, sea cucumbers, and an abalone or two. Landing on these islands is always a challenge as there is no beach, just large rocks covered with bladder wrack. With the work of landing and securing our kayaks on a rock shelf done, we turned to survey the channel we’d just crossed and immediately spotted a few Orcas on the far side. Four Orcas appeared to be feeding and moving north. To add to the excitement, the other half of the pod, another four to five Orcas surfaced very near to our vantage point and swam past us. All eight to nine of the pod soon submerged and moved off to the north out of our line of site.

We enjoyed a lunch break on the rocks under the watchful gaze of a pair of nesting geese, explored the island/campsite, and then relaunched our kayaks with a very light rain beginning. We decided to cross towards Shellaligan Pass and then meandered along the Quadra shore noting the abundant sea stars and several more abalone. As the tide was getting close to maximum low and the surface was quite calm we were able to view the bottom dwellers very clearly as we cruised along admiring the rock formations. We were rewarded for our diligent observations with a sighting of the Valdez cave formations in the rocky shoreline.

We crossed the mouth of Open Bay and Hyacinthe Bay and soon landed on the beach, at low tide, about 200 m from our cars! Luckily we’d brought wheels and managed to get our gear to the foreshore without too much effort. Some wheel systems proved to be more effective than others!  13.0 km; 4¾ hours.

Vic Gladish

(click on photos to enlarge)

Kayaking – Bretons and Beyond – 1 June 2022