Category Archives: Paddling

Trip Photos – Kayaking Octopus Islands 21-23 Sept 2013

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By Darcy Mitchell

A three day camping trip to the Octopus Islands Marine Park was thwarted by poor and deteriorating weather forecasts.  As the weekend approached, it looked as if Saturday and Monday would both be possible, but the day in between promised to be truly ghastly.  And it was.  In the end, two club members took a day paddle from the Discovery Islands Lodge through Whiterock Passage to North Rendezvous Island on the Saturday.  Conditions for paddling were excellent.  The narrow passage with range markers was interesting and views from the Rendezvous Islands toward the mainland inlets were awesome.  On the return, there were Pacific white-sided dolphins playing at the west end of the passage. (23 km; 5½ hours)

After waiting out the Sunday deluge, three of us spent the night at the Lodge to make the early morning slack at Surge Narrows.  We paddled through with no trouble at 7:45 and spent the next six hours in a delightful trip to, and around the Octopus Islands.  The weather was calm and sunny, and the area almost deserted.  Just us, one sailboat, two kayak campers, the birds, the leaping salmon, and the seals.  We explored a few campsite options for next season and visited “Wilson’s cabin” – a venerable wooden structure festooned with mementoes of visiting boaters, where we left an offering given to us by Beth, Lodge host (a gorilla sitting on a small boat labeled “Quadra” – created by whom, and why, who knows?). With the exception of one quick shower as we approached the narrows on our return, the weather was perfect and day a great success.  We’re sorry that some of the usual paddling suspects were hors de combat with injuries or otherwise unavailable, and look forward to a return visit next year (with camping!!). (25.5 km; 7 hours)

Kayaking Octopus Islands 21-23 Sept 2013

 

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Trip Photos – Kayak Rebecca Spit to Moulds Bay 15 Sept 2013

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By Terry Hale

Group: Terry Hale (coordinator), Debbie, Norris, Darcy, Lynn.

Due to marine weather reports (estimated 15 – 20 knots SE winds) the planned destination of Dunsterville Island/Village Bay was left for next year and the meeting place was changed from Valdez Drive beach access to Rebecca Spit boat launch. The group met at 10:30 am, loaded boats and paddled towards Breton Islands on smooth water enshrouded by fog (apparently the Cortes ferry Captain said that the 11:05 run to Cortes was the most dense fog he had ever been in on that route).  Deck compass and handheld GPS proved quite useful for this crossing. We weaved amongst islands to Moulds Bay for a quick lunch, and then crossed Open Bay as wind and waves picked up. Averting a planned stop at Turtle Island, we ferried from Hyacinthe Point to Heriot Island accompanied by rain, thunder and occasional lightening strikes. Everyone remained cheerful and paddled at a steady pace during the trip. We returned to the boat launch at 3:30 pm – close to high tide.

This was a successful trip considering adverse weather conditions. The group stayed together during crossings, wore wet weather clothing and carried navigational and safety equipment. The route plan was changed due to group safety, tracking marine weather, and keeping escape routes in mind.

Kayak Valdez Rd to Village Bay 15 Sept 2013

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Trip Photos – Kayaking Granite Bay to Small Inlet 7 Sept 2013

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Four paddlers departed from the Granite Bay dock in quite dense fog, complete calm and quiet.  The fog lifted after about half an hour and conditions were idyllic.  We paddled to the end of Small Inlet, stopped for a snack on the largest island and then continued on to Orchard Bay.  The group explored, basked in the sun and tried out the apples.  Still wanting to paddle more, we went around the eastern island of the Chained Islands in Kanish Bay on the return to Granite Bay.

Kayaking Granite Bay to Small Inlet 7 Sept 2013

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Trip Photos – Kayaking Main Lake 21 August 2013

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Nine club members enjoyed a beautiful, sunny, calm day at the Lakes.  Leaving from the Mine Lake boat launch, we paddled to the northeast corner of Main Lake, landed on the sandy beach and hiked across to Yeatman Bay.  Several of us walked out to the tidal island at the south end of the bay to have a look at the channel.   The paddle took about 55 minutes.  The trail, which is 1.6 kilometres long and in good condition apart from some muddy bits, takes just under half an hour one way. After lunch, about half the group went for a short swim (very welcome as it was hot!), then we headed back to the parking lot, arriving at 2:30.  The lakes seemed busy (at least busy for Quadra!), but it was a very pleasant and relaxed outing. Perhaps on a future trip, we’ll paddle right round Main Lake and possibly venture into Clear Lake or Little Main.

Darcy Mitchell

Kayaking Main Lake 21 August 2013

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Kayaking Octopus Islands 21-23 Sept 2013

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Activity Multi-day paddling trip
Destination Octopus Islands Marine Park
Date Saturday 21 September 2013 to Monday 23 September
Trip Coordinator Darcy Mitchell and Lonn McMartin
Contact Info darcm@telus.net  or 250 285 2739 .
Description This is a two-night camping trip to the Octopus Islands Marine Park on the northeast side of Quadra Island.  The trip needs to be timed for slack water at Beazley Passage, therefore it is important that departure times are prompt.  It is 5.5 – 6 nautical miles from the departure point to the probable camping area.  Sunday will be spent exploring the Marine Park and adjacent areas, including possible  hikes to Small Inlet or up to Newton Lake.  We should be back at Surge Narrows dock  between 2:00 and 3:00 on Monday (slack water is 1:45 p.m.).

Participants should be fairly experienced paddlers and campers.  Training at the Paddle Canada Level 1 or equivalent is strongly advised.  Ability to perform both self-rescue and assisted rescue is essential!

Participants must be paid up members of the club for this outing.
Meeting Place Surge Narrows dock/boat launch (about 45 minutes from Quathiaski Cove)
Departure Time 11:15 am
Difficulty
 Intermediate
Costs None
Trip limits 10 (but no more than 6 tents)
Dogs? No
Notes: There will be a meeting of participants on the evening of Monday, September 16 at 7:30 at 533 Grouse Road to discuss arrangements for equipment sharing (radios, first aid equipment, stoves, pots), food preparation, etc.  Camping space is limited, so it is important to minimize tent sizes and numbers; sharing is good if you’re willing.

This trip is highly weather dependent.  Participants will be contacted by 9 p.m. on Thursday, September 19 if the trip is cancelled due to weather. 

octopus

Park info:
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/octopus/

Trip Photos – Kayaking Cortes 20-21 July 2013

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This two-day trip morphed into a three-day trip in order to avoid the worst of the ferry traffic for the Cortes Music Fest.  All three days were hot and sunny with strong northwest wind at night and mostly light and variable during the day.

On Friday the group settled into the Smelt Bay campground and then paddled from Smelt Bay around the south end of Cortes across the shoal in very shallow water for great intertidal viewing.  After reaching a small beach on the east side of the island, with great views toward Desolation Sound, we turned around and paddled back.  (5.6 nm)

On Saturday, the group kayaked from Manson’s Landing directly over to Shark Spit, then spent the afternoon exploring the Channel Rock area, walking on Shark Spit, and following the shoreline back to Manson’s Landing and into the lagoon.  The large tides provided an opportunity for seeing marine life, especially sea stars, sea cucumbers and sand dollars.  (9.1 nm including the walk)

On Sunday, the group launched at Cortes Bay and paddled out to the northeast gap between the Twin Islands and along the shore to the islets at the northwest end.  Hank’s Beach on Cortes made a convenient lunch stop and then we returned to Cortes Bay.  (6.7 nm)

As a bonus, we didn’t get caught in any of the ferry overloads!

Kayaking Cortes 20-21 July 2013

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Trip Photos – Kayaking Hyacinthe-Open Bays 7 July 2013

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Six club members and one guest enjoyed a beautiful day for our paddle from Hyacinthe Bay to Open Bay. A light wind, gusting NW to about 12-15 knots in more exposed waters, provided some challenge, but the warm, dry weather made for a very pleasant paddle overall. The low tide at Hyacinthe Bay made for a good work out in getting launched. A river otter interrupted his fishing off the rocks to watch us warily as we paddled out into the Bay.
Our first pause was to admire the new, custom designed Toelle built, Peterson home in Hyacinthe Bay, which hugs the bluff as if grown, rather than built, there.
We skirted around seal rock, being careful to not disturb the dozen or so seals enjoying the sunshine and low, low tide.
The very low tide at Open Bay gave us plenty of beach to enjoy as we ate our lunch, and chatted with friends there with their dogs for a good beach run.
Somewhat reluctantly we left our relaxing lunch spot to tour the amazing rock formations of Open Bay. We made a note to plan a club tour with a local geologist to learn more about the fascinating geological history of this area.
With the wind rising, we headed directly back to Hyacinthe Bay, admiring the cliffs of pillow lava as we rounded the point. Some members spotted the route they took on an earlier club hike over Hyacinthe Ridge.

Route: Hyacinthe Bay (Len Road) to Open Bay and return
Total time from put-in to return: 4.5 hours (10 am – 2:30 pm)
Number of participants: 7
Winds and Sea state: light to moderate winds, 5 – 15 knots; slight ripples to low waves
Weather: sunny, warm, 23C
Trip Coordinator: Valerie van Veen

Kayaking Hyacinthe-Open Bays 7 July 2013

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Kayaking Main Lake 21 August 2013

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Activity Kayaking or Canoeing
Destination Main Lake Provincial Park
Date Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Trip Coordinator Darcy Mitchell
Contact Info darcm@telus.net  or 250 285 2739 . Please contact me at least 48 hours before the trip to let me know if you are coming.
Description Departing from the Mine Lake boat launch, we will paddle to the northeast corner of Main Lake where there is a 1.6 kilometre trail leading to Yeatman Bay.  Following a hike and lunch, and perhaps a swim, we will return to the boat launch by a more or less direct route, depending on the interest and energy of participants.  Not counting travel time to the lake, the trip should take between 4 and 5 hours, including about an hour to hike to Yeatman Bay round trip. The trip is weather dependent  –  I will contact you by 9 p.m. the night before if the trip will be cancelled due to weather.
Meeting Place Mine Lake boat launch
Departure Time Please arrive by 9:00 a.m. so that we can be on the water by 9:30.
Difficulty
 Easy
Costs None
Trip limits None
Dogs? No
Notes: Kayaks/canoes  and equipment must meet Transport Canada requirements. Be sure to bring shoes suitable for walking the trail; it is an easy trail but may be muddy if we have rain near the date of the trip.  For a map of the park, click here: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/main_lk/main_parkmap.pdf

main_parkmap

Park info:
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/main_lk/

Kayaking Granite Bay to Small Inlet 7 Sept 2013

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Activity kayaking
Destination Granite Bay to Small Inlet
Date Saturday, 7 Sept 2013
Trip Coordinator Tak Ogasawara
Contact Info 285-3012; tak.quadra@gmail.com
Description Tour Granite Bay and Small Inlet
Meeting Place Granite Bay dock
Departure Time 9:00
Difficulty
 moderate
Costs $5.00/ car launching fee
Trip limits none
Dogs? no
Notes: Bring lunch. Expected return time mid-afternoon.

SmallInlet

Trip Photos – Kayak Course Quadra 15-16 June 2013

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Six members took the Paddle Canada Level 1 course from Albert Keller of Coast Mountain Expeditions.  The weather was great for the course and the water temperature at the lakes was surprisingly warm.  The first day at Mine Lake focussed on strokes and rescues; the second day near Surge Narrows concentrated on safety, trip planning, braces and rescues.  There was only one unplanned capsize!

It is surprisingly hard to get back into a kayak from the water if you’ve never tried it.  But it becomes much easier after training and practice.

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Kayak Course Quadra 15-16 June 2013