Hiking – Savary Island – 26 June 2024

This trip may be changed due to transportation issues.

Activity Hiking
Destination Savary Island
Date 26 June 2024, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Cyndy Chidley
Contact Info 250-285-3575
Description
Savary is a jewel of an island surrounded by white sand beaches.  We will hike around and through Savary, exploring its beaches.
The challenge is getting to Savary Island.  Water taxi and float plane are available, but sometimes complicated and expensive.  One option is to go to Powell River and take the scheduled water taxi from Lund.  We are still working on how to do this realistically.
Meeting Place: Water taxi dock
Departure Time TBD
Difficulty
Mostly easy as the hiking is quite level.   Circumnavigating the island is very long.
Costs Cost of transportation to Savary Island
Trip limits
Dogs?
Notes: Please note that for practical reasons, the go-no go date for this trip is June 10.  Cyndy does not have communication once she has left for Savary Island.

Multi-day Paddling, Camping, Hiking – Main Lake Prov Park- 12-14 June 2024

This trip will likely be postponed and/or substituted.

Activity Paddling, camping, hiking
Destination Main Lake Provincial Park
Date 12-14 June 2024, Wednesday to Friday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info vicgladish@gmail.com; 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. Possibilities include paddle into Little Main, Paddle to Village Bay Lake, hike to Yeatman Bay and/or Surge Narrows.
Meeting Place Mine Lake boat launch
Departure Time 1000
Difficulty Easy unless the wind comes up while we’re on the water.
Cost Fee for camping
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). Each participant is responsible for their own camping gear and meals. Tent and meal sharing can be arranged if you buddy up with someone.
Ask coordinator about joining for just 1 or 2 days if you have a schedule conflict.Visit the BC Parks Camping website after May 28th to register and pay for camping.  https//:camping.bcparks.ca under “Backcountry” ;l “Backcountry Registration” ; “Main Lake”

Trip Report – Gowlland Harbour – 15 May 2024

The paddling trip that almost wasn’t actually worked out really well for the three of us that showed up at Gowlland Harbour Resort. One health concern or another, and switching from one launch to another, played havoc with the plans and commitments for this outing.
We got on the water a little ahead of schedule and set off for a counterclockwise circumnavigation of Gowlland Harbour. Warm temperatures, nearly flat calm seas and friendly currents set the scene for a very enjoyable trip. Otters, seals, and a sea lion shared the harbour with us, the only humans on the water during our time out. We took our lengthy lunch break on the gravelly beach on the west side of Gowlland Island in view of a string of Private Property signs!

Many thanks to Gowlland Harbour Resort for allowing us to launch from their property.

Total distance: approx 10 km
Total time: 4 hrs with a nearly 1 hr lunch stop

Vic

(click on photos to enlarge)

Kayaking – Gowlland Harbour – 15 May 2024

Kayaking – Gowlland Harbour – 15 May 2024

Activity Kayaking
Destination Gowlland Harbour
Date: 15 May 2024, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-285-2111; text 250-287-0459
Description The put in at April Point Marina.  We will paddle around all of Gowlland Harbour checking out the many small islands and the spring flowers. This will possibly take about four hours. Route will depend on weather.
Meeting Place April Point Marina
Departure Time Arrive at 930; on the water by 1000
Difficulty
Easy to moderate depending on wind
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs?
Notes: Please sign up by May 13 by phone, text or email.
ONLY ocean capable kayaks and all necessary safety equipment as per transport Canada safety rules. (http://www.tc.gc.ca/publications/en/tp14726/pdf/hr/tp14726e.pdf)
Bring a lunch, snacks, sunglasses, etc
PLEASE REVIEW PADDLING GUIDELINES: https://qioutdoorclub.org/paddling-guidelines/

Trip Report – Bays and Bretons – 22 March 2024

On the second day of Spring ’24 nine paddlers were more than ready to get the paddling season underway. It was a cool, overcast and very calm day – ideal for an easygoing paddle. After reviewing our paddling guidelines and ensuring that we were all suitably equipped we set off. Our route took us along the shoreline past Mould’s Bay and into Village Bay where we took our first rest stop. We then worked our way southward through the rocky islands that surround the larger Breton Island. The brief rain shower stopped and the sky brightened as we pulled in to the beach for our lunch stop. Most of us were quite happy to haul out after nearly two hours of paddling. (10.4 km; 4 hours)

Vic

Thanks to Carrie and Norris for the photos.


(click on photos to enlarge)

Kayaking – Bays and Bretons – 22 March 2024

Kayaking – Breton Islands – 22 Mar 2024

Activity Kayaking
Destination Breton Islands
Date 22 March, Friday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-285-2111; (cell 250-287-0459).
Description This will be a short day paddle on the first full day of spring. We will put in from private property on Open Bay, paddle into Mould’s Bay and towards Village Bay, then back into the Breton Islands and a beach stop for lunch. Exact location for our put in will be provided once you have signed up with the coordinator.
Hopefully there will be plenty of birds and mammals to observe and some sun to warm us on the beach as we sip hot drinks and have lunch.
Meeting Place Exact location in Open Bay TBA
Departure Time Meet up at 0930; On the water by 1000
Difficulty
Easy to moderate depending on wind
Costs None
Trip limits 8
Dogs? No
Notes: Fully equipped ocean going kayaks only please.
Please review paddling guidelines in preparation for this outing: https://qioutdoorclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/paddling-guidelines-aug2018.pdf
As this will be our first paddle of 2024 we’ll spend some time doing a gear check and review our protocols.

Be prepared for the weather; carry your snacks in the cockpit; staying warm and dry will be our our primary concern and will dictate the length of the outing.

Hiking – Hyacinthe Point – 24 Mar 2024

This hike was rescheduled from March 6th and March 27th; start time changed to 10:00.

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Activity Hiking
Destination Hyacinthe Point
Date 24 Mar 2024, Sunday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info dmquigg@gmail.com or 3710. Please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip
Description The Kellerhals have kindly allowed us to access this trail from Chauntaluf Farm.  We will hike up an old logging road and then switch to a trail along the Hyacinthe Bay shore.  This route meanders through the forest to a viewpoint overlooking Hyacinthe Bay and Rebecca Spit.  If time allows, we will visit the Coast Mountain Lookout and loop back.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
Moderate
Costs none
Trip limits 10
Dogs? No.  This is a private farm with animals.
Notes: Bring lunch and poles if you use them.  We will not do this trip in poor weather.

Kayaking – Breton Islands – 29 Feb 2024

Change of date and launch site.  Originally scheduled for Dec 21st , then Jan 31.

Activity Kayaking
Destination Breton Islands
Date 29 February, Thursday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-285-2111; (cell 250-287-0459).
Description This will be a short day paddle. We will put in from private property on Open Bay.
Daylight will be in short supply while the tide will be mid to high most of the day! Hopefully there will be plenty of birds and mammals to observe and some sun to warm us on the beach as we sip hot drinks and have lunch.
Meeting Place Private property off of Valdez Road. The address will be given to you by the coordinator.
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
Easy; winter paddling
Costs None
Trip limits 8
Dogs?
Notes: This trip will be weather dependent! Paddling in a snow flurry can be more pleasant than in rain but lets look for light winds and some sun.
Be prepared for the weather; carry your snacks in the cockpit; staying warm and dry will be our our primary concern and will dictate the length of the outing.
Please review paddling guidelines in preparation for this outing: https://qioutdoorclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/paddling-guidelines-aug2018.pdf

Trip Report – Amor and Nearby Lakes – 29-30 Sept 2023

This trip used the road-accessible Rec Site on Amor Lake for greatest flexibility.  Of the six people who participated, some stayed three nights, two nights, one night or just one day.  It certainly isn’t the best campsite on Amor Lake, but it has some conveniences. We were incredibly lucky with the beautiful autumn weather, since the trip was planned long in advance.

Friday:  Two came out on Thursday and set up camp.  Three others arrived on Friday morning and all launched as soon as possible.  We headed out to the south end of Amor and hauled out at the Mr. Canoehead campsite.  We navigated the short portage to Surprise Lake with the assistance of borrowed wheels for the kayaks and paddled across Surprise Lake as if we were doing the canoe circuit.  We left the boats at the south end of Surprise Lake and walked the 2.2 km portage to Brewster Lake through a lovely forest.  We had lunch at the launch site into Brewster Lake before retracing our steps and paddled back to the campsite by mid-afternoon.  We walked down the Blackwater Main logging road to visit the Rec Site on Blackwater Lake, which was sunny and scenic.  After relaxing on the shore, we headed back for dinner and enjoyed a great campfire, as the ban had just been lifted during the week and the evenings were cool.  The full moon was a bonus. (paddling 5.2 km, 1¼ hr; walking 8.3 km, 2½ hr)

(click to enlarge photos)

Saturday: We were joined by one more person on Saturday morning and were quickly away, heading north and across Amor Lake to the portage to Twin Lakes.  The launch site was quite muddy, but we managed awkwardly to get to the trail and walk up the undulating path to Twin Lake.  The campsite there, which is accessible by road, was very busy on this long weekend with great weather.  We briefly followed a trail up the north side of Twin Lake to a swim rock before heading back.  After returning to Amor Lake, we stopped for lunch at the first campsite we passed, which was on the north shore and had a beautiful sandy beach and lots of sunshine.  Continuing on, we came out of the east arm of the Lake and headed to the campsite at the north end, which has significant infrastructure.  We admired the dock with the picnic table as well as the covered shelter, but especially the sandy beach, sun-facing direction and great view.  We headed south along the western shore exploring the many campsites and sandy beaches along the way.  On our return to the campsite, two of the group packed up and left, leaving four others to enjoy another relaxed evening around the campfire.  (paddling 13.1 km, 3¼ hr; walking 2.5 km, ¾ hr)

We saw four of the Sayward canoe circuit lakes on this brief two-day paddle.  It was an easy and relaxed exploration.  We only encountered four other boats on Amor.  This was a fitting end to the season, having begun in May with an outing to Morton Lake Provincial Park and paddling on two other Sayward canoe circuit lakes – Mohun and Goose.  We had beautiful weather for both trips and enjoyed the relative quiet of the shoulder season.

Debbie

Multi-day kayaking and camping – Amor Lake – 29-30 Sept. 2023

Day or Multi-day Paddling – Amor Lake – 29-30 Sept 2023

Activity Day or Multi-day Paddling
Destination Amor Lake
Date 29-30 Sept 2023, Friday – Saturday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info dmquigg@gmail.com or 3710; please contact the coordinator well in advance of the trip
Description We will try to make this a very flexible outing.  Kayaks or canoes are welcome with good gear and experience.  Participants may come for one day or for both.  The base for our activities will be the small Rec Site on the west side of the lake with five campsites.  This is a free Rec Site accessible by logging road.  The boat launch is modest.  Amor Lake has lovely beaches and islets with much to explore.  It is on the Sayward Canoe Circuit and we can walk the portages.
Meeting Place QCove ferry terminal or Amor Lake
Departure Time 9:00 ferry to Campbell River or by individual arrangement
Difficulty Easy to moderate.
Cost Ferry
Trip limits 10
Dogs? No
Notes: Here is information about the Rec Site and Amor Lake:  http://www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca/search/search-result.aspx?type=Site&site=REC0174
There is currently an advisory for an aggressive cougar, but I believe that is quite old.