Category Archives: Quadra Island

Trip Report – Mt. Seymour – 6 Nov 2023

Posted on by
Reply

Well, the weatherman was off again. LOL There was supposed to have been a small break in the rain on Monday morning so seven ambitious hikers decided to go ahead with the trip up Mt Seymour. It had poured rain all night, but was just a steady drizzle when we left Heriot Bay in the morning. When we got to the trail head on the Granite Bay road, we were surprised to find a big sign across the trail that said “Closed Blasting Underway”. We were able to catch a logger coming down the hill in a truck and talked to him. We found that they were extending the logging road farther to the south. The good news was that if we waited 20 minutes there was one more blast and then they were done for the day. After that we could go up the trail.

We chose to wait so started up the trail at 10:30 in the morning in the rain. There was plenty of water running down the old logging road from the heavy rain the night and week before and the creeks were all swollen. We had a bit of trouble crossing one creek, and had to go up to a log jam to cross. As anyone knows that has been up to this trail, the first 45 minutes is a steady ascent. We arrived at the turn off just as wet under the rain gear, from sweating, as we were on the outside. The rain began to let up but the fog set in so we were not able to see very far. It was warm though, and quite pleasant as we wove our way up through the rocks to the top.

There was a slight breeze at the very top, so we came back down to the Browns Bay lookout toward the west for lunch. I had brought along a bottle of wine so that we could celebrate being to the top on such a nasty day. As we were finishing, the fog lifted enough that we could just see the structures at Browns Bay. On the way down we had to be very careful as the rocks were wet and slick. The fog kept gradually lifting until we could see Nugetzi Lakes very well by time we arrived at the viewpoint. The walk down the old logging road, with no rain, was quite tranquil as all the green moss and ferns seemed to really stand out. 7.8 km and 4½ hours

Les

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Mt. Seymour – 6 Nov 2023

Hiking – Kay Dubois Loop – 18 Dec 2023

Posted on by
1

Activity Hiking
Destination Kay Dubois Loop
Date 18 Dec, Monday
Trip Coordinator Louise Squire
Contact Info lsquire@sasktel.net
Description Starting at the entrance to Kay Dubois trailhead, we will carry on through past the big tree and make our way to the end near Sutil Road. At the end of Sutil Rd, we will follow the logging roads east and north. Before reaching Fox Rd, we will turn east onto a small trail that winds its way back to the Kay Dubois Trail, connecting at the big mother spruce tree. From here it will be a short hike back to the trail head.
Meeting Place End of Smith Rd at Kay Dubois trailhead
Departure Time 10:30
Difficulty
 Easy
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs Under control or on leash
Notes: The turnaround at the trail head parking area is very tight. Recommend large vehicles park at the beach access area (bottom of Smith Rd) and walk to the trailhead.The trail takes about 45 min to walk one way along the ocean and is quite flat until Sutil Rd where there is a steep incline. There are a few side paths to the beach to walk and if lucky, will have the opportunity to witness a whale breach or two.

Hiking – Hopespring-Thompson Trail Loop – 13 Nov 2023

Posted on by
1

Activity Hiking
Destination Hopespring – Thompson Trail Loop
Date 13 Nov, Monday
Trip Coordinator Louise Squire
Contact Info lsquire@sasktel.net
Description We will meet at Hopespring Rd trail head and circle Heriot Ridge ending up on Thompson Rd and walking back to the trailhead. There will be 2 or 3 short side trips to check out Heriot Ridge viewpoints, some old growth and perhaps to the old homestead. Depending on weather and time, we will stop at Rousseau Rock for lunch (with a view), or stop at a grassy nook for a short lunch break and comradery.Fund Fact – Comradery is a spirit of friendship and community between two people or a group of people. The members of the group are comfortable around each other and support each other.
Meeting Place Hope Spring Rd Trail Head
Departure Time 10:30
Difficulty
 Moderately easy
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs? Under control or on leash
Notes: Bring a lunch, clothes for the weather, a seating pad and poles are recommended.

Hiking – Eagle Ridge Loop – 20 Nov 2023

Posted on by
1

Activity Hiking
Destination Eagle Ridge Loop
Date 20 Nov 2023, Monday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710
Description This hike will include the official trail to Eagle Ridge and an unmarked route descending the ridge and continuing on to the higher ridge to the north.  From there we will descend to the logging road and return to the vehicles. The descent from Eagle Ridge is briefly very steep on mossy rocks.  There is no trail.  Three to four hours hiking.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 The section up to Eagle Ridge is a maintained trail of moderate difficulty.  The descent from Eagle Ridge is briefly tricky.  The segment to the next ridge and down to the logging road is on an unmarked route through mostly open forest.
Costs none
Trip limits 10
Dogs? No
Notes: Bring lunch, poles if you use them, and gear for weather.

Kayaking – Breton Islands – 29 Feb 2024

Posted on by
Reply

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

Hiking – Nole to Noble – 4 Dec 2023

Posted on by
1

Activity Hiking and Social
Destination Nole to Noble/ QCove Trails
Date 4 Dec 2023, Monday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-285-2111; text 250-287-0459
Description Happy Hour in the morning….coffee, etc at our meeting point, followed by an easy walk. We will walk the “Nole to Noble” right of way including the big staircase and several side trails which we will zig and zag on while looking for Johann’s perched carvings.
Meeting Place Aroma Cafe
Departure Time Meet for coffee, etc at 0900; Walk at 1000
Difficulty
 Easy
Costs Breakfast, snack, beverages
Trip limits 8
Dogs? On leash
Notes: Parking can be a challenge.
The trails are mostly on private property, thus the limit of 8.
This event will go rain or shine. In the event of high winds however, I will cancel as this forest is subject to windfall.

Hiking – Mt. Seymour – 6 Nov 2023

Posted on by
1

Change of start time! Dress for the weather.

Activity Hiking
Destination Mt. Seymour
Date 6 Nov 2023, Monday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info lhquadra@gmail.com or 285-2029
Description We will meet at Heriot Bay store and then drive the half hour to the Granite Bay approach. From here we will hike approximately two hours up to the top. We will have lunch and then come back down. It will take approximately 4 to 4 1/2 hours with lunch. Dress for the weather. If there is snow or heavy rain, the trip will be postponed or canceled. Please sign up at least a day early so that I may contact you if there are changes.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store parking lot
Departure Time 10:30 9:30
Difficulty
 Challenging but we will try taking it a little slower.
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs? No
Notes: Bring poles if you use them and good footwear as there are rocky and steep areas.

Trip Report – Chinese Mtn Work Party – 25 Oct 2023

Posted on by
Reply

Four of us worked our way up the Chinese Mountain-Beech;s Mountain trail, claring deadfall and salal as we progressed.  It turned out to be a beautiful clear fall day with great views.

Norris
 

(click on photos to enlarge)

Work party – Chinese Mtn – 25 Oct 2023

Trip Report – Morte Lake Loop – 11 Oct 2023

Posted on by
Reply

The rain quit in the morning and three hikers enjoyed a beautiful sunny autumn day. We started up the mountain bike trail known as Dead Fish. There has been considerable work done on this trail. Mountain bikers have made new jumps and numerous banked corners. They have moved large amounts of rocks and dirt to do this. The small creek is now running again after the few rainfalls we have had. There were numerous multicoloured mushrooms that have just come up because of the rain as well. We crossed back over to the old Morte Lake Trail where Dead Fish turns and goes up the hill. We proceeded on past the two small lakes that are very low and to the east end beach of Morte Lake. It is very low as well, and a lot of new sand showing on the beach. Instead of taking the new mountain bike route that makes huge switch backs up the side of the hill ,we kept to the old trail, which is much shorter. It is in poor condition now, though, as it has quit being maintained.
We stopped at the north west beach to have lunch. Someone has cleared many of the rocks into piles so it is a very sandy beach with the water so low. We enjoyed the sun here and the lake before going on around the lake. We kept to the old route all the way back to the cars. (11 km; 3½ hours moving time)

Les
 
Thanks to Les, Valerie and Carrie for the photos.
 
(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Morte Lake Loop – 11 Oct 2023

Hiking – Morte Lake Loop – 11 Oct 2023

Posted on by
1

Activity Hiking
Destination Morte Lake Loop
Date 11 Oct 2023, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info lhquadra@gmail.com  or 285-2029
Description We will do the classic around the lake hike. May do some small adjustments depending on the group.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Easy
Costs none
Trip limits 10
Dogs? OK, but must be under control and not run back-and-forth through group
Notes Sorry for the short notice for this hike. I thought maybe some of us would like to work off some of the turkey, LOL.
Please contact one or two days early to sign up as only those who have signed up will be contacted in case of postponement or cancellation due to weather.