Category Archives: Quadra Island

Kayaking – Gowlland Harbour – 10 May 2023

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Activity Kayaking
Destination Gowlland Harbour
Date: 10 May 2023, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 250-285-2029 or lhquadra@gmail.com
Description We will paddle around all of Gowlland Harbour, checking out the many small islands and the wonderful spring flowers. This will possibly take about four hours. Course will depend on weather. Be sure and sign up one day early so that I may contact you if things change. May stop at my house for appys and beverages.
Meeting Place 823 Gowlland Harbour Road
Departure Time 9:30 (unload and prepare at 9:00)
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs? No
Notes: Bring your kayak and all necessary safety equipment as per transport Canada safety rules. Bring a lunch and spray skirt as it might be needed. Only two vehicles can unload at the beach at one time, so please be on time. Gowlland Harbour resort has kindly granted us permission to use their boat launch for this trip. This is not a public access. Many thanks to Gowland Harbour Resort.

Hiking – Hyacinthe Bay at Low Tide – 8 May 2023

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Activity Hiking
Destination Hyacinthe Bay low tide walk
Date 8 May 2023, Monday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info dmquigg@gmail.com or 3710.  Please contact the coordinator by Saturday night
Description We have very kindly been invited to Chauntaluf Farm.  This will be an afternoon walk to take advantage of the 0.5m low tide at 14:22.  After walking through the farm to Hyacinthe Bay, we will explore the tidal flats for their history and ecology.  Gradually moving to the east, we will arrive at the property donated to the SRD, where we plan to return on old (and unmaintained) trails through the forest.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot
Departure Time 13:30
Difficulty Very easy unless the trail is in poor condition
Costs None
Trip limits 12
Dogs? No
Notes Bring a lunch, gear for the weather

Kayaking – Maud Island and Morte Creek petroglyphs – 18 May 2023

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This trip was previously scheduled for May 24th.

Activity Kayaking
Destination Maud Island and Morte Creek petroglyphs
Date 18 May 2023, Thursday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info 250-285-2111; or 250-287-0459 text
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 creek just east of Maud Island.
We will put in at the Leishmans Rd shore access by 0930 am and paddle north to Maud Island, likely bucking some current as we will want to stay close to shore to avoid any hazardous turbulence. Lunch at Maud Island and then backtrack to the mouth of Morte Creek to the old village site of Kawstin to find and view the petroglyphs. Then return to Whalebone Cove and the takeout.
Meeting Place Shore access at Leishmans Rd
Departure Time 0900 on the water; meet at 0830
Difficulty
 Moderate to difficult depending on weather and currents.
Costs None
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.org/wp-content/uploads/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 – Maud Island – 4 April 2023

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Four of us set out on this gorgeous sunny day from the Maud Island parking area.  On the way to the view point situated on Maud Island which overlooks the Seymour Narrows we took the route over the bluffs via Mt Lolo.  This is a tricky part of the hike requiring caution on some of the descents.  We enjoyed the sunshine and spectacular views while we ate our lunch at the viewpoint and were entertained by four or more sea lions frolicking close to the shore in the rapids. On the way back to the vehicles we took the lower trail and stopped at the salt water lagoon to check it out.  The hike including lunch was close to 4 hours and was 10 km.  

Vikki

Thanks to Vikki and Norris for the photos.

Click on photos to enlarge
 

Hiking – Maud Island – 4 April 2023

Trip Report – Heriot Ridge Loop – 29 Mar 2023

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On a bright and sunny spring day, eight people started out to hike the Heriot Ridge Loop with some side attractions. After climbing up to the ridge on Hopespring Trail, we descended down the other side, turning right on Gowlland Harbour Trail and on to the first small bridge. From there we sidetracked a few hundred yards to look at the stand of 19 old growth trees that managed to survive the big fire of 1925. We then progressed on to look at the Three Sisters, that are some of the largest old growth trees on the Island. A short way down the path we turned left to go into a small creek valley, where there is another stand of old-growth trees. Back on the main path, we continued on to the turn off to Rousseau Ridge. We hiked to there to have a lunch while taking in the magnificent scenery. With our lunches, we enjoyed an appetizer of crackers, cream cheese, and smoked sockeye salmon.

After lunch, we hiked back to Thompson Trail and continued down it to the turn off for the Heriot Ridge Route. There is more open bluff hiking as you head up the ridge to the overlook where a bench has been placed. We paused to enjoy the view before hiking on back to our vehicles. (8.1 km, 4½ hours) 

Les

Thanks to Les and Norris for the photos.

Click on photos to enlarge
 

Hiking – Heriot Ridge Loop – 29 March 2023

Trip Report – Haskins Farm-Fir Crest Loop – 15 Mar 2023

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On March 15, 2023 a small group joined the Haskins Farm and Fir Crest walk. It was an easy walk which took approximately an hour and fifteen minutes. We began at the head of the Haskins Farm trail and at the first intersection took a left and walked through the forest, and through the new growth area over to the golf course where we walked along the cart path, past the Fir Crest trail parking and onto the start of the Fir Crest trail continuing down behind the houses of the subdivision to the bottom of the trail where we began the Fir Crest to Haskins Farm trail along the ridge. Deciding to skip the trail down to the beach, we took the trail back through Haskins Farm up to the vehicles.. The whole way is very lovely with a mixture of forest, new growth, and open fairways, while the ridge is particularly beautiful with the moss covered trees and ocean views. (5.9 km)

Vikki

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Haskin Farm & Fir Crest Loop – 15 Mar 2023

Kayaking – Maud Island and petroglyph at mouth of Morte Creek – 20 Apr 2023

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This trip has been postponed.

Activity Kayaking
Destination Maud Island and petroglyph at mouth of Morte Creek
Date 20 Apr 2023, Thursday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info 250-285-2111; or 250-287-0459 text
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 creek just east of Maud Island.
We will put in at the Leishmans Rd shore access by 0900 am and paddle north towards Maud Island. It is about a 1 hr paddle to the old village site of Kawstin at the outflow of Morte Lake creek. 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 Shore access at Leishmans Rd
Departure Time 0930 on the water; meet at 0900
Difficulty
 Moderate depending on weather and currents.
Costs None
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.org/wp-content/uploads/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.

Hiking – Maud Island – 4 April 2023

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This trip was originally scheduled for March 13th

Activity Hiking
Destination Maud Island
Date 4 Apr 2023, Tuesday
Trip Coordinator Vikki O’Brien
Contact Info resvo2004@yahoo.com, 250-938-2864
Description Maud Island is situated beside Seymour Narrows and has a spectacular view of the narrows and it is a scenic walk in many areas. We will begin the trail from the far end of Morte lake at the Maud Island parking area. This hike is easy walking overall except for a section where it climbs up the bluffs at the base of Mt Lolo and there is a hill to get to the lookout. It is good to have your poles for the bluffs. On the return we will not take the bluffs, but rather will take the shoreline route. Maud Island has a beautiful lookout area where we will have lunch. This is approximately 4 – 4 1/2 hours including the lunch break.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty Moderate
Costs Nil
Trip limits 12
Dogs? Yes, if under control.
Notes Bring lunch, water, good footwear and walking poles. This hike is approximately 10 km.

Hiking – Heriot Ridge Loop – 29 Mar 2023

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Activity Hiking
Destination Heriot Ridge  Loop
Date 29 March 2023, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info lhquadra@gmail.com or 285-2029
Description We will do a circle of Heriot Ridge leaving and returning to the end of Hopespring Road. There will be two short side trips to see old growth. We will also go to Rousseau Rock for lunch and the view.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty Moderate
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs? Okay if under control
Notes: Bring a lunch, clothes for the weather, poles recommended. Will be postponed if heavy rain.

Hiking – Haskins Farm and Fircrest Loop – 15 Mar 2023

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Activity Hiking
Destination Haskins Farm, Fircrest and Golf Course Loop
Date 15 March 2023
Trip Coordinator Vikki O’Brien
Contact Info resvo2004@yahoo.com, 250-938-2864
Description We will begin at the Haskin Farm parking area at Smith and Heriot Bay Rd, walk over to the golf course and walk a bit of the golf cart trails, then catch the Fircrest trail back towards Haskins farm, down to the beach and back through Haskin Farm to the vehicles.
Meeting Place Haskin Farm parking area
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty Easy
Costs Zero
Trip limits 12
Dogs? Yes, if on leash in the Golf Course and under control elsewhere.
Notes Bring a snack, gear for the weather