Category Archives: Quadra Island

Hiking – Santana Mine – 29 May 2023

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Change of start time to 9:00.

Activity Hiking
Destination Santana Mine
Date 29 May 2023, Monday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710. Please contact the coordinator by Saturday night.
Description We will hike to the historic Santana Mine from the Bold Point area.  The access routes are not maintained and range from old logging roads to trails up to the mine.  This outing combines a walk through a good forest and a mine with a horizontal shaft. The history of the mine is quite interesting.  Here is a link to the claim information:  https://minfile.gov.bc.ca/summary.aspx?minfilno=092K%20%20013
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store
Departure Time 9:00 10:00
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs?
Notes: Bring a flashlight.  Bring gear for the weather and lunch.

Multi-day Kayaking, Camping – Main Lake Prov Park- 6-8 June 2023

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Activity Multi-day kayaking, camping and hiking
Destination Main Lake Provincial Park
Date 6-8 June 2023, Tuesday to Thursday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-285-2111; text 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.
Meeting Place Mine Lake boat launch
Departure Time On the water at 1030 hr.
Difficulty Easy to moderate if windy
Cost https://bcparks.ca/main-lake-park/
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).

Ask coordinator about joining for just 1 or 2 days if you have a schedule conflict.

Trip Report – Hyacinthe Bay at Low Tide – 8 May 2023

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On a beautiful spring day, eight of us enjoyed exploring Hyacinthe Bay on a 0.5 metre tide which revealed some history and intertidal life.  After arriving at Chauntaluf Farm, we sat on the deck of the Schoolhouse and talked about the history and ecology of the Bay.  About 25 years ago, the Kellerhals family noticed stakes in the stream channel at low tide.  These turned out to be the remnants of Indigenous fish traps which are several hundred years old.  We also talked about the nearly complete loss of eel grass in Hyacinthe Bay in the last 50 years.  This may be the result of a wasting disease, but it has immense consequences for the creatures who used to live there.

We wandered down to the tidal flats and almost immediately found many of the old stakes.  Although we couldn’t always see the pattern of how the trap would have worked, we were impressed with the resilience of the wood.  We found lots of oyster and clam shells, and further out there were sand dollars, mostly dead, but a few still black.  There were also many moon snail egg cases.  At the very edge of the water there was eel grass, some crabs and sea stars.  There was plenty of diversity .  

As the tide began to flood, we climbed ashore and visited a property which had recently been donated to the Regional District.  The cabin is still in quite good condition.  From there we followed a short trail leading back to the Farm.  We took the lovely, wide, grassy Maple Bay Road back to the vehicles.  This was a very easy relaxed day, giving us the time to enjoy the beautiful day and fascinating things on the shore.  (2.7 km; 2 hours)

Thanks so much for the invitation from Heather Kellerhals and all the help from Robyn.

Debbie

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Hiking – Hyacinthe Bay at Low Tide – 8 May 2023

Beach Clean-up – Open Bay – 15 May 2023

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Activity Beach Clean-up
Destination Open Bay
Date 15 May, Monday
Trip Coordinator Valerie van Veen
Contact Info 250 285 2329 vvv@qisland.ca 778 242 5774
Description We will take the trail down from end of Marina to Big Beach, We will then drive (to save time) to end of Redonda and take beach trail to clean that beach, then drive down to end of Valdez to clean there. Either Redonda or Valdez beach will be our lunch spot. Depending on timing, weather, and enthusiasm, we can drive down the logging road to clean Shellaligan Beach as well. (it was done a few weeks ago but stuff is always washing in) On the way home, we can take the short hike to see the Old Growth trees off Valdez Road as a side-trip.
Meeting Place HB Foods parking lot OR end of Marina Drive
Departure Time 10 am HB Foods parking lot OR 10:20 am (approx) end of Marina Drive, Open Bay
Difficulty
 Easy, beach walking, logs
Costs None
Trip limits None
Dogs? No
Notes: Large plastic collection bags will be provided. All debris collected will be emptied into the large white collection bag (as at the end of KDB trail) at my house (this process to be arranged amongst us at the time). Bring a box-cutter or similar knife to cut buried rope. Garden gloves recommended. The trail down to Big Beach is quite steep, so more challenging to bring stuff up. There is a stream crossing at Big Beach, wear appropriate footwear or go barefoot and bring a towel. Bring lunch/snacks/water, dress for the weather. Must contact coordinator by 5 pm Sunday, May 14 to participate. Only registered participants will be notified of any changes.

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