Category Archives: Quadra Island

Trip Report – Plumper Bay – 18 Jan 2023

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Since Mt. Washington did not have good conditions for snowshoeing, we substituted a hike to Plumper Bay and ten of us went.  The first half of this hike is along the Morte Lake to Maud Island trail.  This section is always nice.  Everything is covered with deep green moss and the trail is maintained.  The second part of the hike is along the old logging road between Plumber Bay and Mt. Lolo.  This road is still in amazing condition, but it suffers from trees falling across it.  A lot of deadfall.   Mostly not big trees, but it can make an obstacle course.  The route toward Plumber Bay gets cleared occasionally, but it is not “trail” maintained, and it will probably become an active logging road soon.  Right now it is quite clear except for one alder landslide.  The bay at the destination is a very nice picnic site.  Probably soon to be a log dump.  Until then it is well worth a visit.  

We could have had better weather.  The hints of blue sky we started out with turned into rain.  Quite cold rain, but no wind despite the windstorm the previous night.  Nonetheless, we had a good hike and were glad to go.  (6.3 km; 2hours 20 minutes)

Norris

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Hiking – Plumber Bay – 18 Jan 2023

Hiking – Plumper Bay – 18 Jan 2023

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Activity Hiking
Destination Plumper Bay
Date 18 Jan, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710.  Please contact the coordinator in advance.
Description A relatively flat and easy hike on old logging roads. The first part is the same as for going to Maud Island, then instead of turning left, we turn right. The trail is quite gradual down to the water.  Expect winter conditions with branches down and water on the trail.  Also recent logging in the area.  6 km roundtrip, about 2.5 hours including lunch. The destination is a nice grassy meadow on the waterfront of Plumper Bay (the first large bay north of Seymour Narrows). Bring lunch.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Tru Value parking lot; we will convoy in our cars from there.
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty Easy, but part of the route is unmaintained
Costs none
Trip limits 12
Dogs?
Notes: Bring lunch.

Trip Report – Overload Hike south of Walcan Rd – 9 Jan 2023

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The good news was that Les’s scheduled Eagle Ridge hike was quickly filled, so two of the six Club members on the (unprecedented?) wait list decided to hike together, opting for the lovely forest trails south of Walcan Road. We set off on Jack Rabbit to Yellow Mud down to NightHawk Lake.  The recent heavy rains ensured that the trail was suitably “muddy” and, in places, virtually a small creek. We were delighted to see a small flock of six Trumpeter Swans gliding peacefully on Nighthawk Lake. After turning around at the logging road, we took Dicks Ride up the ridge, keeping right onto Cash Only, then right onto Plaything to wind our way back downhill to join up with Yellow Mud. At the junction leading to Plaything we were shocked to see clear cuts and new, wide gravel roads where there had been forest just a year ago. GPS, a map app, and mountain biking knowledge helped us reconnect with the forest trail “Plaything”. We returned to our cars just as the rain began again. Altogether a beautiful hike, and wonderful to know that 10 more members of our Club were also out enjoying our amazing trails.   2.5 hours

Valerie van Veen

Thanks to Valerie  for the photos.

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Falls by the trail
Swans on Nighthawk Lake

 

Trip Report – Eagle Ridge and Blindman’s Bluff – 9 Jan 2023

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It was a cloudy cool day as 10 of us set out for a hike. We parked on the Copperhead logging road near the repaired culvert as there is more parking there. We first went up the Blindman’s Bluff trail. There were a few trees down and wet salal on the trail. All in all though it is in good condition and a fine hike. The many open bluffs give excellent views to the east and south. Visibility was good, but you could see the rain coming from the southeast. We paused for a brief snack, and to enjoy the views at the largest open area. We then circled back to the main trail.

The old road had quite a bit of water, running down it to the beaver pond. The water level was quite high in the pond and it was starting to rain now so we pushed on to Eagle Ridge. We stopped at the top to have a quick lunch. The rain started coming heavy so we headed back to the vehicles. We were all soaked by the time we got back to the vehicles but we’re quite happy that the first two hours were dry. 7 km, 3 1/2 hours.

Les

Thanks to Les and Norris for the photos.

Click on photos to enlarge

Hiking – Eagle Ridge and blindman’s Bluff – 9 Jan 2023

Kayaking – Maud Island and petroglyph at mouth of Morte Creek – 22 Mar 2023

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This trip has been postponed to April 19th.

Activity Kayaking
Destination Maud Island and petroglyph at mouth of Morte Creek
Date 22 March 2023, Wednesday
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 1000 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 1000 on the water; meet at 0930
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.

Trip Report – Rebecca Spit Hot Chocolate Walk – 2 Jan 2023

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Eight club members welcomed the New Year with a (very) brisk walk around Rebecca Spit on Monday January 2, making the full loop from the Sasquatch parking lot north to the point, then heading back down via the campground to Heriot Bay road, and back to our cars. We moved to the west side of the Spit to have our Hot Chocolate social out of the light north-east wind.

The trail was surprisingly deserted and only one sailboat (of sorts) was anchored in Drew Harbour. Despite the washout on Heriot Bay Road, the Spit and trails were in good condition.

All New Year’s diet resolutions were postponed until Tuesday as we enjoyed our sweet snacks and hot chocolate (many thanks to Les and Diana for the delicious treats).  (6.1 km; 1.5 hours walking)

Valerie van Veen

 
Thanks to Valerie and Norris for the photos


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Hiking – Rebecca Spit Hot Chocolate Walk – 2 Jan 2023

Trip Report – Village Bay Main – 30 Dec 2022

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Nine of us set out in rain gear for this rainy-day walk.  As it turned out, it didn’t rain.  And it wasn’t even windy.  It was just a simple, pleasant walk in the woods on a quiet logging road: Village Bay Main.  There were a few alders fallen across the road, but no problems.  We took the short trail that connects to the logging road which accesses the Shellaligan trail system and then returned to the vehicles.  After that, we made a quick visit to the big Douglas fir trees near pole 37 on Valdez Road.  (7.4 km; 2 hours, plus 200 m and 10 minutes for the tree)

Norris

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Hiking – A Logging Road – 30 Dec 2022

Kayaking – Bays and Bretons – 1 Feb 2023

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This trip has been cancelled due to poor weather.

Activity Paddling
Destination Bays and Bretons
Date 1 Feb 2023, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info 250-285-2111; or 250-287-0459 text
Description This might be our only club paddle for the winter! Let’s call it Groundhog Day. After putting in at the Len Rd shore access we’ll paddle the bays working our way to Breton Island for hot drinks and snacks (in the sun!). The return trip could take us on a beeline to Herriot Island and back to the take out.
Meeting Place Len Rd
Departure Time 1000 hrs at put in and on the water by 1030.
Difficulty
 Easy to medium depending on weather.
Costs None
Trip limits None
Dogs? No
Notes: This outing is for fully equipped and experienced paddlers due to the season. Bring a lunch and hot drinks.

Hiking – Eagle Ridge and Blindman’s Bluff – 9 Jan 2023

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This trip is FULL

Activity Hiking
Destination Eagle Ridge and Blindman’s Bluff
Date 9 Jan 2023, Monday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 250-285-2029 or lhquadra@gmail.com
Description We will do Eagle Ridge which has wetlands and views of Discovery Passage then Blindman’s Bluff which has more open views south. This is a great hike for viewing the east side of Quadra.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs
Trip limits 10
Dogs? O.K. but must not run back and forth through group.
Notes: Please contact coordinator 2 days prior as things may change due to weather.
Bring lunch and and gear for weather.

Hiking – A Logging Road – 30 Dec 2022

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Activity Hiking
Destination A Logging Rd
Date 30 Dec, Friday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710  
Description This is an easy walk in the woods.  We will walk a logging road which connects the Bold Point/Surge Narrows Rd and Valdez Rd.  It is in the Shellaligan/Village Bay area, but not really part of the trails there.  It is relatively flat and straight.  No views, but it’s probably going to be a rainy day anyway.  This can be done as an out-and-back or a walk through with a car shuffle.  Or part of the Shellaligan trail system could be added, depending on the weather and the group.  Out-and-back would be about 7 km.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Easy
Costs None
Trip limits None
Dogs?  
Notes: Expecting rain.  Bring gear for the weather and maybe a snack or lunch .