Hiking – Heron Point and Mt. Sweat – 9 Mar 2022

Posted on February 24, 2022 by qioutdoorclub

Activity	Hiking
Destination	Heron Pt and Mt. Sweat loop
Date	9 Mar, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator	Norris Weimer
Contact Info	norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710 Please contact the coordinator by Monday night.
Description	This is a short hike starting on Kolker Main. We will briefly follow a logging road, a short connector and a mossy bluff to Heron Point for great views of Hyacinthe Bay and the Chinese Mtn area. From there we will take a cairned route through forest trails and rocky bluffs to Mt. Sweat. We descend to Kolker Main and return to the vehicles on the logging road. This is a view hike and will not be done in poor weather. About 4 km; 2½ hours.
Meeting Place	Heriot Bay store parking lot. We will drive out in a group.
Departure Time	10:00
Difficulty	Most easy, but some interesting places on Mt. Sweat. If there are sufficient participants, a second, more level option is possible.
Costs	None
Trip limits	None
Dogs?	No.
Notes:	Some of this trip is on private property and we thank Heather Kellerhals for allowing our visit to Chauntaluf Farm. Bring gear appropriate for the weather and trail conditions, as well as lunch.

Trip Report – Upper Gowlland Bike Trails – 16 Feb 2022

Posted on February 20, 2022 by qioutdoorclub

This hike explored some of the lesser used trails accessed via the Missing Links FSR road off Upper Gowlland Harbour Road. From the parking area we went north-east on Bite the Bullet, past the remains of an old rifle range. We crossed the road to Sam’s Shorty on Marlow’s woodlot and then crossed over again to climb Cash Only, then west on Back Door. Our lunch stop was at the high point of the trail on a mossy bluff. From there we began the descent on Silk Stockings through the tailings of an abandoned copper mining operation with old rails and ore carts still visible. Along the way we found other possible scenic rest points with views of a lake and the Vancouver Island mountains. Our group of four walked the 6.8 km in 2.5 hours plus a half lunch stop with lots of good conversation and laughter.

Rob

(Click to enlarge)

: It is a bike trail, after all

: The last of winter, we hope

: Studying the mine claim

Hiking – Upper Gowlland Trails – 16 Feb 2022

Hiking – Upper Gowlland Harbour Trails – 16 Feb 2022

Posted on February 7, 2022 by qioutdoorclub

Activity	Hiking
Destination	Upper Gowlland Harbour trails
Date	16 February, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator	Rob McKerracher
Contact Info	250 285 3204; mckerr@gicable.com
Description	Well-used trails on the north side of Gowlland Harbour Road – rolling terrain with open bluffs, forest and a lake. Distance 6.9 km Elevation gain 200 m. 2.5 hours walking time plus lunch stop
Meeting Place	Heriot Bay Tru Value parking lot
Departure Time	10:00
Difficulty	Easy to moderate
Costs	None
Trip limits	10
Dogs?
Notes:	Dress for the weather – bring a lunch.

Hiking – Cape Mudge Trails – 2 March 2022

Posted on February 3, 2022 by qioutdoorclub

Activity	Hiking
Destination	Cape Mudge trails
Date	2 March, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator	Debbie Quigg
Contact Info	debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca or 3710 Please contact the coordinator by Monday night.
Description	We will hike the forest and bluff trail from the lodge. There are a few wet places in the forest. From there will will continue to the lighthouse. Depending on the group and the weather we can walk to the village and back. There is also an option to make this a hot chocolate walk by stopping at Aroma Cafe or Farm to Table after the hike.
Meeting Place	Tsa-Kwa-Luten parking lot
Departure Time	10:00
Difficulty	Easy
Costs	None
Trip limits	None
Dogs?
Notes:	Bring gear appropriate for the weather and trail conditions, as well as lunch or a snack.

Trip Report – Village Bay Lakes Loop – 2 Feb 2022

Posted on February 3, 2022 by qioutdoorclub

Nine of us walked this short “new” loop between Village Bay Lakes and Vic’s Marsh. Some of it is on a gated logging road, some of it is on an old, maintained trail that we’ve recently rediscovered. It passes through a very nice forest. Perhaps the loop was a riding trail when Vic had horses at the marsh. In the eighties? Then the trail connects to the Vic’s Marsh trail, returning to the cars along the marsh and passing by the remains of Vic’s barn. Despite a poor weather forecast, it did not rain or snow on us and this loop was mostly clear of snow while other trails in the area are still covered. Back at the vehicles, the groups shared some yummy snacks before departing. 4.2 km, 1⅓ hours

Norris

(click on photos to enlarge)

: Village Bay Lake

: Starting on the logging road

: Forest trail

: The marsh

: Vic’s barn

: The marsh

: The creek from the marsh to the lake

Hiking – Village Bay Lakes Loop – 2 Feb 2022

Trip Report – Haskin Farm-Fir Crest Loop – 25 Jan 2022

Posted on January 28, 2022 by qioutdoorclub

On a cool, foggy day we set out for a casual hike. The Haskin Farm Trail had been recently cleared of fallen trees and widened out very nicely after all the bad weather. Thanks to all that may have participated.
Fir Crest was in good condition with the occasional peek out through the fog to the ocean. The golf course was in great condition considering all the snow that we have had. All the green grass made you feel as if spring was coming. We returned to the vehicles through the wood lot. 6.5 km and 1¾ hours

Les

(click on photos to enlarge)

: Haskin Farm trail

: Recently fallen tree

: Fog at the golf course

Hiking – Haskin Farm-Fir Crest Loop – 25 Jan 2022

Kayaking – Bays, Bretons, and Beyond – 23 March 2022

Posted on January 17, 2022 by qioutdoorclub

Postponed due to weather.

Activity	Paddling
Destination	Bays, Bretons, and Beyond
Date	23 Mar, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator	Vic Gladish
Contact Info	vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-285-2111; text 250-287-0459
Description	The first paddle of spring could be short or long depending on the weather and the group! A calm day could allow us to aim for Dunsterville Islet, then Breton Islands and back. An iffier day could see us meander through Hyacinthe, Open and Moulds before a lunch break at Breton Island then return.
Meeting Place	Len Road Shore Access
Departure Time	9:30 am on the water
Difficulty	Easy to moderate
Costs	None
Trip limits	8
Dogs?	Only very strong swimmers!
Notes:	Please contact the trip coordinator 48 hours before the trip to confirm your attendance. A go/no go decision that reflects the weather forecast will be made by noon the day preceding the trip date. Must have equipment that meets club and coast guard regulations. Bring lunch and gear for the weather.

Hiking – Morte Lake Loop – 12 Jan 2022

Posted on January 6, 2022 by qioutdoorclub

This trip has been cancelled.

Activity	Hiking
Destination	Morte Lake
Date	12 Jan, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator	Brent Henry
Contact Info	brenthenrys@gmail.com; 250-205-1106, text preferred. Please contact coordinator by Monday evening.
Description	We will hike the classic Morte Lake loop, counter clockwise, staring at the Morte Lake trailhead parking lot. There is a slight possibly that it may be appropriate to use snowshoes, but at this time present snow levels should be drastically reduced. I will advise participants after Monday night if we will use snowshoes. If some snow remains, gaiters are advised. bring light plastic bags as boot liners and a spare pair of winter socks. Ground conditions will most likely be wet.
Meeting Place	Morte Lake parking lot.
Departure Time	10:00
Difficulty	Variable with conditions
Costs
Trip limits
Dogs?	Dogs must be under owner’s control at all times. Please carry a leash for emergencies.
Notes:	We will do the loop if possible, with a quick lunch stop, if agreeable to the group. So, bring a lunch and a hot thermos, if you have one, as well as water.

Hiking – Village Bay Lake Trails – 2 Feb 2022

Posted on January 4, 2022 by qioutdoorclub

Activity	Hiking
Destination	Village Bay Lake trails
Date	2 Feb, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator	Norris Weimer
Contact Info	norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710 Please contact the coordinator by Monday night.
Description	Starting on the Surge Narrows Rd, we will hike up a logging road and continue on a trail through a lovely forest near Village Bay Lake. We will re-join the logging road for a while and then follow another trail which connects with the route along Vic’s Marsh. There is lots of variety on this short loop. The route is in good condition, but expect wet and muddy sections especially along the marsh. About 5 km.
Meeting Place	Heriot Bay store parking lot. We will drive out in a group.
Departure Time	10:00
Difficulty	Easy
Costs	None
Trip limits	None
Dogs?
Notes:	Bring gear appropriate for the weather and trail conditions, as well as a snack.

Hiking – Fir Crest/Haskin Farm Trail – 25 Jan 2022