Category Archives: Quadra Island

Hiking – Morte Lake Bike Trails Loop – 17 Oct 2018

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Re-scheduled to 17 Oct

Activity Hiking
Destination Morte Lake loop via Dead Fish
Date 17 24 Oct 2018, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca or 285-3710;  Please contact the coordinator several days prior to the trip
Description We will start from the Morte Lake parking lot and hike up Morning Beer on the southern ridge.  We will follow mountain bike trails to Seven Sins, then descend on Lost Rider to Reed Lake.  We will cross the road and the creek and continue on Yellow Mud and Jack Rabbit back to the parking lot.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store for car pooling
Departure Time 10:00 A.M.
Difficulty
 moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? Okay on leash or out front – we may encounter bikes or animals
Notes: Bring lunch.  Expect some steep sections, wet sections, mountain bike trails, and views.

 

 

Hiking – Stramberg Creek and North Grove – 17 Oct 2018

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This hike has been postponed.

Activity Hiking
Destination Stramberg Creek and North Grove
Date 17 Oct 2018, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca or 3710.  Please contact the trip coordinator prior to the trip.
Description We will begin at the Main Lakes Park parking access to Stramberg Lake and follow Little Main Road north, paralleling Stramberg Lake and Creek.  We will cross Stramberg Creek and follow a flagged route north of the lake to a grove of old growth trees.  This trip will not go to Stramberg Lake, unless the group wants to make a short side trip.  Expect some bushwhacking and a creek crossing.  If it’s too late in the season to do this creek crossing, we will have a substitute. About 12 km; 4.5 hours without the driving.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot, to arrange carpools
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs?
Notes: Bring lunch, gear appropriate for the weather and maybe rubber boots.

Trip Report – Maud Island – 3 Oct 2018

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Twelve hikers thoroughly enjoyed this classic hike through the forest to the bluffs overlooking Seymour Narrows. The big-leaf maples were in their beautiful fall bloom, the moss was brightly coloured after the rains, and the red Oregon Grape highlighted the floor of the forest, along with newly emerging fungi.

Nine hikers chose to go up to the bluffs at Mt. Lolo and three took the lower, more direct path to the viewpoint. Upon arrival at the Seymour Narrows viewpoint, we were all delighted by the sight of a couple of orcas frolicking, a porpoise, and sea lions enjoying some time in the kelp bed below.

Lunch and conversation was enjoyed by all then the return via the Saltwater Lagoon. 10.4 km; 4½ hours.

Sandra

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Hiking – Maud Island – 3 Oct 2018

Trip Report – Gowlland Island and Harbour – 19 Sept 2018

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Six people met at April Point Marina an hour after low tide to launch their kayaks. The weather was sunny and calm as we paddled through the narrow entrance into Gowlland Harbour. This is where we encountered the most current, but it was not that heavy. Once into the harbour we paddled between Mouse and Crow Islets. Then by Wren Islet and up the northeast side to the log dump. The clouds moved in as we headed for May Island for lunch. Just as we got there the heavens opened up and we all got soaked.

After lunch the weather turned back dry and we left for the opening between Steep and Gowlland Islands. The flood current here was not anywhere near the 4 knot max that the charts showed was occurring off Orange Point. We also found this the case for just off April Point so we slid on down to the next little bay. From there we returned to April Point Marina in another shower. All in all it was a great paddle.  12.7 km taking 3.75 hours.

Les

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Kayaking – Gowlland Island and Harbour – 19 Sept 2018

Hiking – Maud Island- 3 Oct 2018

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Activity Hiking
Destination Maud Island
Date 3 Oct 2018, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Sandra Burns
Contact Info sandraburns.ca@gmail.com or 3977.  Please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip.
Description Hike to Maud Island through varied forest and terrain.  We will do a loop passing over the shoulder of  Mt. Lolo, crossing the causeway to Maud Island, enjoying views of Seymour Narrows, and returning by the salt water lagoon. The currents in the Narrows will not be impressive at this time.   Allow 5 hours, including driving, for this walk of approximately 10km.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store for car pooling
Departure Time 9:30
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs?
Notes: Bring lunch, poles if you use them and gear for the weather.  We don’t usually do this trip in very poor weather.

Trip Report – Eagle Ridge and Beyond – 12 Sept 2018

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After parking just where the culvert had been washed out on Copperhead logging road and walking the logging road, trail and route, five of us thoroughly enjoyed the company, weather, spectacular views and the very interesting hike to Eagle Ridge and beyond.   After pausing at the end of the Eagle Ridge trail for the views, we made the steep descent to the saddle between Eagle Ridge and the ridge to the north.  The route follows lovely, open, mossy bluffs.  We had lunch on the northern ridge and then wandered to the high point, exploring the views to the north and south.

We followed the long, open bluff down with a bit of bushwacking at the end to re-join the Copperhead logging road.  Just before reaching the vehicles, a short side trip was taken to the beaver pond below the Silk Stocking trail to inspect the progress the beavers had made on their new dam and check out the remains of the old one. It appears the beavers have been busy constructing a new, very beautiful dam to replace the one that was washed out last year in the rains.  5.0 km; 3¼ hours; 150m elevation gain.

Sandra

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Hiking – Eagle Ridge and Beyond – 12 Sept 2018

Hiking – Eagle Ridge Loop – 12 Sept 2018

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Activity Hiking
Destination Eagle Ridge Loop
Date 12 Sept 2018, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Sandra Burns
Contact Info 285-3977 or sandraburns.ca@gmail.com.  Please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip.
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 very steep on mossy rocks.  There is no trail.  With the culvert out on Copperhead logging road, we will have to park at the creek and walk up.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot for car pooling.
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 The section up to Eagle Ridge is a maintained trail of moderate difficulty.  The descent from Eagle Ridge is challenging.  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 none
Dogs? Depends on the dog.  Would need to be completely controlled during the descent.
Notes: Bring lunch and gear for weather.

Kayaking – Gowlland Island and Harbour – 19 Sept 2018

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Activity Kayaking
Destination Gowlland Island and Harbour
Date 19 Sept 2018, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 285-2029 or leshand@gicable.com
Description The tentative plan is to go around Gowlland Island or possibly Steep Island, and through Gowlland Harbour.  The exact course will be decided by group that day. Expect some passages with some current.  Please register at least 24 hours in advance as trip may change due to weather.
Meeting Place April Point Marina
Departure Time 9:30.  Be there by 9:00 to be ready to leave by 9:30.
Difficulty
 Moderate.
Costs none
Trip limits eight
Dogs? no
Notes: All participants must review and conform to QIOC paddling guidelines. Participants must have all Coast Guard required equipment and spray skirts.

Trip Report – Nugedzi Lakes and Viewpoints – 29 August 2018

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Our group of six and a dog hiked up to see the Nugedzi Lakes and viewpoints.  The weather forecast called for rain, but there was very little, so we were glad we went anyway.  We stopped near the top of the old logging road to see the northeast viewpoint which had considerable cloud.  Further on, the water level in the Lily Pond has been seriously reduced by the recent drought.  The southeast viewpoint looking down the Strait of Georgia beyond the pond was also quite cloudy, but clear enough to see a long way.  We took the initiative to remove the white plastic tarp which covered cement bags turned to concrete over a decade ago and bring it down in a garbage bag.  We continued on to Nugedzi Lake for lunch.  Although the weather was improving, no one was tempted to swim.  We also visited the western viewpoint over Discovery Passage before returning and making the short side trip to Little Nugedzi Lake, then heading back down the hill to the vehicles. This is a great, highly varied hike and good exercise.  10.8 km; 365 m elevation gain; 5½ hours.

Julie

Thanks to Norris and Les for the photos

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Hiking – Nugedzi Lakes and Viewpoints – 29 August 2018

Trip Report – Homewood Trails Loop – 22 August 2018

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Five hikers and Rosco the dog enjoyed a three-hour hike in the Heriot Ridge area. A smoky haze from BC wildfires partially blocked the sun but was not as thick as the previous few days. Beginning at the Hopespring trailhead, we hiked up to the height of land and down the west side of the ridge, turning south on Gowlland trail. We sampled a few blackberries along the way, before turning east on the Homewood Bluff trail. On top of Homewood Bluff we stopped for a snack but the view to the west was lacking due to the smoke. Descending the east side of the bluff, we connected with Homewood’s High Bluff trail. This trail is partially overgrown, due to lack of use by the Homewood groups. However, the wolves use this route since wolf scat was observed perched on a log across the trail. After reaching the height of land, a side trip took us up to High Bluff were we enjoyed another rest stop but could barely see Campbell River to the west. From here we hiked north along Heriot Ridge on an unmarked route, stopping to say hello to a grand old Douglas fir tree tucked away in the bluffs. Along the way we stepped over the skeleton of an unfortunate deer not far from the intersection with Hopespring trail. From here we returned to the vehicles. Temperatures remained cool and pleasant throughout the hike due to the haze. 5.3 km.

Janis McLean

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Hiking -Homewood Trails Loop – 22 August 2018