Category Archives: Quadra Island

Trip Report – Maud Island – 8 Feb 2018

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The weather forecasters promised much better weather if we postponed this trip one day, so we did and they were right. The wet winds from the southeast shifted to dry winds from the northwest, and the day was sunny, with clear sky and views of the mountains with all their fresh snow.

Seven of us made the trek to the Maud Island viewpoint overlooking Seymour Narrows and the Ripple Rock site.  We did the hike as a loop, stopping at the Mt. Lolo bluff on the way out and continuing through the forest and over the causeway to Maud Island.  We were impressed with how much tidal action there was only a half-hour after slack water, with the wind against tide.  A group of sea lions used the calmer water right beneath the cliffs to relax and play.  We had lunch at the viewpoint, including Les’ wonderful smoked salmon, and then returned via the Saltwater Lagoon.  10.1 km; 4⅓ hours.

– Norris

Photos by Norris and Les

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Hiking – Maud Island – 7 Feb 2018

Gear Sale – Quadra Community Centre – 22 April 2018

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 The Gear Sale has been cancelled because it conflicts with the beach clean-up.

Activity Gear Sale
Location Quadra Community Centre, main hall
Date & time 22 April 2018, Sunday; 10:00 – 2:00
Event Coordinator Valerie van Veen and Darcy Mitchell
Contact Infomation mitchelldarcy51@gmail.com and vvv@qisland.ca.  Please contact both by e-mail for questions and registration.
For sellers, the registration deadline is April 20th.
If you want to be a seller, click here for the registration form
Description Either as a buyer or seller, come to the gear swap.   Outdoor gear may include equipment and clothing for land, water, air activities but NO MOTORIZED equipment and NO indoor exercise equipment.  You don’t have to be a member to participate.

Kayaking Training – Main Lake Provincial Park – 6 June 2018

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Activity Kayak training session
Destination Main Lake Provincial Park
Date 6 June 2018, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Darcy Mitchell; Instructor Douglas Taylor
Contact & Registration Info mitchelldarcy51@gmail.com
Please contact Darcy no later than May 15 to receive a registration form for one or both sessions. Payment in full must accompany registration; registration deadline is May 25. Payment is non-refundable, unless you are able to find someone to take your place by the registration deadline.
Description 1) Three hour training/refresher on assisted kayak rescue and self-rescue. The session will begin with a review of basic safety and paddling skills.
2) Introduction to the Greenland Paddle (3 hours). Ever wondered about paddling with “a stick”? Paddles will be provided by the instructor for an introduction to paddling technique and when/where the Greenland paddle is most useful. Tip – the G.P. is reputed to be kind to aging shoulders….
Meeting Place Boat launch at Mine Lake
Departure Time Meet at the boat launch by 8:30 to be ready to start at 9:00 for the morning session.
The afternoon session starts at 12:30 p.m.
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs $60+GST=$63 per person for one session or $105+GST=$110.25 for both sessions
Trip limits 8 people per session
Dogs? No
Notes: All participants must provide their own kayaks and all safety equipment, including PFD, paddle float, pump, sponge, whistle. Wet suits are strongly advised (if you need a wetsuit, the trainer or other club members may have spares to loan – mention to Darcy when you register). Bring warm drinks and warm clothing as we can get pretty chilled.

Trip Report – Haskins Farm Loop – 31 Jan 2018

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The seven of us went on this short, easy hike on one of the better official trails.  We started out on the trail through forest and meadow, and descended the steep switchbacks to the water.  After admiring the rather wintry view, we followed the short trail to the north along the shore, past some fine old growth trees, then returned back up the hill.  We turned north again and followed the logging road.  We took the short side trip to the Todd Scharf memorial trail and then followed the logging road west, back to the cars, beating the start of the rain. This is a short, classic hike with lots of variety in the forest and views.  4.5 km; 1⅔ hours.

Debbie

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Hiking – Haskin’s Farm Loop – 31 Jan 2018

Hiking – Crikey and Open Bay Creeks – 28 Feb 2018

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Activity Hiking
Destination Crikey and Open Bay Creeks
Date 28 Feb 2018, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info 285-3710 or norris.weimer@ualberta.ca.  Please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip.
Description We plan to walk a figure-of-eight loop starting on the trail along the Open Bay Creek, then circling back on a logging road.  After a short walk down Open Bay Main we will hike up the Rio mountain bike trail and down Crikey Creek.  The first part is flat, the second part has a hill.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store parking lot for car pooling
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Fairly easy, unless there is winter deadfall
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs?
Notes: Bring a lunch and gear for the weather.

Hiking – Eagle Ridge & Blindman’s Bluff – 14 March 2018

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Activity Hiking
Destination Eagle Ridge and Blindman’s Bluff
Date 14 Mar 2018, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 285-2029 or leshand@gicable.com.  Please contact the trip coordinator prior to the trip.
Description Eagle Ridge trail has wetlands as well as rocky bluffs for views of Discovery Passage. We will then go to Blindman’s Bluff for more open views.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot.
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? Yes, but no back and forth through group
Notes: Please contact coordinator before trip as may be changed due to bad weather.

Hiking – Heriot Ridge and North Loop – 21 Mar 2018

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Activity Hiking
Destination Heriot Ridge and North Loop
Date 21 March 2018, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Janis McLean
Contact Info phone 3614
Description We will hike up Hopespring trail to the top of the ridge, turn south along the upper ridge, past the communication tower, to a bluff overlook, then return north to Hopespring trail on a lower ridge level.  Here, we will continue north on the Heriot Ridge trail and finish on the Thompson trail.
Meeting Place  upper end of Hopespring Road
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty Easy to moderate – must be comfortable on wet bluffs
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? okay if under control
Notes: Hiking poles will be useful.  Hiking time 2-3 hours.  Bring a snack/lunch and hot drink.

Trip Report – Mud Lake-Morte Lake Loop – 17 Jan 2018

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Because of a big winter storm, we substituted this short hike for the previously planned trip to Mt. Washington. Five stalwart and cheerful hikers, undeterred by the weather, came out in a gale. We started at the pull off just past Mud Lake on the Walcan Road. After crossing the creek, we hiked up the South Bluff trail over the bluff to Morte Lake. The trail is quite steep, the bluff is open and covered with moss and lichen. We followed the old logging road down to Morte Lake. No one wanted to turn back so soon, so we continued on to the viewpoint, which was relatively sheltered from the southeast wind. We took the Tripod Connector trail back to the trail along Mud Lake. Again, no one was ready to head for the car, so we took the trail west to the Mud Lake trailhead at the Walcan Road. Finally we turned back to the car. The trail was quite wet in places and no one went home dry.  6.1 km; 2 hours.

Debbie

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Hiking – Mud Lake to Morte Lake Loop – 17 Jan 2018

Hiking – Morte Lake to Mud Lake loop – 17 Jan 2018

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Activity Hiking
Destination Mud Lake to Morte Lake loop
Date 17 Jan 2018, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca or 3710.  Please contact the coordinator prior to the trip.
Description This is a substitute trip.  It will be a short hike over a bluff from Mud Lake to Morte Lake.  We will make it a loop by returning via Tripod.  This is a short hike with lots of variety.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store for car pooling
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Easy, but there’s a hill
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs?
Notes: The weather will be appalling so dress for it.  We won’t stop for lunch.

Trip Report – Surge Narrows logging roads – 10 Jan 2018

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Ten of us took advantage of the brief break in the rainy weather to explore another part of the island.  We started from near Mine Lake. After a short steep section, the old logging road is pretty flat and open, going through a section of the woodlot in which the re-planted trees are growing nicely.  The forest is quite diverse and some of it is mature with open understory.  We took a short side trip to a trailhead on the Bold Point Road, then had lunch in a nice clearing.  After lunch we bushwhacked a bit and climbed a little bluff with good views all around and continued south to rejoin the Surge Narrows Road, which we walked back to the starting point.   8.3 km; 3½ hours.

– Norris

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Hiking – Surge Narrows logging roads – 10 Jan 2018