Trip Report – Mt. Washington Area – 13 Dec 2017

Eight of us put on our snowshoes — we also had one dog who was happy without snowshoes — and walked around one of the loops of logging roads from the Ramparts chain-up area near Mt. Washington.  There was no fog and the visibility was good.  We could even make out Mt. Baker 272 km away with our naked eyes.  The area has many good viewpoints of the snow covered mountains on the mainland.  The conditions were spring like.  The snow was crunchy — noisy on snowshoes — and it was very warm.  We ate lunch with the Whiskey Jacks.  6.0 km, 3.5 hours.

– Norris

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Snow – Mt. Washington Area – 13 Dec 2017

Hiking – Thompson-B&B Trail Loop – 20 Dec 2017

 

Activity Hiking
Destination Thompson-B&B Trail Loop
Date 20 December 2017, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Janis McLean
Contact Info phone 3614
Description We will hike a loop on and off the trail from Thompson trail to B&B trail, and back to Thompson trail, with viewpoints at Thompson trail’s first and second viewpoints.
Meeting Place Thompson Road at the Thompson trailhead
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty Easy to moderate (on viewpoint bluffs)
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? okay if under control
Notes: Hiking pole(s) will be useful on the rock bluffs.  If the weather is decent, we will stop at the second viewpoint for tea and a snack.  Overall time should be 2 hours or so.

Trip Report – Deepwater Main and beyond loop – 6 Dec 2017

Six of us set out early in the thick fog (horizontally), but quickly broke through it to a stunningly bright, clear, sunny day, since the fog was thin (vertically).  We started hiking from the summit of the Deepwater Main road, up old logging roads, sometime steep and stoney due to water eroding them, other times soft, mossy carpeted through the forest.  At the top of the shoulder to the north of Mt. Seymour, there was still some snow on the ground from last week’s storms, and the lake was partly frozen. We stopped for lunch and the magnificent views of the snow-covered mountains to the north and fog-covered water passages.  Thanks to Les for the great buffet lunch including smoked salmon, veggies, cold cuts, cheese and cookies. Then we continued on, down the logging road to the Granite Bay Road to complete the loop.  7.1 km; 3¼ hours.

– Norris

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Hiking – Deepwater Main & beyond loop – 6 Dec 2017

Trip Report – Deadfish-South Morte Lake Loop – 29 Nov 2017

On a blustery day under threat of rain, seven hikers enjoyed a brisk three hour hike around this loop connecting several mountain bike trails.   Beginning at the Morte Lake parking lot, we followed Lower Deadfish, Lost Rider, Ridge and Connector trails to the southwest corner of Morte Lake. The group encountered a few sprinkles here, which eventually passed. We followed the Morte Lake south trail, turned right on Nirvana and then left on 7 Sins with its seven switchbacks. At the junction of this trail and Upper Deadfish, we stopped for a brief lunch and took in the views across to Beech’s Mountain, Morte Lake and Discovery Passage. From there, it was downhill on Upper and Lower Deadfish along Little Morte Creek to the parking lot. Fortunately, we didn’t get rained on. Having had dry weather the previous day, there were very few puddles to cross. We agreed that it was a good workout and the lovely greens of the forest were at their peak. 8.7 km

Janis

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Hiking – Deadfish-South Morte Lake Loop – 29 Nov 2017

Trip Report – Little Black Dress & Silk Stocking Loop – 22 Nov 2017

Six of us met on a blustery grey morning to walk the mountain bike trails from North Gowlland Harbour Road. We parked at the Missing Links trail parking lot. We made a loop up Little Black Dress and returned via Back Door and Silk Stockings.   It was a beautiful meandering path through mixed forests and rocky outcrops. Along the way we passed the remnants of an old copper mine. We were quite protected in the forest and it was more  foggy and misty than rainy.  There is no signage on the trail and several T-junctions.  We were reminded of the importance of waiting for the group at each intersection, so that the group stays together. There was some timely conversation about basic safety equipment for day hikes. We hiked 6.8 km in 3 hours 20 minutes, including a stop for lunch.

Diana

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Hiking – Little Black Dress & Silk Stocking Loop – 22 Nov 2017

Hiking – Deepwater Main & Beyond Loop – 6 December 2017

Activity Hiking
Destination Deepwater Main & Beyond Loop
Date 6 Dec 2017, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 285-3710.  Please contact the trip coordinator prior to the trip.
Description We will either walk or drive up Deepwater Main from the Granite Bay Rd.  Then we will walk up a steep old logging road on the NW side of Mt Seymour.  From there the road contours around the N side of Mt Seymour, with views to the N, then it descends back down to Granite Bay Rd.  About 10.4 km if we walk the whole loop.  If we do a car shuffle, it will be a couple km shorter.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot, to arrange carpools
Departure Time 09:30
Difficulty
moderate, due to elevation gain and eroded logging roads in places
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? okay if under control
Notes: Bring lunch and poles if you use them

Trip Report – Hopespring-Thompson Trail Loop – 15 Nov 2017

The morning was quite dry, but since it had rained over 100 mm in the last four days, everything was very wet.  And we were still expecting more.  The eight of us hiked this lovely loop on maintained trail, which is quite protected in bad weather.  The fall colours were still strong, and everything was green and lush from the rain.  The maples, cliffs and overhanging rocks, the old growth fir, creeks and moss make this a beautiful walk.  5.3 km; 2 hours.

Debbie and Julie

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Hiking – Hopespring-Thompson Trail Loop – 15 Nov 2017

Hiking – Dead Fish-South Morte Lake Loop – 29 Nov 2017

 

Activity Hiking
Destination Dead Fish-South Morte Lake Loop
Date 29 November 2017, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Janis McLean
Contact Info phone 3614.  Please contact the coordinator in advance.
Description A forested loop on established hiking and mountain biking trails from the Morte Lake parking lot.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty easy
Costs none
Trip limits 10
Dogs? yes
Notes:

Hiking – Silk Stocking and Little Black Dress – 22 Nov 2017

 

Activity Hiking
Destination Silk Stocking and Little Black Dress
Date 22 November 2017, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Diana & Rob McKerracher
Contact Info 250 285 3204.  Please contact the coordinator in advance.
Description A forested loop on established trails and mountain bike trails, near Morte Lake.  Basic route is about 7 km and takes almost 3 hours to walk. Poles are helpful on some of the wet bits and rocky slopes.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty moderate, with some steep sections
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? on leash
Notes: If the weather is great, we can extend this basic route. Bring lunch and dress for the weather.

Hiking – Hopespring-Thompson Trail Loop – 15 Nov 2017

 

Activity Hiking
Destination Hopespring – Thompson Trail Loop
Date 15 November 2017, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Julie Mellanby
Contact Info phone 3978.  Please contact the coordinator in advance.
Description This is a moderate loop through varied forest, including some old growth.  The walk passes by wetlands, creeks, rocky bluffs.  This is relatively protected in rainy weather, but if the day provides the opportunity, there are views along the way.
Meeting Place Hopespring Trailhead
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? okay
Notes: You might bring a snack, but lunch isn’t expected on the trail.