Category Archives: Quadra Island

Trip Report – Eagle Crag – 20 Sept 2017

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We had a beautiful fall day for this short hike to Eagle Crag. It was clear and cooler, with maple leaves on the ground and fresh snow on the Vancouver Island mountains. We started up the trail on the south side of South Chinese Mountain, but kept going straight at the right-hand turn along the creek. The flagged path winds up, sometimes steeply, under the ridge. After passing along the base of some climbing routes, the path skirts the west end of the rock face and emerges at the top of the bluff. We wandered along the rock ledges, through manzanita, until we arrived at the east end. We took a break and admired the view before returning to the vehicles. 3.8 km; 2¾.

Debbie

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Hiking – Eagle Crag – 20 Sept 2017

Trip Report – Around Mt. Seymour – 13 Sept 2017

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On a cool, clear, crisp fall day, six of us set out to do the hike around Mt. Seymour.  The first leg was up the trail to Nugedzi Lake and it was a relief not to have the climb up in the scorching temperatures of the previous weeks.  We stopped at the viewpoint near the top of the steep part and appreciated the smoke-free air again and the views of the mountains which had been hidden by smoke most of the summer.  Not much snow left on them anymore.

We had lunch at Nugedzi Lake and a couple pairs of feet were cooled off in the lake.  Then there was a short bushwhack through a little salal and we joined a flagged route.  No idea who flagged this route, but it is very pretty, going along the ridge and valleys through old open forest, then it makes a descent and joins an old logging road.  The old logging road is easy walking, going past a couple of lakes, then it contours around the north side of Mt. Seymour.  We stopped at several more viewpoints.  Finally the logging road descends and meets the Granite Bay road and the cars we had placed there in the morning.  12.6 km; 6¾ hours.

Norris

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Hiking – Around Mt. Seymour – 13 Sept 2017

Trip Report – Kanish Bay – 30 Aug 2017

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After weeks of dry weather, August 30 started out in a shower of rain, delaying, but not cancelling, the planned kayak outing to the Chained Islets in Kanish Bay. Four club members launched at the Granite Bay ramp and made our way along the south coast of the Bay to the Islets. After a short break for a snack, we ambled back, meeting rain about half an hour before returning to Granite Bay. The main benefit of the weather was the calm to light breezes from the southeast, rather than the heavy north westerlies that often blow into the Bay.  9.9 km; 3¼ without the shore break.

Darcy Mitchell

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Kayaking – Kanish Bay – 30 August 2017

Hiking – Around Mt. Seymour – 13 Sept 2017

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Activity Hiking
Destination Around Mt. Seymour
Date 13 Sept 2017, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710.  Please contact the trip coordinator prior to the trip.
Description We will hike around Mt. Seymour on maintained trails, old logging roads and flagged routes.  We will start at the Nugedzi trailhead and end at the gravel pit on the Granite Bay Road.  There are several small lakes along the way.  The route goes up around the backside (west) of the mountain but does not go to the summit.  There are some viewpoints on the north side. A car shuffle will be necessary.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot, to arrange carpools
Departure Time 09:00
Difficulty
 moderate but fairly long
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs?
Notes: The Club has done this trip once before, but this will be shorter and easier walking, however still very much off the beaten path.

Hiking – Eagle Crag – 20 Sept 2017

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Activity Hiking
Destination Eagle Crag
Date 20 Sept 2017, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info 285-3710 or debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca; please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip
Description This hike begins on the south side of South Chinese Mountain.  It then follows a flagged route to a climbing wall.  The route goes around and up to the top of the climbing area.  This involves some big steps and minor scrambling. The effort is rewarded with great views.  About 3 hours.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store for car pooling
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Moderate.  This is a short hike (5km) mostly without a maintained trail and one very steep section which may feel exposed.
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? no
Notes: Bring lunch

 

Trip Report – Nugedzi Lakes & Lookouts – 16 Aug 2017

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The five of us and a dog enjoyed all the lakes and lookouts along the Nugedzi trails.  We stopped at two viewpoints off the steep section on the old road, with views to the northeast which were somewhat hazy with smoke.  We then continued on to the Lily Pond and the viewpoint looking southeast. We hiked through the ancient forest arriving at Nugedzi Lake in time for lunch and a refreshing swim. Continuing on, we stopped at the viewpoints over Discovery Passage and then retraced our steps, making the loop to Little Nugedzi on the return.   Everyone enjoyed the hike and returned pleasantly tired, especially Joe, the dog.  11.5 km; 5½ hours.

Debbie and Julie

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Hike – Nugedzi Lakes &Views – 16 Aug 2017

Wild Mushroom Festival – 13-15 October 2017

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Activity Quadra Island Wild Mushroom Festival
Location Opening presentation (Heriot Bay Inn), collecting trips (various spots),   Identification workshop (Quadra Community Centre)
Date 13-15 October 2017, Friday to Sunday
Event Coordinator Darcy Mitchell with Marian McMeekin
Contact Info mitchelldarcy51@gmail.com, telephone: 778-716-7124
Description The Festival consists of 2 parts:

Part 1 – Opening presentation – Friday evening, October 13 at the Heriot Bay Inn. “Tales of the Chanterelle: A Mushroom’s Life in the Woods” by Dr. Shannon Berch, accompanied by delicious mushrooms appies. Seating 6:30 in Herons Dining Room.   Cost for Part 1 – $25.00

Part 2 – Collecting forays and identification workshop

Collecting forays – Saturday, October 14, departing from the Quadra Community Centre at 9:30 a.m. returning to the QCC no later than 3:00 p.m.   Guided field trips to find the greatest possible variety of mushrooms and other fungi.

Identification Workshop by Dr. Shannon Berch – Sunday, October 15, Quadra Community Centre, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with optional Question and Answer session from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Note: if you wish to stay for the Q&A session, bring a lunch or snack as there will be a half hour break.
Cost for part 2 – $70.00

To register for one or both parts of the Festival, call the Heriot Bay Inn at 250.285.3322. Additional information (i.e. what to bring for the collecting forays) will be provided upon registration. Note: all participants in Part 2 (forays and workshop) will be required to sign the Quadra Island Outdoor Club waiver if not already members of the Club.

Trip Report – Open Bay to Breton Island – 9 Aug 2017

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Four members enjoyed an unusually calm and peaceful paddle from Len Road Beach to Open Bay. We paddled past Seal Rock at the mouth of Hyacinthe Bay to check out the seal colony then stopped briefly at Big Beach in Open Bay, where we observed a few tents at the high tide line. Enjoying the foreshore and intertidal exposed by the very low tide, we explored the caves and outcroppings of Open Bay, the extreme infolding and convolutions of the unique geological formations of this area were clearly visible. We continued over to the Breton islets, lazily watched by the seal colony draped over the exposed rocks, and a few curious Bonaparte Gulls. We were pleased to see so many sea-stars back again, and carpets of sea urchins in the more active waters between the islets. After a short lunch stop on the south Breton, we paddled back to Len Beach across the glass-still ocean, concluding the calmest paddle I have ever enjoyed on Quadra.

Valerie van Veen, Trip Coordinator

Note:   In the last photo, Len, our newest member, demonstrates the new membership requirement for carrying kayaks. Existing members are grand-fathered/mothered from this requirement. 😃 lol

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Kayaking  – Open Bay to Breton Island – 9 Aug 2017

Kayaking – Open Bay to Breton Island – 9 Aug 2017

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Activity Kayaking
Destination Open Bay to Breton Island
Date 9 August 2017, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Valerie
Contact Info vvv@qisland.ca,  or 250 285 2329; must contact coordinator 24hrs before to confirm
Description A casual half-day paddle to Open Bay and islets.
Meeting Place Len Road launch
Departure Time Arrive in time for 10:00 departure
Difficulty
 moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? no
Notes: No lake or recreational kayaks. Kayaks must be ocean-worthy wilth all safety equipment. Bring snack, water, appropriate clothing for a half day paddle. Cancelled if winds greater than 20 knots.

Trip Report – Kanish Bay & Darkwater Lake – 1 Aug 2017

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The hike to Mt. Becher was postponed due to super hot weather, poor visibility from BC forest fires, and ferry overloads. Instead we opted for a cooler, local hike to Kanish Bay and Darkwater Lake. After a long drive over rough logging roads, with a few stops for lake views and wildflowers, we parked and walked to Kanish Bay along a somewhat overgrown old logging road. It was pleasant and cool in the forest and there were still more wildflowers. Views of Kanish Bay don’t come easily, but we bushwhacked down to a gravel beach for lunch, views and a breeze.

We walked back to the vehicle and drove toward Darkwater Lake. The walk is very short, through open understory forest, to the mossy peninsula. We sat on the rocks by the lake and Julie swam in the cool water.  4.0 for Kanish Bay; 1.4 km to Darkwater; 2½ hours total without the driving.

– Norris

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Hiking – Darkwater Lake & Kanish Bay – 28 June 2017