Category Archives: Quadra Island

Trip Report – Karst Formations – 24 Feb 2016

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There were 12 for this walk to visit three sites of Quadra’s distinctive karst formations. It’s hard to believe that with all the rain this Winter there wasn’t quite enough water in the streams for ideal viewing, but the sinkholes, insurgents and resurgent creeks were impressive nonetheless.

Karst landscape is largely shaped by dissolving action of water on carbonate bedrock (usually limestone, dolomite, or marble). This geological process, occurring over many thousands of years, results in unusual surface and subsurface features ranging from sinkholes, vertical shafts, disappearing streams, and springs, to complex underground drainage systems and caves.

A narrow band of Quatsino Limestone on Quadra Island extends north from Open Bay and terminates near Luoma Creek. The most significant area north of Canyon Creek contains the largest number of caves and karst features. Although the cave sizes are very small, the impressive size of some of the karst features makes this an interesting area for recreational exploration and interpretation.

The Quadra Island Trails Committee has applied to Recreation Sites & Trails BC for two Forest Interpretative Sites to help protect some of the finest surface karst features on Quadra Island.

Richard Leicester

 

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Naturalist – Karst Formations – 24 February 2016

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Trip Report – Deepwater Bay – 17 Feb 2016

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In spite of a rainy morning, six intrepid hikers set forth for Deepwater Bay. The route goes west from the Granite Bay Road, through a low section north of Mount Seymour. Given the brooding sky, we elected to attempt the drive up the logging road for the first part of the hike. This will not be possible for too much longer due to erosion and encroaching growth along the road. We stopped to view the remains of the old rail trestle which was once part of a logging railway from the north end of the island. There is quite a lot of evidence of the section bridging the canyon by the side of the road. Where the railbed ran before and after that is left to speculation.

After about 2.5 km we parked the cars and walked the last half of the road down to the shore. Beyond the logging, it’s a beautiful, steep valley with lots of water in the creeks. There are a number of buildings strewn around the shore site, in varying states of decay – remains of a fish hatchery that has been closed for over 20 years now. Previous to that, the site was a log dump. Sometimes the bay is busy with boats waiting for slack tide to go through Seymour Narrows, but there was not much action on the water other than a couple of seiners huddled against the shore. Once the herring start to run, sea lions are sometimes spotted here, and I have watched a huge school of dolphin cavorting off the point. But all was quiet today and it was a soggy, grey view across the water.

After a hurried lunch in the rain we trudged back up the hill to the vehicles, electing to save exploration of some of the tracks that ran off from the main logging road for a drier day. After less than three hours, we were back on the Granite Bay Road heading for dry clothes and a warm beverage. 4.4 km.

Kathryn

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Hiking – Deepwater Bay – 17 February 2016

Trip Report – Maud Island – 13 Feb 2016

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Even thought there was a forecast for rain, four hikers decided to give it a go. The first half an hour was indeed wet but the trees protected us quite a bit. Moss among the trees is especially green now.  The rain let up as we scrambled up over Mt. Lolo being careful of the slippery rocks.

When we crossed the causeway to Maude Island the wind was really howling. We were lucky though and the lunch spot over the narrows was in the lee of the island. While we ate lunch the ebb tide rapids put on a great show at 12 knots. At that speed the ocean was more like a white water river.  There were five sea lions playing and feeding at the edge of the heavy current as well as many whirlpools.

On the way back rain started again, but all and all it was a great hike of about 10.5 km; 3.75 hours.

Les

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Hike – Maud Island – 13 Feb 2016

Trip Report – Hope Spring-Thompson Loop – 10 Feb 2016

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This was supposed to be a trip to Mt. Washington, but the conditions again were uncooperative. When they closed the nordic trails at Paradise Meadow because of high water table, we knew that It had been really warm up on the hill for days. So five of us went for a hike from the Hope Spring trailhead, down to the Gowlland Trail and on to Thompson Trail. We admired the old growth Three Sisters and encountered early season newts. The trail was pleasingly dry for winter conditions and the forecast wind and rain didn’t happen until later.

Debbie

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Trip Report – B&B Trail Loop – 3 Feb 2016

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Despite the gloomy forecast for a blustery rainy day, five hikers set out on the Thompson Trail from the Thompson Road trailhead, then branched off to the first marked viewpoint. Although the Coast Mountains were hidden due to the weather, there was still a good view to the east over the islands. From the viewpoint, we followed the open mossy ridge downhill to a forested trail which connected to the B&B Trail. This trail was named for two now defunct Bed and Breakfast establishments in the vicinity of Harper Graham’s corner on Hyacinthe Bay Road, where the trail begins. We turned left (south) on the B&B Trail to an unmarked junction where we branched off on a side trail to the right (north), which led us uphill to a bluff above Hyacinthe Bay Road. We climbed west to the top of the ridge (153 meters altitude which is slightly higher than the Hopespring viewpoints) over mossy open bluffs.   At the top we had a panoramic ocean view to the east and southeast, and forests to the west and south, well worth the effort. We returned on the side trail to the B&B unmarked junction and turned right to carry on uphill (south).   For a good part of its length, the B&B Trail overlooks a rushing stream set in a deep gully. At the Thompson Trail junction we turned left (east) and hiked back to Thompson Road. Total hiking time was approximately 2.5 hours, including time for photos and taking in the views. Hiking level moderately difficult over bluff sections.

Janis

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Hiking – B&B Trail – 3 Feb 2016

Trip Report – WalCan Rd Loop – 27 Jan 2016

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The trip to Mt. Washington was cancelled because conditions were too wet, warm and windy, so four of us braved the forecast rain for a hike. We started at the Morte Lake parking lot and Janis lead us along Lower and Upper Dead Fish through lovely open forest to the rocky bluffs. We continued down Seven Sins and Ridge Trails to the Mud Lake Trail. We crossed the WalCan road and followed Yellow Mud and Jack Rabbit for the return to the parking lot. There was lots of water in the streams and a bit on the trails. The weather was more atmospheric than serious rain and we were glad we went.  6.7 km; 2 hours.

Debbie

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Trip Report – Shellaligan Loop – 20 Jan 2016

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Seven of us, and two dogs, hiked the shorter Shellaligan loop. The weather wasn’t perfect, but it avoided the snow at the north end of the island and rain that was forecast for the afternoon. The views along Hoskyn Channel are always beautiful in any weather. After climbing back up from the beach, we made a side trip down the longer loop trail along the creek and shore to a rocky point for a great snack with Les’ smoked salmon. It’s too bad about the deteriorating aquaculture floats resulting in garbage and styrofoam beads on the shore in Village Bay. A gentle walk – 2¼ hours, 4.7 km.

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Hiking – Shellaligan Loop – 20 Jan 2016

Hiking – Maud Island – 13 Feb 2016

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Activity Hiking
Destination Maud Island
Date 13 Feb 2016, Saturday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 285-2029;  Please contact the trip coordinator prior to the trip.
Description Hike to Maud Island to view Seymour Narrows at 12 knot ebb tide at 11:50. We will go over Mt. Lolo going and the lower route coming back. Total distanced is about 10.5 km.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot for car pooling
Departure Time  9:30
Difficulty
  moderate
Costs  none
Trip limits  none
Dogs? No.  The narrow and steep sections of this trail make it dangerous to bring dogs.
Notes:  Bring a lunch to eat at the narrows.

Trip Report – Blindman’s Bluff – 30 Dec 2015

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Five of us took advantage of the cold (for here anyway), crisp weather to hike up to the Blindman’s Bluff viewpoints. There was a bit of crunchy snow beneath our feet and blue skies above our heads. The walk started from the collapsed culvert and took about 1.5 hours, 3.3 km total.

Norris

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Hiking – Blindmans’ Bluff – 30 Dec 2015

Naturalist – Karst Formations – 24 February 2016

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Activity Naturalist outing
Destination Quadra’s karst formations
Date 24 February 2016
Trip Coordinator Richard Leicester
Contact Info 285-2663; please contact the coordinator by Sunday if you are interested in going
Description Visit some of Quadra’s Quatsino limestone formations, an area which contains karst sinkholes, intakes, resurgences and underground streams.   We will visit two or three areas, which involves a bit of driving on logging roads and bush walking.  We will not be walking in caves.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot for car pooling. High clearance vehicles will be preferable.
Departure Time 9:30
Difficulty
 Easy to moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? no
Notes: Bring lunch and gear appropriate for the weather.  Also, bring a flashlight to see into these geological formations.