Trip Report – WalCan Rd Loop – 28 Oct 2015

We expected rain and wind, but only had overcast and mist – a mild, gentle day. Four of us started at the Morte Lake parking lot and hiked up the main trail toward the lake. We turned off just before Little Morte Lake, crossed a small creek and joined the mountain bike trails. We followed Dead Fish over the saddle and descended to the WalCan Rd on Lost Rider. We crossed the WalCan Rd and took Yellow Mud trail along the creek and through the forest, continuing on to see Wood Duck Lake and the beaver dam. The water was quite high in the lake, there were a few ducks and it was absolutely calm. We returned along Yellow Mud, turned onto Jack Rabbit, crossed the creek and returned to the Morte Lake parking lot. It was a lovely walk for an overcast day. 8.1 km; about two hours.

Debbie

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Trip Report – Heriot Ridge Loop – 22 Oct 2015

The promised sunshine never happened, but we had a mild, foggy day for this hike with four people. We began on the Hope Spring Trail and then continued on to the mossy bluffs at the south end of Heriot Ridge. We traversed along and then climbed up to the High Bluff, which in better weather has a great view. We descended and took the Homewood trail through the forest travelling more-or-less east. We looped around to meet back up with the Gowlland Trail and continued on to the always impressive Old Growth Grove for lunch. We finished the loop following the Thompson Trail.  There were lots of mushroom and fall leaves.  9.3 km; 3½ hours.

Debbie

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Hiking – Heriot Ridge Loop – 21 Oct 2015

Trip Report – Morte Lake Loop – 14 Oct 2015

It was a perfect fall day: sunny and crisp. Six people and three dogs hiked around Morte Lake counter-clockwise. We took the scenic route: Lower Dead Fish, Morte Lake main, Morte Lake north side, Morte Lake south side, Nirvana, Seven Sins, Upper Dead Fish and George’s trail. 11.2 km, 4.5 hours. Mushroom were plentiful and the views were great.

Norris

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Hiking – Morte Lake Loop – 12 Oct 2015

Trip Report – Rebecca Spit – 7 Oct 2015

When Mt. Seymour was postponed for the second time because of rainy weather, Julie decided that we should get out anyway, so four of us and two dogs went to Rebecca Spit. The first ever Outdoor Club trip to Rebecca Spit!  It was a very low tide and only lightly raining. We did the grand tour: from Heriot Bay Road through the campground to Paddy’s Lagoon, along the outside shore to the tip of the spit and back again. It was a leisurely walk, taking in all the sights: mushroom, newts, a garter snake, a careened sailboat, and beach architecture. Two hours.

Debbie

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Trip Report – Elk Falls – 30 Sept 2015

On a lovely fall day, ten of us hiked the loop from the logging bridge over the Campbell River up to the series of falls below the John Hart dam and back. We started along the south bank of the river passed fishermen and later the construction on the new generating facilities, then along the Millennium Trail to the spectacular new viewing platform and suspension bridge over the canyon below Elk Falls. We continued on the Riverside Trail to see Deer and Moose Falls, where we ate lunch on the rocks on the sun. We returned by the well-named Old Growth Trail to the Millennium Trail and then the Canyon View Trail to the north side of the Campbell River. There were quite a few pink salmon making their upstream migration. It’s a very scenic river through a beautiful forest. 12.1 km; about 5 hours.

Debbie

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Hiking – Elk Falls – 30 Sept 2015

Trip Report – Beech’s Mtn – 27 Sept 2015

A small group took advantage of the great weather to hike up to Beech’s Mountain. This trail is a good workout, rewarded by excellent views. We stopped at the broad overlook to the northeast to enjoy the scenery and then continued on to the summit of Beech for lunch. We then decided to make a loop back to the parking lot by taking the flagged route down the north side of Beech’s mountain, continuing on the old logging road for a while, and then following another flagged route along bluffs, finally joining the North Chinese Mountain trail. 6.5 km; less than 4 hours.

Debbie

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Hiking – Beech’s Mtn – 27 Sept 2015

Hiking – Heriot Ridge Loop – 21 Oct 2015

 Postponed to Oct 22

Activity Hiking
Destination Heriot Ridge Loop
Date 22 October 2015, Thursday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info 285-3710 or debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca; please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip
Description There are at least three loops to choose from, depending on the interest of the group:  the Heriot Ridge route, the Hope Spring and Thompson Trail Loop, or the loop that includes Rousseau Ridge, logging roads and the B&B trail.  All possibilities include views and lovely forest walks.
Meeting Place TBD
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs?
Notes: Bring lunch.

 

Hiking – Morte Lake Loop – 12 Oct 2015

 Postponed to 14 October

Activity Hiking
Destination Morte Lake Loop
Date 12 October 2015, Monday
14 October 2105, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info 285-3710 or norris.weimer@ualberta.ca; please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip
Description This is a classic hike circumnavigating Morte Lake.  We may vary the route and take some of the new trails on the ridge south of the Lake.  4 to 5 hours.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store for car pooling
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
Moderate.  Maintained trail, possibly mountain bike trails and flagged routes.
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs?
Notes: Bring lunch

 

Hiking – Beech’s Mtn – 27 Sept 2015

Activity Hiking
Destination Beech’s Mtn
Date 27 September 2015, Sunday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info 285-3710 or debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca; please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip
Description We will start on the Chinese Mtn trail and continue on to Beech’s Mtn.  The trail is quite steep and winds through forest and onto rocky bluffs with great views.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store for car pooling
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs?
Notes: Bring lunch and walking poles, if you use them.

 

Trip Report – Mine & Main Lakes – 9 Sept 2015

Six club members enjoyed a relaxed day at the Lakes. We launched from the Mine Lake boat ramp at 10:00 and paddled around the Main Lake islands, landing at the sandy beach at the east end of the lake about 11:45. After lunch, most of the group walked the trail to Yeatman Bay, picking mushroom along the way. We returned to the boat ramp at 2:30. On this calm, mainly sunny day, we had the lakes almost to ourselves. It was a very pleasant early fall outing (with a small bonus of chanterelles…).

Darcy Mitchell, coordinator

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Kayaking – Main Lakes Provincial Park – 9 Sept 2015