Category Archives: Quadra Island

Kayaking – Granite Bay – 8 July 2015

Posted on by
1

Activity Kayaking
Destination Granite Bay
Date 8 July 2015, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Kathryn Manry and Mark Zimmerman
Contact Info 285-2103 or kamanry@gmail.com.  Please contact the coordinator prior to the trip.
Description A day paddle in the Small Inlet / Orchard Bay / Chain Islands area. Where we go will be determined by the paddling conditions and the interests of the group…
Meeting Place Granite Bay dock
Departure Time 10:00 am
Difficulty
 moderate
Costs launching fee
Trip limits 10
Dogs? must wear life jacket!!
Notes: This should be a fairly mellow trip, but be prepared, as always, for changes in weather, etc. We should be off the water by 4 PM.  Bring lunch.

Hiking – Surge Narrows – 3 July 2015

Posted on by
1

 Change of departure time

Activity Hiking
Destination Surge Narrows
Date 3 July 2015, Friday
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 drive to the end of the Surge Narrows Rd and hike along the undulating and relatively short trail for a view of the rapids.  The trip is timed to see the maximum flood current of 10.6 knots at 15:10.  The rocky shore and views are great.  We plan to continue on the unmaintained route a bit further north along the shore.  If time and weather permit, we’ll stop at the Lake on the way back for a swim.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store for car pooling
Departure Time 13:30; 11:30 – some of us are going to leave early for a picnic lunch and swim at Mine Lake on the way to the hike.
Difficulty
 easy
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs?
Notes: Bring a snack and possibly a bathing suit.

 

Trip Report – South Heriot Ridge – 10 June 2015

Posted on by
Reply

We left a bit earlier than planned in order to beat the unusual heat. The day was sunny and breezy. The seven of us started out on the Hope Spring trail, turning left at the T-junction on top and then onto open bluffs at the south end of Heriot Ridge. After wandering the bluffs and enjoying the views toward Vancouver Island, we continued east until we joined the Camp Homewood trail to the High Bluff. We stayed awhile and then descended the bluff and took the trail leading east, later veering right to visit the Homewood Bluff, where none of us had ever been. This made a great lunch stop. We once again descended and took the right-hand turn toward Gowlland Trail, which then made a loop back to the Hope Spring Trail. 6.4 km, 3 ½ hours.

(click on photos to view larger)

Hiking – South Heriot Ridge – 10 June 2015

Trip Report – Main Lake – 4 June 2015

Posted on by
Reply

Nine happy paddlers left the launch site of Mine Lake in a light wind. It was a glorious day with just enough wind to keep us cool but still make for enjoyable paddling.

We paddled up to the end of Main Lake and easily found the entrance to the narrow passage to Little Main Lake. We made our way up the passage trying to navigate the downed logs and narrowness of the passage. It is a very beautiful serene waterway with lily pads, tall grasses and much evidence of beaver.

Our return trip took us along the opposite shore of the lake to return to the launch site where swimming was enjoyed in the unseasonably warm water. A few brave souls attempted some wet exits and self/assisted rescues.

All in all it was a glorious day in the quiet of the lakes. 15.4 km, 5 ½ hours.

(click on photos to view larger)

Kayaking – Village Bay Lakes – 3 June 2015

Hiking – South Heriot Ridge – 10 June 2015

Posted on by
1

Activity Hiking
Destination South Heriot Ridge
Date 10 June 2015, Wednesday
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 Hope Spring Trail and follow routes on open bluffs and unofficial trails to an overlook with a great view of Georgia Strait.  There are a number of different loops possible to return to the trailhead.  Three to four hours.
Meeting Place Trailhead at the end of Hope Spring Road.
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 easy
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs?
Notes: Bring lunch.  If you use poles, bring them.

 

Trip Report – Newton Lake, Small Inlet & Waiatt Bay – 17 May 2015

Posted on by
Reply

Seven of us set out on a hike to Waiatt Bay on Sunday. It was overcast and cool but just right for a long hike. The road from Granite Bay to the trail head is much better due to the logging road expansion. The trail in to Newton Lake is in good shape and the uphill hike makes for a good warm up. We stopped at the swimming spot for a snack and to admire the blue/green aqua color of the lake. As we descended to Small Inlet we passed the waterfall from the lake, which was gorgeous as usual. As we passed the head of the inlet we took the inland route which seems to be the preferred route now for hikers.  The tide was out at Waiatt Bay so made for a variety of spots for lunch.

On the return trip we took the portage trail to Small Inlet. It is in poor shape and much in need of some chainsaw work. It is always amazing though to see the bubbling spring near the ocean. From there we returned the same route in sunshine. The total trip was 14 km and took about 5 and a half hours.

(click on photos to view larger)

Hiking – Newton Lake, Small Inlet & Waiatt Bay – 17 May 2015

Trip Report – Noel’s Pizza Peak – 13 May 2015

Posted on by
Reply

The weather forecast for this trip had been “60% rain” for a long time, so we had a back-up plan in place for an alternate destination. On the day of the trip, we awoke to rain. But by the time we arrived at the meeting place, the rain had stopped and it looked like it would be a nice day. So, back to Plan A. Seven of us went up the North Chinese Mountain trail to the flagged route up the ridge parallel and to the northeast of the Beech’s Mountain ridge. We followed Beaver Lake logging road for a while and then the flagged route to Noel’s Pizza lookout for lunch. Great views from there even though the mountains were in cloud. After lunch we went up the ridge to the upper cairn (475 m), descended to the saddle and took a short-cut to the flagged route to Beech’s Mountain. We enjoyed the views from the top, then down the maintained trail to the parking lot. 8.0 km; 5 hours. The moss is already dry, but the wild flowers were superb: columbine, wild bleeding heart, monkey flower, blue-eyed Mary, chocolate lily, coral root orchid, death camas, wild rose, yellow violets, penstemons, and many more.

(click on photos to view larger)

Hiking – Nole’s Pizza Peak – 13 May 2015

Kayaking – Village Bay Lakes – 3 June 2015

Posted on by
1

 Postponed to Thursday 4 June

 

Activity Kayaking
Destination Village Bay Lakes, Mine, Main and Little Main Lakes
Date 3 4 June 2015, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Sheelagh Elmitt
Contact Info 285-2296.  Please contact the trip coordinator prior to the trip.
Description Come and enjoy Village Bay lakes before the crowds arrive. We will launch at Mine Lake and explore the lakes. Hopefully there will be enough water to go up to Little Main Lake.  Paddling  distances will depend on the wishes of the participants.
Meeting Place Mine Lake launch site
Departure Time Come prepared to leave the launch site at 10 am.
Difficulty
 easy
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? no
Notes: Bring the necessary safety equipment and lunch.

 

Hiking – Newton Lake, Small Inlet & Waiatt Bay – 17 May 2015

Posted on by
1

Activity Hiking
Destination Newton Lake, Small Inlet and Waiatt Bay
Date 17 May 2015, Sunday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 285-2029; please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip
Description First we will drive to Granite Bay and the trail head. The road in to the trailhead is much better due to logging activity. We will hike to Newton Lake and then descend down to Small Inlet. This is the new Heart of Quadra Park area. We will use the portage trail to cross to Waiatt Bay and return via the same route.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store for car pooling
Departure Time 9:30
Difficulty
 First part easy and second moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? Yes, as long as they will stay by you
Note: Bring a lunch.
Parts of the trail can be wet this time of year.
About 12 km at an easy pace;  about 4-5 hours including driving.

 

Trip Report – Kayaking Gowlland Harbour – 6 May 2015

Posted on by
1

Six members met at April Point marina. The very low tide provided an excellent opportunity to see intertidal marine life. Paddled the east side of Gowlland Island, picking up two further kayakers. We kept out of the way of the tug boat coming in with a log boom. The islands gave us a beautiful display of wildflowers, the yellow/pink blush. We enjoyed floating amongst the seals, they put on quite a display. The sea urchins and starfish were amazing along the rock and floor of the ocean.  Paddled over to the shipwreck off May Island and held our lunch on May Island. The island was covered with flowers, such a beautiful wild garden. Margot showed us the old eagles nest and the disaster that happened a couple of years ago.  We then paddled over and along the shore of Quadra Island, beautiful rock faces coloured with an array of flowers. We paddled past Gowlland Harbour Resort, Fawn, Stag, and Doe islands, and eventually on to April Point. The day felt like summer, a brilliant blue sky and warm sunshine all day. The eagles and seals delighted us, a lovely paddle and a good start off for further kayaking trips.

What a magnificent way to spend a day.

Margot Wood

(click on photos to view larger)

Kayaking – Gowlland Harbour – 5 May 2015