Category Archives: Quadra Island

Trip Report – Heriot System Loop 11 Mar 2015

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Due to the forecast storm, this was proposed as a last minute substitute for the hike to Maud Island. As it turned out there was only a bit of wind and some drizzle in the last half hour. The six of us hiked along the Hope Spring trail to the Gowlland Harbour trail. We admired the old growth fir trees and then took the side trip to the old growth grove. We continued along the Thompson trail and then returned to the cars via the Heriot Ridge route. We stopped for lunch on an open mossy bluff. These trails are in good condition for the end of winter, with noticeable volunteer maintenance. 2 ¾ hours; 6.1 km.

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Trip Report – Blindman’s Bluff & Eagle Ridge 4 Mar 2015

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It was cool in the morning when the five of us left for Eagle Ridge. It was a great sunny day for a hike though. We were surprised to find that the beaver pond was nearly dry on the way there. The ridge was covered in may shades of beautiful green moss and the views of the island mountains great. We returned on the same route and then hiked Blindman’s Bluff Trail. We saw one deer and the bald eagles entertained us why we ate lunch.

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Blindman’s Bluff & Eagle Ridge – 4 March 2015

Planning Meeting – 29 March 2015

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Activity Planning
Location Community Centre, room 3, upstairs
Date 29 March 2015, Sunday
Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info 285 3710, qioutdoorclub@gmail.com
Description This is our summer planning meeting to brainstorm about hiking, kayaking and possible training events. It is also the time to renew your membership for 2015.  The meeting will be held upstairs at the Community Centre at 2:00 on Sunday afternoon. These trips are for you, so bring your ideas for the summer. Everyone is welcome.
Time 2:00 pm

Trip Report – Mine Lake Bluff 27 Jan 2015

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We parked at the trailhead on the Surge Narrows Road and followed the trail to Camp Homewood’s summer campsite. The trail follows the shore of Mine Lake closely and has some lovely views. We knew it would be wet, but in a few places even gumboots weren’t enough and after one person got water over the top, the rest of us bushwhacked through the forest in the wet spots.

There is a sign to the northwest of the camp pointing to the trail up the Bluff. The trail ascends very steeply through the forest and then involves scrambling up rocks and moss to reach to top of the Bluff. This is definitely better done in dry weather since it is somewhat exposed and can be slippery. We were fortunate to have clear skies over Quadra and the views from the top were great. We had a warm and leisurely lunch before exploring the views to the east and west. The group then descended by a flagged trail to the north, which travels under the very impressive cliffs on the west side of the Bluff before re-joining the trail to the camp. We returned to the vehicles, but it was tempting to relax in the sun by Mine Lake for the afternoon. 5.5 km; 3½ hours.

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Mine Lake Bluff – 27 January 2015

Trip Report – B&B Trail Exploration 21 Jan 2015

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With Janis’ help we explored the B&B trail and routes on the nearby ridge. We started on the Thompson Trail and turned off at the first viewpoint. We scrambled to the top and enjoyed good views of Hyacinthe Bay and islands to the northeast. The day was overcast, but on a clear day the views would be excellent. We continued down this mossy, open ridge following a flagged route to the north. The trail off the ridge into the forest descends steeply into an area of huge old big leaf maples. The left-hand flagged route joins up with the B&B trail, which winds up the creek and re-joins the Thompson trail. We then explored another flagged route, which goes south on the ridge, more or less paralleling the Heriot Ridge Route and later descends to the Hope Spring Trail. This also follows lovely open, mossy ridges with occasional views to the east. 6.4 km, 3¼ hours.

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B&B Trail – 21 January 2015

Karst Formations – 21 March 2015

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Activity Naturalist outing
Destination Quadra’s Karst formations
Date 21 March 2015, Saturday
Trip Coordinator Richard Leicester
Contact Info 285-2663; please contact the coordinator by Thursday 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 TBA
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.

Blindman’s Bluff & Eagle Ridge – 4 March 2015

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Activity Hiking
Destination Blindman’s Bluff & Eagle Ridge
Date 4 March 2015, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 285-2029; please contact the coordinator at least two days in advance.
Description These are two short hikes linked by proximity.  The route takes us through open forest over mossy bluffs leading to great views.  About 2½ hours.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Tru Value parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs?
Notes: Bring lunch.  Hiking poles may be useful but not essential.

Stramberg Old Growth – 1 April 2015

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Activity Hiking
Destination Stramberg Old Growth grove
Date 1 April 2015, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info 285-3710 or norris.weimer@ualberta.ca
Description This trail begins near Village Bay Lake and follows open meadows leading into and through the forest.  The reward at the end of the hike is a grove of old growth firs.  This is not an official trail and route-finding can be an issue.  Although there was work on this trail last summer, there has also been quite a lot of blow-down this winter, so progress may be slow. About 13 km; 5 hours or more.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Tru Value parking lot
Departure Time 9:00
Difficulty moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? no
Notes: Bring lunch.  This walk is very wet in places.

Hiking Maud Island 11 Mar 2015

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 POSTPONED

Activity Hiking
Destination Maud Island
Date 11 March 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 Hike to Maud Island through varied forest over level and undulating trails.  We hope to have views from Mt. Lolo and from the Narrows.  We will also see the state of construction of the tidal turbines at the Canoe Pass causeway.  About four hours.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store for car pooling
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Easy to moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs?
Notes: Bring lunch.

Hiking on Demand – February 2015

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Activity Hiking
Destination Hiking on demand
Date February
Trip Coordinator Julie Mellanby
Contact Info 285-3978
Description The last three weeks of February are open to your suggestions for hiking destinations.  If you want to go hiking, give Julie a call and suggest a time and a place.
Meeting Place TBA
Departure Time TBA
Difficulty TBA
Costs
Trip limits
Dogs?
Notes: