Category Archives: Quadra Island

Mine Lake Bluff – 27 January 2015

Posted on by
1

Activity Hiking
Destination Mine Lake Bluff
Date 27 January 2015, Tuesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info phone 3710 or debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca.  Please contact the coordinator in advance.
Description We will leave from the parking area on the road near the Mine Lake access and walk to Camp Homewood.  From there the route ascends the bluff to the north of Mine Lake with great views (weather permitting).  A loop will be made by a trail which descends to the north and circles back to the trail just before Camp Homewood.  The route up the bluff can feel a bit exposed.  This is a hike, not a climb.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Tru Value parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs?
Notes: Bring lunch and gum boots.  We will need the rubber boots for the section between the road and Camp Homewood.  From there, we can wear hiking shoes/boots.

B&B Trail – 21 January 2015

Posted on by
1

Activity Hiking
Destination B&B Trail
Date 21 January 2015, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator NA
Contact Info please respond to qioutdoorclub@gmail.com
Description We will follow the recently improved but unofficial B&B Trail, making a loop with a flagged route back to the Thompson Road.  If the group wants, we will also explore a route along the ridge. Between 1½ and 2½ hours.
Meeting Place Thompson Road trailhead
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs?
Notes: Bring water, a snack and a hiking pole.

Trip Report – Morte Lake Loop 7 Jan 2015

Posted on by
Reply

This trip was scheduled on short notice, after the postponement of the hike to the Stramberg old growth grove due to snowfall. There was virtually no snow on the Morte Lake trail, most of the snow was in the parking lot. The four of us took a leisurely pace on the gradual walk up the old logging road leading past lovely forest, glowing moss, creeks and ponds. It was very quiet and foggy. We stopped for lunch at the picnic area on the south shore and took the side trip to the viewpoint on the southeast. Near the end, we crossed the creek and returned to the parking lot on the mountain bike trail. About 4 hours; 10.8 km.

(click on photos to view larger)

Morte Lake Loop – 17 Dec 2014

Trip Report – New Thompson Trail Loop 30 Dec 2014

Posted on by
Reply

The group of eight met up on a beautiful, cold day to hike a loop consisting of official and unofficial trails, new and old logging roads. We hiked in from the Thompson trailhead to the recently renovated B&B trail. We took this briefly until it is crossed by a new logging road which we followed as it passed by some great mossy bluffs and occasional views. After a few junctions we took a left-hand turn onto an old logging road and then turned left again on the Gowlland Harbour trail. A few in the group took a side-trip down a mountain bike trail, but we all met up for lunch on Rousseau Ridge. The sun and the views were great. We continued on the Gowlland Harbour trail making a side-trip to the old growth grove, which is always impressive. We returned to the Thompson trail making our way back to the cars. 9 km, about 3 hours.

(click on photos to view larger)

New Thompson Trail Loop – 30 December 2014

New Thompson Trail Loop – 30 December 2014

Posted on by
1

Activity Hiking
Destination Thompson Trail and new logging road loop
Date 30 December 2014, Tuesday
Trip Coordinator NA
Contact Info please respond to qioutdoorclub@gmail.com
Description We will start along the Thompson Trail, turning briefly onto the B&B trail and then on to the new logging road.  This passes by rocky, mossy bluffs with some views to the north.  After turning onto an old logging road, we will return following the trail to Rousseau Ridge and then re-join the Thompson Trail to make a loop.  About 3 hours.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Tru Value parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs?
Notes: Bring lunch and warm clothing.  It’s supposed to be sunny and cold.  Hiking poles may be useful but not needed.

Trip Report – Kay Dubois Loop – 17 Dec 2014

Posted on by
Reply

At the last minute, the destination was changed for the convenience of the participants. The forecast called for rain, but it held off until later in the day, though the forest was definitely saturated. We started at the entrance to the woodlot on Cape Mudge Rd and walked logging roads until we met up with the trail to the beach. We continued on the trail north along the shore and then up hill at the big sitka spruce tree. We returned to the cars following logging roads. Two hours.

(click on photos to view larger)

Morte Lake Loop – 17 Dec 2014

Trip Report – Back Door-Silk Stocking 3 Dec 2014

Posted on by
Reply

The group of seven and two dogs hiked a series of mountain biking trails on a cold and mostly clear day. The loop was new to everyone on the trip. We started on North Gowlland Rd and hiked up Cash Only to an old mining site. We continued on Back Door and Silk Stocking through mostly open forest past some interesting old mining operations, complete with old cars and rails. We met up with two mountain bikers who were very gracious about our using their trails.

We stopped for lunch at an open copper mine. Instead of continuing on the planned route over Bite the Bullet and Sam’s Shorty, we backtracked a bit and returned via Little Black Dress. This route was recommended to us and had the advantage of avoiding the logged area and the walk on North Gowlland Rd. Little Black Dress is under construction and in some places only a flagged route. Most of the loop winds through open forest and high bluffs with peekaboo views of Gowlland Harbour, and Vancouver Island and mainland mountains, with quite a bit of up and down. After we joined up with Back Door, we used the old logging/mining road to return to the vehicles. 13 km, 3 3/4 hours.

(click on photos to view larger)

Back Door – Silk Stocking Loop – 3 December 2014

Stramberg Old Growth – 7 January 2015

Posted on by
Reply

 POSTPONED

Activity Hiking
Destination Stramberg Old Growth
Date 7 January 2015, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info 285-3710 or norris.weimer@ualberta.ca
Description We hear that there has been a lot of work on this trail since we hiked it last winter.  This trail begins near Village Bay Lake and follows open meadow leading into and through the forest.  The reward at the end of the hike is a grove of old growth firs.  About 13 km; 4-5 hours.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Tru Value parking lot
Departure Time 9:00
Difficulty moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs?
Notes: Bring lunch and rain gear.  This walk is very wet in places.

Morte Lake Loop – 17 Dec 2014

Posted on by
2

 This trip was originally scheduled for 17 December, but took place on 7 January

Activity Hiking
Destination Morte Lake Loop
Date 17 December 2014, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info qioutdoorclub@gmail.com
Description This is a classic walk through forest and around the Lake.  There are a number of variations depending on the access route used and the possibility of following unofficial trails on the south ridge.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Tru Value parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs?
Notes: Bring lunch and rain gear.  This trail can be quite wet in places.

Blindman’s Bluff & Eagle Ridge – 10 Dec 2014

Posted on by
Reply

 POSTPONED

Activity Hiking
Destination Blindman’s Bluff & Eagle Ridge
Date 10 December 2014, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator TBA
Contact Info qioutdoorclub@gmail.com
Description These are two short hikes linked by proximity.  The route takes us through open forest over mossy bluffs leading to great views.  About 2 1/2 hours.But we think this trip may not go as scheduled.  There is no volunteer as coordinator and there are gale force winds forecast.  However, if you want to do something on December 10th, respond by e-mail to qioutdoorclub@gmail.com
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Tru Value parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs?
Notes: Bring lunch and rain gear.  Hiking poles may be useful but not needed.