Six people and a dog hiked the bigger Shellaligan Loop, beginning at the parking closest to the water, counter-clockwise. It was a beautiful, cold, clear day with a bit of north wind. This hike took us over rocky bluffs with great views and then undulated through forest with some old growth and lovely creeks. 7 km, about three hours.
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| Activity | Hiking |
| Destination | Back Door – Silk Stocking Loop |
| Date | 3 December 2014, Wednesday |
| Trip Coordinator | Norris Weimer |
| Contact Info | 285-3710 or norris.weimer@ualberta.ca |
| Description | A pleasant walk in trees and along ridges.
We will explore some of the mountain bike trails south of the WalCan Road, Starting from the North Gowlland Road, the route follows Cash Only to Back Door, Silk Stocking, the logging road leading to Blindman’s Bluff, Bite the Bullet (which has been affected by logging), and Sam’s Shorty, There is the possibility that we will have to walk a short distance on the North Gowlland Road. |
| 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 cold and some parts of the trails may be wet. Hiking poles may be useful. About 3 hours. |
| Activity | Hiking |
| Destination | Shellalligan Trail |
| Date | 29 November 2014, Saturday |
| Trip Coordinator | Debbie Quigg |
| Contact Info | 285-3710 or debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca |
| Description | We will start along the rocky bluffs overlooking Hoskyn Channel and Village Bay. After that, there is a choice of return paths, to be decided by the group and the weather. 3 to 6 km, 2 to 4 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 3° C. Hiking poles may be useful but not needed. |
To celebrate the end of a month with 320 mm of rain, nine people and one dog made the trek to the top of Mt. Seymour in crisp sunshine and cold temperatures. The trail was in good condition. We stopped at the bluff above Nugedzi Lake for snacks and at the top (620 m) for lunch. There was a light, but cool breeze and great views all around. 8 km, about 420 m elevation gain, 4 hours.
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| Activity | Hiking |
| Destination | Mt. Seymour |
| Date | 12 November 2014, Wednesday |
| Trip Coordinator | Norris Weimer |
| Contact Info | 285-3710 or norris.weimer@ualberta.ca |
| Description | This is a great hike and we’re hoping for wonderful views on a clear day. It’s a steady climb up old logging roads, until the trail branches off and follows open bluffs and forest to the summit at 620 m, the highest point on Quadra Island. We will then descend by the same route. Four to five hours. |
| Meeting Place | Heriot Bay Tru Value parking lot |
| Departure Time | 10:00 |
| Difficulty | moderate to difficult |
| Costs | none |
| Trip limits | none |
| Dogs? | |
| Notes: | Bring lunch and warm clothing. It’s supposed to be cold. Hiking poles may be a good idea. |
| Activity | Planning |
| Location | Community Centre, upstairs |
| Date | 8 November 2014, Saturday |
| Coordinator | Debbie Quigg |
| Contact Info | 285 3710, qioutdoorclub@gmail.com |
| Description | This is our winter planning meeting to brainstorm about hiking, skiing, snowshoeing trips and possible other events. The meeting will be held upstairs at the Community Centre at 2:30 on Saturday afternoon. In addition to local hikes and day-trips to Mt. Washington, we may organize multiple-day trips to Mt. Washington and to the Tofino-Ucluelet area. These trips are for you, so bring your ideas for the winter. Everyone is welcome. |
| Time | 2:30 pm |
Note: Participants must register with payment for the events so we know how many people to plan for. Contact Heriot Bay Inn at 250-285-3322 or http://www.heriotbayinn.com
Dates:
Foray – Saturday, October 4 – Participants must register and pay by September 26, 2014.
9:30 a.m. – meet in the parking lot of the Quadra Community Centre for a 10 a.m. departure (car pooling)
3:30 p.m. – everybody back from the field – bring specimens to Room 3, Quadra Community Centre
The purpose of the foray is to collect specimens for identification for use in the Sunday workshops, with emphasis on edible species.
There will be several foray locations. Each group of 2 vehicles will be assigned to an initial location; each owner/driver is responsible for his/her passengers. Each group of vehicles will have a foray leader. Drivers must register with the overall foray coordinator before leaving and check in upon return. All foray participants must sign QI Outdoor Club waivers before heading out. It is strongly suggested that each group of vehicles change location after 2 hours (or less) to give everyone a chance to visit at least 2 spots. Participants should check in with their foray leaders each half hour to reduce the chance of people wandering too far or getting misplaced. PLEASE HUNT IN PAIRS – NO LONERS.
Foray locations with maps will be distributed to participants at the meeting place on foray dates.
Each vehicle should have a blanket and towel and a first aid kit.
This trip was scheduled for Rousseau Ridge, but at a last-minute request it was re-routed to the bluff on the north shore of Mine Lake. The weather was perfect: clear, warm and still. We followed the trail from the Surge Narrows Road to the Camp Homewood campsite, which was closed for the season. After finding the sign to the bluff we climbed through the forest and then steeply on rocks up to great views of Mine Lake and the Mt. Seymour Ridge. We explored the top of the bluff for views and found a trail that descended the north side and then along the base of an impressive cliff. This trail circled back to re-join the trail we had taken up the south side of the bluff. We descended to the lake, stopping for lunch and a swim at the rocky peninsula near the campsite, before heading back.
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The forecast was for rain, one of the few rainy days in the entire summer. A small group decided to go anyway. The threat of rain was exaggerated, but there was mist and low clouds – not perfect for hike with such great views. We hiked up to the viewpoint and on to the summit. We then decided to make a loop back to the parking lot by taking the route down the west 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. There are several routes from the logging road to the Chinese Mountain parking lot, but this is the most scenic.
A few people went the following day which was sunny and beautiful.
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Quadra Island Mushroom Festival
Fall 2014
Sponsored by the Quadra Island Mushroom Club, the Heriot Bay Inn, the Quadra Island Outdoor Club, and the Quadra Recreation Society.
What, where and when?
Friday, October 3, 7 p.m. in Heron’s at the Heriot Bay Inn
Cost – $25.00 per person
Saturday, October 4, 9:30 at the parking lot, Quadra Community Centre, return by 3:30 and bring specimens to room 3 (upstairs) at the Community Centre.
Sunday, October 5, 10 a.m. to noon – Introduction to wild mushroom identification, 12:30 to 2:00 – Intermediate mushroom identification. Both sessions with mycologists Shannon Berch and Sharmin Gamiet. Room 3 (upstairs) at the Community Centre.
Cost – $55 per person
Register for either or both parts by calling the Heriot Bay Inn at 285-3322.
A list of ‘things to bring” for Part 2 will be posted on the Outdoor Club and HBI websites by early September.
Call early – space is limited. Refunds can be made up to 48 hours before the event.
Note: further guided field trips are planned for October and November.
Check the Quadra Island Outdoor Club schedule for dates to be announced.
Questions?
Contact Darcy Mitchell at 250 285 2739 or email darcm@telus.net
Quadra Island Outdoor Club 