Category Archives: Quadra Island

Hike Mt. Seymour – 12 November 2014

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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.

Planning Meeting – 8 November 2014

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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

Quadra Island Mushroom Festival

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Quadra Island Wild Mushroom Forays – Schedule and Guidelines

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.

Saturday Schedule:

 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.

Equipment and clothing list

  • Rain gear and boots, hat
  • Whistle
  • Compass or GPS
  • Full water bottle
  • Packed lunch
  • Basket or bucket
  • Knife
  • Paper bags and roll of wax paper for collecting
  • Notebook and pencil
  • Small first aid kit (e.g. bandaids)

Each vehicle should have a blanket and towel and a first aid kit.

 

Trip Report – Mine Lake Bluff 10 Sept 2014

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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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Hike Rousseau Ridge – 10 Sept 2014

Trip Report – Beech’s Mtn 2 Sept 2014

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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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Hike Beech’s Mtn. – 2 Sept 2014

Quadra Island Mushroom Festival

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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?

Part 1 – Chanterelle appetizers followed by a presentation on local wild mushrooms by noted mycologist Dr. Shannon Berch.

Friday, October 3, 7 p.m. in Heron’s at the Heriot Bay Inn

Cost – $25.00 per person

Part 2 – Guided collecting forays and mushroom identification workshops.

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

 

 

 

 

 

Trip Report – Chain Islets & Orchard Bay 20 Aug 2014

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Five members showed up for the trip and we were rewarded with an awesome paddle. The wind was blowing NW 15 and forecast was for 20 knots in the afternoon so we were hesitant to leave Granite Bay. After some discussion we decided to brave forward as this trip had already been canceled once due to winds. We stayed close together so if anyone felt the wind was too much we would just turn around and come back. It was challenging paddling into the wind, but not that bad and gave us a chance to practice some skills. As we turned the first point the water got a bit better as we had some protection from the Chain Islets. Some harbour porpoises were out playing and the sockeye were jumping to make things exciting.

The group stopped at a protected bay on the south side of Kanish Bay near the entrance. From here we could walk to the outside and see what the wind was doing on Johnstone Strait. The white caps were many so we decided to have lunch and hope that it calmed down. After lunch we rounded the west most island and out into the wind. It was a bit much so ducked back behind the next island and paddled on the lee side to the eastern most island. At this point the wind calmed some and it was decided to make a dash for Orchard Bay. The crossing was uneventful and not bad as we had a following wind.

Orchard Bay is a very interesting place. The midden is enormous with a huge level meadow on top. There are many places to camp here. It is well worth the time to explore this old native site. After this we paddled across the entrance of Small Inlet and back to Granite Bay.

– Les Hand

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Kayak Chain Islets & Orchard Bay 20 August 2014

Hike Rousseau Ridge – 10 Sept 2014

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NOTE:  last minute change of destination and start time!

The trip is now going to The Bluff Above Camp Homewood on Mine Lake.

Activity Hiking
Destination Rousseau Ridge Bluff above Camp Homework on Mine Lake
Date 10 Sept 2014, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info 285-3710; please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip
Description Hike the Hope Spring Trail and Thompson Trail loop, with side trips to Heriot Ridge, the old growth trees and to Rousseau Ridge. There are lots of highlights on this trip.

There is a trail from Camp Homewood on Mine Lake to the top of the hill behind the camp.  It has a great view.  We will start from the Mine Lake boat launch.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Tru Value parking lot to carpool because parking is limited at the trailhead
Departure Time 10:00 09:00
Difficulty Mostly easy
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs?
Notes: Bring lunch. Three to four hours.

Trip Report – Newton Lake 13 August 2014

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The group was undaunted by a few drops of rain at the beginning of the hike into Newton Lake and was rewarded with clearing skies. We had this beautiful and serene lake all to ourselves, but no one went swimming. It was a bit cool and some leeches kept cruising by. After a leisurely lunch and a bit of exploring beyond the second swimming rock, we returned as many others headed up to the lake.  8.9 km; 3 3/4 hours.

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Hike Newton Lake – 13 August 2014

Hike Beech’s Mtn. – 2 Sept 2014

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Activity Hiking
Destination Beech’s Mtn
Date 2 Sept 2014, Tuesday
Trip Coordinator Sheelagh Elmitt
Contact Info 250 285 2296
Description A beautiful hike with stunning views in all directions at the top. The trail goes up the west side of South Chinese mountain before it branches off to Beech. There are alternate routes for descent if the group chooses.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Tru Value parking lot
Departure Time 9:00
Difficulty Moderate with some steep sections
Costs none except gas donations
Trip limits none
Dogs? no
Notes: About 6 kms round trip, approximately 4 hrs hiking time