Category Archives: Quadra Island

Hike Wood Duck Lake & Old Mine Trail 19 June 2014

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Activity Hiking
Destination Wood Duck Lake off North Gowlland (log dump) Rd
Date Thursday, 19 June 2014
Trip Coordinator Heather and Rolf Kellerhals
Contact Info 250 285-3570
Description Hike to lake along foot trail and along route built by mountain bikers to abandoned mine site.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store parking lot for car pooling at 9:45 or directly to the corner of Hyacinth Bay Road and North Gowlland  Road. Be aware of possible logging trucks turning in.
Departure Time 10:00 A.M. at corner of Hyacinth Bay Road and North Gowlland Road.
Difficulty easy
Costs nothing
Trip limits none
Dogs? No
Notes: The lake outlet has an interesting and active beaver dam that broke recently and sent down a flood that managed to pass through the highway culvert but took out the road going to our place for several weeks.

 

Hike Main Lake from Surge Narrow Rd. 14 June 2014

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POSTPONED

Activity Hiking
Destination Main Lake from Surge Narrow Rd
Date Saturday, 14 June 2014 TBA
Trip Coordinator John Brears
Contact Info 250 285 3853.  Please confirm no later than one week ahead (by June 7) if you will be participating.  Leave a message with your phone number if no answer.
Description The trip will follow a flagged route from Surge Narrows Rd to the east end of Main Lake.  The walk to the Lake has attractive features, including some large old growth timber, the first lake and Main Lake, a small waterfall, two beaver dams, beautiful moss-covered terrain.  The walk involves tricky navigation through a lot of deadfall, blowdown, and confusing gullies. There is no established trail for about 50% of the trip. The route crosses a few small wet areas. Depending on the return route there may be some disgusting salal bashing.  People should be fully prepared for the above, with proper footware etc. and prepared to stick with the group for the whole trip. It is easy to get disoriented. Hiking time about 4 hours.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store for car pooling
Departure Time 9:00 A.M.
Difficulty
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? You know your dog best.
Notes: Bring lunch and bug repellant.  Not on if the weather is foul/wet.

 

Hike Morte Lake Loop – 21 May 2014

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Activity Hiking
Destination Morte Lake loop with variations
Date Wednesday  21 May 2014
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info 285-3710;  Please contact the coordinator not later than Sunday, May 18th
Description Circumnavigate Morte Lake using George’s flagged route up to and along the southern ridge, mountain bike trails to Dead Fish, and the main trail around the west and north sides of the lake.  Allow four hours or more.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store for car pooling
Departure Time 10:00 A.M.
Difficulty
 moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? Okay on leash – we may encounter bikes or animals
Notes: Bring lunch.  Expect some steep sections, wet sections, flagged routes, mountain bike trails, sandy beaches and great views.  If the weather is horrible, we’ll re-schedule.

(map coming soon)

 

 

Trip Photos – Gowlland Harbour 5 May 2014

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The sea Gods were with us and we had spectacular weather for the Gowland paddle. The winds were light to none, the sun shone bright and the sky clear. The Sea Blush was in full bloom on all the small islands and many other flowers as well so it was a great day for taking pictures.

There were also many animals and birds out as it was a lower tide. The Canadian geese with the goslings were abundant and were quite humorous to watch. We saw quite a few mink and three river otters were playing on a knoll.

When we were in south Gowland we paddled thru the small opening to April Point. Here there were many sea urchins to look at and quite colorful. All and all it was a fabulous day and to bad that more people could not have experienced it.

(click on photos to view larger)

Kayak Gowlland Harbour 5 May 2014

Trip Photos – Deepwater Bay – 1 May 2014

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Started off the month of May with great weather and an adventurous hike. We were headed to Deepwater Bay via the old logging road but decided to take time out to look for the old logging train trestle. Debbie, Norris and Les had looked for this before but to no avail. It seemed that everyone we had talked to had not been there in a few years back and you know how memories are. This time though we found it, much to our pleasure. There is not much left but sure leaves you with a great appreciation for old engineering skills. It was quite a feat to cross that canyon and the old pilings give you an idea of the immense size.

We then walked down the old part of the logging road to Deepwater Bay. There are old remnants of a land based fish farm there. We had lunch by a small creek and enjoyed the sun. The hike back up was harder but it is not far and well worth the time.

(click on photos to view larger)

Hike Deepwater Bay 1 May 2014

Hike Deepwater Bay 2 May 2014

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NOTE DATE CHANGE

Activity Hiking
Destination Deepwater Bay
Date Friday, 2 May 1 May 2014
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 285-2029
Description Hike on old logging road from end of new logging road to Deepwater Bay. This path follows a lovely stream to the ocean.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store for car pooling
Departure Time 10:00 A.M.
Difficulty
 easy
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? Are welcome as long as they will stay by you
Notes: Please let me know at least two days prior if you are going.  Bring water and a lunch.  We will eat where the stream goes into the ocean. This is only 2.5 kilometers one way but 275 meters up on the way back. Including lunch and driving the trip will take about 3.5 hours.

 

Google Maps of the hike

 

Paddling/camping Main Lake 12-14 May 2014

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Activity Paddling/camping (kayak or canoe)
Destination Main Lake Provincial Park
Date Monday, May 12 – Wednesday, May 14 (alternate dates if bad weather – Tuesday, May 20 to Thursday, May 22)
Trip Coordinator Darcy Mitchell
Contact Info 285 2739 or darcm@telus.net
Description Camping on Main Lake with day paddling/hiking
Meeting Place Boat launch, Mine Lake
Departure Time 10:30 a.m.  Plan to be at the launch site by 9:30.
Difficulty
 easy
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? no
Notes: Please see map.  We will likely camp on the north side of Main Lake where there are two designated sites.  Everyone responsible for their own equipment and meals, but doubling up for tents and cooking would be a good idea.  I will send a list of people who have signed up a week before the event to facilitate planning, so please let me know if you are interested no later than May 5.  We’ll plan to come back after lunch on the 3rd day, so will have 2 half days and one full day to explore the park.

Map of Main Lake BC Provincial Park

Basic kayak navigation 30 April 2014

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Activity Basic kayak navigation using chart and compass
Location TBA
Date Wednesday 30 April 2014; afternoon or evening, as participants prefer; 2 – 2.5 hrs
Instructor Valerie van Veen
Contact Info vvv@qisland.ca; 250 285 2329
Description Using charts and compass, participants will learn basic skills of navigating typical waters found around Quadra and Desolation Sound; does not include detailed tide/current instruction
Meeting Place TBA
Time see above
Difficulty
 basic, appropriate for all who want to learn the skill
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? no
Notes: Charts and compasses will be provided; participants are very welcome to bring their own as well.  Interested participants are encouraged to phone/email Valerie with any specific questions and what they are particularly interested in learning during this session. 

 

Kayak Gowlland Harbour 5 May 2014

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Activity Kayaking
Destination Gowlland Harbour
Date Monday 5 May 2014
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 285-2029; please contact the coordinator not later than Thursday
Description Gowlland Harbour is a lovely, protected harbour with several interesting islands to explore. There will be wildflowers at this time of year.
Meeting Place Gowlland Harbour Resort parking lot, 823 Gowlland Harbour Rd.
Departure Time 09:45
Difficulty
 easy to moderate
Costs none
Trip limits limited by parking space to 12 cars
Dogs? no
Notes: If you have not completed your 2014-15 membership, please come prepared to sign papers and pay the membership fee. Only 2 vehicles can unload at beach at one time so please be on time. We will paddle South Gowlland and North Gowlland, about 4 hours weather permitting.  Bring a lunch.  If pouring rain, e-mail will be sent out by 8 am cancelling trip. Gowlland Harbour Resort has kindly granted us permission to use their boat launch for this trip.  This is not a public access.

 

Trip Photos – Maud Island 31 Mar 2014

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The weather could not have been more perfect for our hike to Maud Island. It was a beautiful spring day with plenty of sunshine. We reached Seymour Narrows just before a maximum current of 14.1 knots. It was like a roaring river, complete with whirlpools and back eddies that sea-lions were playing in.

On the return trip we went over Mt. Lolo. This proved to be a bit of an adventure as the trail is not marked as well from that direction. We were rewarded with bright sunny views though.

(click on photos to view larger)

Hiking Maud Island 31 Mar 2014