Trip Report – Rebecca Spit – Heriot Bay Walk – 11 Mar 2026

Posted on March 13, 2026 by qioutdoorclub

Three hikers, and one honorary member, were able to participate in a last-minute posting for a
ramble around Heriot Bay. Braving very inclement weather, we set off at 10:10 am from the Boat Ramp parking lot to walk out to the end of Rebecca Spit, with the intention of making a go/no-go decision when we got back to our vehicles. The immediate hailstorm and blustery winds were not auspicious for a longer outing. However, by the time we got back to our cars, the skies had lightened, the wind dropped, and a light rain was falling so we decided to continue with the trip plan. We walked through the campground, turned south onto Heriot Bay Road then soon crossed over to the trails in IR 9. We followed a northerly route to eventually come out onto Hooley Road, then Buker to Heriot Bay Road. At this junction, Georgia, with her low slung carriage and bare feet, was quite cold and wet so she took her human back to Rebecca Spit to their warm, and dry, truck, meeting up with the rest of the group at Java Bay Café in Heriot Bay.

The remaining hikers walked along the water-side of Heriot Bay Road up to Pilot, up Pilot onto
Schooner, Schooner to West Road to the mall and Java Bay Café for very welcome
refreshments, and were soon joined by our third hiker. Having endured continual bouts of heavy rain and hail throughout the ramble, we gratefully accepted the offer of a drive back to our vehicle at Rebecca Spit. 3 hours including Café stop. 8 km walking; 2.5 driving

This Ramble is a great winter hike when wilderness trails are too wet/icy/snowy . The Café
break is a very welcome bonus. The route allows for several go/no go decision points, and
having one car parked at the Café is suggested in really bad weather.

Valerie van Veen

Thanks to Valerie for the photos

Click on photos to enlarge

: Harlequin Ducks

: Trail to Hooley Rd

: Cute sign, but closed

: Little people on Schooner Rd

Hiking – Rebecca Spit – Heriot Bay Ramble – 11 Mar 2026

Trip Report – Gowlland Harbour – 14 May 2025

Posted on May 14, 2025 by qioutdoorclub

What could go wrong? Well, first there were 13 people who registered to come on this trip, but only four were able to come and three of them live on Gowlland Harbour. The day was beautifully clear and a perfect temperature. We paddled over to Gowlland Harbour Resort, who very generously allowed us to launch from their property. There was a slight breeze from the northwest, which was just a bit of extra work. By the time the last person was in the water, however, it seemed as if the wind was sufficient to reconsider the planned route and so instead of paddling over to Gowlland Island, we went upwind into North Gowlland. We got out on a beach there for a short break, even though we had not paddled for very long. In the 15 minutes or so that we were there, the wind increased noticeably so the there were small white caps. So we once again changed our plan to explore the upper reaches of North Gowlland Harbour and instead crossed over to Vigilant Islet. The bay behind the island was very sheltered and the tide was rapidly ebbing so there was lots of foreshore. A few people rambled around the Island, admiring the flowers and the views before returning to the kayaks. We had a brisk paddle back over to the north shore of Quadra Island, but were then somewhat sheltered. We poked into the inlet east of Gowlland Harbour Resort before heading back to the launching beach. We had lunch on the rocks there, enjoying the sunshine, and the view. In our fairly short paddle we saw a mink, river otter, lots of Harbour Seals, a few porpoise or dolphin (which may have been Pacific White-sided Dolphin), deer, Bald Eagles, Canada Geese, Turkey Vultures, and Great Blue Heron. It was a lovely day, but not the day we expected. (From east Gowlland Harbour 7.4 km; 4 hours with lunch and two stops)

Debbie

(click on photos to enlarge)

: The launch site

: Heading out in perfect conditions

: Short beach break

: Vigilant Islet and Mt. Alexandra

: Vigilant Islet

: View into North Gowlland Harbour

: Sea Blush

: Steep Passage and Mt. Alexandra

: Arnica

: View from Vigilant into Gowlland Hbr

: Inlet east of Gowlland Habour Resort

: Vultures and Geese on the beach at low tide

Kayaking – Gowlland Harbour – 14 May 2025

Activity	Picnic Social intertidal exploration
Destination	Open Bay Beach
Date	17 June, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator	Valerie van Veen
Contact Info	vvv@qisland.ca, cell 778 242 5774; home 250 285 2329
Description	June 17 is predicted to be in the middle of a heat wave, 33c. For me, too hot to hike or kayak. However, it will be a low tide around noon in Open Bay, perfect for intertidal exploration and a beach picnic.
Meeting Place	End of Marina Rd, Open Bay
Departure Time	11:00 am
Difficulty	Access to the beach is by a short, steep trail.
Costs	None
Trip limits	None
Dogs?	Under control, please
Notes:	Be prepared for strong, hot sun ….sunscreen, umbrellas, etc. bring a beach blanket, picnic lunch and WATER (or substitute). Must contact organizer by Tuesday June 16 evening. May be cancelled if temps soar towards 40c.

Activity	Ramble
Location	Rebecca Spit, Heriot Bay
Date	11 Mar 2026, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator	Valerie van Veen
Contact Info	vvv@qisland.ca, cell 778 242 5774, 250 285 2329
Description	This will be a Hot Chocolate Ramble for exercise, fresh air and friendship. Given the variable weather, this trip can be easily altered, and ramblers can do as much or as little as they wish. We will meet at the boat launch parking lot in Rebecca Spit Park, walk to the end of the Spit and back, and then out of the Park, cross over Heriot Bay Road and take the “Hooleyville trails” coming our onto Heriot Bay Road. A short walk along the road, then up Pilot, down Schooner, along West Road to Java Bay Cafe for Hot Chocolate, or ??? We can then either head back down Heriot Bay Road or take the longer route retracing some or all of our steps.
Meeting Place	Rebecca Spit boat ramp parking lot
Departure Time	10:00
Difficulty	Easy
Dogs	On leash in the park and on roads
Trip Limits	None, but will be single file on Heriot Bay Road
Cost	None, unless you buy hot chocolate
Notes:	MUST CONTACT VAL TUESDAY NIGHT (tonight) IF INTERESTED FOR TRIP TO GO AHEAD. If there is no interest, the trip will be cancelled.

Activity	Walk and Social
Location	Haskin Farm, golf course and The Q
Date	14 October 2025, Tuesday
Trip Coordinator	Norris Weimer & Debbie Quigg
Contact Info	dmquigg@gmail.com; 3710. It is essential that you RSVP by Thursday evening, 9 October, if you are having lunch at The Q
Description	The plan is to park near the Fir Crest gate, hike down through the residential lots, onto the crest trail into Haskin Farm trail system, making a loop, before returning along the eastern crest, up along the northern perimeter and back to the parking area. From there anyone who wants to will go to The Q restaurant for lunch. The Q closes for the season on the following day and the menu will be limited and based on availability as they use up what is in the cupboard. Be flexible.
Meeting Place	The parking lot near the Fir Crest entrance gate
Departure Time	10:00
Difficulty	Easy
Dogs	No
Trip Limits	10 or what The Q can accommodate
Cost	Lunch, if that is your choice
Notes:

Activity	Kayaking
Destination	Gowlland Harbour
Date:	21 July 2025, Monday
Trip Coordinator	Les Hand
Contact Info	lhquadra@gmail.com or 285-2029
Description	This will only be a one and a half to two hour paddle followed by a social hour on the deck at my house. I will provide hot dogs so the barbecue will be on. Please bring your favorite beverage and a small appetizer for the group. Depending on current and weather we may go around Gowland Island otherwise we will just stay around the southern part of Gowland Harbor. Because of this please bring a spray skirt and all necessary equipment mandated by the Coast Guard. If it is more than showers the date will be changed.
Meeting Place	1157 West Rd.
Departure Time	Arrive at 9:00; on the water by 9:30
Difficulty	Easy
Costs	None
Trip limits	12
Dogs?	No
Notes:	Only one vehicle at a time can come down the hill so be on time. I have permission to park vehicles at the landlord’s house. From there it is a steep concrete driveway with a switch back involved. You will need to be able to back up with your mirrors to get down close to the water. Otherwise you will park up above and we will use two people to carry the kayaks down. When you sign up I will explain more as it will not be that hard.

Activity	Ramble
Location	Rebecca Spit, Heriot Bay
Date	11 Mar 2026, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator	Valerie van Veen
Contact Info	vvv@qisland.ca, cell 778 242 5774, 250 285 2329
Description	This will be a Hot Chocolate Ramble for exercise, fresh air and friendship. Given the variable weather, this trip can be easily altered, and ramblers can do as much or as little as they wish. We will meet at the boat launch parking lot in Rebecca Spit Park, walk to the end of the Spit and back, and then out of the Park, cross over Heriot Bay Road and take the “Hooleyville trails” coming our onto Heriot Bay Road. A short walk along the road, then up Pilot, down Schooner, along West Road to Java Bay Cafe for Hot Chocolate, or ??? We can then either head back down Heriot Bay Road or take the longer route retracing some or all of our steps.
Meeting Place	Rebecca Spit boat ramp parking lot
Departure Time	10:00
Difficulty	Easy
Dogs	On leash in the park and on roads
Trip Limits	None, but will be single file on Heriot Bay Road
Cost	None, unless you buy hot chocolate
Notes:	MUST CONTACT VAL TUESDAY NIGHT (tonight) IF INTERESTED FOR TRIP TO GO AHEAD. If there is no interest, the trip will be cancelled.