Trip Report – Gowlland Harbour – 10 July 2024

Posted on July 14, 2024 by qioutdoorclub

Ten people gathered on a beautiful, calm, sunny day for a paddle and social. The Stuart’s place is a bit difficult to launch from as there is a steep driveway with a switch back and only one vehicle can come down at a time. Then you have to pack the kayak around the pond. This was made easier by the fact that I live here, two members paddled over from their place, and another member brought his kayak in by boat to the dock. All in all it worked out well and we managed to leave a little ahead of schedule. We paddled south around the south end of Gowlland Harbour to start. After passing the old sunken barge, we stopped where the two abandoned boats have sunk to talk about how bad the government is managing abandoned boats on our coastline. We then paddled on flat water up the east side of Gowlland Island and stopped to stretch our legs on the north end. As we proceeded toward Gowlland Resort there was a colony of seals on some of the small islets. At Seascape Resort, now called Jade Resort, we stopped to look and discuss the falling apart of the old barge hotel. This is a total disaster of waste and garbage being emptied into our beautiful harbour because of the inability of government and courts to deal with a problem.
We then had an easy paddle back to our entry point. Here we had a great social on the deck, complete with chips and salsa, smoked oysters and meats with cheese and crackers, veggie platter, and Smokies and buns from the barbecue. Plus drinks and desserts. (7 km; 2 hour paddle)

Les

(click on photos to enlarge)

: Canada Geese

: Old barge wreck

: Recent sunken small boat

: Hollow metal wreck

: Toward Vigilant Island

: Harbour seals

: Sunken float-lodge

: Around Stag Island

: On Les’ deck

Kayaking – Gowlland Harbour – 10 July 2024

Trip Report – South End, QCove Trails and Social – 10 April 2024

Posted on April 14, 2024 by qioutdoorclub

There was a lot of interest (13 but 2 no shows) in our planned morning of easier walks on the south island – perhaps because of the group lunch in a cozy local restaurant rather than on a rainy, chilly, rocky outcrop. Good thing we were a flexible group as our first hike was to be through the Tsa’kwa’luten trails at the southern tip of Quadra and we found the trail closed. The Lodge is now a treatment centre and has recently closed the trails to public access. After a few minutes of planning an alternate hike, we set off on the short walk through the campground and along the trail to Cape Mudge Village and back to the Lighthouse. The trail is in good shape and offered up a pretty good showing of spring wildflowers – fawn lilies, flowering currant, salmonberries, skunk cabbage, nettles, mosses. (3.6 km; 1 hour)

The group then took to their cars/bikes and reassembled at the QCove Plaza. We then headed into the trails south of the library and connected to the Nole To Noble right of way. This maze of well-maintained trails is always a delightful outing complete with the carved faces scavenger hunt. At least a couple of our group were newly introduced to this little known “system” of trails. (1.8 km; 35 minutes)

We arrived at the Kameleon restaurant just ahead of the rush (which was mostly us!) and enjoyed a good lunch with good companions.

Vic

Click on photos to enlarge

: Through the campground

: Along the shore

: Salmonberry

: Pink fawn lily

: Big Leaf Maple flowers

: Wild current

: QCove trail system

: The big Cottonwood tree

: Bridge over Pidcock

: One of many masks

Hiking – South End, Tsa’Kwa’Luten Trails – 10 April 2024

Activity	Social Picnic
Destination	Big Beach, Open Bay
Date	30 Aug, Friday
Trip Coordinator	Valerie van Veen
Contact Info	vvv@qisland.ca, 778 242 5774 (cell)
Description	End of summer sunset social, bring your picnic dinner, beach blanket, join the seals and eagles of Open Bay to celebrate a great summer season for QIOC. No campfires, but marshmallows do toast quite well over a portable camp stove. We will meet at parking area end of Marina, then schlep down the trail to the beach. Swimsuit and towel for the keeners. Note..may need to wade across the small stream.
Meeting Place	End of Marina Rd, Open Bay
Departure Time	5 pm
Difficulty	Easy, but short steep path down to beach
Costs	None
Trip limits	None
Dogs?	No
Notes:	Sunset at 8 pm Aug 30. Trip cancelled if rain, windy, cold. I will notify all registered participants by 10 am Friday morning if cancelled. Thursday Aug 29 8 pm sign-up deadline.

Activity	Happy Hour Paddle
Destination	Quathiaski Cove
Date	9 Aug, Friday
Trip Coordinator	Vic Gladish
Contact Info	vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-287-0459
Description	This will be an easy, evening paddle to explore the nooks and crannies of Q Cove and Unkak Cove. It will be about a 90-minute paddle as the tide rises and the sun sets. The happy hour part will follow at the Gladish residence at 590 Green Rd. Bring a post paddle snack and a favourite beverage. Don’t bring a chair as we have plenty around our imaginary campfire.
Meeting Place	Quathiaski Cove harbour/ boat launch
Departure Time	1830
Difficulty	Easy
Costs	Parking and launching. Bring 4 toonies.
Trip limits	8
Dogs?	No
Notes:	This will be a chance to check out your paddling gear in preparation for our two night Kanish Bay trip. Have an early dinner and be ready to paddle. Looks like the heat wave will still be here.

Activity	Kayaking and social
Destination	Gowlland Harbour
Date:	10 July 2024, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator	Les Hand
Contact Info	lhquadra@gmail.com or 250-285-2029
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 appetizers. 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	Meet at 10:00; Leave at 10:30
Difficulty	Moderate
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 landlords 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	Hiking and Social
Destination	Nole to Noble/ QCove Trails
Date	4 Dec 2023, Monday
Trip Coordinator	Vic Gladish
Contact Info	vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-285-2111; text 250-287-0459
Description	Happy Hour in the morning….coffee, etc at our meeting point, followed by an easy walk. We will walk the “Nole to Noble” right of way including the big staircase and several side trails which we will zig and zag on while looking for Johann’s perched carvings.
Meeting Place	Aroma Cafe
Departure Time	Meet for coffee, etc at 0900; Walk at 1000
Difficulty	Easy
Costs	Breakfast, snack, beverages
Trip limits	8
Dogs?	On leash
Notes:	Parking can be a challenge. The trails are mostly on private property, thus the limit of 8. This event will go rain or shine. In the event of high winds however, I will cancel as this forest is subject to windfall.

Activity	Happy Hour Paddle
Destination	Heriot Bay
Date	7 July, Friday
Trip Coordinator	Vic Gladish
Contact Info	vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-285-2111; text 250-287-0459
Description	We will paddle from 1900 to 2030 or so, then have beverage and snacks at the Pub. The tide will be mid and rising. The weather – more of the same. Any seaworthy craft with required safety equipment is welcome.
Meeting Place	Heriot Bay Harbour Authority parking lot; park at the Esplanade
Departure Time	Arrive at 18:45; on the water at 19:00
Difficulty	Easy
Costs	Change for Harbour Authority parking; whatever at the Pub.
Trip limits	None
Dogs?	No
Notes: