Category Archives: trip photos

Trip Report – Morte Lake Classic Loop – 16 July 2026

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Seven of us got an early start to get ahead of the heat that was forecast. We hiked into the Lake on the classic old logging road, meeting a few other people on the trail and at the east end sandy beaches. We continued up the switch-backed trail to the bluffs and paused to enjoy the view and indentify the mountains. We made our way back down to the lake and stopped at the picnic table for an early lunch and for those that wanted to swim. The water level was low and the water was relatively warm. We carried on along the fast trail on the west shore, stopping at the old logging access point with the canoe and stopping again at the white sand beach at the south end of the lake. There was no one on any of these beaches, which was surprising given the heat. We continued on the classic loop, rejoining the old logging road and then chosing to take Lower Deadfish for the return to the parking lot. By the end of our hike it was fairly overcast, warm and humid. This was a lovely, relaxed walk with great natural highlights and opportunities for socializing. (10.3 km, 4½ hours total, 290m elevation gain)

Debbie

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Hiking – Morte Lake Classic Loop – 16July2026

Trip Report – Nugedzi Lakes – 9 July 2026

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Well, the day didn’t go as planned as the weather was uncooperative. Five hikers met up, but we were trying to second-guess the rain that had already started. Two decided not to go, but the other three had hopes that the rain would only be temporary. As it turned out, it rained during the whole trip sometimes heavy, sometimes light. On the bright side, it was quite mild and even though we got very wet, we stayed warm due to the long uphill climb to Nugedzi Lake. The rain did add a whole different feel to the trip as your view was confined to a much shorter distance, and you were very aware of your close surroundings. The moss and vegetation seemed considerably greener. As we neared the lake the temperature dropped a bit, and the fog settled in. This changed the whole feeling of your surroundings again and was actually quite eerie but beautiful as you can see in the pictures that were taken.

At this point, we decided not to go out to the viewpoint as you wouldn’t have been able to see anything anyway. Instead, we headed back down the trail toward the Cedar Grove Canyon. There we took a connector trail back to the trail going up to Mt. Seymour, which is quite steep in some areas. This is a newer flagged trail that goes through some magnificent large trees and open mossy landscape. Back on the Seymour Trail, it was downhill all the way to the vehicles. (7 km, 320m ascent and 3 hours)

Les

Thanks to Les and Norris for the photos

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Hiking – Nugedzi Lakes and Views – 9 July 2026

Trip Report – Gowlland Harbour – 2 July 2026

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Ten adventures souls had signed up for a paddle that had to be cancelled because of torrential rains. Quadra needed the water though so we could hardly complain. Instead, we followed through with the social at my house, only later in the afternoon and nine people were able to change their schedules to accommodate. I provided hotdogs and potato salad and everyone else brought a variety of appetizers, fruit, and desserts. It was a great time of reminiscing about old hikes and paddles, as well as planning for some new ones in the future. Sorry, no pictures were taken.

Les

Kayaking – Gowlland Harbour – 2 July 2026

Trip Report – Noel’s Knoll to Little Morte Lake – 24 June 2026

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Five of us did this particular hike as a first for the Outdoor Club. After a car shuffle, we started hiking from the Nugedzi parking lot, up the old road and across the bridge. We continued on the old logging road heading south, which has recently been cleared of deadfall and brush. Not long into our hike we noticed a wasp’s nest which had fallen into the path and had fallen apart. Although we saw that there were some wasps flying about, we were not careful enough crossing by the nest and unfortunately three of us were stung, one person multiple times. After a bit of first aid, we carried on up the old road and then on a very improved trail through the forest and across the re-located bridge. From there we followed a flagged route and slight path over to the Noel’s Knoll viewpoint. After enjoying a short break, with view, breeze and snack, we returned on this short out-and-back section to rejoin the new trail which descends steeply to the Morte Lake trail.

The new trail is quite a long descent, with some good views from bluffs along the way. Most of the route is fairly easy to follow with visible path, flagging and cairns. There was one place where we followed some flags the lead into the bush rather than a path, but we were soon back on track and down to the main Morte Lake trail. We followed the lovely Deadfish route back to the Morte Lake parking lot. Thanks to all the volunteers who made this new trail possible.

7.5km, 4½ hours, about 350m ascent and 490m descent.

Debbie
 

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Thanks to Carrie and Les for the photos

Hiking – Noel’s Knoll to Little Morte Lake – 24 June 2026

Trip Report – Mt. Lolo – 10 June 2026

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We had a lovely spring day for this rarely visited peak. We shortened the hike a bit by parking in the clear-cut and making our way quickly to the Maud Island trail. This trail is in very good condition. After the small creek we turned off onto an even older logging road, which has also had some trail work done on it. However, we soon turned uphill through the open forest and followed a gradual ascent to views over Discovery Passage. We followed the ridge south to the end, where we had lunch on the mossy rocks with views to the south. We ignored the good historical tracks we had for the descent, and chose a route descending through the cliffy bluffs which required some careful route finding and negotiating deadfall and steep rocks. We came out to the Maud Lake trail a bit south of our starting point and returned to the vehicles. We really enjoyed revisiting this area. (About 5.3km, 4 hours, 270m elevation gain)

Norris
 
Thanks to Norris and Les for the photos.
 

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Hiking – Mt. Lolo – 10 June 2026

Trip Report – Canyon View and Elk Falls – 3 June 2026

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A good turnout of eight hikers and two dogs took advantage of the slightly cooler and overcast day to hike the Canyon View and Elk Falls Trail. For the previous two days we have had temperatures in the mid to high twenties, so the milder weather was a blessing for the 11 km hike. We caught the 9:00 am ferry from Quadra Island and returned on the 2:30 pm boat.
We parked on the North side of the Duncan Bay Main bridge (over the Campbell River) where we started our hike. The well maintained trail follows the river to the old power station outfall, where the grade changes to a steep uphill climb with lots of stairs. Once at the top, the trail levels off until you reach the entrance to the falls where now you go down stairs to a viewing platform and the suspension bridge. We viewed the falls from the bridge and hiked back up to the old parking lot for a different view of the falls. At the parking lot there are pit toilets and picnic tables.
On the way back we took a side trail downriver from the falls to a mossy bluff overlooking the river. From here we had a view of the suspension bridge and the falls. After a lunch break we continued back on the trail to the old outfall where we crossed over to the highway side of the river. Here there is a path following the river back to the bridge where we parked our vehicles. Total distance 11 km in 4 hours.

Allan

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Hiking – Canyon View and Elk Falls – 3 June 2026

Trip Report – Mine & Main Lakes – 21 May 2026

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Seven paddlers met at Mine Lake boat launch for a paddle and a small hike on a beautiful spring day. There was supposed to be light winds, but the wind dropped off so we had flat water after coming onto Main Lake. On such a beautiful day, we were surprised to only see one single camper at one site and a small group at the far end. We landed there and then walked over to Yeatman Bay. We hiked the trail in the woods out toward the small island and the tide was low enough that we could cross over to it. Here we had a nice relaxed stop to enjoy the sun and sights.
After we hiked back to the kayaks and had lunch here before launching back onto Main Lake. At the head of the bay, we ran into some stronger winds with light chop. This continued until we reached the channel and then became lighter as we returned down Mine Lake to our vehicles.
About 4½ hours for a 5½ km paddle and a 2½ km hike

Les

Thanks to Les and Louise for the photos

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Kayaking – Mine and Main Lakes – 21 May 2026

Trip Report – Trout Creek Falls – 6 May 2026

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On a overcast day, six people drove out to the start of the trail on Menzie’s Main. There is a easy place to park just before and after the bridge over Mohun Creek, which used to be called Trout Creek. The first of three waterfalls is just a short walk. The creek was much lower than when we did this hike last year, even though it is the same time of year. The trail has lots of rocks and roots in it so you must be careful not to trip. The trail is in good shape and has had a lot of traffic this spring. As you hike up the trail, there are many pools and rapid areas that are very picturesque. The second waterfall is the highest and very impressive. The trail was quite dry, which made it loose and you had to watch your step as this is a steep area. The third waterfall is short but very unique as it drops over a rock face and then makes a sharp right down a rocky ravine before it drops more. As the water level was quite low, you can see many more of the logs that have been left in the ravine. We carried on and had lunch on the rock bluff above the waterfall. After lunch we hiked out to the old logging road, stopped briefly at Mary Lake and then returned to the vehicles.
7 km and about three hours moving time

Les
 
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Hiking – Trout Creek Falls Loop – 6 May 2026

Trip Report – Cowichan Valley – 19-23 April 2026

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A few came early, but most of us arrived on Sunday when it was convenient and not in a rush.  The eleven of us set up our campsites at Gordon Bay Provincial Park in a cluster near each other and the somewhat heated bathrooms.  A luxury that we don’t normally expect.  We gathered around Les’ campfire after dinner, but it was an early night.

Monday – It was quite cold overnight especially for those who were tenting.  Our first destination was a long drive, but a very short walk to the Kinsol Trestle.  It is one of the largest wooden bridges in the world at 187 meters long and 44 meters high.  Perhaps the most amazing thing is that it has been saved and restored.  We had lunch by the shore of the Koksilah River and then walked upstream to the second bridge before returning to the vehicles.

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From there we drove up further along the Koksilah River.  After having some trouble finding the trailhead, we followed the Koksilah River Ancient Forest Trail from a logging road down into a second growth forest and continued down to the old trees and to the river, both of which were lovely.  By afternoon it was quite warm.

After dinner at the campground we gathered around Jim and Louise’s campfire before heading to bed.

Tuesday – We hiked up an excellent trail to Bing’s Creek falls, starting at the Raven’s Haven.  We soon passed through a grove of flowering dogwood trees.  As the trail became steeper the forest was open and mature along the creek.  We took the Lollipop Loop leading to the delicate falls and stopped for lunch by the creek on the way back down.

We next went to Stoney Hill Loop Trail, with another excellent trail.  We quickly arrived at bluffs overlooking Maple Bay with an ecosystem we don’t have on Quadra.  There were arbutus trees with some Garry oaks and an amazing array of spring flowers.  We saw shooting stars, Fairy Slipper orchid, chocolate lilies, small monkey flowers, sea blush, blue-eyed Marys, miner’s lettuce and fawn lilies.  On the bluffs, we had great views of Sansum Narrows and Salt Spring Island under a brooding sky.  As we neared the parking lot on our return, the brooding sky turned to light rain.

On the drive back to the campground the rain continued and the temperature fell, convincing us to go for a pub dinner at the Riverside Pub in Lake Cowicahan.  The food was good and plentiful.

Wednesday: A few in the group departed but the rest hiked the Skutz Falls Loop from Mayo Road, counter-clockwise.  We crossed the bridge over the Cowichan River and hiked along the south shore, downstream.  The views and the variability in the river were wonderful.  Further along there were open sections of banks with excellent spring flowers.  The trail undulated between high bank and the river’s shoreline.  We re-crossed the river and Trestle 66 and stopped for lunch at the picnic area there before continuing upstream on the north shore.  The flowers continued to line the trail.

We sat around the fire at Jim and Louise’s several times and then began to get ready for our departure the next day.

Thursday – Everyone broke camp and headed out on Thursday morning, with six of us squeezing in another hike.  We started at the trailhead for Maple Mountain Southview Loop in a residential area, and then followed a newly gravelled BC Hydro road up to open bluffs under hydro lines.  We took a connector trail out to view bluffs with Garry Oaks and blue camas.  The views were great and the special ecosystem was unexpected to us.  We enjoyed the views of Maple Bay and Salt Spring Island before heading into a lovely, open forest.  We made a complicated loop before heading back to the vehicles and to home.

We really had exceptional variety on the six hikes we took in four days.  An historic railroad bridge, old growth trees, a creek with falls, two beautiful bluff walks and a river loop, were some of the highlights we found in the Cowichan Valley.  The spring flowers were a special treat.

Debbie

Thanks to Louise, Sameen, Ann and Norris for the photos

Multi-day Hiking – Cowichan Valley – 19-23 April 2026

Trip Report – Rousseau Ridge Loop – 15 Apr 2026

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Eight of us hiked this loop starting from North Gowlland Road.  Part of the reason for choosing this hike was the recent trail work on the west end of the North Gowlland trail.  The work has been extensive by widening the trail, draining wet areas and putting in culverts.  Thanks, as always, to our wonderful Trail Committee volunteers.

We hiked North Gowlland Trail up to Rousseau Ridge with a short break to enjoy the view though there were some very low, wet clouds around.  We back-tracked to the North Gowlland trail and continued more-or-less easterly until we joined the Thompson and then the B&B Trail.  Unfortunately there were multiple issues once we followed the B&B trail.  First, we had some quite hard, cold and wetting hail, and the B&B trail has been abandoned, so the deadfall and  salal had overwhelmed the trail.  This section was quite brief however, and once we reached the logging roads, walking was very easy.  We hiked up a mossy bluff for lunch and then continued along the logging road toward the North Gowlland Road.  This area is quite changed from recent logging including new roads, which made it trickier to find the intended connection back to the North Gowlland trail.  However, we achieved the same objective by simply following the logging roads, making the loop slightly longer. 

In spite of the hail and threatening showers, it was a lovely spring day for this hike to some areas we had not visited for quite a while.  The improved trail will be reason to hike here more often.   (7.8 km; 3⅓ hours)

Debbie
 

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Hiking – Rousseau Ridge Loop – 15 Apr 2026