Category Archives: trip photos

Trip Report – Deepwater Mine and Bay – 5 Dec 2018

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Deepwater Bay is on Discovery Passage, north of Seymour Narrows.  Deepwater canyon or valley (for lack of a better name;  it’s not quite a canyon and it’s more than a valley) is a big gap between Mt. Seymour and North Mountain, complete with a mountain stream which can be impressive.

Twelve of us set off on a clear, cold morning to explore it.  It was a winter wonderland, even without snow, all white from hoarfrost.  We stopped first on the Deepwater Main logging road to visit the old rail trestle, which is in ruins.  Then we hiked up the old logging road to the copper mine on North Mountain. The horizontal shaft is full of water and fascinating, but no one was tempted to go swimming.  We then hiked down the old road to the Bay, passed the abandoned fish hatchery, and had lunch in the beautiful warm sunshine, with great views of Deepwater Bay and Discovery Passage.  A lone sea lion swam by close to shore.  This area is full of the history of logging, mining and fishery on Quadra.   6.8 km; 3¼ hours.

Norris

Photos by Norris

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Hiking – Deepwater Copper Mine and Bay – 5 Dec 2018

Trip Report – Open Bay and Breton Islands – 2 Dec 2018

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It was a chilly day, as there had been frost, but sunny and calm. Five paddlers set out from Len Road access to enjoy the sun and an afternoon on the water. There were a large number of eagles and loons out enjoying the sun as well. We paddled out of Hyacinthe Bay and headed over to the North Breton Island. The tide was quite high, 15.7 feet, so we were able to cross the rocks near the south end. From there we traveled north and came back down through Shellalligan Pass. We stopped on a little stretch of sand in Moulds Bay for tea and cookies. It was quite warm in the sun for this time of year. Afterwards we made a circle into Open Bay before returning to the cars. 3 hours, 6.6 nautical miles

Les

Thanks to Norris and Les for the photos

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Kayaking – Open Bay & Breton Islands – 2 Dec 2018

Trip Report – Backdoor-Yellow Mud Loop – 28 Nov 2018

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Fifteen hikers, along with Kona and Joey, the dogs, enjoyed a three hour hike in the area south of Walcan Road, starting at the pullout at Reed Lake. The weather was great for November – cloudy but with no rain, no wind and a pleasant 8° C. We headed south on Straight-as-a-Dime Trail, following a combination of newer bike trail sections and old logging roads. Turning east onto Backdoor Trail, we hiked over vibrant green moss-covered rock bluffs, through pine forest and past a perfectly mirrored pond. Shortly after going past some old mining camp debris, we headed north and followed Dick’s Ride down to Nighthawk Lake (variously named Yellow Mud, Hilda’s, Wood Duck and Beaver Pond Lake). Walking alongside the large lake created by a 20-meter-long plus beaver dam, we spotted Bufflehead and other waterbirds, and an unidentified hawk. We continued northwest down Yellow Mud Trail through lush sword fern, hemlock and Doug fir forest, paralleling McKercher Creek before arriving back at Reed Lake.  8.1 km.

Janis McLean

Thanks to Norris and Les for the photos

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Hiking – Backdoor-Yellow Mud Loop – 28 Nov 2018

Trip Report – Kay Dubois Loop – 21 Nov 2018

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Eight hikers and two dogs hiked a loop of the Kay Dubois trail and adjoining woodlot from the Sutil Road trailhead.  We hiked down the switchbacks to the rocky beach and enjoyed the rolling waves on a fairly windy day.  We continued along the quiet trail following the shore and then took the connector from the big Sitka Spruce tree up to the top of the bluff and walked the logging road back to the vehicles.  The weather was better than forecast and we stayed dry.  We all went back to Julie’s, where she served us an excellent lunch.  5.1 km; 1½ hours.

Julie and Debbie

Thanks to Norris and Eva for the photos

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Hiking – Kay Dubois Loop – 21 Nov 2018

Trip Report – Haskin Farm & Golf Course Loop – 14 Nov 2018

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Nine of us and three dogs didn’t mind the wet morning.  Although the night was stormy, the day was mostly dry and partly sunny.  We hiked through the forest and meadow on the Haskin Farm trail, down the switchbacks to the beach.  We enjoyed the fresh air, maple leaves thick on the trail, and the waves breaking on the shore.  We continued along the shore, appreciating the few old growth trees.  The golf course was quiet and very green.  There were Bald Eagles and a Red Tailed Hawk close by.  A lovely, easy walk.  5.3 km; 1½  hours.

Julie Mellanby

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Hiking – Haskin Farm & Golf Course Loop – 14 Nov 2018

Trip Report – Steep Island – 12 Nov 2018

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On a calm and partly sunny day, four kayaks set out from Q Cove for Steep Island. We first paddled into Unkak Cove as there was a 12 foot tide and much of the Cove dries at a lower tide. There were numerous birds there. It is too bad that there are also numerous old docks that have been left to rot away. From the Cove we traveled up in Discovery Passage by April Point. We were going with the ebb tide, but found many back eddies along the way. It was fun to have the tide moving in all different directions which kept you adjusting your paddling.

We stopped to have lunch and enjoy the sun at Vigilant Island, and shared some smoked salmon, cheese and crackers.  From there we went around Steep Island. There was some current getting there but almost none going along the west side where I thought it might be strong. A person may know if it is ebb or flood tide, but the current is constantly changing near shore. The tide was nearing slack now so we headed straight back to the Cove, though there was still come current against us. On the way we had two sea lions put on a bit of a show for us. It is unsettling for a creature bigger that the kayak to come up close to you. All in all a calm, warm and wonderful day for a paddle especially considering it is November.  7.8 nautical miles and 4 hours.

Les

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Kayaking – Steep Island – 12 Nov 2018

Trip Report – Big Tree Woodlot Loop – 31 Oct 2018

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On a overcast and drizzling day 11 hikers decided to check out Benner’s woodlot. He has put up a newly painted sign that shows most of the roads in his woodlot. This is easy hiking and good for rainy days. We started at the sign and proceeded to Open Bay Main. From there we headed toward Stramberg Lake. Once in the park we found the creek was flooded over the trail so made a slight detour around. At the lake the level of water was so high from recent rains that the trail to the bluff was submerged. A few brave souls scrambled up the rocks to still get a view down the lake. We then proceeded back to the first opening for lunch. After lunch all hiked back around and came out on Village Bay road and then back to the vehicles. 8.3 km and 2½ hours not counting lunch break.

Les

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Hiking – Big Tree Woodlot Loop – 31 Oct 2018

Trip Report – Shellaligan Loop – 7 Nov 2018

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Nine hikers and a dog enjoyed this classic hike on a beautiful, sunny, fall day.  We hiked from Valdez Rd, down the logging road and along the rocky shoreline on Hoskyn Channel.  We stopped for a lunch/snack on the rocky bluff at the entrance to Village Bay, overlooking the calm waters with views of the outer islands and mainland mountains.  We were entertained by a sea lion, harlequin ducks and a flock of sea birds.  We shared yummy Belgian brownies before continuing along the shoreline into Village Bay, up the hill, through the forest and back along the logging road to the vehicles.  6.9 km; 2¾ hours.

Julie Mellanby

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Hiking – Shellaligan Loop – 7 Nov 2018

Trip Report – Rebecca Spit Loop – 24 Sept 2018

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Heavy rain had been forecast for over a week for Wednesday, so we thought we would do this simple trip.  In the end, it didn’t rain, so that was a bonus.  Seven of us started at the south Rebecca Spit parking lot by the shore and walked the short distance south to see the Sasquatch.  The excellent driftwood sculpture by Alex Witcombe of Driftwood Creations is life sized and convincing.  We continued on to Paddy’s Lagoon and the memorial, and walked further to the open driftwood cabin at the end of the lagoon.  From there we followed the new trail up the hill and through the forest, crossing Heriot Bay Rd and following the old logging roads in a loop out and back to the road.  We walked along the shore by the campground and then made the classic loop to the end of the Spit and back in the park.

This short hike has lots of variety and points of interest along the way.  The maple leaves were at their peak.  The trail is mostly very good and the forest is varied – a lovely, gentle walk.  8.0 km; 2¼ hours.

Debbie

Thanks to Norris and Les for photos

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Hiking – Rebecca Spit Loop – 24 Oct 2018

Trip Report – Morte Lake Mountain Bike Loop – 17 Oct 2018

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Eight of us had a beautiful fall day for this hike through open forest, over panoramic bluffs,  and passing by lovely, calm lakes.  We were in shirt sleeves for this very scenic loop.  We started up the bike trail Morning Beer onto upper Deadfish, stopping to enjoy the view at Seven Sins.  We descended Nirvana to the hiking trail around Morte Lake and stopped for lunch at the east side Morte Lake viewpoint. We ascended the South Bluff trail and followed along Mud and Reed Lakes to the Walcan Road.  We crossed and hiked along Yellow Mud to Jack Rabbit, connecting back to the parking lot.  We enjoyed the great views and the fall foliage.  9.6 km; 4 hours.

Debbie

Thanks to Norris and Les for the photos

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Hiking – Morte Lake Bike Loop -17 Oct 2018