Category Archives: trip photos

Trip Report – Woss Lookout & Little Huson Caves – 26 July 2018

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The original plan was to hike to Woss Lookout in the morning to beat the extreme summer heat. But, unexpectedly, when we drove north on Highway 19, it was overcast and quite cool, so we continued on to the Little Huson Caves first. These karst features in Quatsino limestone are very beautifully sculpted into complex shapes with the Atluk Creek running through it. We took the short walk to the northern viewpoint first and explored the big opening in the natural bridge over the River “Cave”. The trail also leads to the south opening of the bridge with even more opportunity to see the sculpted limestone. With the low water and dry weather there are lots of possibilities for exploring. We also visited the Bridge Cave before walking to Little Huson Lake.

We then drove south to the rough logging road leading to the Woss Lookout trailhead. Once the skies cleared at noon, it was already hot. We walked up the upper logging road switchbacks and then took the trail through the forest up to the summit. This is a short, steep hike with lots of rope available for assistance. There were wonderful blueberries and purple huckleberries on the way up. At the summit we enjoyed the excellent restoration of the lookout tower, a very refreshing afternoon breeze, and fantastic view in nearly 360°. The historical photos from 1948 are very interesting. The location of the tower was great as a fire lookout, but also for views. The conical hill is a focus for five valleys. For the hike: 4.4 km; 2¾ hours; 376 m elevation gain; 35% incline in the steep section.

Debbie

Thanks to Norris and Les for the photos, which were updated on August 25th.

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Hiking – Woss Lookout & Little Huson Caves – 27 July 2018

Trip Report – Crest Mountain- 25 July 2018

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The weather forecast was for hot, hot, hot, and the Crest Mountain trail is south facing and up, up, up, so not everyone thought doing this hike as scheduled was a good idea.  Nevertheless, three of us decided to do it anyway, although we did change the start time to the first ferry, which was a good move.  The drive to the trailhead was very scenic in the morning light.  The trail was cool in the open mature forest in the shadow of a ridge.  We moved uphill quickly.  In 4 km the trail gains 1,100 m elevation.  It starts out as a nice engineered trail with switchbacks, but as it goes up it gets steeper until near the top it is just an uphill trail.

Views and wildflowers start to appear near the top of the climb and there is a small refreshing lake at the rim.  From here on, the mountain top is relatively flat and alpine.  There are small lakes and tarns, hills and ridges, and fantastic views all around. There is a first summit with a radio cone and a higher summit a kilometre or half an hour further on, with a suitable cairn, but the trails to it are indistinct.

The temperature when we left the trailhead was 17°C, the temperature on the summit was 20°C, with a light breeze, and when we got back to the car, it was 30°C.  Going down this trail is just as hard and slow as going up due to the steep, slippery gravel.  14.3 km; 9 hours; 1,235 m elevation gain; the average incline of the climb is 21%, and in the steepest section it is 34%.

Norris

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Hiking – Crest Mountain – 25 July 2018

Trip Report – Village Bay Lakes and Main Lake Park – 23 July 2018

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Six people met at the Village Bay Lake ramp at 8:30 and were on the water by 9 a.m. to beat some of the heat. Now that the temperature is reaching 30 degrees it is just too hot late afternoon to have a comfortable paddle. It was a beautiful clear day though with a slight breeze. We paddled up the right side of the lake going into each bay. It is amazing how many houses have been renovated on the lake in the last few years. There are also some new ones. Many are quite unique and some even have ladder trolleys to move goods up to the house. From Village Bay Lake the group paddled through the shallow creek to Mine Lake. There were a couple of blue herons in the reeds that were not bothered by our passing. The water level is quite low and a boat with motor would have a hard time not hitting sticks or the bottom in some areas.  We then proceeded to the big sand beach at the entrance to Main Lake for lunch. There were a few tents pitched there but plenty of room for our group.

We took the same path back, but went down the opposite side of Village Bay Lake. There are many nice houses and cottages on that side as well. In total we traveled 11.4 km and were gone 3.5 hours.

Les

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Kayaking – Village Bay Lake and Main Lake Park – 23 July 2018

Trip Report – Broken Eyes Mtn- 19 July 2018

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Eight members and one guest from Sweden took the 8 am ferry and drove 20 km north of Campbell River to the Broken Eyes trailhead.  The trail is an easy grade for the first bit, then it crosses a stream on a long, one-log bridge, then it climbs steadily.  There is a viewpoint (facing north) part way up which makes a nice rest stop before resuming the climb.  Eventually the trail joins an old logging road with an easier grade.  The final viewpoint (facing south) is good for a long, relaxing lunch, and the views are great.  After the hot dusty trail, we adjourned to Roberts Lake where some had a quick, refreshing swim.  7.4 km; 5 hours; 510 m elevation gain.

Norris

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Thanks to Norris and Les for the  photos

Hiking – Broken Eyes Mtn – 19 July 2018

Trip Report – Newton Lake and Waiatt Bay – 18 July 2018

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Seven club members and one guest made an early start on this hike, leaving the Newton Lake trail head about 8:45, after assembling at the Heriot Bay Store at 8 a.m. We stopped at the ‘swimming rock’ for a short break, then hiked down the trail to Small Inlet. A couple of boats were anchored in the inlet, along with one of the Sail and Life Training Society (SALTS) tall ships. As we arrived, a flotilla of small rowing boats were heading to shore, presumably taking their crew for a hike up to the lake. We beat a hasty retreat to Waiatt Bay for lunch, then followed the portage trail past the bubbling spring and crossed the beach to reunite with the trail leading back to Newton Lake. We met the 70 SALTS (who were very polite) heading downhill as we climbed up, and arrived at the lake to find it restored to its usual quiet. Several hikers took a refreshing (!) dip, and we arrived back at the cars about 2:45.  13.7 km; 6 hours.

Darcy

Thanks to Norris and Les for the photos

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Hiking – Newton Lake and Beyond – 18 July 2018

Trip Report – Mt. Seymour via Nugedzi – 11 July 2018

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Hoping to avoid the predicted warm temperatures, 13 intrepid hikers (9 Club members and 4 guests) got an early start on their ascent of Mt. Seymour, leaving the HB parking lot at 8 am. As this was to be a cross-over hike, three cars were left at the Mt Seymour trailhead on Granite Bay Road. At 8:45 am we began the slog up the Nugedzi Trail, which seems to be easier going up than down. Several varieties of mushrooms, fungi, and some late season orchids were noted on the logging road section of the trail. We stopped at the first East viewpoint for a brief rest, only a slight heat haze blurring the horizon. Finally, entering the old-growth forest (or “Enchanted Forest” so named by one hiker) was a pleasant relief, reaching Nugedzi Lake by 10:50. We had decided to press on to summit Mt. Seymour first, then to return to Nugedzi for a well-earned swim. We reached the summit about an hour later, enjoying the views first south over Nugedzi , then west to Vancouver Island and Seymour Narrows , where the flood current was clearly visible, as we climbed. The spectacular views south and east from the summit awed our visitors, the Discovery Islands clearly visible, and well beyond down Vancouver Island and over to the mainland. We took the board walk loop back to Nugedzi Lake where most of the group at least dipped their toes in the water, which was quite bearable. Refreshed, we walked briskly down the Mt. Seymour trail to the waiting cars, arriving just after 3:15. 11.2 km; 6.5 hours; 425 m elevation gain to Mt. Seymour.

Note: thanks to the Trail Committee who had obviously been very busy earlier this year weed-whacking the entire Nugedzi-Seymour trail.

Valerie

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Hiking – Mt. Seymour via Nugedzi- 11 July 2018

Trip Report – Bretons and Village Bay – 9 July 2018

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Seven hardy souls braved calm waters, no wind, no rain, light cloud cover, and mild temperatures to venture out to the Bretons and beyond. From the Len Road put-in, we were on the water by 10:17 am, launching taking a little longer than usual thanks to the very low tide. A gentle paddle out to the Bretons gave us a chance to admire the pillow lava in Hyacinthe Bay, and the exposed inter-tidal in Hyacinthe and the Bretons. A few curious seals eyed us from quite close up, they are now obviously much more used to kayakers than when I first paddled in the Breton islets. We saw a few gulls and one small flock of ducks (Goldeneyes ?). The absence of Oystercatchers and other birds usually seen there was possibly due to the large contingent of kayakers from one of the local outfitters who had landed on one of the islets in the very low tide and were busy exploring. We proceeded to Moulds Bay for a brief rest stop, the cabin there seems deserted once again. Passing “Clay’s Cabin” and the oyster lease, we were able to squeak through Shellaligan in the now rising tide. At the oyster lease, heavy rope netting still covers the bagged oysters on the beach, seemingly untouched since my last foray there a few years ago. We also noted the abandoned vessel beached in Shellaligan, no sign of any squatters there this year, nor on Shellaligan Beach. As time, not destination, was the determinant for this paddle, we opted for the first beach on the south side of Village Bay, that is also accessible from the trail, just before it turns inland, as our endpoint, rather than press on to the north beach at Village Bay. After a brief lunch break, we paddled directly back to Hyacinthe Bay, against a light wind, and were rewarded with a high tide landing. 14.5 km; 5 hours.

Valerie

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Kayaking – Breton Islands & Village Bay – 9 July 2018

Trip Report – Rousseau Ridge Loop – 4 July 2018

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Twelve hikers, two of whom were new to the Outdoor Club, met at the Hopespring trailhead for a four hour hike. The day was sunny and warm. We headed up Hopespring trail to the top of the ridge and down the west side, turning northwest onto the Gowlland Harbour trail. This trail was followed through shaded second growth forest and along a ten-year-old clearcut, nicely regenerating, to North Gowlland Harbour Road. Crossing the road and up Missing Links Road a short distance, we hiked northeast along Bite the Bullet which parallels the logging road, managing to avoid being dusted by logging trucks. Recrossing the logging road, we turned southeast at a large beaver dam and walked up John Marlow’s woodlot road. At a deep pool in an old quarry at the roadside, we stopped to admire the critters (salamanders?) swimming there. At that point, we turned south onto a faint bike route that led us to intersect with the Gowlland trail at Rousseau Ridge. Climbing to the top of the ridge, we enjoyed lunch with great views to the west over Copper Bluffs, Discovery Passage and the Vancouver Island mountains.

On the return trip, the group split into two at the Thompson Trail intersection. One group followed Thompson Trail to Thompson Road; the other group retraced their hike down Gowlland Trail and up and over Hopespring Trail to the vehicles at the trailhead. We managed to stay in the shade for most of the hike, and out on the open ridge we had some cloud cover and a nice breeze. However, an earlier start may have been in order – by the end of the hike, the temperature was climbing, with my home thermometer on Thompson Road reading 29C.  10.1 km; 4 hours.

Janis

Thanks to Norris and Les for the photos

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Hiking – Rousseau Ridge Loop – 4 July 2018

Trip Report – Shark Spit – 25-28 June 2018

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Day 1: Caught the 9:05 am ferry to Cortes Island. Launched from Whaletown Bay and kayaked over to Shark Spit. It was low tide on arrival and a bit of a haul with our camping and kayaking equipment. We had big tidal ranges during this trip. Set up camp and left for a kayak trip around Marina Island. A number of old growth trees on the shoreline, this island was logged about 20 years ago. Discovered an interesting house on the west side of Marina, it was balancing on the edge of a sand cliff. It took us 3 hours to paddle around. (approx 14 km.)  All enjoyed dinner and decided on an early retirement.

Day 2: Breakfast and set-off kayaking, hugging the shoreline, destination Manson’s Lagoon. Stopped to look at the petroglyphs on the entrance to Gorge Harbour. Paddled onto Manson’s Lagoon, arriving at low tide which gave us an interesting shell-filled lagoon. It was hot and we ate lunch under the trees. Walked through the avenue of arbutus trees and celebrated their beauty. Walked along the beach to the wonderful newly carved totem pole with bench. Off again hugging the shoreline, stopping to explore a pioneer’s hut with huge oyster beds just below the hut. The wind got up giving us a bit of a challenge. Stopped off at Gilean Douglas’s house at Channel Rock, to have a quick look. (approx 10 km)  After dinner, walked along the inside shoreline discovering wolf tracks. Dinner and welcomed the arrival of two more members on a windy evening.

Day 3: Breakfast and ready for another paddle. A bit windy at the start of this day. A member was leaving and we all paddled to Whaletown Bay, assisting with unpacking and putting the kayak on vehicle. Four of us then paddled through Plunger Passage, into the beautiful scenery of Sutil Channel and found a landing spot to eat lunch. Paddled onto Carrington Bay which is one of our favourite places. Explored the bay and lagoon. Back into our kayaks and paddled through Coulter Bay. A good workout for us and stopped at Sea Vista for a break before heading onto the spit. We made it. ( 26.6 km; 7½ hours) Ate delicious clams at night.

Day 4: Breakfast, packed up our tents, everything into our kayaks and began paddling. The two latecomers paddled around Marina and two paddlers went to Whaletown Bay to catch the ferry for Quadra and home.  Thank goodness we did not experience heavy rain on this trip, the weather was kind to us and the scenery magnificent. Shark Spit is such a beautiful camping area and a joy to be there.

Margot

Thanks to Norris and Vic for the photos

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Multi-day kayaking – Shark Spit – 25-28 June 2018

Trip Report – Hyacinthe Bay & Point – 20 June 2018

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Eight of us kayaked from Len Road across Hyacinthe Bay in the morning  (1 km; ¼ hour).  It was a very short paddle to Maple Bay where we explored a property that is proposed to become a wilderness conservation area.  From there we hiked up to a viewpoint with views over Hyacinthe Bay and Rebecca Spit.  It was steep and rugged in places, a path following cairns.  We returned to the Bay for lunch (hike – 4.4 km; 2½ hours), then kayaked on to Lady Ann Bay.   One interesting feature of Hyacinthe Point is the exposed pillow lava which flowed out under water causing the “pillow” formations. Three kayaks returned from this point and five continued on for an extended paddle since the weather was hot and calm.

On our paddle there were herring jumping out of the water near us, which attracted an eagle to swoop in to catch them a couple of times.  He put on a very nice show quite close to us.  We continued around Heriot Island in shallow water and returned to the vehicles. (kayak – 6.0 km; 1½ hours)

Many thanks to the two owners who invited us to visit their properties.

Norris

Photos by Norris and Les

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Kayaking/Hiking – Hyacinthe Bay & Point – 20 June 2018