Category Archives: trip photos

Trip Report – Mine Lake Bluff – 9 May 2018

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Seven hikers parked at the trail-head and headed along side of Mine Lake to Camp Homewood’s summer site. This trail can be covered in water in places but was dry for us. After going through the site you take the left trail that heads up to the bluff. The trail is steep through the trees but some steps have been dug out to make it a little better. The tough part is when you come to the rocks. It had rained the night before so the first climb was slick. Luck was with us though and the next section was in the sun and wind so it was dry. This is definitely a hike that should be done when dry as it involves some scrambling on all fours. When we reached the top the view was certainly worth the effort.

We ate lunch here and descended down the back side. The walk down is easier and below an impressive cliff. When we returned to the lake three brave souls went for a dip. They said it was cold but refreshing. 5 km; 3 ½ hours.

Les and Julie

Thanks to Les for the photos

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Hiking – Mine Lake Bluff – 9 May 2018

Trip Report – Gowlland Harbour – 2 May 2018

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A light wind started the day, however it soon diminished. Fifteen kayakers met at Gowlland Harbour Resort, we were all on the water before 10:30 a.m. Kayaked southeast, around the point of Stag Island. All the islands were painted in yellows, reds, blues & splashes of white flowers, extremely beautiful. We stopped at Vigilant Island, aka Tree Island and explored the area. The flowers were amazing, we even found chocolate lilies growing, also discovered a mass of large bones, probably a sea lion. To stand on this island and look at the flowers with the backdrop of snow covered mountains, unbelievable. We live here! Kayaked around the shore of the island viewing sea urchins, starfish, displaying a mass of colour in the ocean. The seals watched us and probably celebrated when we left. We then kayaked over to May Island, the tide was low and found adequate spaces for all to land. Enjoyed our lunches and chatter. Off again to view the ship wreck and kayaked over to the shore of Quadra. Traveling down the shoreline was such a treat, cascades of water, wildflowers in an abundance. The tugboats were still working, taking out log booms. Arriving back at Gowlland Harbour Resort, we were filled with memories of a pretty perfect day.
Thank you to all kayakers for your help, the sharing of stories, delicious cookies, laughter and to be together. And thanks to Gowlland Harbour Resort for giving us permission to launch from their private property.  Wishing you all beautiful memories of this day.
Margot

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Kayaking – Gowlland Harbour – 2 May 2018

Trip Report – The Campbell River Loop – 25 Apr 2018

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Eight of us hiked the loop from the logging bridge on the Campbell River up to Moose Falls and back. This is always a beautiful walk, but it is particularly special in the spring with the wildflowers in bloom. We crossed the bridge and walked along the excellent trail on the north side of the river.  As the path follows side branches on the Campbell River, the trail was bordered by a profusion of pink fawn lilies, trillium, and wild bleeding heart.

We admired the Canyon View and continued up to the Millennium Trail.  We took an unmarked side path, recommended by Cyndy, to a lovely mossy bluff with an excellent view of Elk Falls.   We walked on through some big old growth Douglas fir trees to the Elk Falls viewing platform and suspensions bridge.  The views were particularly impressive because of the amount of water coming down the river.

We took the gradually ascending Old Growth trail and then the very steep descent to the rocky viewpoint for Moose Falls and the Dolphin Pool, where we stopped for lunch. The weather was beautiful and sunny, with a very warm afternoon. We returned along the river, passing more old growth trees, Deer Falls and another spectacular viewpoint for Elk Falls.  We crossed at Station View, which was quite hot and industrial, and continued on the south bank, with more wildflowers, back to the vehicles. 12.9 km; 5 hours.

Debbie

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Hiking – The Campbell River River Loop – 25 Apr 2018

Trip Report – Stramberg Old Growth – 18 April 2018

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We had a perfect hiking day for this walk through varied forest to see some of Quadra’s biggest old growth trees.  The first part of the hike skirts Vic’s Marsh through open forest and passes meadows with fruit tree, nettles, Vic’s barn-like house and old fencing.  We stopped briefly at the bluff overlooking the open water part of the marsh to enjoy the view and watch huge numbers of geese heading north.  The next section follows a narrow, flagged trail which undulates, often along a creek or below bluffs and heads into Main Lake Provincial Park.  After the T-junction with the logging road, the right turn leads more or less north with a gradual grade and wide allowance, though very wet at this time of year.  The trees are plastered with lichen and moss making it an enchanted forest.  After crossing a small creek, the trail ascends to the glade with old growth Douglas fir and cedar.  But there are big trees along the whole walk.

The flagging is in good condition, and the trail is not too bad except for the fallen trees which you have to climb under or over or go around, and long sections of sword fern where you never see the ground or your feet.   12.1 km round trip, 5⅓ hours.

Debbie

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Hike – Stramberg Old Growth Grove – 18 April 2018

Trip Report – Deepwater Bay – 12 Apr 2018

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Because the weather forecast was poor, we saved the planned view trip for another day when we would have a view, and chose another destination below cloud level.  We also postponed it a day to avoid the worst weather.  As luck would have it, we had a beautiful sunny day for a hike down to Deepwater Bay and back.

The first part of the hike was an unexpected detour through the forest around work to renew the old road for future logging operations.  Trees alongside of the roadway had been neatly felled onto the logging road and not yet cleaned up.  Beyond that, the walking was good except for a bit of erosion and a landslide on the north bank of the creek, which swept trees across to the south bank and the trail.  The whitewater stream was impressive with recent rains and there were several waterfalls.  We had lunch at the Bay in warm sunshine and returned uphill to the vehicle. 4.4 km; 2½ hours.  

As the hike was fairly short, we made a side trip to some of the nearby karst sinkholes.  There was a report that the creek had re-routed.  However, there was some water in the insurgent and resurgent creek, though not as much might be expected with recent rain.

– Norris

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Trip Report – Campbell River Ramble – 4 April 2018

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On April 4, in cool and drizzly weather, five adventurers set out to explore the hinterlands of Campbell River.  We walked from the ferry terminal to the north ERT trailhead at the corner of Maple and Homewood . From there it was gradually uphill on the wide paved trail, which was surprisingly deserted, through mixed deciduous, past a few old homesteads and some signs of future development. Crossing Evergreen Rd, a short walk brought us to the Beaver Lodge Forest lands where we met many more walkers as well as mountain bikers in this beautiful forest. The wide Rail Trail led through coniferous second growth, graced with a few old specimens. Branching off on a bike trail took us to the underpass and out onto Rockland Rd, crossing over we followed the paved trail past the Willow Point Sportsplex, winding our way down to the waterfront to a very welcome lunch stop in Willow Point . Refreshed, the Quadra Island crowd walked briskly back along the waterfront, in plenty of time for the 3:30 ferry. A very long pleasant walk, disappointingly few wildflowers, but nice to see the salmonberries and huckleberries beginning to bloom, as well as a little group of Glory of the Snow (Chionodoxa) gone wild, and cultivated spring blossoms. 19.3 km; 5⅔ hours, including lunch.

Valerie  & Darcy

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Hiking – Campbell River Ramble – 4 April 2018

Trip Report – Miracle Beach & Salmon Pt – 28 March 2018

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Seven of us took the 10:00 ferry and drove to Miracle Beach. There is a provincial park here as well as a large picnic area and many small trails. There are huge sand flats when the tide is out. Although not many birds while we were there, this can be a great place for bird viewing. We walked along the beach to Black Creek. Then followed it up to the campground and back to the vehicles. 2.5 km and about 45 minutes.

We then drove up to the Salmon Point Restaurant and Pub for a delicious lunch. After we walked the ocean side trail to Oyster River Nature Park. We made a loop through it and back to Salmon Point. There were quite a few birds on this trail and a pair of bald eagles perched on the light tower at Salmon Point. 6.5 km and about 1 hour and 35 minutes.

Les

Thanks to Norris and Les for the photos

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Hiking – Miracle Beach & Salmon Pt – 28 March 2018

Trip Report – High Bluff-Heriot Ridge Trail Loop – 21 March 2018

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Six hikers and one dog enjoyed a three hour hike on Heriot Ridge. The weather was cloudy and threatened rain but none materialized, and we were even treated to occasional weak sun behind the clouds. Starting at the Hopespring trailhead, we walked up to the height of land, then headed south off-trail along the bluffs of Heriot Ridge. Our first stop was the location of the new North Island communication tower. From there we dropped off the south end of the ridge and proceeded through the woods to High Bluff viewpoint where we stopped for a break and snack. The Vancouver Island mountains were hidden from view, but we had closer views of Gowlland Harbour and Georgia Strait to the west and south. We returned north along the ridge’s open bluffs at a lower elevation, stopping to admire a rare grand old Douglas fir tree and wonder about a large pile of feathers, probably belonging to an unfortunate grouse. Back at Hopespring Trail, we headed north along Heriot Ridge Trail, and were treated to a frog chorus at a small wetland along the way. We connected to the Thompson Trail and proceeded down the trail to Thompson Road.

Janis

Hiking – Heriot Ridge and North Loop – 21 March 2018

Trip Report – Blindman’s Bluff and Eagle Ridge – 14 March 2018

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Six hikers went to the end of Leishman Road and up the woodlot road to a spot by the bridge to park. There is large, gnarled, old growth fir near here that is worth looking at. We hiked up the old road to where it joins the official trail at the beaver pond. The beaver lodge shows well this time of year. We turned right and went up to Blindman’s Bluff trail. The trail is in good shape but one needs to watch as to not wander off it. There has not been much traffic on it so moss has grown on much of it. It was a mixed cloud and sun day so the views were spectacular over Gowlland Harbour and south. The wind was chilly though so we sat out of the open to have lunch.

After lunch we continued back to Eagle Ridge Trail and up to the top of it. There were great views over Discovery Passage. We then returned via the same route to the vehicles.

Les

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Hiking – Blindman’s Bluff and Eagle Ridge – 14 March 2018

Trip Report – Mt. Washington – 7 Mar 2018

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We returned to Mt Washington on a day with a skiff of fresh snow on a very good base and mild conditions.  We had four in the cross-country ski group and six in the snowshoe group, all starting at Raven Lodge.  The skiers headed out along Paradise Meadows to the Far East trail, returning to the Lodge for lunch.   The snowshoers crossed the Meadows and headed up the summer trail to Battleship Lake.  One person had a snowshoe malfunction, but continued walking on the well-packed path without any problem.  After crossing the Lake and the next rise, they made the steep descent to Helen Mackenzie Lake and stopped for lunch.  They then continued across Helen Mackenzie Lake and followed the summer trail back down to the Ponds area and back to the Lodge. 7.5 km; 3½ hours.

Debbie

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Thanks to Norris, Vic and Les for the photos

Snow – Mt. Washington – 7 Mar 2018