Category Archives: trip photos

Trip Report – Bluffs West of N Gowlland Rd – 22 Feb 2017

Posted on by
Reply

The trip Wednesday was a partly off-trail adventure over some classic Quadra scenery – open moss-covered ridges, with views from along the top of cliffs on those ridges.  Seven of us took advantage of the sunny, almost-Spring day.  From the active quarry on the NW side of North Gowlland Road, we followed the open ridges to the high point near the Little Black Dress mountain bike trail.  From there we opted to do a loop of mountain bike trails including Little Black Dress, Silk Stocking and Back Door.  We descended back to North Gowlland Road on a partially developed trail.  7.6 km; 3¾ hours.

Norris

(click on photos to view larger)

Hiking – Bluffs West of N Gowlland Rd – 22 Feb 2017

Trip Report – Mt Washington – 8 Feb 2017

Posted on by
Reply

Three of us snow-shoed at Mt. Washington on Wednesday. The clouds were low, but the snow was excellent. It was absolutely a winter wonderland, with snow clinging to branches and bark in the forest. We crossed Paradise Meadows on the Old Cabin and Crooked Creek trails before taking the summer trail up to Battleship Lake. The trail had been well used, so it was easy to follow. It was completely quiet in the forest and we met very few people. We continued over the Lake and through the forest to Lake Helen Mackenzie. The steep descent was great in the deep powder. We crossed some of the Lake and then had lunch in a sheltered spot out of the wind. Around 1:00 it began to snow lightly. We returned to Paradise Meadows and completed the Old Cabin Loop. 8.1 km; 3 hours.

Debbie

(click on photos to view larger)

Snow – Mt Washington 8 Feb 2017

Trip Report – Salt Spring Island – 30 Jan – 2 Feb 2017

Posted on by
1

Such a wonderful time hiking the trails on Salt Spring Island, each day we experienced the gorgeous sunshine.  Seven hikers from Quadra attended and all declared it was a lovely happening. We arrived on SSI just after noon on the 30th Jan, checked into the beautiful century home on the edge of Ganges. First hike, we drove to Ruckle Provincial Park down in the southeast corner of SSI. The trail took us along the rocky shore, bird life on the water, baby lambs in the field. We completed the trail loop of 6.8km; 2⅓ hours. We toured the heritage farm. This land was donated to the province by the Ruckle family, who still farm parts of the property. Returned to Ganges, some returned to the house and others looked into Ganges. A delicious dinner at night prepared by the first team of hikers.

Day two, started with a healthy breakfast and off to Mt Maxwell Provincial Park. We drove to top of Mt Maxwell; it rises about 595 metres. A spectacular view to Burgoyne Bay below, across to Vancouver Island, the beautiful Fulford Valley, Mt Baker and also Mt Rainier at 4,392 metres, both clothed in sparkling snow. The loop we hiked was again spectacular with lots of viewpoints, views over to Vancouver and beyond. (6.6 km; 3½ hours)  We then hiked the trails at Burgoyne Bay to Daffodil Point, a few houseboats in the bay. (3.2 km; 1 hour)  Returned to Ganges later in the afternoon in order to give us a little time to look at the shops in Ganges. Another delicious dinner at night prepared by the second team.

Day three, started with breakfast and then drove to the north picking up the Channel Ridge Trails. This 15km trail system with some challenging sections, beautiful arbutus groves that took our breath away. Some workouts that made us ready for our lunch on the trail. Some pretty view points, however, most were hidden by tree tops. (7.2 km; 3 hours)   We then drove to the Andreas Vogt Nature Reserve, a beautiful experience with a number of glorious Garry Oak Groves, many younger Garry Oaks were protected from deer etc. This was truly one of our favourites. (2.6 km; 1½ hours)   At night we decided to eat at Moby’s Pub, joining the locals in good food and music.

Day four, started with breakfast, packed up our belongings and cleaned. Most then drove to walk at Duck Creek Park, a shaded creek with a lovely open meadow providing a sweet 40 minute walk. Onto the ferry line-up at Vesuvius in order to take us across to Vancouver Island.

This was indeed a wonderful four days on Salt Spring Island. What made it so wonderful would be that each day was filled with sunshine, a great group of hikers, the beautiful heritage home on the beach, the delicious food and fantastic trails and views. Lets do it again!

Margot

See below the photos for the bird list.  Note Peregrine Falcon!

(click on photos to view larger)

Song Sparrow Chestnut-sided Chickadee
Common Merganser Hooded Merganser
Trumpeter Swan Golden-crowned Kinglet
Bufflehead Common Goldeneye
Common Raven Bald Eagle
Mew Gull California Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull American Wigeon
Dark-eyed Junco Double Crested Cormorant
Northwest Crow Pacific Wren
Black Oystercatcher American Robin
Peregrine Falcon Turkey Vulture
Red Crossbill Spotted Towhee
Red Breasted Sapsucker Red Breasted Nuthatch
Belted Kingfisher European Starling
Northern Flicker Hairy Woodpecker
Grouse Varied Thrush

Multi-day Hiking – Salt Spring Island – 30 Jan – 2 Feb 2017

Trip Report – Salmon Pt to Oyster River – 24 Jan 2017

Posted on by
Reply

Six of us met at Salmon Point Resort for lunch at noon. This is something we had not tried before but was a good social outing. If you have not tried this restaurant you should. It has a great view to Mitlenatch Island and the coastal mountains beyond. They have lunch specials. Their seafood chowder in a bread bowl as well as the calamari is delicious.

After lunch we walked from the resort to the Oyster River. This time of year the trail head can be covered with water but the resort lets the public go through the trailer park sites. Dogs must be leashed. The low land at the first of the walk is a great place to bird watch. We saw many birds, ducks and some trumpeter swans. Last summer much of the trail was moved closer to the ocean and covered with bark mulch. At the south end you go into the Oyster River Nature Park. It is only a 12 acre park but has many small trails. Be careful near the river as part of the path was eroded during the heavy rains. If it is a cold day or you want a break you can stop at the Fisherman’s Pub. We returned to the vehicles via the same route. It was about 6.5 km and took 2 hours.

Les

(click on photos to view larger)

Hiking – Salmon Pt to Oyster River – 24 Jan 2017

Trip Report – Morte Lake & Dead Fish – 18 Jan 2017

Posted on by
Reply

The trip to Salmon Point was postponed due to rain, wind and fog on Wednesday morning. Having rained more than 50mm in the last two days, it was really wet out. However, five hardy souls decided to substitute a more sheltered walk and headed out. We walked to the eastern beach at Morte Lake. The trail was quite wet and has seen some erosion with the winter rains. All of the creeks and waterfalls were very active. The group was keen to continue so we walked around the east end of the Lake, hiking up Nirvana and Seven Deadly Sins to the open bluff. We had a watercolour view from there of nearby hills and Discovery Passage before heading down Dead Fish to make a loop returning to the vehicles. This is a lovely walk through open forest, including lakes, creeks and views. The rain diminished and there was a bit of blue sky by the time we finished. 7.3 km; 2½ hours.

Debbie

(click on photos to view larger)

 

 

Trip Report – Haskin’s Farm Loop – 11 Jan 2017

Posted on by
Reply

 

We had a beautiful, sunny, cold day for this hike to Haskin’s Farm. We had planned for a simple walk due to snow and ice on trails and roads. However, conditions near sea level were quite good. Seven of us improvised a bit on the plan. We started on the logging road which parallels the Haskin’s Farm Trail, making a nice alley through impressive trees, but skipping the farm. We visited the short Todd’s Loop Trail (a memorial to Todd Scharf), passing through a varied forest, and then continued on to the shoreline viewpoint. Everyone admired the view of Sutil Channel and mainland mountains, soaked up sunshine and warmth before continuing on the unofficial trail heading north along the shore to some excellent old growth Fir. We skirted the private homes and walked up to the golf course for some walking in open spaces with sunshine. 6.4 km; 2 hours.

Debbie

(click on photos to view larger)

Hiking – Haskin’s Farm Loop – 11 Jan 2017

Trip Report – Mt Washington – 4 Jan 2017

Posted on by
Reply

We had a perfect winter day for our trip to the Mt. Washington area. It was cold and clear, but warmer on the hill than on Quadra. The ferry crossing was beautiful and there were Orca for added entertainment. We snowshoed from Rampart Hill and arrived early enough that it was not too busy. The 10 of us started up the logging road, taking the route climbing up to the views of the Strait of Georgia and mainland mountains. The scenery was awesome and we’re pretty sure that we could see Mt. Baker faintly to the southeast. The snow had been beautifully sculpted in places, but was mostly very light and powdery still. We gradually worked our way toward Rampart Creek, stopping for lunch in the open sunshine before climbing up to a distinctive steep bluff. We then downclimbed a steep slope with small trees and returned to the logging road to take us back to the vehicles. We passed only a few others on snowshoes and some of them were from Quadra. Altogether a beautiful day. 6.0 km ; 3½ hours.

Debbie

(click on photos to view larger)

Snow – Mt Washington 4 Jan 2017

Trip Report – Granite Bay Rd Jct – 30 Dec 2016

Posted on by
Reply

Ten enthusiastic hikers set out on a beautiful winter day. We walked two short loops, a bit like a figure of eight. We started on the trail along Open Bay Creek where there was quite a bit of snow and many puddles, but great views of the creek in a fairly open forest. We followed the flagged route up to the second logging road and returned to the vehicles. We then started down icy Open Bay Main, turning up the second mountain bike trail and following that up a fairly steep trail to the Granite Bay Rd. We had lunch at the logging road leading to the recently harvested cut block and then took the Crikey Creek mountain bike trail back to Open Bay Main. We enjoyed the sunshine, each other and the great variety in this small area.  6km; 2¼ hours.

Debbie

(click on photos to view larger)

Hike – Granite Bay Rd Jct – 30 Dec 2016

Trip Report – Mt Washington – 6 Dec 2016

Posted on by
Reply

The weather was absolutely fabulous for our first snowshoeing trip of the year. Even the ferry ride was beautiful. The four of us snowshoed from Rampart Hill, following broken trail on the old logging roads and untracked slopes on the open and sunny bluffs. We had light, dry snow on top of very compact snow, so the conditions were good. The views of mainland and Vancouver Island mountains were wonderful.

We worked our way south, stopping for lunch with a Whiskey Jack, dropping down into the steep gully and returning in a loop to the parked car. Although the trail was quiet, it was very busy at Rampart Hill chain-up area, with people snowshoeing, snowmobiling, children sledding, and an enthusiastic husky team pulling a sled. 5.2 km; 2¾ hours.

Debbie

(click on photos to view larger)

Snow – Mt Washington 7 Dec 2016

Trip Report – Heriot Ridge Route – 30 Nov 2016

Posted on by
Reply

Six hikers and Luna dog enjoyed a two and a half hour hike on one of our best weather days this fall.  The trip was delayed until the afternoon to let the rain subside and sky to clear.  Starting at the Thompson trailhead, we hiked Thompson Trail to the Heriot Ridge Trail, following it south along the bluffs.  Facing the sun, hikers got a good dose of much-needed Vitamin D.  Slippery rock was negotiated with care, and a few puddles were skirted around.  We stopped near the Hopespring Trail viewpoint for a breather and admired the views to the west, north and south.   A cold wind blowing from the northwest by then kept us moving on.  At the Hopespring Trail junction we turned west for a short distance on the Hopespring Trail, then onto a route south along an extension of the main ridge to Homewood’s High Bluff Trail.   A short climb took us to the top of High Bluff for a rest, snack and view after bundling up against the wind.  We retraced our route north along the ridge at a different bluff level, then had a pleasant downhill walk to Hopespring Road and back to the vehicles.  The glorious sunshine, at times warming us in sheltered areas, was the highlight of trip.

Janis

(click on photos to view larger)

Hiking – Heriot Ridge Route – 30 Nov 2016