Category Archives: trip photos

Trip Report – Forbidden Plateau Lakes Loop – 17 Aug 2016

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Eight of us and a dog hiked the lake loop at Forbidden Plateau. The spectacular scenery was made even more wonderful by the absolutely perfect weather. The day was cloudless. We were worried about the heat, but the breeze and optional swimming kept everyone comfortable.

We hiked the loop counter-clockwise beginning at the Visitor Center and moving through Paradise Meadows up to Helen Mackenzie Lake. We hiked up through the rooty, quite wet and somewhat steep forest to the sub-alpine plateau. We had lunch at Mariwood Lake, where it wasn’t even hot enough for anyone to swim. We visited Kwai, Croteau (stopped for swimming), Lady, Kooso and Battleship (more swimming) Lakes, before descending to Paradise Meadows and the car.

There were some mushroom in the forest and a surprising number of wildflowers still in bloom up on the plateau. It was nearly 30° C on the return to Campbell River, but up on the mountain it was perfect.  18.4 km; 7½ hours.

Debbie

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Hike – Forbidden Plateau Lakes Loop – 17 Aug 2016

Trip Report – Village Bay – 10 Aug 2016

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On August 10, five club members and three guests paddled from the beach at Len Road to Village Bay, launching about 10 a.m. The original destination for the day’s trip was Granite Bay/Small Inlet, but a forecast of strong winds suggested we switch to a more protected area. Weather was mainly sunny, with a headwind on the way out, and a corresponding boost on the way back (and a bit of favourable current). We were inspected along the way by some mother seals with pups (as well as gulls, eagles, loons and mergansers). With a lunch break at Village Bay, the trip took 4½ hours with a distance paddled of 16.8 km.

Darcy

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Kayak – Small Inlet – 10 Aug 2016

Trip Report – Maud Island – 3 Aug 2016

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Nine of us walked the trail to Maud Island on a beautiful, warm, summer day.  We arrived at the Ripple Rock viewpoint on Seymour Narrows at the maximum on a flood current of 14.2 knots.  We met a hiking group from Comox on the trail and another group of seven on the trail that day too.  We went out over the Mt. Lolo bluffs and returned by the Salt Water Lagoon.  9.9 km, 4 hours.

Norris

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Hike – Maud Island – 3 Aug 2016

Trip Report – Nugedzi Lakes & Lookouts – 27 July 2016

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The nine of us had a perfect day for the hike to Nugedzi Lakes and lookouts. We started a bit earlier to get up the old logging road before the heat of the day. We stopped at a viewpoint just before the end of the old road with great views to the northeast and then continued on to the Lily Pond and the viewpoint looking southeast. We hiked through the ancient forest arriving at Nugedzi Lake in time for lunch and a swim. We continued on to the viewpoints over Discovery Passage and then retraced our steps, making the loop to Little Nugedzi on the return.   We were quite warm and fairly tired when we reached the parking lot, but had a wonderful day.   11.9 km; 6½ hours.

Debbie

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Hike – Nugedzi – 27 July 2016

Trip Report – Noel’s Pizza Peak – 21 July 2016

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Thursday dawned clear with summer in mind, so five of us set out to Noel’s Pizza Lookout. We started up the steep old logging road between the two Chinese Mountain peaks and continued up along the ridge which forms North Chinese Peak following a lovely flagged route.  When the route reached an old Nugedzi logging road we resumed the steep rough hike to the north side of Beech’s Mountain.  From there another flagged route took us to the Noel’s Pizza viewpoint, with great views overlooking Morte Lake and points from south to west to north.  We then took another flagged route to the summit of Beech’s Mountain for more views, including to the east.  From there, the official trail takes us back down the ridge which forms South Chinese Mountain.  8.3 km, 5 hours.

Norris

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Hike – Noel’s Pizza Peak – 21 July 2016

Trip Report – Morte Lake Mtn Bike Trails – 20 July 2016

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The weather forecast for Wednesday wasn’t great, but when we woke up in the morning it was raining pretty hard. Since the scheduled hike to Noel’s Pizza Peak is a hike to a viewpoint, we decided to postpone that for a day and hike some of the Morte Lake area mountain bike trails instead.  The rain stopped and five of us had a great walk on these wonderful trails.  Lower Deadfish, Upper Deadfish, Lost Rider, Stinky Beaver, Straight as a Dime, Back Door, Plaything, Yellow Mud, and Jack Rabbit.  11.0 km, 4 hours.

Norris

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Trip Report – Newton Lake – 13 July 2016

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Six enjoyed the peaceful walk to Newton Lake.  Half of us had a swim in the clear, turquoise water.  And we were all grateful (locals and visitors) to spend the day in such a pristine place.  We had the lake all to ourselves.

Julie

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Hike – Newton Lake – 13 July 2016

Trip Report – Paddle Training – 29 June 2016

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On June 29, nine club members fell out of their kayaks – repeatedly. But with demonstrations and coaching by trainer Douglas Taylor, assisted by his wife, Penny, everyone got back in – repeatedly.

Organized through Coast Mountain Expeditions, the session provided an introduction to assisted kayak rescue and self-rescue for those without previous training, and a refresher and practice for more experienced paddlers. Participants took part in one of two 3-hour blocks, which included a review of kayak safety requirements, discussion of how to rig kayaks to facilitate rescue (e.g. good deck lines rigged loosely enough to grab easily), and a brief demonstration of bracing technique. Most time was spent, however, on the proper way to “wet exit” (after working up the nerve to voluntarily turn upside down….), and to safely and efficiently re-enter the boat either with the help of another kayaker, or with the use of a paddle and paddle float as an outrigger. Doug provided a handout on the steps in self- and assisted rescue which will soon be available in digital form for any club member who wishes one. Please contact Darcy at darcm@telus.net to request your copy.

The weather and water conditions at Mine Lake were perfect – warm air and water, sunny and a slight breeze – great for training, but probably not the most likely conditions for a real capsize. Doug emphasized the need to practice rescue techniques regularly so that the kayaker develops ‘muscle memory’ that will be there when needed for the real thing.

Participants agreed that annual training and practice are vital both for individual paddlers, and to build a cohort of club members with confidence in each other’s skills and knowledge.

Thanks to Lannie at Coast Mountain and trainers Doug and Penny for a very worthwhile day.

Darcy and Valerie

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Kayaking – Paddle Training – 29 June 2016

Trip Report – Open Bay Main Logging Roads – 22 June 2016

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Despite the downpour the night before, 5 hikers accompanied by one friend of the canine persuasion braved the wet woods for a day of pleasant rambles. The original plans to explore down from Beaver Lake were altered to avoid much bushwhacking in the wet woods. The first ramble began from a logging road at the bottom of Gravel Pit Hill beside the full creek flowing south towards Open Bay. The area appears to be a second growth riparian zone, the rich forest included thick outcrops of Devil’s Club in bloom, all varieties of ferns and two frogs (Pacific Tree Frogs?) on the trail. The trail veered away from the creek up to one of the many logging roads in the area. We crossed the road and followed the flagged route up through a more recently logged second growth to a higher logging road which we followed back out to the junction where our cars were parked.

We opted to drive to the trailhead to Stramberg Lake, taking Open Bay Main just after a fully-loaded logging truck pulled out, heading towards Granite Bay. We parked at the orange gate and followed the logging road east for about 10 minutes, branching off onto an old logging road trail which we followed for about 15 minutes. We found the northerly trail down to Stramberg Lake, but it was quite overgrown with some deadfalls. The final few hundred meters required some bushwhacking (sorry, Emily and Jess) to reach the lakeshore. After a short break on the sandy beach enjoying the tranquil view, we retraced our path back to our cars. We had walked for almost 4 hours, enjoying the lush, damp woods so full of life after the early summer rains. 7.6 km

Valerie

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Hike – Open Bay Logging Roads – 22 June 2016