Category Archives: trip photos

Trip Report – Hope Spring-Thompson Loop – 10 Feb 2016

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This was supposed to be a trip to Mt. Washington, but the conditions again were uncooperative. When they closed the nordic trails at Paradise Meadow because of high water table, we knew that It had been really warm up on the hill for days. So five of us went for a hike from the Hope Spring trailhead, down to the Gowlland Trail and on to Thompson Trail. We admired the old growth Three Sisters and encountered early season newts. The trail was pleasingly dry for winter conditions and the forecast wind and rain didn’t happen until later.

Debbie

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Trip Report – B&B Trail Loop – 3 Feb 2016

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Despite the gloomy forecast for a blustery rainy day, five hikers set out on the Thompson Trail from the Thompson Road trailhead, then branched off to the first marked viewpoint. Although the Coast Mountains were hidden due to the weather, there was still a good view to the east over the islands. From the viewpoint, we followed the open mossy ridge downhill to a forested trail which connected to the B&B Trail. This trail was named for two now defunct Bed and Breakfast establishments in the vicinity of Harper Graham’s corner on Hyacinthe Bay Road, where the trail begins. We turned left (south) on the B&B Trail to an unmarked junction where we branched off on a side trail to the right (north), which led us uphill to a bluff above Hyacinthe Bay Road. We climbed west to the top of the ridge (153 meters altitude which is slightly higher than the Hopespring viewpoints) over mossy open bluffs.   At the top we had a panoramic ocean view to the east and southeast, and forests to the west and south, well worth the effort. We returned on the side trail to the B&B unmarked junction and turned right to carry on uphill (south).   For a good part of its length, the B&B Trail overlooks a rushing stream set in a deep gully. At the Thompson Trail junction we turned left (east) and hiked back to Thompson Road. Total hiking time was approximately 2.5 hours, including time for photos and taking in the views. Hiking level moderately difficult over bluff sections.

Janis

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Hiking – B&B Trail – 3 Feb 2016

Trip Report – WalCan Rd Loop – 27 Jan 2016

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The trip to Mt. Washington was cancelled because conditions were too wet, warm and windy, so four of us braved the forecast rain for a hike. We started at the Morte Lake parking lot and Janis lead us along Lower and Upper Dead Fish through lovely open forest to the rocky bluffs. We continued down Seven Sins and Ridge Trails to the Mud Lake Trail. We crossed the WalCan road and followed Yellow Mud and Jack Rabbit for the return to the parking lot. There was lots of water in the streams and a bit on the trails. The weather was more atmospheric than serious rain and we were glad we went.  6.7 km; 2 hours.

Debbie

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Trip Report – Shellaligan Loop – 20 Jan 2016

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Seven of us, and two dogs, hiked the shorter Shellaligan loop. The weather wasn’t perfect, but it avoided the snow at the north end of the island and rain that was forecast for the afternoon. The views along Hoskyn Channel are always beautiful in any weather. After climbing back up from the beach, we made a side trip down the longer loop trail along the creek and shore to a rocky point for a great snack with Les’ smoked salmon. It’s too bad about the deteriorating aquaculture floats resulting in garbage and styrofoam beads on the shore in Village Bay. A gentle walk – 2¼ hours, 4.7 km.

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Hiking – Shellaligan Loop – 20 Jan 2016

Trip Report – Mt. Washington – 6 Jan 2016

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Four of us snow shoed at Mt. Washington, starting at Raven Lodge. We had mostly misty clouds and quite warm temperatures. We followed Rossiter’s Rise trail untracked, all to ourselves, and then looped back to the Lodge for lunch. In the afternoon we followed Tree Beard’s Trail, Crooked Creek, and part of Old Cabin Loop. There was lots of snow and the accumulated snow on the trees made imaginative shapes. 8.4 km; about four hours.

Debbie

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Snow – Mt. Washington – 6 Jan 2016

Trip Report – Blindman’s Bluff – 30 Dec 2015

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Five of us took advantage of the cold (for here anyway), crisp weather to hike up to the Blindman’s Bluff viewpoints. There was a bit of crunchy snow beneath our feet and blue skies above our heads. The walk started from the collapsed culvert and took about 1.5 hours, 3.3 km total.

Norris

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Hiking – Blindmans’ Bluff – 30 Dec 2015

Trip Report – Mt. Washington – 16 Dec 2015

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We knew that there would be snow, but the good weather was unexpected. Even the ferry ride was gorgeous. The four of us decided to snowshoe from the Rampart Hill chain-up area rather than going to Raven Lodge. The conditions were great: plenty of snow and, at -5° C, it was light and fluffy except where wind-packed. We meandered along a variety of tracked logging roads with excellent views of the mainland mountains. We stopped for lunch on an open knoll where we were pestered by Whiskey Jacks and then continued to ramble over the undulating area. We spent a while in untracked snow and then returned to the cars as the cloud above and below us increased. It was an easy day for the first outing. About 2 ½ hours; 6 km.

Debbie

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Snowshoeing – Mt. Washington – 16 Dec 2015

Trip Report – Ramble Open Bay logging roads – 8 Dec 2015

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On Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2015, three intrepid hikers (Valerie, Norris, and Julie and one dog, Briar) braved the latest storm cycle to explore some of the logging roads in the Open Bay area. Starting point was the junction of Granite Bay Road and Village Bay Lakes Road. A short walk eastward on the old logging road across from the Granite Bay Road, led to (locally named) Beaver Lake, a popular skating destination, now overflowing its banks due to the recent heavy rains. We noted that this lake would make an ideal swim/picnic stop in summer. A flagged route on the east end of the lake beckoned, and we bushwhacked along the route through mature forest for about 45 minutes to reach an impassible creek and waterfalls. As we navigated the wet forests and huge mud puddles, we were rewarded with mild temperatures and the sun peeking through the rising mists. A wider, cut trail led north away from the creek, which led us to a logging road and a reforested clearcut. We followed this road northwards, paralleling the Gravel Pit hill on Village Bay Lakes Road to the west of us. We then turned onto Village Bay Lakes Road and slogged uphill to our cars, completing a two hour excursion. Julie’s shortbread treats for our morning’s efforts were much appreciated. There are many more logging roads in the area to explore which would make good winter (low level) hikes, and Norris noted another flagged route for future outings.

Valerie

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Hiking – Open Bay logging roads – 9 Dec 2015

Trip Report – WalCan Rd Loop – 28 Oct 2015

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We expected rain and wind, but only had overcast and mist – a mild, gentle day. Four of us started at the Morte Lake parking lot and hiked up the main trail toward the lake. We turned off just before Little Morte Lake, crossed a small creek and joined the mountain bike trails. We followed Dead Fish over the saddle and descended to the WalCan Rd on Lost Rider. We crossed the WalCan Rd and took Yellow Mud trail along the creek and through the forest, continuing on to see Wood Duck Lake and the beaver dam. The water was quite high in the lake, there were a few ducks and it was absolutely calm. We returned along Yellow Mud, turned onto Jack Rabbit, crossed the creek and returned to the Morte Lake parking lot. It was a lovely walk for an overcast day. 8.1 km; about two hours.

Debbie

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Trip Report – Heriot Ridge Loop – 22 Oct 2015

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The promised sunshine never happened, but we had a mild, foggy day for this hike with four people. We began on the Hope Spring Trail and then continued on to the mossy bluffs at the south end of Heriot Ridge. We traversed along and then climbed up to the High Bluff, which in better weather has a great view. We descended and took the Homewood trail through the forest travelling more-or-less east. We looped around to meet back up with the Gowlland Trail and continued on to the always impressive Old Growth Grove for lunch. We finished the loop following the Thompson Trail.  There were lots of mushroom and fall leaves.  9.3 km; 3½ hours.

Debbie

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Hiking – Heriot Ridge Loop – 21 Oct 2015