Category Archives: trip photos

Trip Report – Bedwell Lake & Myra Falls – 25-27 Aug 2015

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Five energetic souls headed up to Ralph River Campground. Our first night was settling into this very lovely campground and exploring the local area. Ralph River campground is quite a beautiful campground in that it has large private sites with many very large old growth trees. It is also not very busy especially during the week.

We set out the next morning to do our main hike to Baby Bedwell and beyond. The weather was coolish which was an advantage in our 600 meter elevation gain hike. The trail is man made and quite rough with lots of loose rocks and switchbacks. It passes through many beautiful areas of forest and river crossings before it reaches the sub alpine. We had the joy of sighting a very large black bear having his morning berry pick. He observed us without fear and kept vigilant without stopping his lunch.

We arrived at Baby Bedwell Lake, one of the most beautiful sub alpine areas. A delightful swim and lunch was enjoyed here. Three members of the team carried on to Bedwell Lake campground, a further 2 hour hike. Five tired hikers got back to Ralph River Campground for our usual delightful pot luck dinner. Car camping has its advantages!

The next day, after a more leisurely start and breaking camp, we headed to Upper Myra Falls. This was a delightful 6 km walk through beautiful old growth forest (once we got through the waste lands of the mine) to Upper Myra Falls which was spectacular with its beautiful aqua blue pools.

The group split at this point, some went exploring Lower Myra Falls, while the others sought out a swimming spot on Buttle Lake. It was a very enjoyable three days spent in a very beautiful area so close to home.

Sheelagh

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Hiking – Ralph River – 25-27 August 2015

Trip Report – Nugedzi Lakes & Overlooks – 22 Aug 2015

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The Nugedzi hike is special because there are so many highlights along the way. Six of us hiked up the logging road, passed the lily pond to the viewpoint looking southeast over Rebecca Spit, Georgia Basin and the nearby islands and coast. We continued on through the undulating forest and cedar grove, and stopped for lunch and a swim at Nugedzi Lake. The water levels are significantly lower and the forest is very, very dry. After lunch we hiked out to the viewpoints over Discovery Passage toward Vancouver Island. On the return trip, we made the short loop to Little Nugedzi Lake. This was a fairly leisurely trip with everyone taking time to enjoy the special scenic points along the way. 5 ½ hours, about 12 km.

Debbie

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Hiking – Nugedzi Lakes – 22 Aug 2015

Trip Report – Channel Rock & Kw’as Park – 18 Aug 2015

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Such a beautiful day, filled with sunshine. Ten individuals attended this trip, we caught the 9:05 a.m. ferry to Cortes Island. We drove to 431 Whaletown Road, parked at Channel Rock parking lot.  Steph (manager) for Channel Rock met us and we walked the lovely path to Channel Rock.  Channel Rock is a 140-acre, off the grid paradise, protected by land covenant, powered by solar energy, and only accessible by boat or by foot.  Steph took us on a tour of Gilean Douglas’s home, which is in need of care and attention.  Our donation went towards this restoration program.  Steph gave us further details of the life of Gilean Douglas during her time on Cortes Island and the present owners.  We then toured the gardens and the amazing locally crafted dwellings of Channel Rock.  Each structure fitted into the natural landscape, such beautiful craftsmanship.  We ate our lunch overlooking the stunning coastline and gardens.

Trekked back along the path to the parking area.  We dropped two hikers off at Whaletown Commons and the rest proceed to the Kw’as trails.  This is a large network of trails and we only had the time to cover a small section.  The section we chose took us along the side of Gunflint Lake and through deep old forests, up to high covered bluffs.  We crossed a bridge that gave us a view of Hague Lake and then continued up and over the manzanita covered bluffs.  We stopped a couple of times at different view spots and to read the information boards posted.  This trail is well marked and indeed beautiful. Unfortunately, we did not have the time to hike to the Old Growth area and all decided we need to return for the whole day next time.  It was a pleasure walking in the cool woods on such a hot day.  The group decided to take a side trip to the Co-op for a nice cold beverage and then onto the ferry line-up.

This was truly a rewarding day and again filled with beautiful memories of another visit to Cortes Island. All hikers arrived home safely and we look forward to seeing the pictures.

Lets return again!

Margot

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Hiking – Channel Rock & K’was Park – 18 Aug 2015

Trip Report – Circumnavigate Read Island – 10-13 August 2015

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Monday, August 10
Our group of six (Debbie, Norris, Val, Sheelagh, Lonn and Darcy) launched mid-morning from Discovery Islands Lodge at Surge Narrows in sunny weather with light NW winds. (Thanks to Ralph and Lannie for permission to launch, and to leave our vehicles at the Lodge.) Paddling south toward Viner Point, we took a short lunch break on the north side of the middle King Islet – a rough ‘oyster’ beach, but some potential as a campsite. About 3 p.m. we reached our planned campsite, an abandoned homestead in the second last bay before the Point. As it was still early, some of the group suggested we continue to Lake Bay to check out possibilities there. There is a nice looking campsite at the head of the bay, but as it was occupied, we looked a little further north, then returned to the Viner Point site about 5 p.m. On the way back, we could see humpback whales spouting along the east shore of Quadra Island.

The Viner site has space for 5 or 6 tents in a grove of alders with a couple of small areas on the beach. During supper and through the night, we were entertained (or kept awake….) by fish jumping in the bay, and humpbacks spouting and breaching further off shore. 19 kilometres paddled.

Tuesday
After the early morning humpback show, breakfast, and breaking camp, we launched at 9 a.m. for a beautiful low-tide paddle along the steep shores north of Viner Point. As the wind was forecast to rise to 10-20 by noon with a strong wind warning for late in the day, we took only a short lunch break at Frederic Point (a beautiful site but awkward landing on most tides). It was windy and choppy through Whale Passage, but settled down as we turned the corner and headed north along the east shore of Read Island. Crossing to South Rendezvous Island, we discovered that our hoped for campsite was occupied by a large commercial group. After some discussion, we decided to check out the site on the north end of the island (where some of us had camped in 2014) although landing is difficult except at lower tides. As we arrived at high tide with a northeast wind and rough-ish water, we landed on various ledges and hauled the kayaks well up on the rocks. The main part of the site is a rocky point open to both the east and west – scenic, but exposed. There is also space for tents at the head of the small bay in a dark but sheltered forest. The point has space for 4-5 tents, but ideally 2-3. After a calm evening, the promised wind finally arrived after dark, with most of us scrambling out of tents to batten down the hatches (and save anything hanging out to dry.) Those inclined to wake in the night reported beautiful phosphorescence in the breaking waves.     23 kilometres paddled.

Wednesday
The wind was still blowing on Wednesday a.m. With the challenge of launching boats into the waves and wind, most of us elected to spend the day ashore. Lonn decided to head home, leaving about 9:30. Debbie and Norris, who had landed in a slightly more sheltered spot, took an afternoon paddle around the Rendezvous group, while Val, Sheelagh and Darcy read, snoozed, snacked and chatted until the tide rose sufficiently to move boats around to the head of the bay for launching in the morning.

Thursday
After hauling gear over the rocks, and carrying kayaks over logs and slippery boulders, we launched at 10 a.m. en route to White Rock passage. Sunny, winds light NW. Uneventful paddle back to the Lodge apart from some lively currents near Beazley Passage. Landed at 12:45. 13 kilometres paddled.

Total trip length – 55 kilometres.

Overall, it was a great trip with excellent weather and wildlife viewing. The main challenge is the scarcity of campsites in the area, which makes it difficult to plan an optimal day’s paddle.

Darcy Mitchell, coordinator

 

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Kayaking – Around Read Island – 10-13 August 2015

Trip Report – Granite Bay – 8 July 2015

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A group of six paddlers enjoyed perfect conditions for a tour around Kanish Bay on July 8th. The smokey atmosphere had cleared and we could enjoy the view across the Inside Passage. We made our way out through Chain Islands, then cut across the calm waters of the bay to Granite Point – a destination you can only attempt in such ideal weather. We poked around the point to take a look into Okisollo Passage, then moseyed back along the north shore of Kanish Bay. We had heard that there were pictographs somewhere along the cliffs, and happily we were able to spot a couple of sketchy images in red pigment. Lunch was on a rocky point part way along the shore, followed by a swim at Orchard Bay. It felt like a pretty mellow day, but we covered 18 km in our circuit around Kanish Bay.

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Kayaking –Granite Bay – 8 July 2015

Trip Report – Surge Narrows – 3 July 2015

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We had a group of 10 for this outing on a hot, sunny and very windy day. Of the ten, five had never been on a hike with the QIOC and the ages spanned more than 50 years. We started at Mine Lake, on the big rock, for a swim and lunch. The water was very warm, but there were white caps on the lake. We drove out to the end of the Surge Narrows road. As we visited the community dock, we were treated to a close encounter with an eagle carrying a fish. We hiked along the Surge Narrows trail to the viewpoint, arriving about a half hour before the max flood current of 10.6 knots, which was very impressive. Some of the group continued on the unmaintained route to the next bay and point, with views up toward Okisollo Channel and lots of wind and waves. There was a ground nesting wasp sting and a hurt foot on the return trip, but the victims took it in stride.

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Hiking – Surge Narrows – 3 July 2015

Trip Report – Kayaking Carrington Bay – 23-25 June 2015

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We took the first ferry to Cortes, drove to Sea Vista to launch our kayaks with our camping equipment. We paddled through Plunger Passage, past Coulter Bay, into the Sutil Channel and onto Carrington Bay. This was interesting and at times a little challenging. On arrival at Carrington Bay we set up our tents near the lagoon entrance. A narrow channel through which the tide flows, mixing salt and fresh water. A lovely camping area with many sunny spots with the lagoon for swimming. (Sheelagh and Valerie had a swim at night)

Carrington Bay is home to a significant amount of wildlife, beautiful old growth trees and a network of hiking trails. After setting up camp, we paddled in the bay only, due to strong winds and white caps in the channel. Spent time exploring Carrington Bay. We discovered a huge number of Sea Cucumbers in the lagoon and on other rocky shorelines. The next day we did a marathon of 27.2km, taking in Frederic Point and onto the Penn Islands. Beautiful rock faces, stunning arbutus groves, seals keeping watch, glorious colours……you get the picture. After lunch, we paddled onto Von Donop to explore. Beautiful purple starfish, a welcome treat to us all. We had a couple of showers, however, they were refreshing and light. Moon Jellyfish in an abundance in the Carrington Bay. We arrived back to camp by 5 p.m……a great workout. All dinners were superb, dishes done and into bed early. The weather called for strong winds arriving by noon on Thursday, we decided to get moving early the next morning.  The return paddle was the same route. We took the opportunity to explore Coulter Bay. Arriving in time to take the 1:50 p.m. return ferry. Tired but all very happy kayakers.

A great group of QIOC members………thank you for joining me on one of my favourite islands.  – Margot

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Kayaking – Carrington Bay – 23-25 June 2015

Trip Report – Mt. Becher – 17 June 2015

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After an early start on Wednesday June 17th, five members of the Quadra Island Outdoor Club safely summitted Mt Becher.  Members on outing included two members of the executive committee, Debbie Quigg, Chair and Norris Weimer, Webmaster as well as members at large; Kathy Sales, Kathryn Manry 1st leader, and Mark Zimmerman 2nd leader.

Our adventure started at the mildly post apocalyptic base of the defunct Forbidden Plateau Ski Resort and shortly after gaining that initial summit we enjoyed more pleasant wandering in the subalpine forest. Early vistas included the Gulf of Georgia and an assortment of small islands, towns, villages and hamlets. Halfway to the summit we overlooked Boston Lake, a great spot for a lunch break. Carrying on we summited a bit after mid-day and had our only look at large mammals, a herd of about a dozen folk of various sex and size, all associated with an outdoor group from Parksville.

Great views of the Comox glacier and surrounding peaks were enjoyed from the summit, before our return.

A partial list of flowers observed include the following:

  • Alpine Lupine
  • Subalpine Daisy
  • Yarrow
  • Leatherleaf Saxifrage
  • Partridgefoot
  • Spotted Saxifrage
  • Alaskan Saxifrage
  • Columbia Lewisia
  • Lance-leaved Stonecrop
  • Spreading Stonecrop
  • Twinflower
  • Paintbrush
  • Tiger Lily
  • Spreading Phlox
  • White Flowered Rhododendron
  • Heather
  • Columbine
  • Birds Beak Lousewort
  • Coast Penstemon
  • Rosy Pussytoes
  • Bunchberry
  • Valerian
  • Small Leaved Montia
  • Slender Bog Orchid

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Hiking – Mt. Becher – 17 June 2015

Trip Report – South Heriot Ridge – 10 June 2015

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We left a bit earlier than planned in order to beat the unusual heat. The day was sunny and breezy. The seven of us started out on the Hope Spring trail, turning left at the T-junction on top and then onto open bluffs at the south end of Heriot Ridge. After wandering the bluffs and enjoying the views toward Vancouver Island, we continued east until we joined the Camp Homewood trail to the High Bluff. We stayed awhile and then descended the bluff and took the trail leading east, later veering right to visit the Homewood Bluff, where none of us had ever been. This made a great lunch stop. We once again descended and took the right-hand turn toward Gowlland Trail, which then made a loop back to the Hope Spring Trail. 6.4 km, 3 ½ hours.

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Hiking – South Heriot Ridge – 10 June 2015

Trip Report – Main Lake – 4 June 2015

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Nine happy paddlers left the launch site of Mine Lake in a light wind. It was a glorious day with just enough wind to keep us cool but still make for enjoyable paddling.

We paddled up to the end of Main Lake and easily found the entrance to the narrow passage to Little Main Lake. We made our way up the passage trying to navigate the downed logs and narrowness of the passage. It is a very beautiful serene waterway with lily pads, tall grasses and much evidence of beaver.

Our return trip took us along the opposite shore of the lake to return to the launch site where swimming was enjoyed in the unseasonably warm water. A few brave souls attempted some wet exits and self/assisted rescues.

All in all it was a glorious day in the quiet of the lakes. 15.4 km, 5 ½ hours.

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Kayaking – Village Bay Lakes – 3 June 2015