Category Archives: trip photos

Trip Report – Powell River – 21-24 Mar 2025

Posted on by
Reply

The 2025 multi-day hike in Powell River was exceptional based on the weather forecast predicting rain, rain and more rain. Yet, seven enthusiastic hikers deciding to go regardless of the forecast and we were rewarded with three great days of hiking.

Friday: The group travelled to Powell River on the 10am ferry and wasted no time in exploring the trails.  On day one of a three-day hiking getaway in Powell River seven of us hiked the Lost Lake Loop which is accessed from Inland Lake Provincial Park. The loop is a small part of the Sunshine Coast Trail, which winds for 185 km and can be accessed via potholed logging roads in many locations. The hike was 8 km through a lovely sun dappled mossy forest with amazing cedar trees, and nice lake views. The trail was easy on the knees and soft on the feet, and the lake showed evidence of a healthy beaver population.

(click on photos to view larger)

Saturday – Our second day had the best weather forecast, so we planned TWO hikes. The first was Scout Mountain. We started on Sutherland Avenue to get to the Sunshine Coast Trail, and then we went southeast. It was a gentle climb through mossy trees and some open views until we reached the summit trail. We went counterclockwise and we’re so glad we did! There’s a steep climb before the summit. There was a bench to sit on at the top, and we were rewarded with amazing views in the sunshine. From the top, you can see wide-open views of Georgia Strait north and south, as well as Powell Lake. After a short break, we descended and took in more inspiring scenery. It was 5.5 km and 2¾ hours.

Next, after lunch, we explored Stillwater Bluffs, which is all on private land. The start of this trail is at a private residence, so you need to park back by the mailboxes. This is a gentle walk through the forest to the ocean. Here you can enjoy the ocean views before continuing on to the many open bluffs and breathtaking views north and south, or west to Texada Island. Partway there is a stone throne to sit on and enjoy the views. You go up and down many times on large rock formations along the coast, and then you return through the trees. It was 4 km and 1¾ hours.

Sunday – Day three we explored Blackwater Creek Trail which was a well groomed, excellently marked, beautiful forest hike to Kelly and David Lam Falls. There are gentle inclines and declines along this shaded hike. The trail features flush creeks, greenery, and a few picnic tables as well as a wooden observation deck at the waterfall. Part of the trail is called Green Road with is amply named for the lush moss, trees and undergrowth. We decided to start our hike in the early afternoon to allow the weather pattern to pass, and were rewarded with only a slight mist. Overall, we travelled 6.5 km and 2½ hrs on this creek trail.

The multi-day trip was a success thanks to everyone in the group that either helped with planning the hikes, connecting with the information center, taking pictures, prepping meals, creating parts of the trip report, but most importantly working together as a coherent group.

Louise and the team

Thanks to Jim, Carrie, Les, Norris and passing strangers for the photos

Multi-day Hiking – Powell River – 21-24 Mar 2025

Trip Report – Shellaligan Loop – 24 Feb 2025

Posted on by
Reply

On a partially sunny day four hikers and two dogs set out to do the shorter loop counter clockwise. The rocks were wet, but trail was in good shape. The ocean views with the snowy mountain peaks in the distance are very picturesque on this shoreline walk. We paused on the Village Bay rocky point for the views up Hoskyn channel. We did not stay long as there was a cool breeze coming off the water. The group then continued down the shoreline and up the hill to the fork in the trail. From here we traveled down the gully and over the bridge. The creek was running fast and high. We continued on to the oyster farm where we enjoyed a lunch while watching the birds. After we returned back up the hill and to our vehicles.  (4.5 km and 2½ hours)

Les

Thanks to Les and Valerie for the photos

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Shellaligan Loop – 24 Feb 2025

Trip Report – Plumper and Deepwater Bays – 12 Feb 2025

Posted on by
Reply

Eight of us met on a crisp dry morning with the remains of six or so inches of snow on some of the access roads to Plumper. We parked at the familiar Maud island parking lot and headed out at 0°C. The trail was patchy but easy to follow as a quad had left tracks for us to follow. The temperature remained close to zero making the trails compact and easy to walk on.
From Plumper Bay it was decided to do a quick trip to Deepwater Bay and enjoy the view. Lots of beach debris had been collected and we were happy to collect a bit more. We returned for lunch on the sunny side at Plumper Bay and were not disappointed as the sea was nearly calm and the sun was shining. We also met Mel as he was enjoying a grilled hot dog before he went back to clearing trails. We followed the shore for a bit and were pleasantly surprised by 40 to 50 merganser ducks taking off. Then we returned to the trail and back to our cars which completed our less than 10 km walk.

Neil

Thanks to Neil and Norris for the photos

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Plumper and Deepwater Bays – 12 Feb 2025

Trip Report – Nymph Falls to Comox Lake – 27 Jan 2025

Posted on by
Reply

This was a very popular hike because we had never done it before and the weather was beautiful and crisp.  Thirteen of us took the ferry and then drove to the Comox Valley, parking at the Nymph Falls Nature Park.  We briefly walked down stream along the Puntledge River to view the falls, with its rock ledges and wide span.  We then followed the well constructed and maintained trail upstream to the weir, past the islands, through the mature forest and meandering trail, arriving at the dam.

Conveniently, there were picnic tables mostly in the sun for our lunch.  We wandered out to the bridge on the Comox Main logging road for a narrow view of Comox Lake and watched a guy jump into the frigid January water.  We then turned back and mostly returned by the same route, with a few short-cuts.  The group enjoyed the great weather, easy walking, the new scenery and the sociability. 14.2 km; 4½ hours.

Debbie 

Thanks to Jim and Norris for the photos

(click on photos to view larger)

Hiking – Nymph Falls to Comox Lake – 27 Jan 2025

Trip Report – Heriot Ridge Loop – 22 Jan 2025

Posted on by
Reply

Twelve people and one dog hiked the Heriot Ridge Route on an overcast day.  We admired the views from the Heriot Ridge viewpoint and followed the undulating path through sparse forest and open, mossy bluffs.  The trail was very slippery in some places.  Most of the group had lunch on the last viewpoint, facing north with good views of Hyacinthe Bay. There were a few issues, which were a good heads-up to avoid complacency and to return to stricter protocols.  (Usually 5.8 km and 2 hours)

Norris

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Heriot Ridge Loop – 22 Jan 2025

Trip Report – Little Black Dress-Silk Stocking loop – 15 Jan 2025

Posted on by
Reply

Four of us hiked the loop Little Black Dress, Back Door, Silk Stockings (counter-clockwise) on an overcast, cool day.  The rocks were a bit slippery, but the moss was bright green, the bluffs lovely and the trail was in mostly good condition.  We enjoyed both of the old copper mining sites and artifacts.  Stopping for lunch on an open mossy bluff, we raised a glass to Diana while sharing some memories.  The loop took us twice by the forest lake with high water, an impressive beaver dam, but no sign of beavers.  (6.8 km; 3¼ hours)

Debbie

Click on photos to enlarge
 

Hiking – Little Black Dress-Silk Stocking Loop – 15 Jan 2025

Trip Report – Maud Island – 6 Jan 2025

Posted on by
Reply

On the first day with sun in many weeks, six hikers set off for Maud Island. As we started down the gentle slope, we were amazed at how thick and green the moss was in the trees and on the ground from all the heavy rains. There were also many trees down on the trail from the high winds. We took the Mt. Lolo route on the way out to get a view. When we got to the viewpoint, there was some fog though, so the view was limited, but still serene.

We descended the hill and continued on to the causeway. As we started up the hill on Maud, we could see where a large Cat had been brought off a barge and walked up the hill. After lunch, we discovered that it had replaced the first large wooden pole after the power-lines come across Seymour Narrows.

We arrived at the rock ledge just before max ebb current so we’re able to watch the fast flowing water and whirlpools as we ate lunch. We were also treated to three sea lions that were playing below us.

After lunch, we returned to the vehicles via the lower route. Again, there were many trees down on this trail. There was also one area where the woodpeckers had been working over a tree to the point that the trail was all covered with wood chips.  (10.5 km, 4.5 hours)

Les

Thanks to Les, Jim and Norris for the photos.

Click on photos to enlarge
 

Hiking – Maud Island – 6 Jan 2025

Trip Report – Haskin Farm and Golf Course Loop – 23 Dec 2024

Posted on by
Reply

Five people took advantage of the partial sunny day and went for a comfortable hike. We went down Haskin Farm Trail to the beach and enjoyed the sun for a moment, then back up the hill and across Fircrest Trail. Along this portion, we enjoyed the partial ocean views toward Cortes and the old growth Fir. We circled the new housing development at the golf course and then went down to the clubhouse. We took a moment here to look at the mini golf course and all the wonderful driftwood sculptures that have been put by the course. As we circled the golf course we enjoyed how wonderful the greens and fairways are still looking. We traveled partially on Fircrest Trail again and then went up Todd’s Trail and back to the vehicles . (7.6 km and 2½ hours)

Les

Thanks to Les for the photos

Click on photos to enlarge
 

Trip Report – Blenkin Park Loop – 9 Dec 2024

Posted on by
Reply

Seven of us had a lovely day of sun and cloud, sandwiched between days with lots of rain and wind.  We had 46mm of rain in the previous 24 hours, so we knew that the trail would be very wet, and it was.  The purpose of the walk was not to go as directly as possible, but to walk as many of the trails as possible in two hours.  We started out on the old wide path which crosses to the Heriot Bay Road and then circled back to admire the old Big Leaf Maple on the historic homestead.  We tried to avoid the worst of the wet-walk by not going along the marsh.  We took the Sheppard and Black Jack Trails, with short sections of the Homestead Trail, leading to the Swale Trail.  This is a beautiful, open under-storey forest.  The creek, which is usually dry, was very active.  After the walk we had lunch at the Community Centre, with a few more people joining the group.  We enjoyed the great variety of food and refreshments that the group had brought and had a very social gathering.  It was great to walk in the forest and to see everyone on these short, dark days in December.  (6.7 km; 2 hours)

Debbie

(click on photos to view larger)

Hiking – Blenkin Park Loop – 18 Dec 2024

Trip Report – Big Tree Woodlot Loop – 9 Dec 2024

Posted on by
Reply

The Outdoor Club hadn’t done this hike for six years.  The day was better than forecast for the eight of us who headed out on these logging roads.  We began at the big painted sign showing the trails and highlights of the Big Tree Woodlot.  We then meandered through recent cut blocks and forest over to the access roads from Open Bay Main and then east into Main Lake Park.  We followed the more enclosed forest trail, taking a side trail down to the view of Stramberg Lake.  We returned to an open area of the woodlot for lunch and then continued on the curving roads, following a newly constructed short-cut back to the Bold Point paved road and the quick return to the vehicles. 

This is a simple and easy hike, with a surprising amount of variety in the forest and environment. (7.1 km; 2½ hours)

Debbie

(click on photos to view larger)

Hiking – Big Tree Woodlot Loop – 9 Dec 2024