Category Archives: Vancouver Island

Multi-day Hiking – Cowichan Valley – 19-23 April 2026

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Activity Multi-day hiking and camping
Destination Cowichan Valley
Date 19-23 April 2026, Sunday to Thursday; 
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info dmquigg@gmail.com, land 3710, cell 250-850-9848
Description We will most likely stay at Gordon Bay Provincial Park on Cowichan Lake.  It is still first-come-first-served.  There are many amazing destinations in Cowichan Valley and here are a few we will consider: Kinsol Trestle, Mt. Tzouhalem, Maple Mtn coastal Trail, Stoney Hill trail loop, Bald Mtn Park, Old Baldy Mtn, Cobble Hill, Koksilah Ancient Forest.
Meeting Place Gordon Bay Provincial Park (probably)
Arrival Time TBD
Difficulty Moderate, variable 
Cost Ferries, fuel, camping
Trip limits 10
Dogs? No
Notes: Please let the coordinator know if you are interested in this trip.  More information is available about camping and specific activities on request.

Trip Report – Mt. Menzies Lookout – 23 Feb 2026

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This snowshoe trip was rescheduled from the original date due to no snow in the mountains.  It looked bad for the new date too, but then we had a huge snowstorm.  We weren’t sure if chains were required on the Mt. Washington road or if their snowshoe trails would be broken for us, so we opted for Mt. Menzies first lookout instead.  It was a good decision.  Mt. Washington was a zoo, with the resort trying to deal with snow removal and grooming.  There was a lack of parking space for the demand.  On Menzies, we had fresh snow, no crowds and a beautiful spring day.  We made it to the first lookout, enjoyed the view, then decided to do just a bit more before heading back down.  6.4 km, 340m, 3.75 hours.

Norris

(click on photos to enlarge)

Snow – Mt. Washington – 23 Feb 2026

Snow – Mt. Washington – 23 Feb 2026

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Activity Snowshoeing
Destination Mt. Washington
Date 23 Feb, Monday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710
Description We will follow some of the Mt. Washington snowshoe trails leaving from Raven Lodge.  On Friday there are only two snowshoe trails open, but the area is expected to receive significant snowfall over the weekend, increasing the snow base and reducing wet areas.  This may mean the trails are not packed down.  We will adapt to conditions.
Meeting Place Quathiaski Cove Ferry terminal
Departure Time 8:30 ferry
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs Ferry, fuel and day pass (full, weekday, snowshoe pass is $14)
Trip limits 10
Dogs? No
Notes: Bring lunch, well-functioning snowshoes, and gear appropriate for the weather.

Multi-day Hiking – Beaches and Waterfalls – 24-26 March 2026

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Activity Multi-day hiking, camping
Destination Qualicum Area
Date 24-26 March 2026, Tuesday to Thursday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info dmquigg@gmail.com, land 3710, cell 250-850-9848
Description This is partially an experiment in early season camping, hence the short stay and accessible destination.  Not all of the participants need to camp, however.  Final decisions about activities will be made closer to the time of travel.  Activities will include park beach and trail walking, observing wildlife during the herring season, trips to Englishman River Falls, Little Qualicum River and Rosewell Creek Falls.  These are not very challenging objectives, but more could be available in the greater Nanaimo area. if the group were interested.
Meeting Place Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park
Arrival Time TBD
Difficulty Easy 
Cost Ferries, fuel, camping
Trip limits 10
Dogs?  
Notes: Please let the coordinator know if you are interested in this trip.  More information is available about camping and specific activities on request.

Snow – Mt. Washington – 18 Feb 2026

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This trip will not go on Wednesday.  Contact the coordinator.

Activity Snowshoeing
Destination Mt. Washington or maybe somewhere else
Date 18 Feb, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710
Description The plan to start at Raven Lodge is in limbo as all of the Nordic trails have been closed since Feb 8.  Mt. Washington may re-open the Old Cabin Loop, but that is very short for the effort to get there.  Nonetheless, there may be useable snow for the first time in about a month, and it is fairly likely that there will be a “snow” trip.
Meeting Place Quathiaski Cove Ferry terminal
Departure Time 8:00 ferry
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs Ferry, fuel and Nordic day pass
Trip limits 10
Dogs? No
Notes: We will not do this trip in the rain or if the snow conditions are inadequate.  Bring lunch and gear appropriate for the weather.

Trip Report – Baikie Island – 10 Nov 2025

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Five of us met on the 10 o’clock ferry to start our 3.5 km walk at River Village Park at the foot of Spruce Street. Lots of work has been done there, as it is now the beginning of a much larger walk (7.2km) walk called Quinny’s Quest. After dealing with a flat tire, we got a late start and followed the road across the bridge and along the Campbell River to Baikie Island Nature Preserve. All of the trees we saw from last year’s walk have been planted and, even though all the maples had dropped their leaves, it was nice and green for a fall day. The walk was a little over an hour and we were back for lunch after seeing many spawning salmon, a paddle boarder and two new artist sculptures.

There are QR code story stations along the new trail and could be a walk for the future.  The route also includes:
Public art and interpretive signs
Trail map and rest spots
Family-friendly access and wayfinding
Nature, history, and storytelling along the way
Here is the map: CRV_Map_25

Neil U

Thanks to Neil and Les for the photos

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Baikie Estuary – 10 Nov 2025

Hiking – Elk Falls Loop – 6 Nov 2025

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This hike has been cancelled due to weather.

Activity Hiking
Destination Elk Falls – Canyon View trails
Date 6 Nov, Thursday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info 250-287-0459; vicgladish@gmail.com
Description This is a well developed, popular trail that follows the Campbell River along the north shore and into Elk Falls Park and to the Suspension Bridge. We will have lunch at Elk Falls, and return on the River Trail.
We will start from the parking lot on the north side of the river across the “log” bridge before the Quinsam Campground. TURN RIGHT off of Hwy 28.
Anyone not wanting the full, 4 hr hike, could loop back to the starting point when we get to the bridge.
Meeting Place Q Cove Ferry terminal
Departure Time 9:30 ferry
Difficulty Moderate
Costs Ferry costs
Trip limits None
Dogs? On leash; warning.. the ramps and bridge at Elk Falls are made of metal grids that are hard on dogs’ feet
Notes: Bring lunch. We will hike at a leisurely pace to really enjoy this beautiful area. (fall colours?) Unless extreme weather, we will at least do the Canyon View Trail. About 2 – 4 hours, 5 – 10 km depending on route. Carpooling from the ferry parking lot will be attempted. Drivers should arrive to be in line for the 0930.Elk Falls Park/Trails Map here: https://nrs.objectstore.gov.bc.ca/kuwyyf/elk_falls_parking_trails_map_68efc975fd.pdf

Hike – Baikie Island and lunch – 10 Nov 2025

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Activity Hike and lunch
Destination Baikie Island
Date 10 Nov. 2025, Monday
Trip Coordinator Neil Unwin
Contact Info neilunwin08@gmail.com
Description We can meet on the ferry and drive to our starting point.  The walk will be about 4.5 km.
Debriefing to be held at More Eatery for lunch
Meeting Place QCove ferry terminal
Departure Time 10:00 ferry
Difficulty
 Easy
Costs Ferry and lunch at More Eatery
Trip limits 10
Dogs? Okay
Notes:

Trip Report – Mt. Elma – 25 Sept 2025

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Nine of us took advantage of an overcast, but gentle day to make this lovely hike to Mt. Elma.  It has been a very dry summer on the Forbidden Plateau and the autumn colours were not as intense as some years, but deep reds nonetheless.  We walked through Paradise Meadows on the boardwalk and continued up to Battleship Lake where we admired the views from the various platforms.  We carried on past Kooso and Lady Lake before turning off on the now well worn trail up to Mt. Elma.  The route is increasingly steep as it nears the ridge and then flattens out as it meanders through the excellent sub-alpine terrain with great views and foliage.  We stopped for lunch at the south end of the ridge and managed to eat most of what we had brought, in spite of very aggressive Canada Jays.  We returned via Helen Mackenzie Lake to make the trip more varied and then were quickly back to the parking lot.  As we reached the vehicles, we saw Sandhill Cranes flying overhead and circling around. 14.7 km; 500m elevation gain; 6¼ hours.

Debbie

Thanks to Carrie, Jim and Norris for the photos

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Mt. Elma – 25 Sept 2025

Hiking – Mt. Elma, Strathcona Park – 25 Sept 2025

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The date for this hike has been changed!

Activity Hiking
Destination Mt. Elma, Strathcona Park
Date 25 Sept 2025, Thursday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info dmquigg@gmail.com or 3710; Please contact the coordinator by Monday evening.
Description We will hike from Raven Lodge up to Battleship Lake and continue on the Forbidden Plateau trail, passing Lady Lake.  The trail up Mt. Elma is not an official, maintained trail.   The Mt. Elma summit  is 1,420m and will have good views in all directions, weather permitting.  Approximately 14 km, 420 m elevation gain, 5+ hours.
Meeting Place QCove ferry terminal
Departure Time 8:00 ferry.
Difficulty
 Moderate to challenging
Costs Ferry and fuel
Trip limits 10
Dogs? No
Notes: If you wish to car pool, please make your own arrangements.  We will not do this trip in poor weather.