Category Archives: Vancouver Island

Trip Report – Snowden Demonstration Forest – 7 Oct 2020

Posted on by
Reply
Eight hikers enjoyed a lovely fall day (possibly the last lovely fall day…) in the Snowden Demonstration Forest.  Starting from the Lost Lake parking lot (about 20 minutes from the ferry terminal), we walked the Lost Lake loop  – a pleasant and generally easy trail, with a good variety of fungi, lichen and moss.  After a short snack break at the picnic area (south end of the lake), we walked Mudhoney Pass, to complete the outing.  10.1 km; 3¼ hours.
 
 
The Demonstration Forest has an extensive network of biking/hiking trails, with several access points.  We took mainly level trails, but there are many with more ups and downs over rocky bluffs.  The coordinator stumbled onto one of these the next day, a black rated trail that looked, at first blush, like a shortcut….
 
Darcy 

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Snowden Demonstration Forest – 7 Oct 2020

 

Hiking – Elk Falls Loop – 21 Oct 2020

Posted on by
1

Activity Hiking
Destination Elk Falls Loop
Date 21 Oct 2020, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info 285-3710 or debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca.  Please contact the coordinator by Monday.
Description The plan is to hike the full loop beginning at the logging bridge across the Campbell River.  We will hike along the north shore of the River, across the Canyon View Bridge, along the Millennium Trail up to the Elk Falls viewing area, beyond to Moose and Deer Falls, before heading back down on the south side of the River.  We have not done this hike since the completion of the BC Hydro construction project.  About 12 km and 5 hours, if we do the full loop.
Meeting Place Q Cove Ferry terminal.  Drivers will need to be early enough to be on the ferry.
Departure Time 9:00 ferry
Difficulty
 A few steep places, but mostly reasonable walking on good trails.
Costs Ferry costs
Trip limits Eight
Dogs?
Notes: Bring lunch and gear for weather. COVID protocol in effect.

Hiking – Paradise Meadows, Strathcona Park – 16 Sept 2020

Posted on by
Reply

This trip was cancelled due to smoke.

Activity Hiking
Destination Paradise Meadows, Strathcona Park
Date 16 Sept, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Valerie van Veen
Contact Info 250 285 2329 vvv@qisland.ca; contact coordinator by Monday evening, Sept 14
Description We will hike around Paradise Meadows … no particular destination, just fresh air and exercise, a chance to enjoy a late summer day in beautiful Strathcona, maybe some wildflowers out, maybe some blueberries still around. A lake swim an option if good weather. Bring lunch, dress for mountain weather.
Meeting Place QCove ferry terminal
Departure Time 9:00 ferry
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs Ferry and fuel
Trip limits 10
Dogs? Must be on leash in the Park
Notes: Must contact coordinator by Monday evening, Sept 14. Trip depends on weather, cancelled if rain.

Hiking – Snowden Demonstration Forest – 7 Oct 2020

Posted on by
1

This hike is FULL

Activity Hiking
Destination Snowden Demonstration Forest
Date 7 Oct, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Darcy Mitchell
Contact Info mitchelldarcy51@gmail.com (preferred)  or 250 923 5540. Please let the coordinator know that you are coming on the hike no later than Monday, October 5.
Description Day hike in Snowden Demonstration Forest, north of Campbell River. Several trail options are available; we will likely take a loop trail of about 2 – 2.5 hours duration.
Meeting Place Ferry lineup Q. Cove (Hike starts at Lost Lake parking lot )
Departure Time 9:00 a.m. ferry for 9:45 departure at Snowden
Difficulty
 Easy
Costs Ferry
Trip limits 6
Dogs? No
Notes: If people are comfortable with car pooling (masks, sanitizer, passengers in back seat), the coordinator can pick up 2 passengers at the Campbell River ferry terminal.

Trip Report – Sandy Island Marine Park – 3 Sept 2020

Posted on by
Reply

Five club members were joined by three paddlers from Campbell River for a pleasant trip on a calm, sunny day. Leaving from the Union Bay boat launch about 10:00 a.m., we crossed to Sandy Island and stopped for lunch, before paddling to the end of the sandspit. We enjoyed the sight of many seals and their pups on the beach and in the water. It was a hot afternoon when we returned to Union Bay, just after low tide.  15.3 km; 4¾ hours.

Darcy

(click on photos to enlarge)

Kayaking – Sandy Island Marine Park – 3 Sept 2020

Trip Report – Rampart Hill – 18 Mar 2020

Posted on by
Reply

We had beautiful spring conditions to snowshoe from Ramparts Hill.  Warm and sunny, with good spring snow.  We headed steeply up the hill from the parking area until we reached the open bluff with great views of the Forbidden Plateau mountains.  We wandered along wide and narrow paths as well as untracked snow.  We meandered down to another great viewpoint where we stopped for lunch.  We continued on looking for the old cabin, but another group told us we wouldn’t find it because it has burned down.  A piece of history gone.  We continued east and south, with better views of the BC mainland mountains.  In total we had views through about 270° from Mt. Albert Edward to Mt. Waddington.  This was a beautiful day at a superb area for snowshoeing.  The terrain and views couldn’t be better.  6.3 km, 3 hours 

Debbie

(click on photos to enlarge)

Snow – Mt. Washington – 18 Mar 2020

Snow – Mt Washington – 18 March 2020

Posted on by
1

 

Activity Snow sports
Destination Mt. Washington area
Date 18 March 2020, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Quadra Island Outdoor Club
Contact Info Please e-mail to qioutdoorclub@gmail.com by Sunday.
Description  The Mt. Washington resort is closed as of March 16th due to coronavirus.  We would probably go to Ramparts Hill and snowshoe.  We are watching the conditions closely as there is not a great deal of snow this year, but it should be sunny.  Car pooling will be limited and at the discretion of the driver.
Meeting Place Q-Cove Ferry; Drivers need to be on time to make the busy 9:00 AM sailing.
Departure Time 9:00 AM ferry from Quathiaski Cove
Difficulty
 Moderate, depending on the group
Costs Ferry and fuel.
Trip limits The limit is usually the number of cars driving up.  Cars should have chains available, if conditions warrant.  Car pooling will be at the discretion of the driver to maintain social distance.
Dogs?
Notes: Bring gear for the conditions and lunch.  Rental equipment is not available if we go to Ramparts Hill.

 

Trip Report – Ucluelet-Tofino – 3-6 Feb 2020

Posted on by
Reply

On Monday, eight of us drove out to Ucluelet on a beautiful sunny day. The road through the mountains along Highway 4 was lovely with snow. After dropping off our gear at the vacation rental we had an afternoon walk in the remaining sun. We walked into the Pacific Rim National Park and explored Half Moon and Florencia Bays. The stairs down to the beaches are steep and there was occasional snow along the way and ice on the steps. The firm sand was great to walk on and the sunny views were great. (9.9 km; 3 h) Some of the group explored Ucluelet before dinner. We had an amazing dinner followed by a song circle. The big four bedroom house slowly warmed up with the furnace and big woodstove.

On Tuesday we went again to the National Park. We had hard, cold rain all day. It was cold comfort that it was snowing back on Quadra. We hiked to the north end of Florencia Bay and on to South Beach following the Nuu-chah-nulth Trail. The forest was beautiful, but the ice on the boardwalk was thick and extensive. It was a slow walk. We stopped for lunch on a covered walkway at the Wickaninnish Centre (which was closed). We looped back to the car along the road, taking time to explore the very interesting Bog Trail. About half the group continued on to hike the Rainforest Loop, with amazing boardwalk through old growth forest. (10.9 km; 4¼ h) We had another wonderful dinner, played games and socialized by the fire.

On Wednesday morning we were greeted by Trumpeter swans on the inlet in front of the house. The weather moderated to a warm mist. We hiked two loops along the Wild Pacific Trail at Ucluelet. We started with the lighthouse loop, enjoying the dramatic rock bluffs and waves. We stopped for lunch at the picnic area at Big Beach and then continued on to a loop further north including the Artist Loop, the Rocky Bluffs and the Ancient forest. (10.4 km; 4¾ h) These are beautifully constructed and maintained trails with exceptional views. This last night we ate out, which was memorable.

Thursday brought more rain and the return trip to Quadra was made slower by the road closure on Highway 4. We had a great group visiting an extraordinary part of the world. The weather was a challenge, but it was still beautiful and it kept down the crowds.

Debbie

(click on photos to enlarge)

Multi-day Hiking – Ucluelet-Tofino – 3-6 Feb 2020

Trip Report – Mt. Washington – 22 Jan 2020

Posted on by
Reply

Nine of us ventured out to Mt. Washington with the forecast a bit sketchy for travelling and the snow expected to turn to rain in the evening.  What we found was lots of great fresh snow and more continuing throughout the day.  The trees were plastered with snow and beautiful.  Not many snowshoe trails were open, so we started on Great Big View.  This did not provide any view, given the heavy snowfall, but was a work out as we ascended the steep path.  We returned to Raven Lodge for lunch out of the snow and wind, before heading out in the afternoon on Snow Paws.  This started downhill, winding along a narrow path between trees bent over with snow.  We continued until the trail was closed because the trail groomer had fallen through the snow and into the creek below – definitely early season conditions still. The snow was wonderful and the day invigorating, but it was easy to get very wet.  4.9 km, 2½ hours without lunch.

Debbie

(click on photos to enlarge)

Snow – Mt. Washington – 22 Jan 2020

Snow – Mt Washington – 19 February 2020

Posted on by
Reply

This trip was cancelled.

Activity Snow sports
Destination Mt. Washington, Raven Lodge
Date 19 February 2020, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-285-2111; (cell 250-287-0459)
Description  We will x-country ski and/or snowshoe from Raven Lodge. Skiers and snowshoers will decide on their routes once we are at the Lodge.
Carpools will need to be arranged in advance so, if you can drive and take passengers, please let the coordinator know at least a week in advance (vicgladish@gmail.com).
Meeting Place Q-Cove Ferry; Drivers need to be on time to make the busy 9:00 AM sailing.
Departure Time 9:00 AM ferry from Quathiaski Cove
Difficulty
Costs Ferry, shared fuel and nordic passes.  The passes are more economical when purchased as a six pack.
Trip limits Depends on number of vehicles going. Please register early with vicgladish@gmail.com
Dogs? No
Notes: Please let the coordinator know by Feb 15th if you plan to go, which sport, drive or not.
If you want to be a driver BE ADVISED: The BC Ministry of Transportation require all vehicles on Strathcona Parkway to be equipped with good winter tires and have chains available to use if the chain-up light is on.
Bring equipment, warm clothing and lunch. Double check your equipment before leaving home.