Category Archives: Vancouver Island

Trip Report – Woss Lookout & Little Huson Caves – 26 July 2018

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The original plan was to hike to Woss Lookout in the morning to beat the extreme summer heat. But, unexpectedly, when we drove north on Highway 19, it was overcast and quite cool, so we continued on to the Little Huson Caves first. These karst features in Quatsino limestone are very beautifully sculpted into complex shapes with the Atluk Creek running through it. We took the short walk to the northern viewpoint first and explored the big opening in the natural bridge over the River “Cave”. The trail also leads to the south opening of the bridge with even more opportunity to see the sculpted limestone. With the low water and dry weather there are lots of possibilities for exploring. We also visited the Bridge Cave before walking to Little Huson Lake.

We then drove south to the rough logging road leading to the Woss Lookout trailhead. Once the skies cleared at noon, it was already hot. We walked up the upper logging road switchbacks and then took the trail through the forest up to the summit. This is a short, steep hike with lots of rope available for assistance. There were wonderful blueberries and purple huckleberries on the way up. At the summit we enjoyed the excellent restoration of the lookout tower, a very refreshing afternoon breeze, and fantastic view in nearly 360°. The historical photos from 1948 are very interesting. The location of the tower was great as a fire lookout, but also for views. The conical hill is a focus for five valleys. For the hike: 4.4 km; 2¾ hours; 376 m elevation gain; 35% incline in the steep section.

Debbie

Thanks to Norris and Les for the photos, which were updated on August 25th.

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Hiking – Woss Lookout & Little Huson Caves – 27 July 2018

Trip Report – Crest Mountain- 25 July 2018

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The weather forecast was for hot, hot, hot, and the Crest Mountain trail is south facing and up, up, up, so not everyone thought doing this hike as scheduled was a good idea.  Nevertheless, three of us decided to do it anyway, although we did change the start time to the first ferry, which was a good move.  The drive to the trailhead was very scenic in the morning light.  The trail was cool in the open mature forest in the shadow of a ridge.  We moved uphill quickly.  In 4 km the trail gains 1,100 m elevation.  It starts out as a nice engineered trail with switchbacks, but as it goes up it gets steeper until near the top it is just an uphill trail.

Views and wildflowers start to appear near the top of the climb and there is a small refreshing lake at the rim.  From here on, the mountain top is relatively flat and alpine.  There are small lakes and tarns, hills and ridges, and fantastic views all around. There is a first summit with a radio cone and a higher summit a kilometre or half an hour further on, with a suitable cairn, but the trails to it are indistinct.

The temperature when we left the trailhead was 17°C, the temperature on the summit was 20°C, with a light breeze, and when we got back to the car, it was 30°C.  Going down this trail is just as hard and slow as going up due to the steep, slippery gravel.  14.3 km; 9 hours; 1,235 m elevation gain; the average incline of the climb is 21%, and in the steepest section it is 34%.

Norris

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Hiking – Crest Mountain – 25 July 2018

Trip Report – Broken Eyes Mtn- 19 July 2018

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Eight members and one guest from Sweden took the 8 am ferry and drove 20 km north of Campbell River to the Broken Eyes trailhead.  The trail is an easy grade for the first bit, then it crosses a stream on a long, one-log bridge, then it climbs steadily.  There is a viewpoint (facing north) part way up which makes a nice rest stop before resuming the climb.  Eventually the trail joins an old logging road with an easier grade.  The final viewpoint (facing south) is good for a long, relaxing lunch, and the views are great.  After the hot dusty trail, we adjourned to Roberts Lake where some had a quick, refreshing swim.  7.4 km; 5 hours; 510 m elevation gain.

Norris

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Thanks to Norris and Les for the  photos

Hiking – Broken Eyes Mtn – 19 July 2018

Hiking – Crest Mountain – 25 July 2018

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Change of start time!  Stay in touch with the coordinator.

Activity Hiking
Destination Crest Mountain
Date 25 July 2018, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710.   Please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip.
Description There is a good trail through the forest which climbs steadily at about a 22% grade.  Think Pilot Road.  It goes up 1,100 metres in 5.0 km.  It’s strenuous but not difficult other than that.  At the top of the climb there are fantastic views all around and a small alpine lake.  From there the trail to the summit is easier.  14 km, 7 hours, plus driving and ferry time.
Meeting Place We will take the 07:05 Quadra ferry.  Rides to be arranged in advance.
Departure Time 06:20 07:05 ferry
Difficulty
 lots of uphill!
Costs share gas and ferry costs
Trip limits must be fit and have good knees
Dogs? no
Notes: poles, lunch, water

Hiking – Woss Lookout and Little Huson Caves – 27 July 2018

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Change of date, start time and contact information!

Activity Hiking
Destination Woss Lookout and Little Huson Caves, Vancouver Island
Date 26 27 July 2018, Thursday Friday
Trip Coordinator QIOC
Contact Info qioutdoorclub@gmail.com
Description The recently restored Woss Lookout, about 1.5 hrs north of Campbell River, is accessed by a short but steep, rope-assisted, hike, about 4 km round trip. Even at a moderate pace, allowing for the steepness, this hike will not take all day. So for a more relaxing afternoon, we will then drive north and west to the LIttle Huson Caves, on the Zeballos Road, to explore this little known regional park. These caves are perfect for those who prefer to admire caves from the outside only, as they are shallow caves with wide entrances.
www.vancouverislandnorth.ca (Things to do, Caving) for more information on the Caves.
Meeting Place QCove Ferry Terminal; we will organize carpooling before trip
Departure Time 6:20 8 am ferry
Difficulty
 Woss Lookout – Difficult; LIttle Huson Caves – Easy
Costs Ferry and gas contribution when carpooling
Trip limits none
Dogs? no
Notes: A long day is expected. Some may want to stay in Campbell River for dinner to avoid ferry lineups. Must bring lunch, snacks, water. Good hiking boots recommended for the Woss Lookout hike; suggest that poles, if used, be of the foldable type for the rope sections. Flashlights may be useful to look into the caves. Trip cancelled if steady rain. Must phone or email the trip coordinator by 9 pm Wednesday, July 25 to join this hike.

Reconnaissance Report – Broken Eyes Mtn – 11 June 2018

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The trip to Broken Eyes Mtn (aka Campbell RiverLookout) was postponed several times due to weather and rescheduled to sometime later in the summer.  But when the forecast turned sunny, we decided to check out this trail since the trail descriptions online left some doubts about it.  We can confirm that this trail will leave you breathless.  

After a short level hike on an old logging road, the trail crosses a stream on a long, narrow log bridge.  Some people won’t like this.  Then the trail goes up.  It climbs 500 m in 2.4 km, up through a forest.  The trail is well established and well flagged.  It’s rough and it’s dirt.  It’s about as steep as it can be, somewhere between the steepness of stairs and ladders, mostly.  It could be slippery when wet.  Hiking poles might help in some places and get in the way in other places.  The very steepest parts have ropes or chains to provide hand-holds.  Bring gloves.  There is no exposure, but one chained section would be tricky for many hikers without the chain.  At the top it levels off and the viewpoint is breathtaking.

According to the summit log, this is a surprisingly popular hike, and a four-year old, seven-year old and a dog have made it to the top very recently.  Altogether 7.0 km, 4 hours.

Norris

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Hiking – Broken Eyes Mtn – July 2018

Trip Report – Caves near Sayward- 23 May 2018

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Eight of us met Bill, our all-knowing-guide, at the beginning of the long, dusty logging road into Cave Land.  Bill took us through Chicken II, a standing-room passage way leading to interesting geology.  After which a short drive took us to Scallop Falls Cave.  We spent slightly over an hour winding single file through narrow, curving, scalloped marble passages, with water running through them.  We scrambled, manoeuvred and slithered up to the top of the falls.  The beautiful limestone cave features and the contortions to navigate the route were impressive.  We debriefed together over lunch at Bill’s new campground.  As the adventure drew to an end, the participants felt a unified sense of accomplishment. .

Cyndy

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Thanks to Norris, Cyndy and Bill for their photos

Natural History – Caving near Sayward – 23 May 2018

Hiking – Broken Eye Mountain – 8 June 2018

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The new date is July 19th.

Activity Hiking
Destination Broken Eyes Mountain, aka Campbell River Lookout
Date 19 July 2018
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info 285-3710 or norris.weimer@ualberta.ca.  Please contact the coordinator well in advance of the trip.
Description

 

 This hike is located about 20 km north of Campbell River.  It includes some difficult sections over a long, narrow log bridge and very steep climbs, sometimes assisted by fixed chains.  There are excellent views form the summit.  500 m elevation gain; 7 km.  Participants on this hike need to be fit, experienced and confident.  You need good cardio and knees.  For more information see:
https://qioutdoorclub.org/2018/06/12/reconnaissance-report-broken-eyes-mtn-11-june-2018/
Meeting Place Q Cove Ferry terminal.
Departure Time 8:00 ferry
Difficulty
 Overall this is a challenging hike, with a mix of trails, logging roads, and very steep sections.
Costs Shared ferry costs
Trip limits 10 participants
Dogs?
Notes: This trip is weather dependent.  Highly recommended: protective gloves for chains and good boots.  Poles are optional.  Bring lunch and water.

Trip Report – The Campbell River Loop – 25 Apr 2018

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Eight of us hiked the loop from the logging bridge on the Campbell River up to Moose Falls and back. This is always a beautiful walk, but it is particularly special in the spring with the wildflowers in bloom. We crossed the bridge and walked along the excellent trail on the north side of the river.  As the path follows side branches on the Campbell River, the trail was bordered by a profusion of pink fawn lilies, trillium, and wild bleeding heart.

We admired the Canyon View and continued up to the Millennium Trail.  We took an unmarked side path, recommended by Cyndy, to a lovely mossy bluff with an excellent view of Elk Falls.   We walked on through some big old growth Douglas fir trees to the Elk Falls viewing platform and suspensions bridge.  The views were particularly impressive because of the amount of water coming down the river.

We took the gradually ascending Old Growth trail and then the very steep descent to the rocky viewpoint for Moose Falls and the Dolphin Pool, where we stopped for lunch. The weather was beautiful and sunny, with a very warm afternoon. We returned along the river, passing more old growth trees, Deer Falls and another spectacular viewpoint for Elk Falls.  We crossed at Station View, which was quite hot and industrial, and continued on the south bank, with more wildflowers, back to the vehicles. 12.9 km; 5 hours.

Debbie

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Hiking – The Campbell River River Loop – 25 Apr 2018

Natural History – Caving near Sayward – 23 May 2018

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Activity Natural History – Caving
Destination Sayward area caves
Date 23 May 2018, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Cyndy Chidley
Contact Info Cyndy Chidley: 250-285-3575
Bill West-Sells: 1-778-860-3131
Description Introductory caving (with some challenges) on north Vancouver Island.  Challenges include bridging, climbing, stretching, wriggling, not to mention small, dark places.
Meeting Place Q Cove ferry terminal
Departure Time 9:00 ferry or possibly the 8:00 to Campbell River
Difficulty Depends on the group
Costs Ferry and shared gas
Trip limits 12
Dogs?
Notes:
Wear rubber boots or wool sock with runners that you don’t mind getting wet, but you will have cold feet. Bring coveralls, a helmet that you are able to fit with head light and a head light, if you can get one.  Bill has some extras that he will bring.  Flexible gloves, if you have them. A change of shoes and socks. A lunch and water.  If you have a  walkie-talkie or VHF radio, please bring it with charged batteries.