Category Archives: Vancouver Island

Hiking – Quinsam River Trails – 15 April 2024

Posted on by
1

Activity Hiking
Destination Quinsam River Trails
Date 15 Apr, Monday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info dmquigg@gmail.com; 250-285-3710.  Please contact the coordinator by Saturday evening.
Description We will hike along the east side of the Quinsam River, using mountain bike trails and logging roads.  This follows a variety of terrain down to the river and then follow the river upstream and loop back through the forest and ravines. There may be muddy sections.  Ideally there would be spring flowers.  About 11 km; 3.5 hours
Meeting Place QCove ferry terminal;  after exiting the ferry, we will drive to the parking area together.  Parking is more limited than previously.
Departure Time 9:30 ferry
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs Ferry
Trip limits 10
Dogs?
Notes:

Snow – Mt. Washington – 6 March 2024

Posted on by
1

Activity Snowshoeing
Destination Mt. Washington
Date 6 Mar, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info dmquigg@gmail.com or 3710.  Please contact the coordinator by Monday night.
Description We will follow some of the Mt. Washington snowshoe trails leaving from Raven Lodge. Participants without equipment can rent snowshoes from the resort.
Meeting Place Quathiaski Cove Ferry terminal
Departure Time 9:30 ferry; drivers need to be early enough to avoid overload.
Difficulty
 Easy to moderate.
Costs Transportation costs and trail pass. Snow shoe passes are $14.
Trip limits 12
Dogs? No
Notes: Bring lunch as we may not eat at Raven lodge.  Have reliable equipment and winter gear.

Trip Report – Elk Falls Loop – 5 Feb 2024

Posted on by
1

Seven hikers set out on a frosty but bright and sunny day to see the massive amount of water that is coming over Elk Falls due to the atmospheric river and the huge snow melt last week. There is a lot of work still going on at the dam, upgrading it for the possibility of an earthquake. They are now filling in the old trench, where the three huge aqueducts were, with dirt and gravel from work on the dam.

After walking across this area, we turned right and hiked down the long hill to the old powerhouse. There is a nice viewing spot there with totem poles. This did make for quite a few stairs and a long hike back up the hill though. We then walked down the multiple stairs to the suspension bridge. The amount of water coming over Elk Falls is phenomenal.  We were the only ones there so we ate lunch on the far side of the suspension bridge in the nice warm sunshine. Afterwards we went back across and down to the viewing platform right in front of the falls. There was a huge amount of mist being churned up by all the water coming over the falls.

We then proceeded to do a loop through Elk Falls park. We went through the old growth and then down to Moose Falls and followed the trail around to the old viewing platform. There were a few trees down on the trail that we had to crawl over and under. The view from this platform was very good as well. After this we proceeded back to the vehicles.  5.8 km; 2½ hours.

Les 

Thanks to Les, Bonnie and Norris for the photos

(click on photos to view larger)

Hiking – Elk Falls Loop – 5 Feb 2024

Hiking – Elk Falls Loop – 5 Feb 2024

Posted on by
1

Activity Hiking
Destination Elk Falls Loop
Date 5 Feb, Monday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info lhquadra@gmail.com or 285-2029
Description The water flow is exceptionally high at Elk Falls. So thought we all should take a look. We will go to the Hydro Visitor’s centre and start from there. Besides going to the Falls we will do the loop in the park and hike down to the viewpoint above the new power station. Probably 2 to 3 hours with lunch.
Meeting Place Q Cove Ferry terminal
Departure Time 10:00 ferry
Difficulty
 Easy
Costs Ferry costs
Trip limits 10
Dogs? No
Notes: The heavy rain is supposed to be over by then but dress for the weather. Be sure to be at the Ferry early enough to make the 10. I will try to arrange carpooling and I’m driving myself so I can take one. Bring a snack or lunch, and a good camera as it should be something great to see.

Snow – Mt. Washington Area – 23 Jan 2024

Posted on by
1

This trip was re-scheduled from January 17th.

Activity Snowshoeing
Destination Mt. Washington area
Date 23 Jan, Tuesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info dmquigg@gmail.com or 3710.  Please contact the coordinator by Monday night.
Description We will likely go to Paradise Meadows. Participants without equipment can rent snowshoes from the resort. Ramparts Hill is the other possible option.
Meeting Place QI Ferry terminal
Departure Time 9:30 ferry; drivers need to be early enough to avoid overload.
Difficulty
 Easy to moderate. As the first trip of the season, we will not be hugely ambitious.
Costs Transportation costs and trail pass if we go to Paradise Meadows. Snow shoe passes are $14.  Ramparts Hill is free.
Trip limits 12
Dogs? No
Notes: Bring lunch as we may not eat at Raven lodge.  Have reliable equipment and winter gear.

Snow – Mt. Washington Area – 17 Jan 2024

Posted on by
1

Postponed due to snow!

Activity Snowshoeing
Destination Mt. Washington area
Date 17 Jan, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info dmquigg@gmail.com or 3710.  Please contact the coordinator by Monday night.
Description We will likely go to Paradise Meadows. Participants without equipment can rent snowshoes from the resort. Ramparts Hill is the other possible option.
Meeting Place QI Ferry terminal
Departure Time 9:00 ferry; drivers need to be early enough to avoid overload.
Difficulty
 Easy to moderate. As the first trip of the season, we will not be hugely ambitious.
Costs Transportation costs and trail pass if we go to Paradise Meadows. (If I understand the webpage correctly, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are now the same price.  A weekday ticket is $29 for under 65 and $24 for 65 and older).  Ramparts Hill is free.
Trip limits 12
Dogs? No
Notes: Bring lunch as we may not eat at Raven lodge.  Have reliable equipment and winter gear.

Trip Report – Tyee Spit – 29 Nov 2023

Posted on by
Reply

On a cool and thankfully dry day, six members enjoyed a pleasant and informative walk along the north stretch of Campbell River’s waterfront, heading from the ferry to Tyee Spit.  At the boatyard we briefly watched the remote-controlled marine Travelift easily move around large boats (“bigger than ours”, observed some of our group). Beyond the commercial centre we admired the unique memorial poles marking some of the graves in the We Wai Kum cemetery, each a work of art speaking to the love and esteem held for the deceased.  All along the Spit are informative signboards which describe and illustrate, with historical photos, the long and varied history of the Spit. At the end of the Spit, the mouth of the Campbell River, we noted its physical and past industrial relationship to our recent outing to Baikie Estuary. On our return we followed the short trail to estuary and the pier and bird-watching blind where a few mallards were identified. From there we took a new path that led us past cottages, part of the Thunderbird RVPark, which overlook the estuary. Apparently these cottages provide very pleasant accommodation, according to one club member whose relatives had stayed there. Back at the beginning of the Spit, we opted to head straight back for our social stop at Freyja’s Croissant Shop, where we all enjoyed some delicious treats before going our separate ways. (6.6 km; 2.5 hours including socializing and eating)

Valerie van Veen
 
Thanks to Valerie and Norris for the photos
 

(click on photos to enlarge)

Walk and Social – Tyee Spit – 29 Nov 2023

Walk and Social – Tyee Spit – 29 Nov 2023

Posted on by
1

Activity Hot Chocolate Walk and Social
Destination Waterfront ramble to Tyee Spit and return
Date 29 Nov, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Valerie van Veen
Contact Info vvv@qisland.ca;  250 285 2329
Description A pleasant easy fall ramble. We will walk from CR ferry terminal to Tyee Spit, return via Freyja’s Croissants Coffee Shop on Shoppers Row. Those desiring a longer walk can walk on from Freyja’s to the Marina or…Scheduled walk is to return on 1:05 ferry.
Meeting Place Q Cove ferry terminal
Departure Time 10:00 ferry
Difficulty
 Easy
Costs Ferry, Freyja’s treats are pricey (but worth the $ and calories)
Trip limits None
Dogs? If under control; must stay outside at coffee shop.
Notes: Must contact coordinator by 8 pm Tuesday, 28 Nov. Walk will go ahead in rain; only cancelled if ferry cancelled.

Community Engagement – Spirit Square, Campbell River – 10 Nov 2023

Posted on by
Reply

Activity Experiential / Inspirational Walk
Destination Spirit Square, Campbell River Museum
Date 10 Nov. 2023, Friday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-285-2111; (cell 250-287-0459)
Description WALK WITH ME – a guided walk to uncover the human dimensions of the toxic drug poisoning crisis as it has unfolded in small communities in BC.
Location: Spirit Square2 hours
Mobile eTicket – see website below
INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN AN ARTS BASED COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROJECT

This arts-based community action project seeks to uncover the human dimensions of the toxic drug poisoning crisis as it has unfolded locally in Campbell River. Within and through it, a group of artist-researchers, front-line workers and people with lived and living experience have banded together in a sprit of solidarity, attempting to come to terms with the impact of the crisis on individuals and community groups through a practice of story sharing. Through stories, we aim to cultivate awareness leading to change.

Where? Participants meet at the white tent in Spirt Square
Meeting Place Quathiaski Cove ferry terminal
Departure Time 9:00 ferry
Difficulty
 Easy
Costs Ferry
Trip limits
Dogs? No
Notes: Visit
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/walk-with-me-campbell-river-tickets-728470403587?aff=oddtdtcreator
to register and reserve a space. Be sure to select the correct day and time when requesting your ticket (Nov 10 at 10 AM)

Trip Report – Haig-Brown House and Baikie Estuary – 16 Oct 2023

Posted on by
Reply

The forecast was fairly grim, with big wind and rain predicted, but five of us went ahead with the planned outing.  We started at the Haig-Brown Heritage House, situated on the Campbell River, and enjoyed the tour and Marjorie’s informative talk.  Centred in the family’s library and Roderick Haig-Brown’s office, we learned about the family’s history.  We also enjoyed seeing the rest of the main floor of the house and a walk in the beautiful garden.  More information about Roderick Haig-Brown, the family and the house are available here:  https://www.haig-brown.bc.ca/haig-brown-family-history/

The second part of our outing took us to two pocket parks on the Campbell River: the Spruce St. viewpoint and the River Nook, both just a block apart.  The river is beautiful, but Alex Witcombe’s driftwood sculptures of bear and fish, and his fish mural add a whole new dimension to these tiny, urban parks.  Here is more information about Alex Witcombe and his work:  https://driftedcreationsart.ca/

We walked across the bridge over the Campbell River and down into the paths on the north side of the River and its side channels.  The fall colours were great and there were still a few salmon in the channels, but most were dead after spawning.  We followed the quiet trail through this area, which has been restored from log dumping and milling.  There is lots of Campbell River history here and there are interpretive signboards to document it. The rehabilitation effort has taken place over 25 years, with lots of money and volunteer work to make it happen. The transformation is quite wonderful.  Here is more information about the rehabilitation of the Baikie Estuary:  https://www.greenwaystrust.ca/projects/baikie-island-and-campbell-river-estuary/  (4.5 km; 1½ hours for the walk)

We retraced our steps back to the vehicles and then went for lunch at More Eatery.  We had a lovely, social meal there before heading our separate ways.  Amazingly, the rain held off while we walked, but deluged during lunch.  We counted ourselves lucky.

Debbie

(click on photos to enlarge)

Tour and Hike – Haig-Brown House and Baikie Estuary – 16 Oct 2023