We had 10 for this quite long, unusual walk through Campbell River.  Unfortunately the original organizer, Vic, wasn’t feeling well, but wanted the trip to go ahead.  After taking the 9:00 ferry, we walked through town to the ERT (Elk River Timber) trail head and then followed this level route, which feels quite remote even though it is in the city.  Some of the forest is slated for development, so that may change.  There was some hard compacted snow under foot, which was being plowed as we walked.  The ERT leads directly into the Beaverlodge Lands.  There are many well marked trails through this forest and we didn’t have a firmly defined route.  The vague plan was to cross the major road further north and continue through residential areas down to Willow Point.  However, some combination of snow on the side trails and general inattention resulted in us exiting the forest near the Hilchey Rd intersection, so we walked down that noisy, urban road, where the side walks were mostly unshovelled.  

Most of us went for lunch at Daves’ Bakery, where the sandwiches are excellent.  Half of the group decided not to walk back to the ferry, with four taking the bus, which was a first for everyone.  The remaining five walked back along the sea walk paralleling Discovery Passage.  This was snow-free, easy walking along a developed promenade.  This walking group returned to Quadra on the 2:30 ferry.  For the Outdoor Club this is a very unique and varied hike. (11.4 km; 2¾  hours to Daves’ Bakery and 7.1 km and 1½ hours from there to the ferry terminal)  

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Hiking – ERT Trail – 14 Dec 2022

We lined up at 8:00, to get on the 9:00 ferry for our Ripple Rock hike. After all the recent rain, we were almost giddy with delight at having a dry, sunny day. It took 20 minutes to drive north of Campbell River to the trailhead.

Our group of 9 set off amid lively conversations about recent and future travels. The trail was a bit muddy in sections, but otherwise good and easy to follow. We passed a few spectacular old growth trees and wondered why they were spared when trees around them were logged.

It is a popular trail and we met several other folks along the way and at the bluff. We ate lunch at the bluffs, looking over at Maud Island and watching tugs pull barges through Seymour Narrows.  8.7 km 4 hours with lunch stop

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Hiking – Ripple Rock Trail – 8 June 2022

Seven of us had a great day to hike up the trail along Mohun Creek and view the three Trout Falls.  The first falls is very near the trailhead on Menzies Main and was immediately rewarding.  There was lots of water flow with the wet spring we have been having.  We then followed the undulating forest trail to the middle falls, with the biggest height drop of the three.  The trail was in good condition and most winter windfall had been cleared.  We followed the short, steep section of trail to the top of the falls and continued to the third falls into the crack.  We stopped for lunch on a mossy bluff above the last falls, enjoying the view and gentle sunshine.  

The group decided it preferred a loop rather than returning along the creek, so we followed a good trail along the creek continuing upstream until it veered to join the Mary Lake logging road. This was an easy downhill ramble and we stopped to visit Mary Lake along the way.  The lake was lovely and quiet, but it is clearly heavily used at times.  We closed the loop with a short, undisturbed walk on Menzies Main and arrived at the vehicles just before a rain shower.  These are some of the most impressive falls in the Campbell River area and the trail is in good condition and well used.  It was a lovely spring outing.  (7.3 km; 3¼ hours)

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Hiking – Trout Creek Falls – 30 Mar 2022