Trip Report – Gowlland Harbour – 2 May 2016

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Thirteen members left Gowlland Harbour Resort on a bright, sunny, calm day for a tour around North and South Gowlland Harbour. Many thanks to resort manager Carmen for allowing us to launch there. We paddled north first toward the log dump and sorting area. There was a lone buck on one of the islands and two otters playing on a dock for entertainment. Some members had not realized how much activity goes on in the log sort. We then paddled to the old shipwreck off May Island and had lunch on the island. The snow-capped peaks of Strathcona Park were stunning against the blue sky.

Next we went to Vigilant Island and watched many seals playing. From here we traveled down the east side of Gowlland Island to the narrow opening into April Point Bay. A few of us tried our skills in the current and found it can be hard in cross current. A word of caution to anyone that does not know this area, the current is not always running the same way as it is outside in Discovery Passage and can be quite fast.

We then paddled around the south end of Gowlland Harbour and up by Stag and Fawn Island. The Sea Blush bloom was early this year, but some flowers were still to be seen. We arrived back at launch site about four hours and 6.5 nautical miles after having left. All and all, it was a stunning day.

Les

Note:  Special thanks from all of the participants to Les for the delicious prawns, smoked salmon, cheese and wine contribution to our picnic lunch.

Here is the bird list for the day:

Horned Grebe
Glaucous-winged Gull
Bonaparte’s Gull
California Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Canada Goose
Mallard Duck
Bufflehead
Common Merganser
Pigeon Guillemot
Marbled Murrelet
Bald Eagle
Belted Kingfisher
Northwest Crow
Common Raven
Pacific Wren
American Robin
Spotted Towee
Townsend’s Warbler

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Kayak – Gowlland Harbour – 2 May 2016

Trip Report – Snowden Demonstration Forest – 27 Apr 2016

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Five members explored the trails in the Snowden Demonstration Forest. Because the road over the dam is closed due to of construction, the access is via Duncan Bay Road (access map available at Outdoor Addictions), but the roads are good. We parked at the Lost Lake parking area and hiked around Lost Lake. We stopped for a snack on the eastern viewpoint and had lunch at the western viewpoint. The forest has quite an open understory, and there were trillium and other early wildflowers. The trails and routes we used were named Mudhoney Pass, Sanitarium, Scotty’s, T’aint, Riley Lake, and Tri Mac. The trail map is available at the Outdoor Addictions store or online at https://gocampbellriver.com/files/MapsForDownload/Snowden_Forest_Trail_Map.pdf

The trails range from flat grades that used to be logging railroad lines to walks along moss covered rocky ridges. We didn’t see anyone else while we walked. It was a very enjoyable walk, and it barely scratched the surface of what is available there. 7.6 km, 3.5 hours.

Norris

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Hiking – Snowden Demonstration Forest – 27 Apr 2016

Hiking – Mt. Seymour logging roads- 13 May 2016

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Activity Hiking
Destination Mt. Seymour logging roads
Date 13 May 2016, Friday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710.  Please contact the trip coordinator prior to the trip.
Description We will hike around Mt. Seymour on old logging roads and flagged routes.  There are several lovely small lakes along the way.  The route goes up around the backside (west) of the mountain but does not go to the summit.  There are some good viewpoints on the north side. A car shuffle will be done.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot, to arrange carpools
Departure Time 09:00
Difficulty
 moderate but long
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs?
Notes: 14.3 km.  The logging road going up is very rough walking.  Once we are high, the logging roads are mostly flat and easy, but not maintained.  There may be wet places and bugs.

Trip Report – Cortes, Linnaea Farm – 18-20 Apr 2016

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Eight members met at Cortes Ferry line-up for our three day hiking trip to Cortes Island. A lovely cruise on the ferry and a time for details about the trip. We first took a quick visit to Whaletown, a sweet community, then onto Gorge Harbour; walked the property and the dock. On to Linnaea Farm to leave our baggage. We began the first hike and hiked up to Easter Bluff, gorgeous views overlooking the south and west ends end of Cortes, Quadra and the mountains beyond. In the afternoon we walked at Hank’s Beach Forest Conservation Park, spent time on the beach.  The group enjoyed a delicious dinner around the big table at the farm.

Tuesday, Sabina, a marine biologist, took us on a walk from Smelt Bay to Manson’s Landing. This was a day filled with marine knowledge: identified wolf prints, sea-weeds, shells, grasses, birds, ducks, history of Cortes etc. It was a wonderful experience. Lunch near the beautiful maple trees and onto Manson’s Landing. Afternoon we walked Siskin Forest Park, one of the newer parks on Cortes. Again, a delicious dinner.

Final day we hiked in Kw’as Park. This is a large network of trails filled with old growth. We hugged the sides of Gunflint Lake and Hague Lake. Managed to climb up to the summit, a lovely display of wild flowers, arbutus and manzanita. We marveled at the huge red cedar trees and the dear survivor Douglas fir tree. We only managed to hike part of the park and certainly want to return.

Gunflint Lake was inviting and some chose to swim in order to cool down. Packed and onto the ferry, returning to Quadra.

I truly enjoyed this trip: the weather was a plus, the group was fantastic, the farm stay enjoyable and the hikes amazing. We all expressed what a gem Cortes Island is.

Margot

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Multi-day Hiking – Cortes, Linnaea Farm – 18-20 Apr 2016

Kayaking – Gowlland Harbour – 2 May 2016

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Activity Kayaking
Destination Gowlland Harbour and small islands within
Date 2 May 2016, Monday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 250-202-4455 or leshand@gicable.com.  Please contact the coordinator by April 29
Description We will circumnavigate Gowland Harbour exploring some of the small islands as we go. We will stop on May Island for lunch. There should be a beautiful display of flowers this time of year.
Meeting Place Gowlland Harbour Resort parking lot, 823 Gowlland Harbour Rd.
Departure Time 10:00 A.M. (unload and prepare at 9:30)
Difficulty
 easy to moderate
Costs none
Trip limits limited by parking to 10 vehicles
Dogs? no
Notes: Bring your kayak and all necessary safety equipment.   If you have not completed your 2016-17 membership, please come prepared to sign papers and pay the membership fee. Only 2 vehicles can unload at beach at one time so please be on time. We will paddle South Gowlland and North Gowlland, about 4 hours weather permitting. Bring a lunch. If pouring rain or high wind, e-mail will be sent out by 8 am postponing trip. Gowlland Harbour Resort has kindly granted us permission to use their boat launch for this trip. This is not a public access.

Hiking – Sooke – 16-18 May 2016

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Activity Hiking
Destination Sooke
Date 16-18 May, Monday-Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca or 3710; please contact the coordinator by May 1.
Description We will spend three days (two nights) in Sooke. The suggested accommodation will be camping at the Sooke River Campground. They also have three rustic cabins for rent. We have reserved three tent sites.  Please contact the coordinator about these.  If you want an RV site or a cabin, please make the arrangements yourself (250-642-6076).

The primary hiking destinations will be the Coast Trail in East Sooke Regional Park, the Sooke Potholes, or other trails in the area. There is also the opportunity to bike along the Galloping Goose trail, or kayak in the harbour.
Meeting Place Sooke River Campground; 2259 Phillips Rd, Sooke
Departure Time na
Difficulty The Coast Trail is challenging. The walk along the Potholes is easy.
Cost Transportation and camping ($25/night/tent or $40 or $60/night for the cabins)
Trip limits none
Dogs? Possible, but challenging
Notes: This is a very historical area on Vancouver Island. Recommended reading: West Coast Pioneer – John Muir

Trip Report – Mt. Seymour – 13 Apr 2016

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Ten people and two dogs climbed Mt. Seymour. We all stayed dry while watching rain clouds over Vancouver Island. We visited the east, north and west viewpoints and enjoyed a short lunch stop trying to huddle out of the wind (6° C).  We hiked quickly and enjoyed the workout.  3½ hours, 8 km, 425m elevation gain.

Julie

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Hike – Mt. Seymour – 9 Mar 2016

Hiking – Snowden Demonstration Forest – 27 April 2016

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 Change of departure time!

Activity Hiking
Destination Snowden Demonstration Forest, Campbell River
Date 27 April 2016, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info 250-285-3710, norris.weimer@ualberta.ca
Please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip
Description There is an extensive network of biking/hiking trails north of John Hart Lake.
We will explore the Lost Lake area.
Meeting Place Q Cove Ferry terminal
Departure Time The ferry leaves at 9:00 10:00 am
Difficulty
 unknown
Costs none except ferry costs
Trip limits none
Dogs? yes
Notes: Bring lunch.  We will arrange car pools in advance.  Due to construction, the drive to the Lost Lake Parking is a bit round-about.

 

Trip Report – Mt. Washington – 7 Apr 2016

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The wonderful, though late, snow at Mt. Washington was too much to resist. Four of us went for one last snowshoe outing, a day later than planned, but it was worth it for the great weather. The ski resort was closed during weekdays, but the conditions were very good – lots of snow, warm, but not slushy. We headed across the meadows and up to Battleship Lake. We paused for lunch sheltered by the trees and continued on to Helen Mackenzie Lake. From there we followed the main track back to Raven Lodge. It was excellent – brilliant sunshine, the great snow, and no crowds. 7.6 km; a bit more than 3 hours.

Debbie

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Snow – Mt. Washington – 6 Apr 2016

Trip Report – Cape Mudge Loop – 6 Apr 2016

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When Wednesday dawned grey and drizzly we decided to postpone the trip to Mt. Washington and go for a walk instead. We set out on a loop on the Cape Mudge Reserve of logging roads, streets and trails. We started on an old road off of the road to the Lighthouse, hopped across the wetlands and continued into the village. We followed the trail along the shore, which has been much eroded from the recent storm surge, continued past the campground, Lighthouse, Tsa Kwa Luten and into the forest trail which returned to the road. There were lots of flowers to admire along the way. 9km; 2½ hours.

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