Hiking – Little Black Dress-Silk Stocking Loop – 15 Jan 2025

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Activity Hiking
Destination Little Black Dress and Silk Stocking Loop
Date 15 Jan 2025, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info dmquigg@gmail.com or 3710
Description We will start at the Copperhead logging road and hike this counter-clockwise.  We will use mountain bike trails to travel through a variety of terrain with open bluffs, a good forest (and recent logging), old mining and a forest lake.  Very roughly 7 km and 3 hours with lunch
Meeting Place Community Centre parking lot or by arrangement
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty Moderate, with some steep sections and lots of undulating parts
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs? Must not run through the group.
Notes Dress for the weather.  Bring lunch and poles if you use them.

Trip Report – Mt. Washington – 8 Jan 2025

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Seven of us put on snowshoes and wandered around the Mt. Washington official snowshoe trails in two groups, one more ambitious than the other.  The day was sunny and warm and the trees were raining as the snow in the trees melted.  There were the sounds of “tree bombs” around us as clumps of snow also fell out of the trees.

The more ambitious group did Rossiter’s Rise, Tree Beard, Crooked Creek, Lookout and some of Old Cabin Loop .  (7.3 km, 3.5 hours, 215m ascent)

Norris

Thanks to Jim and Norris for the photos

(click on photos to view larger)

Snow – Mt. Washington – 8 Jan 2025

Trip Report – Maud Island – 6 Jan 2025

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On the first day with sun in many weeks, six hikers set off for Maud Island. As we started down the gentle slope, we were amazed at how thick and green the moss was in the trees and on the ground from all the heavy rains. There were also many trees down on the trail from the high winds. We took the Mt. Lolo route on the way out to get a view. When we got to the viewpoint, there was some fog though, so the view was limited, but still serene.

We descended the hill and continued on to the causeway. As we started up the hill on Maud, we could see where a large Cat had been brought off a barge and walked up the hill. After lunch, we discovered that it had replaced the first large wooden pole after the power-lines come across Seymour Narrows.

We arrived at the rock ledge just before max ebb current so we’re able to watch the fast flowing water and whirlpools as we ate lunch. We were also treated to three sea lions that were playing below us.

After lunch, we returned to the vehicles via the lower route. Again, there were many trees down on this trail. There was also one area where the woodpeckers had been working over a tree to the point that the trail was all covered with wood chips.  (10.5 km, 4.5 hours)

Les

Thanks to Les, Jim and Norris for the photos.

Click on photos to enlarge
 

Hiking – Maud Island – 6 Jan 2025

Trip Report – Chinese Mtns Loop – 1 Jan 2025

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Four hikers brought in 2025 on Jan 1st with a hike to South and North Chinese Mountain. While weather forecasts did not call for any precipitation, we ran into light rain shortly into the trip. The past wind and rain storms were noticeable as the trail was covered with small branches, and special care was required on the rocky bluffs. Yet, the forest was lush and the moss a vibrant green, thick and healthy. We were pleasantly surprised to find a clearing in the clouds and blue sky peaking through on the first lookout on South Chinese.

The group carried on through to the next major lookout on South Chinese and one member lead the group to a hidden part within the rocks to tuck out of the wind where we stopped for lunch and a New Year toast. The winds had picked up and we were reminded that it was winter.

From there, we carried on along the trail to the creek crossing when the bridge is still damaged, but an alternative trail has been started that allowed safe crossing so we could continue.

Once connected to North Chinese Mountain trail, we headed up the both the old and new lookout points. Again, we were blessed with great views despite the winter storm clouds. The light drizzle turned into snowflakes and we were able to take a few pictures of the snow before it melted. A premonition of what Mother Nature has planned for us.

The group turned back and descended on North Chinese Moutain trail back to the parking lot. Overall a fantastic hike with great views peaking through the overcast skies, a light drizzle at times and a few snowflakes.

Total time 2hrs 46min, 243m altitude change and 7.1 km.

Louise

(click on photos to view larger)

Hiking – Chinese Mtn South and North Loop – 1 Jan 2025

Snow – Mt. Washington – 8 Jan 2025

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Activity Snowshoeing
Destination Mt. Washington
Date 8 Jan, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710.  Please contact the coordinator by Monday night.
Description We will follow some of the Mt. Washington snowshoe trails leaving from Raven Lodge.
Meeting Place Quathiaski Cove Ferry terminal
Departure Time 9:00 ferry.
Difficulty
 Easy to moderate.
Costs Transportation costs and trail pass. The price of a snow shoe day pass is $16.
Trip limits 10
Dogs? No
Notes: Bring lunch as we may not eat at Raven lodge.  Have reliable equipment and winter gear.  Expect warm conditions

Trip Report – Haskin Farm and Golf Course Loop – 23 Dec 2024

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Five people took advantage of the partial sunny day and went for a comfortable hike. We went down Haskin Farm Trail to the beach and enjoyed the sun for a moment, then back up the hill and across Fircrest Trail. Along this portion, we enjoyed the partial ocean views toward Cortes and the old growth Fir. We circled the new housing development at the golf course and then went down to the clubhouse. We took a moment here to look at the mini golf course and all the wonderful driftwood sculptures that have been put by the course. As we circled the golf course we enjoyed how wonderful the greens and fairways are still looking. We traveled partially on Fircrest Trail again and then went up Todd’s Trail and back to the vehicles . (7.6 km and 2½ hours)

Les

Thanks to Les for the photos

Click on photos to enlarge
 

Hiking – Chinese Mtn South and North loop – 1 Jan 2025

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Re-scheduled.

Activity Hiking
Destination South and North Chinese Mtn Loop
Date 1 Jan 2025, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Louise Squire
Contact Info lsquire@sasktel.net
Description We will go up the south side to South Chinese Mtn. and have lunch while enjoying the view. Then down the north path and up North Chinese Mtn. and back to the vehicles.
Meeting Place Chinese Mtn parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty Moderate
Costs None
Trip Limits 8
Dogs No
Notes

Trip Report – Blenkin Park Loop – 9 Dec 2024

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Seven of us had a lovely day of sun and cloud, sandwiched between days with lots of rain and wind.  We had 46mm of rain in the previous 24 hours, so we knew that the trail would be very wet, and it was.  The purpose of the walk was not to go as directly as possible, but to walk as many of the trails as possible in two hours.  We started out on the old wide path which crosses to the Heriot Bay Road and then circled back to admire the old Big Leaf Maple on the historic homestead.  We tried to avoid the worst of the wet-walk by not going along the marsh.  We took the Sheppard and Black Jack Trails, with short sections of the Homestead Trail, leading to the Swale Trail.  This is a beautiful, open under-storey forest.  The creek, which is usually dry, was very active.  After the walk we had lunch at the Community Centre, with a few more people joining the group.  We enjoyed the great variety of food and refreshments that the group had brought and had a very social gathering.  It was great to walk in the forest and to see everyone on these short, dark days in December.  (6.7 km; 2 hours)

Debbie

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Hiking – Blenkin Park Loop – 18 Dec 2024

Hiking – Maud Island – 6 Jan 2025

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Activity Hiking
Destination Maud Island
Date 6 Jan 2025, Monday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 285-2029 or lhquadra@gmail.com
Description We will meet at the Community Center and carpool out to the trailhead. Depending on the weather, we may just stay on the lower trail and not go over Lolo.
Meeting Place Community Centre parking lot
Departure Time 10:30
Difficulty Moderate
Costs None
Trip limits 8
Dogs? OK, but must be under control. And on a leash in difficult areas if we go over Lolo, there is a hard spot that is steep for dogs.
Notes Dress for the weather and bring a lunch. This is about a four hour hike, depending on the course that will not be decided until day of the hike.

Hiking – Haskin Farm and Fircrest Trail – 23 Dec 2024

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Activity Hiking
Destination Haskin Farm and Fircrest Trail
Date 23 Dec 2024, Monday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info lhquadra@gmail.com or 285-2029
Description We will do a series of small trails – Haskin Farm, Fircrest, golf course and maybe Todd’s trail. In this way, we can adjust the trip according to the weather. About two hours.
Meeting Place Haskin Farm trailhead
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty Easy
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs? O.K. But must be under control and on leash while at the golf course.
Notes This trip may vary due to weather, but can usually be done. Please dress for the weather and bring a lunch or snack.