Hiking – Channel Rock & Kw’as Park – 18 Aug 2015

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Activity Hiking
Destination Channel Rock and Kw’as Park Trails, Cortes Island
Date 18 August 2015, Tuesday
Trip Coordinator Margot Wood
Contact Info 285-2393; Please would you let me know before Aug 4th. I need to inform Channel Rock of numbers.
Description I will organize car-pooling for this trip. We will leave on the first ferry to Cortes. The group will visit Channel Rock starting with a beautiful hike along the coast line to Channel Rock. Channel Rock is a 140 acre paradise, protected by a land covenant, powered by solar energy, & accessible by boat or by foot. Surrounded by stunning coastlines, lush forests, & magical ecosystems. Many interesting dwellings have been built over the years, built by the islander’s talented woodworkers, that fit into the natural landscape & offer examples of highest quality craftsmanship & natural building mediums. The gardens are not just bountiful but beautiful. This was the home of Gilean Douglas for over 40 years. Gilean was a journalist, historian, feminist & a nature writer. I have booked a tour for us. This will be our morning trip & in the afternoon we will hike the Kw’as Park Trail Network. This large network of trails varies in difficulty & time depending on the route taken. Trails lead along the side of Hague & Gunflint lakes, through deep old forests & over high manzanita covered bluffs. We will return on the 3:50 p.m ferry.
Meeting Place Cortes ferry line-up.
Departure Time 9:05 a.m. ferry
Difficulty
 easy – moderate
Costs Ferry cost plus Channel Rock tour $15
Trip limits none
Dogs? no
Notes: Bring your lunch and water

Trip Report – Granite Bay – 8 July 2015

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A group of six paddlers enjoyed perfect conditions for a tour around Kanish Bay on July 8th. The smokey atmosphere had cleared and we could enjoy the view across the Inside Passage. We made our way out through Chain Islands, then cut across the calm waters of the bay to Granite Point – a destination you can only attempt in such ideal weather. We poked around the point to take a look into Okisollo Passage, then moseyed back along the north shore of Kanish Bay. We had heard that there were pictographs somewhere along the cliffs, and happily we were able to spot a couple of sketchy images in red pigment. Lunch was on a rocky point part way along the shore, followed by a swim at Orchard Bay. It felt like a pretty mellow day, but we covered 18 km in our circuit around Kanish Bay.

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Kayaking –Granite Bay – 8 July 2015

Trip Report – Surge Narrows – 3 July 2015

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We had a group of 10 for this outing on a hot, sunny and very windy day. Of the ten, five had never been on a hike with the QIOC and the ages spanned more than 50 years. We started at Mine Lake, on the big rock, for a swim and lunch. The water was very warm, but there were white caps on the lake. We drove out to the end of the Surge Narrows road. As we visited the community dock, we were treated to a close encounter with an eagle carrying a fish. We hiked along the Surge Narrows trail to the viewpoint, arriving about a half hour before the max flood current of 10.6 knots, which was very impressive. Some of the group continued on the unmaintained route to the next bay and point, with views up toward Okisollo Channel and lots of wind and waves. There was a ground nesting wasp sting and a hurt foot on the return trip, but the victims took it in stride.

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Hiking – Surge Narrows – 3 July 2015

Kayaking – Around Read Island – 10-13 August 2015

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Activity Multi-day paddling
Destination Circumnavigate Read Island
Date 10-13 August 2015, Monday-Thursday
Trip Coordinator Darcy Mitchell
Contact Info darcm@telus.net or 285-2739
Description A three-night paddling/camping trip. Depending on weather conditions, we will launch from either the Hyacinthe Bay area or Discovery Islands Lodge (near Surge Narrows).
Meeting Place TBA
Departure Time TBA
Difficulty
 Moderate to difficult. We should expect to paddle between 15 and 20 kilometres per day.
Costs Launching fee if trip starts at Discovery Islands Lodge.
Trip limits 6 people
Dogs? no
Notes: Please contact the trip coordinator no later than July 31 if you’re interested in this trip. Once we know who will be going, we’ll discuss details.

 

Hiking – Ralph River – 25-27 August 2015

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Activity Hiking and camping
Destination Ralph River, Strathcona Park
Date 25-27 August 2015, Tuesday-Thursday
Trip Coordinator Sheelagh Elmitt
Contact Info 285-2296 or sheelaghelmitt@yahoo.ca.  If you want to go on this trip you need to contact Sheelagh and commit ASAP.
Description We will spend two nights at the Ralph River Campground. We will hike to Bedwell Lake on Wednesday.  The other two half days we will do shorter hikes.  Bedwell is a moderate hike to a beautiful alpine lake.  Six kms long with 600 metres elevation. About 3 hrs one way.
Meeting Place Quadra ferry terminal to Campbell River
Departure Time 9:00 am ferry
Difficulty
 moderate to easy
Costs camping fees, ferry and shared gas
Trip limits camping gear and fitness
Dogs? no
Notes: As of July 2nd there are very few campsites left at Ralph River, so it’s important to commit soon if you want to go on this trip.

Trip Report – Kayaking Carrington Bay – 23-25 June 2015

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We took the first ferry to Cortes, drove to Sea Vista to launch our kayaks with our camping equipment. We paddled through Plunger Passage, past Coulter Bay, into the Sutil Channel and onto Carrington Bay. This was interesting and at times a little challenging. On arrival at Carrington Bay we set up our tents near the lagoon entrance. A narrow channel through which the tide flows, mixing salt and fresh water. A lovely camping area with many sunny spots with the lagoon for swimming. (Sheelagh and Valerie had a swim at night)

Carrington Bay is home to a significant amount of wildlife, beautiful old growth trees and a network of hiking trails. After setting up camp, we paddled in the bay only, due to strong winds and white caps in the channel. Spent time exploring Carrington Bay. We discovered a huge number of Sea Cucumbers in the lagoon and on other rocky shorelines. The next day we did a marathon of 27.2km, taking in Frederic Point and onto the Penn Islands. Beautiful rock faces, stunning arbutus groves, seals keeping watch, glorious colours……you get the picture. After lunch, we paddled onto Von Donop to explore. Beautiful purple starfish, a welcome treat to us all. We had a couple of showers, however, they were refreshing and light. Moon Jellyfish in an abundance in the Carrington Bay. We arrived back to camp by 5 p.m……a great workout. All dinners were superb, dishes done and into bed early. The weather called for strong winds arriving by noon on Thursday, we decided to get moving early the next morning.  The return paddle was the same route. We took the opportunity to explore Coulter Bay. Arriving in time to take the 1:50 p.m. return ferry. Tired but all very happy kayakers.

A great group of QIOC members………thank you for joining me on one of my favourite islands.  – Margot

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Kayaking – Carrington Bay – 23-25 June 2015

Kayaking – Kayak Rescue Practice and Potluck – 13 July 2015

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 Postponed until warmer, sunnier weather!

Activity Kayaking and Potluck
Destination Rebecca Spit
Date 13 July 2015, Monday
Trip Coordinator TBA
Contact Info qioutdoorclub@gmail.com
Description This is really two events.  You can do either or both.  We will have a very unstructured kayak practice for bracing and rescues.  There will be no instruction and no gear provided, but we will help each other to practice these important skills.  Following the kayak practice, we will also have a potluck.  You don’t have to be a member to come to the potluck.
Meeting Place Rebecca Spit parking lot by the meadow
Departure Time 16:00 for the kayak practice.   17:30 for the potluck
Difficulty
 It will be what you make of it
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? no
Notes:

Kayaking – Granite Bay – 8 July 2015

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Activity Kayaking
Destination Granite Bay
Date 8 July 2015, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Kathryn Manry and Mark Zimmerman
Contact Info 285-2103 or kamanry@gmail.com.  Please contact the coordinator prior to the trip.
Description A day paddle in the Small Inlet / Orchard Bay / Chain Islands area. Where we go will be determined by the paddling conditions and the interests of the group…
Meeting Place Granite Bay dock
Departure Time 10:00 am
Difficulty
 moderate
Costs launching fee
Trip limits 10
Dogs? must wear life jacket!!
Notes: This should be a fairly mellow trip, but be prepared, as always, for changes in weather, etc. We should be off the water by 4 PM.  Bring lunch.

Trip Report – Mt. Becher – 17 June 2015

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After an early start on Wednesday June 17th, five members of the Quadra Island Outdoor Club safely summitted Mt Becher.  Members on outing included two members of the executive committee, Debbie Quigg, Chair and Norris Weimer, Webmaster as well as members at large; Kathy Sales, Kathryn Manry 1st leader, and Mark Zimmerman 2nd leader.

Our adventure started at the mildly post apocalyptic base of the defunct Forbidden Plateau Ski Resort and shortly after gaining that initial summit we enjoyed more pleasant wandering in the subalpine forest. Early vistas included the Gulf of Georgia and an assortment of small islands, towns, villages and hamlets. Halfway to the summit we overlooked Boston Lake, a great spot for a lunch break. Carrying on we summited a bit after mid-day and had our only look at large mammals, a herd of about a dozen folk of various sex and size, all associated with an outdoor group from Parksville.

Great views of the Comox glacier and surrounding peaks were enjoyed from the summit, before our return.

A partial list of flowers observed include the following:

  • Alpine Lupine
  • Subalpine Daisy
  • Yarrow
  • Leatherleaf Saxifrage
  • Partridgefoot
  • Spotted Saxifrage
  • Alaskan Saxifrage
  • Columbia Lewisia
  • Lance-leaved Stonecrop
  • Spreading Stonecrop
  • Twinflower
  • Paintbrush
  • Tiger Lily
  • Spreading Phlox
  • White Flowered Rhododendron
  • Heather
  • Columbine
  • Birds Beak Lousewort
  • Coast Penstemon
  • Rosy Pussytoes
  • Bunchberry
  • Valerian
  • Small Leaved Montia
  • Slender Bog Orchid

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Hiking – Mt. Becher – 17 June 2015

Hiking – Surge Narrows – 3 July 2015

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 Change of departure time

Activity Hiking
Destination Surge Narrows
Date 3 July 2015, Friday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info 285-3710 or debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca; please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip
Description We will drive to the end of the Surge Narrows Rd and hike along the undulating and relatively short trail for a view of the rapids.  The trip is timed to see the maximum flood current of 10.6 knots at 15:10.  The rocky shore and views are great.  We plan to continue on the unmaintained route a bit further north along the shore.  If time and weather permit, we’ll stop at the Lake on the way back for a swim.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store for car pooling
Departure Time 13:30; 11:30 – some of us are going to leave early for a picnic lunch and swim at Mine Lake on the way to the hike.
Difficulty
 easy
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs?
Notes: Bring a snack and possibly a bathing suit.