Paddling practice strokes, bracing, rescues 28 May 2014

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Activity Kayaking
Destination Mine Lake
Date 28 May 2014, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Jill Sampson
Contact Info 285- 3202
Description Practice kayak strokes, bracing and rescue techniques
Meeting Place Mine Lake boat launch.
Departure Time 1:00
Difficulty The difficulty will depend on what you want to do
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? no
Notes: You don’t have to dump in the water if you don’t want; you can come and practice strokes and bracing.  Bring dry clothes, towels and snacks.  We hope to have a fire on the beach.

 

Trip Report – Main Lake 12-14 May 2014

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Five club members enjoyed the first multi-day paddle of the season, camping at Main Lake and touring all the corners of the park.  We set off from the Mine Lake boat launch on an overcast Monday morning which turned to drizzle later in the day.  As the campsite is well equipped with a picnic table and a frame above it for setting up tarps, we were comfortable and dry.  In the afternoon, we paddled down to the south end of Village Bay Lake to the fish counting gate, and returned for an excellent supper featuring prawns in garlic butter, supplied by Les.  After a drizzly night, Tuesday dawned sunny and calm.  With high water levels, we were able to paddle up the channel to Little Main Lake – a highlight of the trip.  One of the group headed home in the afternoon due to a bad cold, while the rest enjoyed the campfire, the moonrise and a nocturnal visit from a rather large frog.  On Wednesday morning we paddled to the east end of Main Lake, walked the old portage trail to Yeatman Bay and enjoyed the view from the tidal island at the mouth of the bay.   We arrived back at the launch site about two o’clock.

(click on photos to view larger)

Paddling/camping Main Lake 12-14 May 2014

Basic kayak navigation 28 May 2014

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POSTPONED

Activity Basic kayak navigation: tides and currents
Location TBA
Date 28 May 2014, Wednesday TBA
Instructor Valerie van Veen
Contact Info vvv@qisland.ca; 250 285 2329
Description This course will provide basic information on tides and currents for kayakers.  It is the second course in a series, following the course on charts and compass
Meeting Place TBA
Time 3:00 pm for two hours
Difficulty
 basic, appropriate for all who want to understand tides and currents for kayakers
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? no
Notes: Interested participants are encouraged to phone/email Valerie with any specific questions and what they are particularly interested in learning during this session.

 

Paddling/camping Octopus Islands 2-4 June 2014

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Activity Multi-day Paddle
Destination Octopus Islands
Date June 2 – 4; Monday to Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Darcy Mitchell
Contact Info darcm@telus.net or 285 2739
Description A three-day, two night paddle and camping trip to the Octopus Islands via Beazley Passage/Surge Narrows. This is a very scenic area that offers opportunities for both paddling and hiking (to Newton Lake and/or from Waiatt Bay to Small Inlet).
Meeting Place Discovery Islands Lodge, almost at the end of Surge Narrows road.  Driving time 45-50 minutes from the Cove.
Departure Time One p.m. in order to transit the Narrows just before slack, which is 1:54 p.m.  Allow at least one hour to unload cars and pack kayaks, so arrive by noon at the lodge.
Difficulty
 Moderate
Cost Launching fee – $10.00 per kayak (special reduced price for the Club!)
Trip limits 8 (no more than 6 tents, preferably 4)
Dogs? no
Notes: Please let the coordinator know at least 4 days before the trip if you will be going – by email, please.  The trip is weather dependent and the final ‘call’ will be made by email by 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 1.  Trip participants must be capable of self-rescue.  You can drive down to the dock at the lodge to unload, but cars must be parked in the upper parking lot.   If you are the first to arrive, please walk down the hill from one of the upper parking lots to make sure there is room to bring vehicles down to unload.  If you are interested in renting a kayak for this trip, please contact Coast Mountain Expeditions directly.

octopus

Kayak Chain Islets & Orchard Bay 20 August 2014

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(rescheduled from 25 June 2014)

Activity Kayaking
Destination Chain Islets & Orchard Bay
Date Wednesday, 25 June 2014 20 August 2014
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 285-2029
Description We will leave Granite Bay and go around the Chain Islets. Then cross Kanish Bay to Orchard Bay and back to boat launch.
Meeting Place Granite Bay boat launch.
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty moderate
Costs $5 to launch
Trip limits none
Dogs? no
Notes: This is about 9 nautical miles or 15 km so will take about 5-6 hours depending on how many stops. Please be there about 9:30 so we can leave at 10. NW winds are a factor here, so may change course. If trip is canceled I will call the people who have signed up by 8 A.M.

Hike Cruickshank Canyon 29 July 2014

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Activity Hiking
Destination Cruickshank Canyon Lookout at Strathcona Park
Date Tuesday, 29 July 2014
Trip Coordinator Emily Toman
Contact Info 250-923-7122
Description This is a moderate, but a day long hike of 20-22 kilometers round trip with a few steeper sections. Estimated hiking time is 7 hours, plus lunch & drinking breaks (add another hour). The daylight is long and to our advantage. The hike is planned as a loop. Starting at Paradise Meadows going up to Battleship Lake – Lady and Croteau Lakes – Kwai Lake.  Past Kwai Lake we take a fork to the plateau with Lake Beautiful (& many other lakes) to Cruickshank Canyon Lookout. Our way back will take us back to Kwai Lake fork from which we go up the hill towards Hairtrigger lake. From there it shall be downhill to Helen McKenzie Lake, back to Paradise Meadows & to trail head at Raven Lodge.
Meeting Place Ferry parking lot on Quadra Island at 7:30 a.m. for car pooling for 8 a.m. ferry sailing
Departure Time 10:00 a.m. at Paradise Meadows trailhead next to Raven Lodge
Difficulty Moderate terrain with some steep sections & long day
Costs the ferry and carpooling costs
Trip limits none
Dogs? Allowed, but according to Park’s rules they must be leashed
Notes: Awesome lookout over Cruickshank Canyon 600 meters deep with river at the bottom and Comox Lake visible is the final reward. During a sunny day the massive ridge of Albert Edward, Frink and Castlecrag mountains should be just across the canyon valley.   The Comox Glacier and Red Pillar are visible a little further south. Emily will meet Quadra hikers at the ferry terminal on Campbell River side and will have 2 seats available in her car for ride to Mt. Washington trail head.

 

Hike Wood Duck Lake & Old Mine Trail 19 June 2014

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Activity Hiking
Destination Wood Duck Lake off North Gowlland (log dump) Rd
Date Thursday, 19 June 2014
Trip Coordinator Heather and Rolf Kellerhals
Contact Info 250 285-3570
Description Hike to lake along foot trail and along route built by mountain bikers to abandoned mine site.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store parking lot for car pooling at 9:45 or directly to the corner of Hyacinth Bay Road and North Gowlland  Road. Be aware of possible logging trucks turning in.
Departure Time 10:00 A.M. at corner of Hyacinth Bay Road and North Gowlland Road.
Difficulty easy
Costs nothing
Trip limits none
Dogs? No
Notes: The lake outlet has an interesting and active beaver dam that broke recently and sent down a flood that managed to pass through the highway culvert but took out the road going to our place for several weeks.

 

Hike Main Lake from Surge Narrow Rd. 14 June 2014

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POSTPONED

Activity Hiking
Destination Main Lake from Surge Narrow Rd
Date Saturday, 14 June 2014 TBA
Trip Coordinator John Brears
Contact Info 250 285 3853.  Please confirm no later than one week ahead (by June 7) if you will be participating.  Leave a message with your phone number if no answer.
Description The trip will follow a flagged route from Surge Narrows Rd to the east end of Main Lake.  The walk to the Lake has attractive features, including some large old growth timber, the first lake and Main Lake, a small waterfall, two beaver dams, beautiful moss-covered terrain.  The walk involves tricky navigation through a lot of deadfall, blowdown, and confusing gullies. There is no established trail for about 50% of the trip. The route crosses a few small wet areas. Depending on the return route there may be some disgusting salal bashing.  People should be fully prepared for the above, with proper footware etc. and prepared to stick with the group for the whole trip. It is easy to get disoriented. Hiking time about 4 hours.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store for car pooling
Departure Time 9:00 A.M.
Difficulty
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? You know your dog best.
Notes: Bring lunch and bug repellant.  Not on if the weather is foul/wet.

 

Hike Morte Lake Loop – 21 May 2014

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Activity Hiking
Destination Morte Lake loop with variations
Date Wednesday  21 May 2014
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info 285-3710;  Please contact the coordinator not later than Sunday, May 18th
Description Circumnavigate Morte Lake using George’s flagged route up to and along the southern ridge, mountain bike trails to Dead Fish, and the main trail around the west and north sides of the lake.  Allow four hours or more.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store for car pooling
Departure Time 10:00 A.M.
Difficulty
 moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? Okay on leash – we may encounter bikes or animals
Notes: Bring lunch.  Expect some steep sections, wet sections, flagged routes, mountain bike trails, sandy beaches and great views.  If the weather is horrible, we’ll re-schedule.

(map coming soon)

 

 

Trip Photos – Gowlland Harbour 5 May 2014

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The sea Gods were with us and we had spectacular weather for the Gowland paddle. The winds were light to none, the sun shone bright and the sky clear. The Sea Blush was in full bloom on all the small islands and many other flowers as well so it was a great day for taking pictures.

There were also many animals and birds out as it was a lower tide. The Canadian geese with the goslings were abundant and were quite humorous to watch. We saw quite a few mink and three river otters were playing on a knoll.

When we were in south Gowland we paddled thru the small opening to April Point. Here there were many sea urchins to look at and quite colorful. All and all it was a fabulous day and to bad that more people could not have experienced it.

(click on photos to view larger)

Kayak Gowlland Harbour 5 May 2014