Trip Photos – Hiking Seymour Ridge 13 July 2013

Four intrepid hikers went for this challenging hike on a clear, warm day.  We hiked up to the Seymour summit with excellent views of Little Nugedzi Lake, the outer islands, coastal mainland and Vancouver Island.  The trail was in excellent condition after being cleared from winter damage by volunteers for the Trails Committee.  We continued on to Nugedzi Lake for lunch.  There was an amazing display of wild tiger lilies around the lakes.  The hike then followed the Nugedzi trail through the forest and past the beaver ponds, with a side trip to the viewpoint over Georgia Basin.  There has been significant wind damage in this forest over the past winter.  From this point the route followed an unmaintained track along the ridge to Beech’s Mountain.  Progress was very slow, as the wind damage was severe in this area also.  After bush whacking and climbing through fallen trees, the group reached the Beech’s Mountain with rewarding views to the east.  The wild flowers were still very good along the way.  On the descent to the Chinese Mountain parking lot we encountered a grouse with chicks.  It took us 7 1/2 hours to go the 12.2 km, with lots of breaks and stops for photos.

Hiking Seymour Ridge 13 July 2013

Trip Photos – Kayaking Hyacinthe-Open Bays 7 July 2013

Six club members and one guest enjoyed a beautiful day for our paddle from Hyacinthe Bay to Open Bay. A light wind, gusting NW to about 12-15 knots in more exposed waters, provided some challenge, but the warm, dry weather made for a very pleasant paddle overall. The low tide at Hyacinthe Bay made for a good work out in getting launched. A river otter interrupted his fishing off the rocks to watch us warily as we paddled out into the Bay.
Our first pause was to admire the new, custom designed Toelle built, Peterson home in Hyacinthe Bay, which hugs the bluff as if grown, rather than built, there.
We skirted around seal rock, being careful to not disturb the dozen or so seals enjoying the sunshine and low, low tide.
The very low tide at Open Bay gave us plenty of beach to enjoy as we ate our lunch, and chatted with friends there with their dogs for a good beach run.
Somewhat reluctantly we left our relaxing lunch spot to tour the amazing rock formations of Open Bay. We made a note to plan a club tour with a local geologist to learn more about the fascinating geological history of this area.
With the wind rising, we headed directly back to Hyacinthe Bay, admiring the cliffs of pillow lava as we rounded the point. Some members spotted the route they took on an earlier club hike over Hyacinthe Ridge.

Route: Hyacinthe Bay (Len Road) to Open Bay and return
Total time from put-in to return: 4.5 hours (10 am – 2:30 pm)
Number of participants: 7
Winds and Sea state: light to moderate winds, 5 – 15 knots; slight ripples to low waves
Weather: sunny, warm, 23C
Trip Coordinator: Valerie van Veen

Kayaking Hyacinthe-Open Bays 7 July 2013

(click on photos to view larger)

Hiking Shellaligan Trail 27 July 2013

Activity hiking
Destination Shellaligan Trail
Date Saturday, 27 July 2013
Trip Coordinator Syd Lapan
Contact Info 285-2999.  Please contact the trip coordinator prior to the trip.
Description We will be hiking the smaller loop, and stopping at the rocky ledges to enjoy the view.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot, to arrange carpools
Departure Time 13:30
Difficulty
Easy, with some steep sections
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? no
Notes: Bring a snack and water

Trip Photos – Hiking Maud Island 30 June 2013

Six people hiked to Maud Island on a warm, sunny day.  The views were good from Mt. Lolo cliffs and the Seymour Narrows overlook.  There was a spectacular grove of foxglove and lots of fringed pine sap.  At the narrows, there were whale watching boats, yachts, log booms, fishing boats, and eagles.  There is a lot of nice variety to this trail — mossy forest walk, descending the cliffs on Mt. Lolo, the causeway to Maud Island, and Saltwater Lagoon.

Hiking Maud Island 30 June 2013

Social Rebecca Spit 17 July 2013

Activity Potluck
Location Rebecca Spit
Date 17 July 2013
Trip Coordinator Darcy Mitchell
Contact Info Please call Darcy Mitchell at 285 2739 or email darcm@telus.net to let us know if you’re coming and if you can bring a kayak for others to try
Description Calling all QI Outdoor club members and guests to a Potluck Picnic Dinner at Rebecca Spit on Wednesday, July 17 starting at 5:00 p.m.   We’ll have a few kayaks on site, so if you’ve been wanting to try your hand at paddling, this is your chance!  Dinner starts at 6:30.  We’ll also have some short reports on club excursions to date and time to discuss your ideas and feedback on Club activities and plans.  AND – there will be a draw for a door prize, so be sure to bring family and friends!
Notes:  

Kayaking Main Lake 21 August 2013

Activity Kayaking or Canoeing
Destination Main Lake Provincial Park
Date Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Trip Coordinator Darcy Mitchell
Contact Info darcm@telus.net  or 250 285 2739 . Please contact me at least 48 hours before the trip to let me know if you are coming.
Description Departing from the Mine Lake boat launch, we will paddle to the northeast corner of Main Lake where there is a 1.6 kilometre trail leading to Yeatman Bay.  Following a hike and lunch, and perhaps a swim, we will return to the boat launch by a more or less direct route, depending on the interest and energy of participants.  Not counting travel time to the lake, the trip should take between 4 and 5 hours, including about an hour to hike to Yeatman Bay round trip. The trip is weather dependent  –  I will contact you by 9 p.m. the night before if the trip will be cancelled due to weather.
Meeting Place Mine Lake boat launch
Departure Time Please arrive by 9:00 a.m. so that we can be on the water by 9:30.
Difficulty
Easy
Costs None
Trip limits None
Dogs? No
Notes: Kayaks/canoes  and equipment must meet Transport Canada requirements. Be sure to bring shoes suitable for walking the trail; it is an easy trail but may be muddy if we have rain near the date of the trip.  For a map of the park, click here: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/main_lk/main_parkmap.pdf

main_parkmap

Park info:
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/main_lk/

Social Heriot Bay Inn 9 August 2013

Activity Social
Location Heriot Bay Inn
Date 9 August 2013
Trip Coordinator Valerie Van Veen
Contact Info vvv@qisland.ca
Description You are invited to join the Valley Outdoor Association members for drinks after dinner in the HBI (exact time to be confirmed in August). Your suggestions– and your company on any outing – would be much appreciated.  Over 50 members of VOA will be staying on Quadra from August 9 to 13 for paddling, hiking and cycling.
Notes: http://valleyoutdoor.org

Mitlenatch Island 5 July 2013

Activity Sail, Naturalist
Destination Mitlenatch Island
Date 5 July 2013
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info 285-3710
Description Travel with JD aboard the Knot Again sailboat to Mitlenatch Island Provincial Park which is home to the largest seabird colony in the Strait of Georgia.  The gulls should have chicks by then and there should also be wildflowers and marine mammals.  To protect the birds the trails are quite limited, but you can cross the island, watch from the bird blind, and talk with the naturalist.  The trip is very weather dependent, so there could be a last minute change.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Inn dock
Departure Time 9:45 am sharp
Difficulty
Easy
Costs $25
Trip limits 8 persons
Dogs? No pets at the park
Notes: The expected return time is 6:00.  It is at least two hours travelling time in the boat each way.  What to bring:  lunch, footwear to get wet or waterproof high boots, sun lotion, and protective clothing.  There are life jackets on board.
IMGP8871min

Hiking Surge Narrows 28 Sept 2013

Activity hiking
Destination Surge Narrows
Date Saturday, 28 Sept 2013
Trip Coordinator Julie Mellanby
Contact Info 285-3978
Description Magnificent views of tidal rapids
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot – gravel area, carpool
Departure Time 09:30
Difficulty
Moderate, 3 km round trip
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? yes
Notes: Bring a lunch & watch Surge Narrows. 1 hour in to ocean, 1 hour out with a possible swim at Mine Lake afterward.

Kayaking Granite Bay to Small Inlet 7 Sept 2013

Activity kayaking
Destination Granite Bay to Small Inlet
Date Saturday, 7 Sept 2013
Trip Coordinator Tak Ogasawara
Contact Info 285-3012; tak.quadra@gmail.com
Description Tour Granite Bay and Small Inlet
Meeting Place Granite Bay dock
Departure Time 9:00
Difficulty
moderate
Costs $5.00/ car launching fee
Trip limits none
Dogs? no
Notes: Bring lunch. Expected return time mid-afternoon.

SmallInlet