Eight of us joined the Surge Narrows hike on Feb 24th. It was a nice crisp day with no rain. The first part of the trail was a new route with some up and down areas after we crossed the impressive new bridge. We noticed it was quite crunchy underfoot with crystallized ice formations and rocky over the new section. We crossed two other dilapidated bridges along the route, taking turns crossing, and then wound down to a scenic outcrop where we had lunch and checked out the ebbing tide forming rapids at the narrows. Heading back the same way we arrived, someone commented that the trail was good for cardio even though it isn’t too long a hike. Once we finished the trail we walked the road leading to the boat ramp and took a short trail off to the right to check out the dock. There was a marine radio on the dock for emergencies. It was an enjoyable hike and worth the drive. (3.8 km; 2 hours)

Vikki

Thanks to Vikki and Norris for the photos

Hiking – Surge Narrows Trail – 24 Feb 2023

Five of us walked the Little Black Dress – Back Door – Silk Stocking loop.  Instead of the predicted rain, we got a very fine mist, but it was calm and not cold.  The atmosphere was well suited to the very green, mossy bluffs, which these trails wind through and over.  On Little Black Dress we had a lunch break near the high point and remarked how quiet it was.  No signs of animals or birds, but we did hear a distant frog.  After lunch, it was mostly downhill on Silk Stocking, passing by artifacts from several old mining attempts.  (6.2 km; 2 ¾ hours)

Norris

Hiking -Little Black Dress – Silk Stocking – 20 Feb 2023

Seven hikers did a clockwise shorter loop walk on an overcast but dry day. Starting at the second parking lot, the short loop trailhead, we headed directly into the forest. Being late winter, most vegetation was beaten down and we had a better look into a beautiful mossy forest. We descended down to the junction above Village Bay, and elected to take the left trail down to the old oyster lease. The tree that fell on the trail last year had been cleared, making it a lot easier to get to the small beach. Not yet ready for lunch and it being a bit chilly, we headed back up to our junction, shortly after which we found another large tree down on the trail. We arrived at our lunch stop, the point at the entrance to Village Bay, where we sought out a bit of shelter from the wind for a quick lunch. Continuing along the coastal part of the loop, back to the parking lot, we arrived at the forest road trailhead, greeted by two friendly canine hikers, excitedly waiting to start their hike on the loop. We spent about 2½ hours in total, covering a distance of 4.7 kilometers.

Brent

Hiking -ShellaliganLoop – 15 Feb 2023