Kayaking – Gowlland Harbour – 10 July 2024

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Activity Kayaking and social
Destination Gowlland Harbour
Date: 10 July 2024, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info lhquadra@gmail.com or 250-285-2029
Description This will only be a one and a half to two hour paddle followed by a social hour on the deck at my house. I will provide appetizers.
Depending on current and weather we may go around Gowland Island otherwise we will just stay around the southern part of Gowland Harbor. Because of this please bring a spray skirt and all necessary equipment mandated by the Coast Guard.
If it is more than showers the date will be changed.
Meeting Place 1157 West Rd
Departure Time Meet at 10:00; Leave at 10:30
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs None
Trip limits 12
Dogs? No
Notes: Only one vehicle at a time can come down the hill so be on time. I have permission to park vehicles at the landlords house. From there it is a steep concrete driveway with a switch back involved. You will need to be able to back up with your mirrors to get down close to the water. Otherwise you will park up above and we will use two people to carry the kayaks down. When you sign up I will explain more as it will not be that hard.

Trip Report – Surge Narrows Trail – 5 June 2024

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Eight of us and a dog car-pooled out to the very full parking lot at the end of the Surge Narrows road. We had a quick look at the dock and offered assistance to two locals but it appeared the outer islanders are very independent. We then headed back up the steep hill to start our hike north.

At our first stop we watched the flood tide push through the narrows and saw a kayaker successfully navigate the rapids. We continued on the unmaintained route a little further north and had a relaxing lunch. We watched the tide come in a little with more spectacular views of the rapids and a brief viewing of the intertidal life, mostly sea stars. Then it was time to head back and enjoy the great hiking weather and get back to the parking lot. Some over ripe oyster mushrooms along the trail and a hint of huckleberry season is coming.

The trail is well kept with evidence of some bridge repair but one bridge is definitely on the watch list but easily traversed. Wild life was at a minimum except for one eagle diving for fish. A short hike but a very enjoyable hike.  (4.3 km; 2¾ hours)

Neil

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Hiking – Surge Narrows Trail – 5 June 2024

Hiking – Mt. Kitchener – 3 July 2024

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Due to some issues around this trip, please stay in touch with the coordinator.

Activity Hiking
Destination Mt. Kitchener
Date 3 July 2024, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info 285-3710 or norris.weimer@ualberta.ca.  Please contact the coordinator by Monday evening.
Description Mt. Kitchener is located northeast of Campbell River and south of Sayward in the Prince of Wales Range. The summit is 1,457m, but fortunately the first 1,000 m can be driven up, leaving about 500 m elevation gain.  The trail begins steeply through the forest and after a short scramble emerges onto a sub-alpine ridge.  As the the ridge gains height, the views appear on all directions.  We will visit Mt. McCreight (1,419 m) with some remembrances of the military plane crash from 1950.  We will continue on to Mt. Kitchener, but not visit the crash site.
Meeting Place Q Cove Ferry terminal.
Departure Time 8:00 ferry.  If the weather is very hot, we may go earlier.
Difficulty
 Challenging, but not very long
Costs Shared ferry and fuel costs
Trip limits 10
Dogs? No
Notes: This trip will require 4-wheel drive vehicles with some clearance.  We will not do this trip in poor weather.  Bring lunch and water.

Hiking – Kay Dubois Loop – 19 June 2024

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Activity Hiking
Destination Kay Dubois Loop
Date 19 June, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Kathy Sales
Contact Info lilsuzyh@hotmail.com, 250-285-3693 or 250-314-4055
Description We will start at the end of Fox road and head down into the woodlot, turning at the “Hansel and Gretel” trail down to the beach. We will continue on the Kay Dubois trail up to the end of Sutil Road, then return to Fox on the woodlot road.
Meeting Place End of Fox Rd
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Easy, with a few steeper parts
Costs None
Trip limits
Dogs
Notes:

Trip Report – Ripple Rock Trail – 29 May 2024

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Three of us caught the 9:00 am ferry to Campbell River and when we reached the parking lot at the trailhead only one other car was there.The weather was typical west coast Spring with patchy clouds, sunshine and rain in the distance.

On the way to Seymour Narrows there are several viewpoints with excellent views of Menzies Bay with log booms and other watercraft. With the recent rain all the new growth was spectacular with thimbleberries in bloom, salmonberries ripening and all the variety of ferns and other plants we are learning to identify. There are several bridges over rushing creeks with many wire covered wooden structures over wet areas. The trail overall is easy walking with some uphill stretches that require careful stepping due to rock outcroppings. One set of stairs had a broken step, which hopefully will get repaired soon, as we did meet a maintenance crew trimming the new growth along sides of the trail.

The view at Seymour Narrows overlooking where Ripple Rock was blasted is striking as you can see up and down the Narrows for quite a distance with good views of Quadra Island. At the bluff viewpoint a large group of school age kids where just finishing their lunches before heading back on the trail before us. On the return hike it started to sprinkle so jackets went back on. With the rain and the group ahead of us the trail seemed more muddy from when we came out. By the time we reached the parking lot the sun came out with blue skies as we headed back and caught the 3:00 pm boat to Quadra. All and all a very enjoyable hike.  (8.8 km 4 hours with lunch stop)

Allan
 

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Hiking – Ripple Rock Trail – 29 June 2024

Trip Report – Manson’s Lagoon Loop – 22 May 2024

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Eight of us gathered at Heriot Bay on a brilliant sunny day in May and carpooled to Manson’s Lagoon. Here a perfect low tide accommodated our trek across the sand to explore a couple of flower strewn islets in the middle of the lagoon where we sat and ate taking in the spectacular view surrounding us. After lunch we continued along a shoreline pathway and through the forest to the beautiful white sands of Hague Lake where the sun took it’s cue to warm us up enough to go wading in the clear, tepid water. Along the beach and through a forest to a roadway that curved uphill toward Manson’s Landing Coop Store. Here we took advantage of an opportunity to check out lovely local crafts, a great little book store, bakery, coffee shop and organic local grocery outlet. After coffee and yummy local chocolate we continued past Manson’s Community Centre, soccer field, Fire Hall, Museum, Senior’s Home & through the school yard onto a pathway leading through a delightful old growth forest hugging the west facing shoreline which eventually returned us to the Manson’s Dock, white sandy beach, carvings, Manson’s Spit and our vehicle.
Great day and memories.

Cyndy

Thanks to Cyndy for the photos.

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Hiking – Manson’s Lagoon Loop – 22 May 2024

Hiking – Savary Island – 26 June 2024

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This trip may be changed due to transportation issues.

Activity Hiking
Destination Savary Island
Date 26 June 2024, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Cyndy Chidley
Contact Info 250-285-3575
Description
Savary is a jewel of an island surrounded by white sand beaches.  We will hike around and through Savary, exploring its beaches.
The challenge is getting to Savary Island.  Water taxi and float plane are available, but sometimes complicated and expensive.  One option is to go to Powell River and take the scheduled water taxi from Lund.  We are still working on how to do this realistically.
Meeting Place: Water taxi dock
Departure Time TBD
Difficulty
 Mostly easy as the hiking is quite level.   Circumnavigating the island is very long.
Costs Cost of transportation to Savary Island
Trip limits
Dogs?
Notes: Please note that for practical reasons, the go-no go date for this trip is June 10.  Cyndy does not have communication once she has left for Savary Island.

Hiking – Surge Narrows Trail – 5 June 2024

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Activity Hiking
Destination Surge Narrows Trail
Date 5 June 2024, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Neil Unwin
Contact Info neilunwin08@gmail.com; 604 202 4762
Description This undulating trail makes its way north from near the end of the Surge Narrows Road, traversing slopes which descend to the shoreline. We will come out onto rocky bluffs overlooking Surge Narrows.  We can then continue on an unmaintained route which leads to Raven Bay.  Activities will depend on the height of the tide.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty Fairly short, with some steep sections
Costs None
Trip limits 12
Dogs? Yes if under control and not running through the group
Notes The tide will be flooding while we are hiking, but will not reach its maximum current of 9.7 knots until after 13:00

Multi-day Paddling, Camping, Hiking – Main Lake Prov Park- 12-14 June 2024

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This trip will likely be postponed and/or substituted.

Activity Paddling, camping, hiking
Destination Main Lake Provincial Park
Date 12-14 June 2024, Wednesday to Friday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-287-0459
Description We will set up camp at Main Lake and spend three days exploring by hiking and paddling. Destinations can vary with the group’s interests. Possibilities include paddle into Little Main, Paddle to Village Bay Lake, hike to Yeatman Bay and/or Surge Narrows.
Meeting Place Mine Lake boat launch
Departure Time 1000
Difficulty Easy unless the wind comes up while we’re on the water.
Cost Fee for camping
Trip limits 8
Dogs? No
Notes: This multi-day trip is relatively easy on a local lake, but requires good paddling and camping gear. Bring footwear suitable for hiking (easy). Each participant is responsible for their own camping gear and meals. Tent and meal sharing can be arranged if you buddy up with someone.
Ask coordinator about joining for just 1 or 2 days if you have a schedule conflict.Visit the BC Parks Camping website after May 28th to register and pay for camping.  https//:camping.bcparks.ca under “Backcountry” ;l “Backcountry Registration” ; “Main Lake”

Trip Report – Gowlland Harbour – 15 May 2024

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The paddling trip that almost wasn’t actually worked out really well for the three of us that showed up at Gowlland Harbour Resort. One health concern or another, and switching from one launch to another, played havoc with the plans and commitments for this outing.
We got on the water a little ahead of schedule and set off for a counterclockwise circumnavigation of Gowlland Harbour. Warm temperatures, nearly flat calm seas and friendly currents set the scene for a very enjoyable trip. Otters, seals, and a sea lion shared the harbour with us, the only humans on the water during our time out. We took our lengthy lunch break on the gravelly beach on the west side of Gowlland Island in view of a string of Private Property signs!

Many thanks to Gowlland Harbour Resort for allowing us to launch from their property.

Total distance: approx 10 km
Total time: 4 hrs with a nearly 1 hr lunch stop

Vic

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Kayaking – Gowlland Harbour – 15 May 2024