Hiking – Benn Copper Mine and Deepwater Bay – 27 Dec 2023

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Activity Hiking
Destination Benn Copper Mine and Deepwater Bay
Date 27 Dec 2023, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info 3710 or dmquigg@gmail.com; please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip
Description We hope to be able to drive up the active logging road to begin the hike.  We will follow old logging roads up to the copper mine and then return to follow the steep creek down to Deepwater Bay.  The old fish hatchery has recently sold and is being upgraded by the new owner.  About 7km, around 3 hours, and some noticeable elevation gain and loss.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot for car pooling
Departure Time 10:00 am
Difficulty
 moderate
Costs
Trip limits 10
Dogs?
Notes: We will need high clearance vehicles to avoid the long walk up the logging road.  Bring lunch and gear for the weather.

Hiking – Village Bay Lake Loop – 13 Dec 2023

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Activity Hiking
Destination Village Bay Lake loop
Date 13 Dec, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710  Please contact the coordinator by Monday night.
Description Starting on the Surge Narrows Rd, we will hike up a logging road and continue on a trail through a lovely forest near Village Bay Lake.  We will re-join the logging road for a while and then follow another trail which connects with the route along Vic’s Marsh.  There is lots of variety on this short loop.  Expect wet and muddy sections especially along the marsh.  About 5 km.
If the weather is dry, we will go to the swim rock on South Village Lake for lunch.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot for carpooling.
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Easy
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs?
Notes: Bring gear appropriate for the weather and trail conditions. Bring a snack or lunch if you want to have lunch at the Lake.

Walk and Social – Tyee Spit – 29 Nov 2023

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Activity Hot Chocolate Walk and Social
Destination Waterfront ramble to Tyee Spit and return
Date 29 Nov, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Valerie van Veen
Contact Info vvv@qisland.ca;  250 285 2329
Description A pleasant easy fall ramble. We will walk from CR ferry terminal to Tyee Spit, return via Freyja’s Croissants Coffee Shop on Shoppers Row. Those desiring a longer walk can walk on from Freyja’s to the Marina or…Scheduled walk is to return on 1:05 ferry.
Meeting Place Q Cove ferry terminal
Departure Time 10:00 ferry
Difficulty
 Easy
Costs Ferry, Freyja’s treats are pricey (but worth the $ and calories)
Trip limits None
Dogs? If under control; must stay outside at coffee shop.
Notes: Must contact coordinator by 8 pm Tuesday, 28 Nov. Walk will go ahead in rain; only cancelled if ferry cancelled.

Trip Report – Mt. Seymour – 6 Nov 2023

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Well, the weatherman was off again. LOL There was supposed to have been a small break in the rain on Monday morning so seven ambitious hikers decided to go ahead with the trip up Mt Seymour. It had poured rain all night, but was just a steady drizzle when we left Heriot Bay in the morning. When we got to the trail head on the Granite Bay road, we were surprised to find a big sign across the trail that said “Closed Blasting Underway”. We were able to catch a logger coming down the hill in a truck and talked to him. We found that they were extending the logging road farther to the south. The good news was that if we waited 20 minutes there was one more blast and then they were done for the day. After that we could go up the trail.

We chose to wait so started up the trail at 10:30 in the morning in the rain. There was plenty of water running down the old logging road from the heavy rain the night and week before and the creeks were all swollen. We had a bit of trouble crossing one creek, and had to go up to a log jam to cross. As anyone knows that has been up to this trail, the first 45 minutes is a steady ascent. We arrived at the turn off just as wet under the rain gear, from sweating, as we were on the outside. The rain began to let up but the fog set in so we were not able to see very far. It was warm though, and quite pleasant as we wove our way up through the rocks to the top.

There was a slight breeze at the very top, so we came back down to the Browns Bay lookout toward the west for lunch. I had brought along a bottle of wine so that we could celebrate being to the top on such a nasty day. As we were finishing, the fog lifted enough that we could just see the structures at Browns Bay. On the way down we had to be very careful as the rocks were wet and slick. The fog kept gradually lifting until we could see Nugetzi Lakes very well by time we arrived at the viewpoint. The walk down the old logging road, with no rain, was quite tranquil as all the green moss and ferns seemed to really stand out. 7.8 km and 4½ hours

Les

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Hiking – Mt. Seymour – 6 Nov 2023

Hiking – Kay Dubois Loop – 18 Dec 2023

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Activity Hiking
Destination Kay Dubois Loop
Date 18 Dec, Monday
Trip Coordinator Louise Squire
Contact Info lsquire@sasktel.net
Description Starting at the entrance to Kay Dubois trailhead, we will carry on through past the big tree and make our way to the end near Sutil Road. At the end of Sutil Rd, we will follow the logging roads east and north. Before reaching Fox Rd, we will turn east onto a small trail that winds its way back to the Kay Dubois Trail, connecting at the big mother spruce tree. From here it will be a short hike back to the trail head.
Meeting Place End of Smith Rd at Kay Dubois trailhead
Departure Time 10:30
Difficulty
 Easy
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs Under control or on leash
Notes: The turnaround at the trail head parking area is very tight. Recommend large vehicles park at the beach access area (bottom of Smith Rd) and walk to the trailhead.The trail takes about 45 min to walk one way along the ocean and is quite flat until Sutil Rd where there is a steep incline. There are a few side paths to the beach to walk and if lucky, will have the opportunity to witness a whale breach or two.

Hiking – Hopespring-Thompson Trail Loop – 13 Nov 2023

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Activity Hiking
Destination Hopespring – Thompson Trail Loop
Date 13 Nov, Monday
Trip Coordinator Louise Squire
Contact Info lsquire@sasktel.net
Description We will meet at Hopespring Rd trail head and circle Heriot Ridge ending up on Thompson Rd and walking back to the trailhead. There will be 2 or 3 short side trips to check out Heriot Ridge viewpoints, some old growth and perhaps to the old homestead. Depending on weather and time, we will stop at Rousseau Rock for lunch (with a view), or stop at a grassy nook for a short lunch break and comradery.Fund Fact – Comradery is a spirit of friendship and community between two people or a group of people. The members of the group are comfortable around each other and support each other.
Meeting Place Hope Spring Rd Trail Head
Departure Time 10:30
Difficulty
 Moderately easy
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs? Under control or on leash
Notes: Bring a lunch, clothes for the weather, a seating pad and poles are recommended.

Hiking – Eagle Ridge Loop – 20 Nov 2023

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Activity Hiking
Destination Eagle Ridge Loop
Date 20 Nov 2023, Monday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710
Description This hike will include the official trail to Eagle Ridge and an unmarked route descending the ridge and continuing on to the higher ridge to the north.  From there we will descend to the logging road and return to the vehicles. The descent from Eagle Ridge is briefly very steep on mossy rocks.  There is no trail.  Three to four hours hiking.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 The section up to Eagle Ridge is a maintained trail of moderate difficulty.  The descent from Eagle Ridge is briefly tricky.  The segment to the next ridge and down to the logging road is on an unmarked route through mostly open forest.
Costs none
Trip limits 10
Dogs? No
Notes: Bring lunch, poles if you use them, and gear for weather.

Kayaking – Breton Islands – 29 Feb 2024

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Change of date and launch site.  Originally scheduled for Dec 21st , then Jan 31.

Activity Kayaking
Destination Breton Islands
Date 29 February, Thursday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-285-2111; (cell 250-287-0459).
Description This will be a short day paddle. We will put in from private property on Open Bay.
Daylight will be in short supply while the tide will be mid to high most of the day! Hopefully there will be plenty of birds and mammals to observe and some sun to warm us on the beach as we sip hot drinks and have lunch.
Meeting Place Private property off of Valdez Road. The address will be given to you by the coordinator.
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Easy; winter paddling
Costs None
Trip limits 8
Dogs?
Notes: This trip will be weather dependent! Paddling in a snow flurry can be more pleasant than in rain but lets look for light winds and some sun.
Be prepared for the weather; carry your snacks in the cockpit; staying warm and dry will be our our primary concern and will dictate the length of the outing.
Please review paddling guidelines in preparation for this outing: https://qioutdoorclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/paddling-guidelines-aug2018.pdf

Hiking – Nole to Noble – 4 Dec 2023

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Activity Hiking and Social
Destination Nole to Noble/ QCove Trails
Date 4 Dec 2023, Monday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-285-2111; text 250-287-0459
Description Happy Hour in the morning….coffee, etc at our meeting point, followed by an easy walk. We will walk the “Nole to Noble” right of way including the big staircase and several side trails which we will zig and zag on while looking for Johann’s perched carvings.
Meeting Place Aroma Cafe
Departure Time Meet for coffee, etc at 0900; Walk at 1000
Difficulty
 Easy
Costs Breakfast, snack, beverages
Trip limits 8
Dogs? On leash
Notes: Parking can be a challenge.
The trails are mostly on private property, thus the limit of 8.
This event will go rain or shine. In the event of high winds however, I will cancel as this forest is subject to windfall.

Trip Report – Kw’as Park, Cortes – 30 Oct 2023

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Eight of us met early for the 9:05 ferry to Cortes, which turned out to be unnecessary as the line-up of vehicles was short.  We had a beautiful, clear, cold, autumn morning for the trip over to Cortes Island and we saw a few humpback whales on the way.  We started the hike at the trailhead near the Cortes Island Motel and appreciated the maps at the junctions which are new since we hiked this loop in 2020.  We ascended up toward the Summit and then along the Millennium Trail undulating over rocky outcroppings and through an open forest.  We had views of Hague Lake before we reached the Swim Rock, where we stopped for lunch.  It was wonderfully sunny and warm..
 
We continued on the trail high along the cliff with arbutus and great views.  We descended the ladder along the Rock Face and made a short side trip to visit the impressive Survivor Fir.  The old arched, wooden bridge crossing the narrows between Hague and Gunflint Lakes has been replaced by a new aluminum bridge, which has less charm, but is certainly safe.  We walked the loop to the south, including Pierre de Trail and the Cedar Ridge, enjoying the large Douglas fir at the junction, which is even bigger than the Survivor Fir.  We returned over the bridge and walked the trail along the west shore of Gunflint Lake, with great views along the way and the steam donkey remains.  
 
This is a great hike with lots of variety and highlights.  The trail was very quiet at this time of year.  The views at Whaletown, waiting for the return ferry, were lovely in the afternoon light, as was the return trip to Quadra. It was altogether a beautiful day.  9.1 km, 4¼ hours.
 
Debbie
 

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Hiking – Kw’as Park, Cortes – 30 Oct 2023