Hike – Nugedzi Lakes and Views – 16 Aug 2023

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Change of start time due to heat!

Activity Hiking
Destination Nugedzi Lakes and Views
Date 16 Aug 2023, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710; please contact the coordinator by Monday night.
Description Hike up a steep, eroded, old logging road and meander through open forest to the lovely Nugedzi Lakes.  We will also take two or three side trips to viewpoints looking northeast, southeast and west.  Nugedzi Lake is a great place for lunch and a swim.  About 11 km and 5½ hours.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store for car pooling
Departure Time 7:30 9:00
Difficulty At the upper end of moderate for us.  Quite long and steep.
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs? Must not run through the group.
Notes: Bring lunch and swim wear if you want to swim.  This is a view hike and will not be done in poor weather.

Multi-day Kayaking, Camping – Granite & Kanish Bays, Small Inlet – 22-24 Aug 2023

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This is now a day trip on August 22, Tuesday.

Activity Multi-day kayaking, camping and hiking
Destination Granite and Kanish Bays, Small Inlet
Date 22-24 Aug 2023, Tuesday to Thursday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-285-2111; text 250-287-0459
Description This will be a two night multi-day paddling trip out of Granite Bay. We will set up a base camp at Orchard Bay and explore the familiar haunts of Small Inlet and Kanish Bay. As well as doing lots of paddling we will do the hikes to Waiatt Bay and Newton Lake.
Day 1: paddle to Chained Islets and Bodega Pt and finish at Orchard Bay on a rising tide.
Day 2: paddle to east end of Small Inlet and hike to Waiatt Bay and/or Newton Lake (not a lot of tidal change on this day); camp at Orchard Bay
Day 3: paddle to Granite Pt., Nixon Is, Ashlar Creek and return to Granite Bay and take out on a rising tide.
WEATHER/WINDS will determine the final trip plan and itinerary. We will be very flexible.
Meeting Place Granite Bay boat launch at 0830
Departure Time 0900
Difficulty Distances, winds, and tides make this a moderately difficult multi day trip.
Cost Parking and launch about $15 to $20. Carpooling means fewer cars in the lot and lower costs.
Trip limits 8
Dogs? No.
Notes: Must have ocean kayaks with sealed hatches and sprayskirt with all Transport Canada required safety equipment. PLEASE REVIEW OUR PADDLING GUIDELINES. You will not put in unless fully equipped. (https://qioutdoorclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/paddling-guidelines-july2023.pdf ) Trip is weather and wind dependent. Only signed-up participants will be contacted of any changes in plans. MUST sign up by Sunday evening, August 20.
You need drinking water for 3 days, your own camping gear and food. Be aware of the weather forecast when prepping your gear and clothing. There are no food caches or outhouses. We will hang our food and have a designated “outhouse” area.

Trip Report – Open Bay to Village Bay – 10 July 2023

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Six Club members and one guest enjoyed an (almost) idyllic summer day on the Salish Sea on our July 10 paddle from Open Bay to Village Bay and beyond.

Before embarking, we reviewed  our Club’s Paddling Guidelines and discussed the proposed route, predicted weather, tide and currents . Two paddlers volunteered to take the going and returning sweep positions.

We enjoyed the easy launch from Open Bay using the beach property of a Club member and were soon perusing the islets around the Bretons. The calm, almost benign conditions encouraged us to take the outside route around the Bretons up Hoskyn Channel. We saw seals and many seabirds, including Mergansers, Oyster Catchers, Harlequins, Guillemots, and, most notably, Arctic Terns, possibly attracted by the large shoals of herring visible around the rocky reefs. Even though there were several boats apparently watching the whales who were audibly breaching and blowing south of us, disappointingly we did not see any whales during our paddle.

We arrived at Village Bay in time for a leisurely lunch, enjoying the warm sun and social time. As predicted, the wind began to rise just after 12:00, creating some visible chop. Still feeling energetic, we decided to proceed further north to paddle around Bold Island and visit the oyster and mussel farm. The aquaculture-farm was in full operation as we paddled leisurely by, to the envy of the workers. As expected, the conditions changed from benign to more challenging as we left the protection of Bold Point and came out into Hoskyn Channel. Given the wind/wave conditions we opted to head directly across to the entrance to Shellaligan Pass. The pass was a peaceful respite before the even more challenging conditions in Open Bay. A short, invigorating paddle through the rocky reef brought us back to the protected, calm waters of our launch site.  (15.1 km; 5 hours with lunch)

Once our kayaks and gear were loaded, we very much enjoyed a social hour on our Club member’s shaded and tranquil deck. We were also well entertained by the hummingbirds and swallows attracted to the many feeders, and nesting boxes on this lovely property.

With many thanks to the two volunteers who acted as sweeps on this trip, and especially to the Club member who offered us the use of their beach access, and then a social hour on their lovely deck afterwards.

Valerie van Veen

Thanks to Valerie and Norris for the photos.


(click on photos to enlarge)

Kayaking – Open Bay to Village Bay – 10 July 2023

Trip Report – Heriot Bay – 7 July 2023

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Eight paddlers launched at the Esplanade Park beach and headed off at 1900 for a meander along and around the islands between Heriot Bay and Hyacinthe Bay into the bright evening sun. It was a perfect summer evening, with favourable tides, a convivial group, and very light breeze.   We paddled between Heriot and Quadra Islands, and up into Hyacinthe Bay, turning around Turtle Island and heading back toward our launch site.

Unfortunately all was not perfect and a number of circumstances resulted in two of the eight paddlers becoming separated from the group.  This was a good heads-up to review the paddling guidelines and tighten up our Club practices.

With all eight paddlers back on the beach we quickly loaded up our gear, debriefed somewhat, and regrouped at the Heriot Bay Inn for cold beverages and very congenial conversation.  (About 5 km)

Debbie and Vic

(click on photos to view larger)

Happy Hour Paddle – Heriot Bay – 7 July 2023

Trip Report – Noel’s Pizza Peak – 3 July 2023

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Five hikers decided to leave an hour earlier because it was going to be another hot, dry summer day. We met at the Nugedzi Trail parking lot and started up the old road. The last two winters have done a lot of damage to the old road with all the heavy snow and run off. There was also a lot of blow down, but someone had been up with a chainsaw to take out the large trees.

We turned off the old road just past the back way up Beech’s Mountain. From here the trail was very rough and not maintained as it is not an official trail. We didn’t have too much trouble following the old route though and bushwhacked up to the bluffs. Here there are many wonderful views south, west and north. There was a lot of smoke in the air from all the forest fires, but still great views. After lunch, we returned to the vehicles another great hike completed. (8 km in 4½ hours)

Les

Thanks to Les and Norris for the photos

(click on photos to view larger)

Hiking – Noel’s Pizza Peak- 3 July 2023

Hiking – Main Lake and Yeatman Bay – 19 July 2023

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Postponed to 21 July, Friday.

Activity Hiking
Destination Main Lake and Yeatman Bay from Surge Narrows Rd
Date 21 July, Friday
Trip Coordinator Valerie van Veen
Contact Info 250 285 2329 vvv@qisland.ca 778 242 5774
Description This moderate hike starts from Surge Narrows Road through woods, past a lake and beside a creek, to the east end of Main Lake. We can then hike the portage track to Yeatman Bay. We can stop for lunch at the beach or the bay. Be prepared to drive a fair distance on unpaved roads. Bring swimsuit and towel if you wish. The beach and swim rock are great for sunbathing as well.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Tru Value parking lot
Departure Time 9:00 from the store; 9:45 at the trailhead
Difficulty Moderate
Costs none
Trip limits 12
Dogs? Must not run through group; must be under control; dogs and owners will go ahead of group
Notes: About 9-10 km. NOTE early start time. Trip weather dependent. Only signed-up participants will be contacted re any changes. Must sign up by Monday night, July 17. Bring lunch, water, snacks. I will meet the group at the junction of Valdes Drive and Village Bay Lakes Road at about 9:15.

Kayaking – Open Bay to Village Bay – 10 July 2023

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Activity Kayaking
Destination Open Bay to Village Bay
Date 10 July, Monday
Trip Coordinator Valerie Van Veen
Contact Info 250 285 2329 vvv@qisland.ca 778 242 5774
Description July 10 is the perfect day to launch from the Open Bay area with a higher tide throughout the day. This will be a gentle paddle to explore the Bretons, go through Moulds Bay and the Pass with the high tide allowing us passage, then on to Village Bay. We can go further afield if the group wishes, to Bold Island and possibly over to Dunsterville and surrounding islets. We have seen Humpbacks out in the Channel so we may be lucky on this trip.
Meeting Place Launch will be from the low gravel beach at a member’s home close to Valdes Beach.  Meeting point address and instructions will be given to Club members when they sign up for this trip.
Departure Time Meet at 9:30 am, on water by 10:00
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs None
Trip limits None
Dogs
Notes: Must have ocean kayaks with all Transport Canada required safety equipment. Trip is weather and wind dependent. Only signed-up participants will be contacted of any changes in plans. MUST sign up by Saturday evening, July 8. Bring lunch, water.

Trip Report – Caves near Sayward – 28 June 2023

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Five of us visited two caves in the Memekay area with the help of Bill West-Sells. Our caving trips had been interrupted by COVID and it was good to get back. We started with Chicken II, which is a large cave that used to have a river running through it. We drove further south and stopped for lunch in the shade, followed by a walk up along a series of caves so that Bill could try to reconnect a water pipe after the winter. From there we walked to the entrance of the Scallop Falls cave which is very beautiful and more challenging. This is like walking up a subterranean creek in a narrow slot canyon of marble and limestone. There were some tricky moves to try to stay out of the water and climb up the ascending creek. At the end, there were a few options to slither through narrow passages to emerge above ground, upstream from the cave entrance. All the options were narrow and muddy, but some more so than others. It was fascinating and rewarding and everyone had a good time. We’re so very grateful for Bill’s help and generosity in taking us to these amazing nearby places.

Debbie and Cyndy

Thanks to Norris, Cyndy and Bill for their photos

(click on photos to view larger)

Caving – Sayward Area – 28 June 2023

Happy Hour Paddle – Heriot Bay – 7 July 2023

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Activity Happy Hour Paddle
Destination Heriot Bay
Date 7 July, Friday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-285-2111; text 250-287-0459
Description We will paddle from 1900 to 2030 or so, then have beverage and snacks at the Pub. The tide will be mid and rising. The weather – more of the same.  Any seaworthy craft with required safety equipment is welcome.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Harbour Authority parking lot; park at the Esplanade
Departure Time Arrive at 18:45; on the water at 19:00
Difficulty Easy
Costs Change for Harbour Authority parking; whatever at the Pub.
Trip limits None
Dogs? No
Notes:

Naturalist Outing – Francisco Point at Low Tide – 17 July 2023

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Activity Intertidal exploration
Destination Francisco Point at low tide
Date 17 July 2023, Monday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg with Deb Cowper
Contact Info dmquigg@gmail.com or 3710.  Please contact the coordinator by Saturday night
Description Deb Cowper, an environmental educator, has graciously offered to accompany us on a low tide walk to identify those creatures we couldn’t figure out in May and perhaps some others.  This will be a walk on cobbled rock, so wear footwear that can get wet and has good traction. No flip-flops, please.  Be prepared for heat and have already had your lunch.  We will explore until about 13:30.
Meeting Place Francisco Point
Departure Time 11:45 to 12:00.  Deb will be coming on the 11:15 ferry
Difficulty There will be little distance covered, but attention needs to be paid to footing.
Costs None
Trip limits 12
Dogs? No
Notes
 Directions to Francisco Point: take Cape Mudge Rd south until it becomes Sutil Rd.  When the road curves to the north, take the right-hand turn onto Petroglyph Rd.  Parking is somewhat limited and car-pooling would be good.