Trip Report – Main Lake and Yeatman Bay – 19 Oct 2022

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Five of us took advantage of one of the last beautiful summer days of late October to hike to Main Lake from the Surge Narrows Road.  This is a relatively new trail.  It has been around, but not widely known.  It was a place to easily get lost.  It had obstacles, such as the Jungle Gym obstacle course of huge deadfalls.  But now BC Parks has recognized it.  It is flagged and cleared and the path is easier to follow.  The first part can be wet, but that was not a problem after our long drought this summer.  We stopped off at Roscoe Lake, good for swimming, but nobody took the plunge.  Then the trail goes down through a nice old forest with mossy understory, passing some giant trees.    We stopped for lunch at the sandy east beach of Main Lake, then walked the old “portage” road to Yeatman Bay, which was very still and atmospheric.  On the way back we took another side trail to the swim rock on Main Lake, then walked back to the cars (noticing that it was uphill).  A lovely day, a lovely hike.    9.9 km; 4 hours  

Norris
 
Thanks to Carrie and Norris for the photos.
 

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Hiking – Main Lake and Yeatman Bay – 19 Oct 2022

Trip Report – Shellaligan Pass Loop – 12 Oct 2022

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It was another gorgeous, sunny fall day as nine hikers set out to walk the Shellaligan Pass Loop counter clockwise. At the first bay we found two kayakers that were enjoying the calm day as well. From there we clambered over the large rocks along the ocean at the start of the trail.  There were places along the way where the salal is encroaching on the trail and there was some deadfall.

 

Well before the entrance to Village Bay we noticed a large flock of birds. There were hundreds of them. As we walked nearer Vic identified them as surf scoters. We stopped on the large rock outcrop at the entrance to Village Bay to watch them and have a snack. While there two Harbour Porpoises swam gracefully by.

We continued on along the bay and up the hill. At the junction to the longer route we decided to go down the hill and to the oyster lease, which turned out to be a mistake.  Shortly after the bridge we came upon a large cedar tree that had fallen squarely down the trail. We climbed through six foot ferns and dead fall to go around. At the oyster lease we went out on the rock point and enjoyed another break in the sun. From there we went back through the difficult area, up the hill and back to the vehicles.  Approx. 5km, 2½ hours

 
Les
 

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Hiking – Shellaligan Pass Loop – 12 Oct 2022

Hiking – Nole to Noble – 22 Nov 2022

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Activity Hiking
Destination Nole to Noble Right-of-Way
Date 22 Nov 2022, Tuesday
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. Walk the “Nole to Noble” right of way including the big staircase and several side trails – maybe it’ll be another barbell pattern?
Extra challenge – can we get to the meeting place in less than 4 vehicles?
Meeting Place Aroma Cafe
Departure Time 9:00
Difficulty
 Easy
Costs Not much
Trip limits 10
Dogs? No
Notes: Rain/snow or shine – come dressed for the weather.

Trip Report – Village Bay Lake and Beyond – 5 Oct 2022

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Our kayak group of nine met on a fall morning at Village Bay Lake bridge.  By 10:20 we were launched, enjoying the easy paddling on calm, flat water. As we wandered up the lake we noticed many newly renovated cabins and a few new homes. Many were still occupied for this late in the fall.

The creek between Village Bay Lake and Mine Lake was quite shallow as the lake water level is down. The kayaks had no trouble, but a boat with a motor would have. We stopped at the Big Sandy beach at the entrance to Main Lake for an early lunch. The water was still flat on a bright sunny day so decided to paddle to the campsite at the north cove. A few people swam there while others stretched and relaxed.

From there we paddled back to the vehicles with just a short stop at Big Sandy. 13.7 km and 4½ hours

Les

Thanks to Carrie and Norris for the photos.


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Kayaking – Village Bay Lake – 5 Oct 2022

Work Party – Chinese Mtn – 2 Nov 2022

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Activity Work party
Destination Chinese Mtn
Date 2 Nov, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca or 3710; please contact the coordinator in advance of the outing.
Description We will be working on a few areas where salal is encroaching on the trail.  We will work until about noon and then have lunch at a scenic location.  The Trail Committee provides tools.  Bring your own gloves, and your own tools if you prefer them.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot to organize tools and carpool to the trailhead
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Moderate work
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs? No
Notes: Bring lunch.

Hiking – Main Lake and Yeatman Bay – 19 Oct 2022

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Activity Hiking
Destination Main Lake and Yeatman Bay from Surge Narrows Rd
Date 19 Oct, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710.  Please contact the coordinator by Monday evening.
Description This recently improved trail is a pleasure to walk through some excellent mature forest, meandering along a creek down to Main Lake.  From there we can follow the old portage/logging road route to Yeatman Bay.  About 10 km round trip, taking 3 hours.  It is a fairly long drive on the Surge Narrows Rd to the trailhead.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Tru Value parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty Moderate
Costs none
Trip limits 10
Dogs?
Notes: Bring lunch and gear for the weather.  We will do this hike in rain or shine.

Trip Report – Fir Crest Loop – 28 Sept 2022

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After a bit of very light rain, nine of us walked this easy “bar-bell” loop.  Starting at the entrance to Fir Crest Acres, we walked along the north edge of this recently made trail.  The wide trail slopes gently down through the forest.  We then headed south along the edge of the golf course and the bluff until we joined the Haskin Farm trail.  We followed this back to the trailihead and connected over to the logging road, which makes a grassy alley through mature trees.  We used Todd’s Trail to re-connect with Fir Crest, then retraced our path back to the northeast corner of the golf course.  From there we followed the road through back up the hill through Fir Crest Acres and to the vehicles.  Both the weather and the walk were gentle.  It was a very social outing with many people returning from an active summer.  6.6 km; 2 hours.

Debbie
 

Hiking – Fir Crest Loop – 28 Sept 2022

Hiking – Shellaligan Pass Loop – 12 Oct 2022

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Activity Hiking
Destination Shellaligan Pass loop
Date 12 Oct, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info lhquadra@gmail.com or 285-2029
Description We will do the shorter loop but go down to the oyster lease. We may see some whales from the rocks at the entrance to Village Bay as some have been in the area. Trip will take 2-3 hours depending on lunch.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Moderate, with rocky and steep sections
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs? Yes, but under control
Notes: Dress for weather and bring a lunch.

Kayaking – Village Bay Lake – 5 Oct 2022

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Activity Kayaking
Destination Village Bay Lake
Date 5 Oct 2022
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 250-285-2029 or lhquadra@gmail.com
Description This is an easy, casual paddle to enjoy this great fall weather. Depending on the group we may venture into Mine and Main Lakes.
Meeting Place Village Bay Lake parking lot at the bridge
Departure Time 10:00, launch at 10:30
Difficulty
 Easy
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs? No
Notes: Bring a lunch. Must have all equipment as per Transport Canada regulations. If in doubt check paddling guidelines.

Trip Report – Forbidden Plateau – 21 Sept 2022

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Four enthusiastic hikers enjoyed an absolutely perfect Fall Equinox Day as we hiked in Paradise Meadows/Forbidden Plateau. Our ultimate destination was Kwai Lake, via the circle route through Paradise Meadows and past Lake Helen Mackenzie. Taking the 8 am ferry, we were on the trail by 9:20 am.

We enjoyed a pleasant break at Lake Helen Mackenzie with stunningly beautiful reflections of the surrounding hills.  Debbie had wisely suggested we go counter-clockwise, as we always seem to go clockwise when hiking in this area. Even though this meant going uphill on the dreaded “Helen Mackenzie headwall”, it was still better than stumbling down the steep, rooty, eroded trail at the end of a long hike.

We were not the only ones enjoying the early autumn sunshine, as the number of cars in the parking lot attested. We encountered several backpackers on their way out, two school groups camping in the backcountry group camps, and many day-hikers like ourselves.  At Kwai Lake we found a quiet grassy area on the southwest shore for lunch, away from a large school group taking their break on the rocky outcropping on the opposite shore.  After lunch, we completed the circle, passing Croteau, Lady, Kooso and Battleship Lakes. Some sections of this circle route are boardwalk, protecting wetlands and tree roots, the rest varies from pleasant forest paths to very eroded, rooty trails.  About 6½ hours, approximately 17 km.

Valerie van Veen

Thanks to Valerie and Norris for the photos

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Hiking – Strathcona Park – 21 Sept 2022