Hiking – Maud Island- 6 Apr 2022

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Activity Hiking
Destination Maud Island
Date 6 Apr 2022, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 250-285-2029
Description We will meet at store and then drive the half hour out to trailhead. We will go out and back the lower route so it will be easier. About 9km and 4 hours including lunch. I am told there is some blowdown on the trail so be prepared for that.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Easy to moderate
Costs
Trip limits 10
Dogs? O.K. but must not run back and forth through group. Also must leash at drop off spot.
Notes: There is a max 7.7 knot ebb at 12:23. This is not huge but should still make for some interesting views.

Trip Report – Mt. Washington – 16 Mar 2022

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Our small group enjoyed a beautiful spring day at Mt. Washington.  It was not crowded in spite of Spring Break.  There was fresh snow on a crusty base for the snowshoe trails.  We crossed Paradise Meadows and climbed the well used trail up to Battleship Lake where we had sun, cloud and snow showers.  The lake was lovely, but a bit breezy and we sheltered on an island for lunch.  The light and silence at the lakes were wonderful.  We traversed Battleship Lake over consolidated snow so that we could easily take any route we wished.  We followed a rise through the forest over to Lake Helen MacKenzie and followed the lake to the mid-point.  We then more or less followed the summer trail back to Paradise Meadows. We stopped in the uncrowded Raven Lodge for a snack before heading home.  7.4 km, 3¼ hours.
 
 
Debbie
 

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Snow – Mt. Washington – 16 Mar 2022

Trip Report – Heron Pt. and Mt. Sweat – 9 Mar 2022

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Six of us took advantage of the superb weather to hike to a couple of excellent viewpoints.  The first viewpoint, Heron Point, is a short, easy walk over moss covered bluffs.  The next bit, up to the top of Mt. Sweat, starts with a walk through an old forest, then the trail winds up bluffs and moss covered ledges.  In some places the path is steep.  On top, the air was cool and crisp with excellent visibility and the sun was warm, so we lingered there over a long lunch.  The way down was a flagged route, again on moss covered ridges, easy walking.  Finally, a walk back on a gravel road, to complete the loop to the vehicles.  Thanks to Heather Kellerhals for letting the Outdoor Club use the Chauntaluf farm trails to make this loop.  3.9 km, 3¼ hours, with multiple long stops at viewpoints.

Norris
 

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Hiking – Heron Point and Mt. Sweat – 9 Mar 2022

Snow – Mt. Washington – 16 Mar 2022

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Activity Snow shoeing
Destination Mt. Washington area
Date 16 Mar, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca or 3710.  Please contact the coordinator by Monday night.
Description Snowshoe or cross-country ski at the Mt Washington area, depending on the group and interests.  We might snowshoe up to the Lakes, as we have not done that yet this year.  We expect recent snow and temperatures near freezing.
Meeting Place QCove ferry terminal
Departure Time 9:00 ferry.  Drivers need to be early to board.
Difficulty
 Moderate, depending on choices and conditions.
Costs Ferry, fuel (!!!) and likely a Mt Washington snow shoe trail pass at $12
Trip limits None
Dogs? No
Notes: We will not go if rain is forecast at 1,000m.  Bring lunch and gear appropriate for the weather.

Trip Report – Cape Mudge Trails – 2 Mar 2022

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Five of us walked these lovely and varied trails on the We Wai Kai land.  The trails were well maintained after winter storms and well used.  We started on the forest loop, enjoying the old and interesting Big Leaf Maples and the deep ravine before coming out on the bluff overlooking Willby Shoals.  We continued on past the lighthouse and campground, joining a trail along Discovery Passage, heading north toward Yaculta.  This section has good views and some big Douglas fir trees.  On the return, we stopped for a bite at a picnic table in the campground.  The rain held off for us and it was a gentle day, good for a walk.  A few of the group met up at Quathiaski Cove cafés after the hike for hot drinks and treats.  7.4 km; 2½ hours without the snacks.

Debbie
 
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Hiking – Cape Mudge Trails – 2 Mar 2022

Paddling/Hiking – Main Lakes Provincial Park – 22 April 2022

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Activity Paddling/Hiking
Destination Main Lake Provincial Park
Date 22 April, Friday  Earth Day
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-285-2111; text 250-287-0459
Description We will combine a paddle and hike on this one. Paddle Mine and Main Lakes to the Clear Lake Creek. Hike along the creek and visit a Douglas fir and and Red Cedar which may be Quadra’s biggest trees.
Meeting Place Mine Lake boat launch
Departure Time 8:30 meet up; 9:00 am on the water
Difficulty
 Easy to moderate depending on weather
Costs None
Trip limits 8
Dogs? No
Notes: Kayak or canoe but must meet club and coast guard guidelines for safety. Be prepared for a full day – lunch, snacks and appropriate clothing for changeable spring weather and a two activity day.

Hiking – Trout Creek Falls – 30 Mar 2022

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Activity Hiking
Destination Trout Creek Falls
Date 30 Mar, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca; 250-285-3710.  Please contact the coordinator by Monday evening.
Description We will drive out Menzies Main a short distance to the trailhead for Trout Creek.  This undulating and varied trail passes by three falls, each very different and scenic.  The trail is basic and it may be a bit muddy, rooty and rocky.  There are a few steep sections, but it’s quite short overall.  About 5km; 2½ hours.
Meeting Place QCove ferry terminal
Departure Time 10:00; drivers will need to be early to ensure that they can board
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs Ferry
Trip limits 10
Dogs?
Notes: Bring gear for the weather and lunch.

Hiking – Heron Point and Mt. Sweat – 9 Mar 2022

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Activity Hiking
Destination Heron Pt and Mt. Sweat loop
Date 9 Mar, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710  Please contact the coordinator by Monday night.
Description This is a short hike starting on Kolker Main. We will briefly follow a logging road, a short connector and a mossy bluff to Heron Point for great views of Hyacinthe Bay and the Chinese Mtn area.  From there we will take a cairned route through forest trails and rocky bluffs to Mt. Sweat. We descend to Kolker Main and return to the vehicles on the logging road.  This is a view hike and will not be done in poor weather.  About 4 km; 2½ hours.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot.  We will drive out in a group.
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Most easy, but some interesting places on Mt. Sweat.  If there are sufficient participants, a second, more level option is possible.
Costs None
Trip limits None
Dogs? No.
Notes: Some of this trip is on private property and we thank Heather Kellerhals for allowing our visit to Chauntaluf Farm.  Bring gear appropriate for the weather and trail conditions, as well as lunch.

Trip Report – Quinsam River Trails – 23 Feb 2022

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On a bright and very cold morning, five of us hiked some of the trails on the east side of the Quinsam River.  We entered this complex trail system at Boneyard Bypass and rambled through the forest and ravines until we came out on a high bluff with great views of the Vancouver Island mountains and some warm sunshine.  Returning to the forest, we encountered a bit of snow before descending to the river bank.  This is a beautiful salmon river with a high bank to the west.

Our lunch stop was at the bench overlooking a bend in the river.  The bench is amazingly comfortable and perfectly situated to catch the mid-day sun.  Unfortunately the river is undercutting the bank beneath the bench and more bank was falling into the river during our brief stay.  We continued south and climbed back up to the high land, wandered along many trails with interesting names like Wind-Up, Slammin’ Salmon, Squirrel Run, Eagle Rest and Jade Dragon.  This route covered a variety of forest, open bluff and ravine edge for some dramatic terrain.  Completing a loop, we returned back along the same path.  On this beautiful day, there was something new on this trip for everyone, and for many it was the first visit.  (10.2 km; 3½ hours)

Debbie
 

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Hiking – Quinsam River Trails – 23 Feb 2022

Trip Report – Mt. Washington – 15 Feb 2022

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A small but enthusiastic group enjoyed a perfect “bluebird” day on the Snowshoe trails on Mount Washington on Tuesday, February 15. Though no new snow, the conditions were excellent, slightly crusty, and the trails were more navigable than on our January trip.

We headed out clockwise on Lost Cabin to Crooked Creek trail. This lovely loop meanders over the summertime ponds and marshes, following and sometimes crossing Crooked Creek. We stopped at the return point, going off the trail to take shelter from the rising wind behind a small copse. We were beside an unmarked but well used trail which we suspected went out to Battleship Lake. We didn’t have time to explore this but noted it for future trips. We then returned to Lost Cabin trail opting to take the slightly longer Tree Beard trail back to the Lodge which took us up to the junction with Rossiter’s Ridge, a favourite lunch spot. We stopped briefly to admire the stunning view, then headed back to the Lodge. We enjoyed lingering over well-earned cups of hot chocolate on the deck in the sunshine – a beautiful day after so much fog, cloud, and drizzle of the past few weeks.  2 hours on trail;  5 km.

Valerie 

Thanks to Misha Cook for the photos

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Snow – Mt. Washington – 15 Feb 2022