Hiking – Morte Lake Loop – 12 Jan 2022

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This trip has been cancelled.

Activity Hiking
Destination Morte Lake
Date 12 Jan, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Brent Henry
Contact Info brenthenrys@gmail.com; 250-205-1106, text preferred. Please contact coordinator by Monday evening.
Description
We will hike the classic Morte Lake loop, counter clockwise, staring at the Morte Lake trailhead parking lot. There is a slight possibly that it may be appropriate to use snowshoes, but at this time present snow levels should be drastically reduced. I will advise participants after Monday night if we will use snowshoes.  If some snow remains, gaiters are advised. bring light plastic bags as boot liners and a spare pair of winter socks. Ground conditions will most likely be wet.
Meeting Place Morte Lake parking lot.
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Variable with conditions
Costs
Trip limits
Dogs? Dogs must be under owner’s control at all times. Please carry a leash for emergencies.
Notes: We will do the loop if possible, with a quick lunch stop, if agreeable to the group. So, bring a lunch and a hot thermos, if you have one, as well as water.

Hiking – Village Bay Lake Trails – 2 Feb 2022

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Activity Hiking
Destination Village Bay Lake trails
Date 2 Feb, 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.  The route is in good condition, but expect wet and muddy sections especially along the marsh.  About 5 km.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot.  We will drive out in a group.
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Easy
Costs None
Trip limits None
Dogs?
Notes: Bring gear appropriate for the weather and trail conditions, as well as a snack.

Hiking – Fir Crest/Haskin Farm Trail – 25 Jan 2022

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Activity Hiking
Destination Fir Crest/Haskin Farm Trail
Date 25 Jan, Tuesday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 285-2029; lhquadra@gmail.com
Description Easy hike and course will depend on snow. Only about 1 1/2 hour
Meeting Place Haskin Farm trailhead (Smith Rd. & Heriot Bay Rd.)
Departure Time 10:00 pm
Difficulty
 Easy
Costs None
Trip limits 8
Dogs? O.K. but not back and forth through group
Notes: Bring a snack if you like, but will not stop for long

Snow – Mt. Washington – 19 Jan 2022

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Activity Snow shoeing
Destination Mt. Washington
Date 19 Jan, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Valerie van Veen
Contact Info vvv@qisland.ca;  250 285 2329
Description Snowshoe Mt Washington trails.  There is a trail pass charge (see below).  Mt Washington trails are excellent and very beautiful.
Meeting Place Parking lot just off highway at Mt Washington turnoff
Departure Time 9:00 ferry
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs Ferry, fuel and Mt Washington show shoe trail pass $12
Trip limits None
Dogs? No
Notes: If you are new to snowshoeing please contact coordinator, I would love to take you out on Mt W trails. Snowshoes can be rented at the Nordic Centre, https://www.mountwashington.ca/snowshoeing.html to book ahead. Must register by Monday night to participate. Bring lunch, snacks. Participants are expected to carry the usual winter safety gear for this sport.

Hiking – Campbell River Waterfront – 9 Feb 2022

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Activity Hot Chocolate Walk
Destination Campbell River waterfront, to FoggDukkers, return
Date 9 Feb, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Valerie van Veen
Contact Info vvv@qisland.ca;  250 285 2329
Description This will be a brisk walk along the CR waterfront to FoggDukkers for Hot Chocolate (or ?), probable return on 1:30 pm ferry. FoggDukkers will open for us, on request, regardless of weather. Seating will probably still be only outside, current VIHA Covid restrictions. If weather is really awful, we will follow Plan B and turn right instead for a shorter walk, and take our own thermoses (or pick up a hot chocolate at the new coffee shop in Discovery Plaza) to Dick Murphy Park at the Spit, and return.
Meeting Place Ferry Terminal , CR, sidewalk at walk off area
Departure Time 10:00 ferry
Difficulty
 Easy
Costs Ferry and hot chocolate
Trip limits None
Dogs? Leash only
Notes: Dress for the weather, and especially for sitting outside. Maybe bring a waterproof sit-upon. Those taking their cars must phone coordinator before Wednesday to arrange a meeting place. Must register by Monday night, phone or email coordinator. Participants will be notified by Tuesday night if Plan B is decided.

Trip Report – West Road Woodlot – 29 Dec 2021

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Due to the snow and cold, the planned trip to Village Bay Lake loop was saved for a better day.  The road conditions, the busy holidays and water pipes freezing in the cold kept the group small.  So three of us did a short local hike on logging roads instead.

It was overcast, but we had a pleasant stroll on snowy paths through a peaceful forest, plus a view of Gowlland Harbour.  It was good to get out.   3.9 km, 1¼ hours
 
Norris
 

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – West Road Woodlot – 29 Dec 2021

Hiking – West Road Woodlot – 29 Dec 2021

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This is a last minute substitution.

Activity Hiking
Destination West Road Woodlot
Date 29 Dec, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710.  Please contact the coordinator before the trip.
Description We will walk down a few of the out-and-back logging roads.  The route includes mature forest, replanted forest, a view of Gowlland Harbour, and a meandering trail.  About 3km; 1 hour.
Meeting Place Park on Gowlland Harbour Road, near the junction with West Road, by the transformers.
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Very easy, but expect winter conditions – cold and snow covering some ice.
Costs None
Trip limits None
Dogs?
Notes: Bring gear appropriate for the weather and trail conditions.

Hiking – Quinsam River Trails – 23 Feb 2022

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This trip was originally scheduled for Jan 5th.

Activity Hiking
Destination Quinsam River Trails
Date 23 Feb 5 Jan, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca; 250-285-3710.  Please contact the coordinator by Monday evening.
Description We will hike along the east side of the Quinsam River, using mountain bike trails and logging roads.  This follows a variety of terrain down to the river.  Expect some muddy conditions.
Meeting Place QCove ferry terminal;  after exiting the ferry, we will drive to the parking area together.
Departure Time 10:00; drivers will need to be early to ensure that they can board
Difficulty
 Easy
Costs Ferry
Trip limits 10
Dogs?
Notes:

Trip Report – Gowlland Harbour – 21 Dec 2021

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Paddle into Winter (Solstice)

A very nice winter day provided an opportunity for seven club members to get together for a 2 hour paddle to celebrate the Solstice. With an icy boat launch at April Point and a skim of ice in the harbour it was a wintry day. We paddled out of the marina on calm seas, overcast skies and temperatures around freezing. The three paddlers that put in further east in Gowlland, paddled against the current in the channel and met up with us for the trip out and along Gowlland Island. We rounded the top of Gowlland with Steep Island on our port side and then altered course towards the smaller island group and away from a cold northerly breeze.

The group split up again and four of us rounded Doe Island and headed for April Point and rode the ebb current through the channel.

The highlight of the trip was watching the efforts of an eagle in its attempt to snare a cormorant for its afternoon meal.

Vic

(click on photos to enlarge)

Kayaking – Gowlland Harbour – 21 Dec 2021

Trip Report – Rampart Hill – 15 Dec 2021

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It was an adventure; not everything went smoothly.  First we missed the 10:00 ferry, thinking mistakenly that it wouldn’t be a busy sailing. After waiting an hour for the next departure, the three of us drove up the Strathcona Parkway.  For this time of year, there is an amazing amount of snow, nearly down to the highway.  The road up to Mt. Washington was good enough, but there was so much snow, we decided to snowshoe at Rampart Hill instead.  It was snowing hard and we had lunch in the car before heading out.  Although the logging roads had snow packed down on the weekend, there was no visible trace and we were doing some serious trail breaking.  Once we left those packed roads it was even more challenging, because the snow was so unconsolidated, especially around brush.  Norris fell through twice, the first time down over a metre and he had real difficulty getting the snowshoe back to the surface.  Then Bonnie fell through and we decided we had had enough trail breaking for the day, so we headed back, rather than forward.  We never encountered anyone else on the trail.  It was beautiful in a monochromatic way and very quiet.  4 km, 2½ hours.

Debbie

(click on photos to enlarge)

Snow – Mt. Washington – 15 Dec 2021