Snow – Mt Washington – 15 Dec 2021

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Activity Snowshoeing
Destination Mt. Washington area
Date 15 Dec 2021, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca or 3710.  Please contact the coordinator by Monday night.
Description  The intention is to go snowshoeing near Mt. Washington, which is scheduled to open on Dec 10th.  As the snow conditions are still unknown, the plan is not precise until closer to the date.  The like destinations are Paradise Meadows or Ramparts Hill.
If you wish to car pool, please make your own arrangements with others of similar vaccination status.
Meeting Place Q-Cove Ferry; Drivers need to be on time to make the busy 9:00 sailing.
Departure Time 10:00 9:00 ferry from Quathiaski Cove
Difficulty
 Moderate, depending on the group
Costs Ferry and fuel. $12.00 for a snowshoe trail pass if we go to Mt. Washington nordic area.
Trip limits The limit is usually the number of cars driving up.  Cars should have chains available.  Car pooling will be at the discretion fo the driver, balancing fuel shortages and COVID caution.
Dogs?
Notes: Bring gear for the conditions and lunch.  Rental equipment is not available if we go to Ramparts Hill.

Hiking – South Chinese Mtn – 8 Dec 2021

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Activity Hiking
Destination South Chinese Mountain Viewpoint
Date 8 Dec, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Brent Henry
Contact Info quadrabike@gmail.com or text/phone 250-205-1106; Participants should confirm with the trip coordinator by Monday night, December 6th.
Description Starting at the Chinese Mountains trailhead, we will follow the South Chinese Trail to its intersection with Beech’s Mountain Trail but continue to the right up to the South Chinese Mountain viewpoint. Along this trail we ascend steep rock bluffs with lovely views to the east, west and south. After the southern viewpoint, where we can have a short snack or lunch break, we will retrace out steps to the north to the intersection of the descent trail leading to the valley between the two Chinese peaks. Optionally, depending on our progress and conditions, we can also add the ascent to North Chinese Peak. We will then descend the valley on the North Chinese Mountain Trail, an old mining/logging road, to the parking lot.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store parking lot.
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Moderate, with some slippery spots.
Costs
Trip limits
Dogs? Yes, but must be always under control, and owner must have a leash on the ready.
Notes: We will spend about 2 to 3 hours on this trail, with a main break at the viewpoint. As there can be slippery spots and ground/running water during the winter months, hiking poles and sturdy water proof hiking boots, with ankle support are recommended.

Trip Report – South Stramberg Route – 24 Nov 2021

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Thirteen of us hiked this trail even though the forecast was for rain and wind.  As it turned out, the weather wasn’t too bad, just some drizzle for a while.  It’s a forest trail anyway, so no views were missed, and the trees drip even when the rain stops.  The trail is very muddy in sections, so good boots are recommended.

Since the numbers were large, we split up into two smaller groups and that worked well.

We started on a recent logging road in a woodlot and continued on an old logging road through what is now Main Lake Provincial Park.  It’s a very pleasant old forest walk, partly on a mossy track and then through a wetter area.  After crossing the small creek we stopped for lunch in the forest before returning to the vehicles.  6.2 km and 2¼ hours.

Norris

Thanks to Norris and Carrie for the photos.

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – South Stramberg Route – 24 Nov 2021

Trip Report – Thompson Trail-Hopespring Loop – 17 Nov 2021

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On Wednesday four hikers did the Hopespring/Thompson Trail in reverse. It is surprising when you do a circle trip in the opposite direction how much different it seems. Although cool, we were treated to dry weather with even a few sunny breaks. The moss covered rocks were brilliant green in the sunshine. We stopped for a short break at the old growth trees called The Three Sisters. They are magnificent Douglas Fir that survived the big fire of the 20’s.  A little farther down the trail we made a small side trip to visit 19 old growth trees. It is one of the few places on Quadra where so many are gathered together.  From here we climbed back up and over Heriot Ridge to finish the hike. 8.5 km and 2½ hours.

Les

Thanks to Les for the photos.

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Thompson Trail-Hopespring Loop – 17 Nov 2021

Hiking – Kay Dubois Trail – 1 Dec 2021

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Activity Hiking
Destination Kay Dubois Trail and Whittington Woodlot
Date 1 Dec, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Diana McKerracher
Contact Info 250 285 3204 diana@gicable.com
Description Join us for an easy morning hike starting on the Kay Dubois Trail and looping back through the Whittington Woodlot. The lower trail is flat, with a short climb at the end near Sutil Road. The road through the woodlot is flat but has some muddy sections. If the weather is good, we will stop for a tea break at the ocean viewpoint.
Meeting Place South end of Fox Road at Whittington Woodlot gate
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Easy
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs
Notes: Since this is such a short hike, there will not be a lunch break. We will stop for tea & snack at the ocean viewpoint midway along the route.
Walking time approximately 1.5 hours.

Kayaking – Gowlland Harbour – 21 Dec 2021

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Activity Kayaking/Canoeing
Destination Gowlland Harbour
Date 21 Dec, Tuesday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-285-2111; text 250-287-0459
Description A day paddle to mark the Winter Solstice. We will put in at the April Pt boat launch and meander the islands and currents (very minimal all day) of Gowland Harbour. Daylight will be in short supply while the tide will be near high most of the day! Hopefully there will be plenty of birds and mammals to observe.
Meeting Place April Point boat launch
Departure Time 1030 meet up; on the water by 1100
Difficulty
 Considering the season and currents, lets call this moderate.
Costs Nil
Trip limits 8
Dogs? Only very strong swimmers!
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

Trip Report – Shellaligan Pass Trail – 10 Nov 2021

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There were 10 of us on this hike and we lucked out with a wonderful break in the rainy weather. Walking the larger of the loops in a counter clockwise direction we took in the fabulous ocean views and rock formations at the early part of the hike before stopping for lunch on a large rock outcrop at the onset of Village Bay. From there the trail continues along Village Bay providing views of the bay before going into amazing forested areas lush with trees and ferns. At one point the trail leads over a bridge that crosses a creek which was swollen with the recent rain water and then up a gradual incline parallel to the creek before joining onto logging roads further along. 6.6km; 3 hours

Vikki
 
Thanks to Norris and Vikki for the photos
 

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Shellaligan Pass Trail – 10 Nov 2021

Hiking – Thompson Trail-Hopespring Loop – 17 Nov 2021

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Activity Hiking
Destination Thompson Trail – Hopespring Loop
Date 17 Nov, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 285-2029; lhquadra@gmail.com
Description Starting at Thompson Road trailhead we will hike back to to the old growth known as Three Sisters and then on to Hopespring.
Meeting Place End of Thompson road
Departure Time 10:30
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs? O.K. but not back and forth through the group
Notes: Bring a snack or light lunch but will not be a long break.

Hiking – South Stramberg Route – 24 Nov 2021

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Activity Hiking
Destination South Stramberg Route
Date 24 Nov, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710  Please contact the coordinator by Monday night.
Description Starting at Open Bay Main, we will follow a logging road leading to Main Lake Park.  From there we will hike east along an old logging road which joins the north-south route to the Stramberg old growth grove.  This disused road is in good condition except for wet places and there is little elevation change.  There is a creek very near the end, which is an awkward crossing.  About 5.5 km; 2 hours, plus lunch.
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 lunch.

Trip Report – Karst and Water – 3 Nov 2021

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Having had nearly 50mm of rain and plenty of wind the day before, we substituted a simpler outing nearer to home than the one that had been planned.  Eight of us headed out in light drizzle to see streams and waterfalls in the Quatsino limestone formation on Quadra.  We hoped that the bounty of water would result in saturation and good flow.  Starting off on an old logging road, we followed the drainage of a mostly underground stream which appears and disappears usually at the bottom of a series of large, deep sinkholes.  We could walk down into the sinkholes for a closer look at the water, the limestone and the ferns.  There was no trail and care was required not to step into small sinkholes covered with moss. so we made our way slowly through the deadfall and brush.  The final insurgence ended at a large pool forming from the constricted drainage.  From there, we walked a short way down a logging road and up a trail leading to a waterfall.  The falls emerges from a wetland and falls into a very large sinkhole.  The drop into the sinkhole was over 16m, for an impressive chute.  Even on the way home we passed creeks in full spate.

Debbie

Thanks to Norris and Carrie for the photos

(click on photos to enlarge)

Hiking – Karst and Water- 3 Nov 2021