Hiking – Maud Island – 20 Aug 2025

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Activity Hiking
Destination Maud Island
Date 20 Aug, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Valerie van Veen
Contact Info Vvv@qisland.ca, 250 285 2329, cell 778 242 5774
Description This will be a great, and rare, opportunity to see the Narrows in max flood (12 knots at 1 pm) while we enjoy lunch in the sunshine! We will meet at the Morte Lake parking lot to carpool to the Maud Island trailhead. We will take the lower trail by the lagoon out and back. Bring lunch . About 3 hours, maybe longer to watch the current action . This will be a moderately paced hike. Fortunately the weather forecast is for average summer temperatures.
Meeting Place Morte Lake parking lot to carpool
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty Moderate
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs? No not recommended due to trail conditions
Notes Must contact coordinator by Tuesday evening.

Trip Report – Manzanita Bluff – 8 Aug 2025

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The Manzanita Bluff hike was postponed due to weather and it was worth the wait. Attending were six adventurous hikers that survived the long drive up the logging roads to the trailhead. We were surprised to find the first 100ft of the trail recently groomed with the blackberry and salmonberry branches removed. The route is now a well marked trail up to the Bluffs following the creek bed and eventually through an open forest with beautiful mature Douglas Fir trees.  By consensus, we decided that this trip was fairly challenging.

The group had a light snack surrounded by the Manzanita bushes and taking in the amazing views. The trail taken back was a loop back to Darkwater Lake where we all had a great lunch and a few took the opportunity for a cool swim before returning to the trailhead.  

Afterwards, most of the group went down to the bay on Discovery Passage for the view. 

Total distance of 5.1km, 340m ascent and total time of 4hrs 16 min.

Louise
 

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Hiking – Manzanita Bluff – 8 Aug 2025

Hiking – Campbell River Lookout (aka Broken Eyes) – 27 Aug 2025

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Activity Hiking
Destination Campbell River Lookout (aka Broken Eyes)
Date 27 Aug 2025, Wed
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 250-285-2029 or lhquadra@gmaill.com
Description This hike is located about 20 km north of Campbell River. It includes some difficult sections over a long, narrow log bridge and very steep climbs, sometimes assisted by fixed chains. The creek should be dry enough that you could cross on foot. There are excellent views from the summit. Elevation gain is 500 m; 7 km. For this hike you need to be fit, experienced and confident. You need good cardio and knees. This is a view hike so we need good weather. Be sure and sign up at least two days before in case date is changed.
Meeting Place Q Cove Ferry terminal
Departure Time 8:00 ferry
Difficulty
 Challenging
Costs Ferry
Trip limits 8
Dogs? No
Notes: Be sure and be at the ferry terminal early enough to get on the 8 o’clock. It is summertime busy. You need good footwear for this hike. Also, I would suggest one or two hiking poles; gloves may be helpful on the chains.. Be sure and bring a lunch and lots of water.
If anyone wants to carpool sign up early, and I will give you names of who is going, but the responsibility is yours for transportation.

Trip Report – Main Lake and Yeatman Bay – 30 July 2025

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It was a beautiful, but hot day for our hike into Main Lake Provincial Park and down to the Lake.  We started an hour earlier than originally scheduled due to the heat.  The eight of us hiked down through the beautiful forest, with green mossy understory in spite of the drought. The campground at East Beach was empty on arrival.  It was too early for lunch or even a swim, so we continued on, crossing the new skookum bridge over the creek, to admire the view from the swim rock, and then walk over to Yeatman Bay.  A large kayak group had pulled-up on shore just as we arrived.  After a short break we headed back to the campground for lunch.  The bay was very busy with three groups of visitors for the day.  About half of our group swam before heading back up the hill to Surge Narrow Rd and the cars.  It was a classic summer day for a wonderfully varied hike.  (9.7 km; 315m ascent; 4½ hours)  

Debbie
 

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Hiking – Main Lake and Yeatman Bay – 30 July 2025

Reconnaissance Report – Raft Cove Provincial Park – 22-24 July 2025

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We had wanted to visit Raft Cove by boat from the Mackjack River for at least a decade.  The combination of adequate information, timing and weather never worked out until July 2025.

The launch site is now well known and quite popular.  After the short, gravel path, access to the river is down a wooden ladder.  We thought the shore would be muddy, but it’s more like sand.  It works best to depart just as the tide in the river peaks and turns to ebb. This allows the boats to go with the current and float over the fallen trees.  The paddle down the river was lovely and makes clear that we are in a temperate rainforest.  It was mostly sunny and very quiet except for the Kingfisher.  The weather at the beach was “coastal” – warm with soft clouds and not too windy.  We set up our tents on the beach.  There were quite a few others camping in the park, but the area is large and absorbs many.  The park infrastructure of tent pads, outhouses and food caches was quite good for a remote park.

We had no particular agenda for our middle day.  The morning cloud/fog lifted to a brilliant, sunny day.  We relaxed in camp and walked a lot on the long, sandy beach, visiting the arch and sea stack.  We walked the hiking trail to the parking lot.  This was not exactly part of the plan, but the recent drought and the trail upgrade in 2009-2010 made this a reasonable walk instead of a gymnastic exercise climbing over fallen trees and through mud pits.

We packed up on the third morning and paddled across the river to briefly explore the south side of the park.  Although it was a bit early for the rising tide, we went with the flood tide back up the river returning to the launch site and the vehicles.  There were a few hurdles, but we arrived before two canoes launched and six paddle boards arrived after us.  This is a beautiful, wild area, but at least in the summer, it isn’t complete wilderness and solitude.

Debbie

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Trip Report – Newton Lake and Small Inlet – 23 July 2025

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A small group of four hikers undertook our “annual” midsummer trek to Newton Lake and Small Inlet. Being a hotter day we passed on the Waiatt Bay leg and allowed more swimming time.  It was shady and cool to start the hike so we arrived at Newton Lake in pretty good time. There was a solitary Common Loon to check on while we had a short drink break and then we headed to the Inlet.

Just under an hour later we were on the tidal flat of Small Inlet. The tide was flooding but still low enough to allow us to trek across to the spring and the trail to Waiatt Bay. The group decided to take the first turn off and headed back towards the lake. We crossed paths with a few boaters on their way to and/or from Newton Lake as we made the slow climb up the switchbacks with visions of lunch and a swim motivating a pretty steady pace.

We had the swim rock to ourselves and enjoyed a great swim on a beautiful summer day! The water was clear and not cold, the air warming towards mid-20s.  The shady trail down from the Lake made for an enjoyable walk out to the trailhead. (We were spared any attacks by wasps despite the warning sign posted by a hiker earlier this week).  (Length: 12.6 km, Time: 4 hrs 41 minutes)

Vic Gladish

Thanks to Jim, Louise and Vic for the photos

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Hiking – Newton Lake and Small Inlet – 23 July 2025

Hiking – Manzanita Bluff – 8 Aug 2025

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Change of date to 8 Aug due to weather.

Activity Hiking
Destination Manzanita Bluff
Date 8 6 Aug, Friday
Trip Coordinator Louise Squire
Contact Info lsquire@sasktel.net or 306-539-3813
Description Manzanita Bluff is an amazing viewpoint toward the north end of Discovery Passage. It’s quite a long drive on logging roads and about 250m uphill without a trail, but the view is worth it. The best route is through relatively open forest with some mature Douglas fir. We will make the side trip to Darkwater Lake after the hike and swimming is an option. About 5.6 km; 4¾ hours.
Meeting Place Quadra Legion parking lot
Departure Time 8:30
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs None
Trip limits 10
Dogs? No
Notes: It is quite a long drive up to the trailhead on logging roads. Best to carpool to limit number of vehicles. Swimming opportunity at the end at Darkwater Lake.

Trip Report – Gowlland Harbour – 21 July 2025

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Nine people gathered at my place for a easy paddle and social on a sunny summer day. Because of the driveway, launching from here is a challenge and the tide was very low. Once in the water we paddled north to check out all the new toys at Camp Homewood. It seems they have acquired many new and different types of boats. Then on to Seascape, now called Jade Resort, to find that the sunken barge had finally been cleaned up. Unfortunately, at the taxpayers cost. On past Gowlland Resort we turned and went to the Vigilant Islets for a quick stop and to stretch our legs. On our return, there was a colony of seals on Wren Islet that were enjoying the warm sunny day. We then paddled between Fawn Islet and Stag Island to return to my home for cold beverages and appetizers provided by everyone.  About 5 km and a 2 hour paddle. 

Les

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Kayaking – Gowlland Harbour – 21 July 2025

Trip Report – Mt. Kitchener – 16 July 2025

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Because of the hot weather, we decided on an early start.  We caught the 7am ferry and drove to the Big Tree turnoff, then up the logging road to the trailhead.  We started hiking at 9 am.  The first half hour is a well-worn trail up through the forest, with some blow-down at the edge of the clear cut.  Then there is a rock band, with a short scrambling section.  From then on, it’s all open terrain, alpine or sub-alpine with amazing views.  We decided to do Mt. Kitchener first.  We had an early lunch and lingered there.  Initially there were clouds in the valleys to the north, and it gradually cleared.  Other than that, clear and cloudless, with some haze to the south.  We were amazed that we could see whitecaps in Johnstone Strait, more than 1,400 metres below us. and Mt. Waddington, about 125 km to the north.  After that we visited Mt. McCreight, and then descended to the vehicles.

(4.3 km; 5 hours; 450 m elevation gain)

Norris 

Thanks to Les and Norris for the photos

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Hiking – Mt. Kitchener – 16 July 2025

Hiking – Main Lake and Yeatman Bay – 30 July 2025

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The start time has been changed to 8:30!  

Activity Hiking
Destination Main Lake and Yeatman Bay from Surge Narrows Rd
Date 30 July 2025
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info dmquigg@gmail.com or 3710; Please contact the coordinator by Monday night.
Description This moderate hike starts from Surge Narrows Road through a beautiful old forest, passing by a lake and along a creek, to the east end of Main Lake. Those that want to will continue on the portage track to Yeatman Bay or wait at Main Lake.  The campground will be busy in mid-summer.  About 10 km, 4 hours on a good trail.
Meeting Place Community Centre Parking lot or by arrangement
Departure Time Meet at 9:30  8:30
Difficulty Moderate
Costs none
Trip limits 12
Dogs? Must not run through group.
Notes: Come prepared for the weather