Trip Report – Quinsam River trails – 13 Oct 2021

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Five of us set out on the Quinsam River Nature Trail on a cloudy day made colourful by the colour of the Big Leaf Maples.  The trail was quite busy with people walking and fishing. As we followed the path along the river up to the road near the Quinsam River fish hatchery, we could see a few salmon making their way up stream to spawn.  We crossed over the road to follow the Tom Sawyer mountain bike trail. This trail rises quickly to a bluff overlooking the river, passes by some interesting mountain bike jumps and through a lovely mature forest.  On a fall weekday, we had this trail all to ourselves.  With the leaves still on the trees we only had peek-a-boo views of the river dramatically below us.  We hiked this as an out-and-back, stopping well short of the end of the Tom Sawyer trail at the logging road with the metal post , where we paused for lunch and then hikied back.  As we returned along the Quinsam River Nature Trail we had the treat of watching a very healthy black bear catch two large salmon and quickly eat them.  He was unfazed by the audience. 11.8 km; 4 hours.
Debbie
Thanks to Norris and Carrie for the photos

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Hiking – Quinsam River Trails – 13 Oct 2021

Trip Report – Mt. Elma – 8 Oct 2021

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Every good plan … needs a Plan B … or two. The forecast for Wednesday was not looking good, so we moved the trip to Mt. Drabble to Friday. As we were driving south Friday in the rain and cloud, it was clear that the forecast was over-optimistic, and a long drive and a long hike to Mt. Drabble only to be in the clouds was not what we had in mind. So we decided to hike up Mt. Elma instead. Easier driving, easier hiking. That was the new plan.

As we were driving up to Mount Washington, we hit the snow line. It was clear yesterday, but it snowed last night. So what we thought was going to be a late summer trip was now an early winter trip. The trail and bushes were plastered with about 5 cm of wet snow. And it was raining, or maybe it was snowing, it was hard to tell. The hike on the snow covered boardwalks of Paradise Meadows to the Mt. Elma trailhead went quickly. Then the trail goes up steeply and there are a few places where it is quite steep. These were a bit slippery in the snow, but soon we were on to the summit ridge. Which is always very nice, no matter what the weather. It is a sloped meadow with sparse trees. And in our case the fog of being in the clouds. We hiked all the way to the end, where there is a super nice viewpoint. We couldn’t see anything, but it was still super nice. It was like a spring skiing day, without the sun, but still warm, as we ate lunch. Surprisingly, the whisky jack regulars were not there. There were a few quick moments with blue sky above us and when there was a slight gap in the clouds where we could see hints of the mountains around us. Impressive, but nothing that shows up on a photo. We figure we were just below the tops of the clouds. On the trip back down the ridge we watched a pair of grouse. The descent down the hill was harder than going up because now all the snow was melting making the trail very slippery. And the snow in the trees was melting and raining on us. Early spring. For variety, we hiked the rest of the lakes loop going back, and the trail along Helen Mackenzie Lake was wet. Very wet and muddy. When we were back on the boardwalks, they had less snow on them, but they were still slippery. But we made it back to the cars and declared it was a good, successful outing anyway. And we did get to see lots of very nice fall colours. Blueberry bushes instead of tree leaves. 14.0km; 420m elevation gain; 6 hours.

Norris

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Hiking – Mt. Elma – 28 July 2021

Hiking – Newcomers’ Walk – 16 Oct 2021

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Activity Hiking
Destination Trails South of Walcan Rd
Date 16 Oct, Saturday
Trip Coordinator Valerie van Veen
Contact Info vvv@qisland.ca;  250 285 2329
Description This is an opportunity for newcomers to the Club, to Quadra, to hiking on Quadra, to enjoy a relaxed hike with Club members to learn more about our club and our activities.
Meeting Place Morte Lake parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Easy to moderate
Costs None
Trip limits None
Dogs? No
Notes: A relaxed hike on lovely forest trails, about 2 hours. Bring a snack, be dressed for weather. Hikers must keep distance when stopped. Must register with trip coordinator by Thursday Oct 14.

Trip Report – Mt. Seymour – 1 Oct 2021

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A small group of five hikers gathered at the trailhead, hopeful of improving weather. The trail was in very good shape and we made our way, over the next two hours, to the summit of Quadra’s highest point. As the weather did cooperate, we arrived dry, except for sweat, and with clear views in all directions.
After lunch and a good rest we descended in good time and congratulated each other on a very nice outing on a fine Autumn day.
4.5 hours.

Vic

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Hiking – Mt. Seymour – 29 Sept 2021

Cultural Walk – Campbell River – 20 Oct 2021

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Activity Urban / Cultural Walk
Destination Laichwiltach Family Life Society, Campbell River Museum, and Tyee Spit
Date 20 Oct. 2021, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-285-2111; (cell 250-287-0459)
Description In Honour of Truth and Reconciliation Day (September 30) this will be an urban walking experience from Q-Cove to the Laichwiltach Family Life Society to experience “The Witness Blanket” (http://www.lfls.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Witness-Blanket-Poster-LFLS-09.20.21.pdf ) and then to the Museum at Campbell River to see the Sacred Journey exhibit (https://crmuseum.ca/2021/01/04/sacred-journeys-exhibition/) to be immersed in the resurging Indigenous canoe culture.
From the museum we will proceed to an optional lunch stop at Crooked Spoon
Cafe OR bag lunch at Robert Ostler Park. Those that prefer a shorter day can take the next ferry home. Others are welcome to continue the urban experience and head out to the Tyee Spit trail (via the Wei Wai Kum gift shop/gallery, netloft and cemetery) and back to the ferry terminal.
Distance/time from Museum to Tyee Spit to Ferry is approximately 6.5 km/ 1.75 hours.
Meeting Place Quathiaski Cove Plaza Parking
Departure Time 8:30 for the 9:00 ferry on foot
Difficulty
 Easy
Costs Museum – $7 for senior; Laichwiltach Society – by donation?;
Trip limits 12
Dogs? No
Notes: 1. For more on the Witness Blanket and its creator, Carey Newman, visit https://humanrights.ca/story/picking-up-the-pieces-the-making-of-the-witness-blanket
2. QIOC is booked for 10:00 am with an Elder/Survivor to introduce us to the Witness Blanket.
3. To respect our hosts and because some of this activity is inside and discretionary, participants need to be fully vaccinated and use a mask when indoors.

Hiking – Trout Creek Falls – 3 Nov 2021

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This hike has been postponed due to weather.

Activity Hiking
Destination Trout Creek Falls
Date 3 Nov, 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:

Trip Report – Granite Bay – 23 Sept 2021

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Eight paddlers enjoyed the great autumn weather on September 23, launching from Granite Bay about 10:00 a.m.  It was mostly sunny and nearly calm.  With a short break in the Chained Islets, we paddled across Kanish Bay to Granite Point and stopped to admire the pictographs on the dramatic cliff east of the point. We skipped a planned stop at Orchard Bay, as time was marching on, but stopped for a short lunch break on Shell Island, the tidal island just outside the entrance to Granite Bay. Back to the ramp about 2:30.  15.9 km; 5 hours.

Darcy

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Kayaking – Granite Bay -23 Sept 2021

Hiking – Quinsam River Trails – 13 Oct 2021

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Activity Hiking
Destination Quinsam River Trails
Date 13 Oct, 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 west side of the Quinsam River, using hiking and mountain bike trails.  This follows a variety of low and high bank along a picturesque river.  There will be some muddy sections and possibly trail damage from dirt bikes.  About 12.6km; 3½ hours.
Meeting Place QCove ferry terminal
Departure Time 9:00; drivers will need to be early to ensure that they can board
Difficulty
 Easy
Costs Ferry
Trip limits 10
Dogs? No
Notes:

Hiking – Mt. Drabble, Strathcona Park – 6 Oct 2021

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This hike has been postponed until Friday, 8 Oct.  Stay in touch with the coordinator.

Activity Hiking
Destination Mt. Drabble, Strathcona Park
Date 8 Oct, Friday,  6 Oct, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca; 250-285-3710.  Please contact the coordinator by Monday evening.
Description The approach to Mt. Drabble will be from a logging road off of Strathcona Parkway on the way to Mt. Washington.  The logging road drive is fairly long and slightly deteriorated since the Club last drove it, but still possible without 4×4.  We will walk the last steep part of the logging road and follow a cairned route up the mostly sub-alpine ridge to Mt. Drabble.  There is one major dip in the ridge before the summit, which offers great views of the Forbidden Plateau in good weather.  12.5 km; 6+ hours; 650m elevation gain.
Meeting Place QCove ferry terminal
Departure Time 8:00 am ferry; drivers need to be early to ensure loading.
Difficulty
 Moderate to challenging for the length of the day, elevation and altitude gain.
Costs Ferry
Trip limits
Dogs? No
Notes: This is a long day, now that the days are shorter than the nights.  Come prepared for mountain conditions.

Trip Report – Texada Island – 7-11 Sept 2021

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What originally was planned as a kayak trip to Jedediah Island morphed into a trip to Texada Island, mostly to hike. Four of us took three ferries the day after Labour Day to reach Shingle Beach on a beautiful afternoon.  We settled in to the spacious campsites at the Forestry Recreation Site and enjoyed walking and relaxing on the beach. The beach walk south lead to an old homestead and a cabin in ruins. (3.2 km; 1¼ hours)  We watched the sunset from the bluffs.

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On Wednesday morning we kayaked south from Shingle Beach in steadily increasing southeast wind. We had no fixed destination and returned to the beach as the white caps pushed us home. (5.7 km; 1½ hours)  In the afternoon, we drove to Shelter Point and walked the gentle Kay Garner nature walk. This trail loops first along a shore bluff on Mouat Bay and then through the forest. The ocean views and old growth were excellent. (3.8 km; 1 hour)  After dinner we again enjoyed the sunset from bluffs at the campground.

After some night rain, Thursday was mostly overcast. We hiked up to the Mt. Pocahontas summit at 462m, which was the site of Canada’s first fire lookout in 1924. This fairly short hike is rewarded with excellent views of Malaspina Inlet and mainland mountains to the east, and Lesqueti, Georgia Strait and Vancouver Island to the west. Part of the group continued on to other nearby viewpoints (7.9 km; 3¼ hours) while others went to Emily Lake to look for turtles, which are common on Texada.  Everyone browsed through Van Anda and some stopped at beaches on Gillies and Davie Bays on the way back to the campsite.  Just above the Shingle Beach campsite, we hiked the short, rambling Colossus Grove trail with an exceptional old growth cedar tree (0.9km).

On Friday, we drove uphill on good-condition logging roads to Bob’s Lake, another Forestry Recreation site with camping.  The lake was beautiful, quiet and very inviting as a camping destination.  Nearby, we hiked up to Mt. Davies with the summit at 609m.  This hike was even shorter than the Mt. Pocahontas hike and mostly through a beautiful, mossy forest with completely open understory.  After enjoying the 360° views during lunch, we hiked on looking for the viewpoint from Mt. Blood.  We underestimated the number of routes flagged with identical flagging tape in the area and some ended up elsewhere, but all had great views.  Some of us swam in Bob’s Lake before returning to the campground for dinner. (5.5km; 3¼ hours)

Three of us were able to linger for a hike on Saturday before returning home.  It was quite windy and lightly raining. We headed to the north end of Texada and hiked in the Eagle Cove Trail system. We made a loop which included a gnome village, some hard walking on rocky, mossy terrain along circuitous trails, dramatic bluffs above wetlands and really impressive bluffs along the Malaspina Inlet shore.

We enjoyed Texada much more than we expected with its amazing variety and beauty, and felt we could have spent much longer exploring trails, lakes, beaches and logging roads.  We hope to go back.

Debbie

Thanks to Norris and Vikki for the photos