Trip Report – Octopus Islands – 8-9 July 2019

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An unfriendly forecast changed a four-day trip to Cortes into a 2-day trip to the Octopus Islands. The two days were great, however, and with the much reduced travel time, distance paddled was probably not too far off what we would have done on the longer trip.

Five paddlers launched from the Discovery Lodge docks at 9:15 to catch the morning slack in Beazley Rapids, and after a short stop in Yeatman Bay, headed north to the Octopus Islands. Passing (with just enough water) between the two private islands, we found a fairly good campsite on the east side of Quadra and set up for the night. After lunch, we paddled around Waiatt Bay and stopped at a truly lovely site on the south shore (which we’re saving for a future trip). Our next stop involved a short and unsuccessful walk to find the picturesque ‘museum’ cabin on the southern private island. Backtracking a bit, we made an easy landing on the beach below the cabin, and visited the hundreds of signs and other artifacts left over the years by visiting boats.

Heading back to camp, we sighted the very rare Flamingo Rosa Giganteus making its stately way around the cove (apparently propelled by two attendants…). This species is usually seen in its normal habitat of Suburbia Walmartia and is previously unknown in these waters. (First day 19.2 km or 10.4 NM; 4¾ hours)

The next day after a fairly early start, we crossed to the Maurelle shore and paddled down to enter the Settlers Group at slack water. We made good time, but were a bit apprehensive about the current as we hadn’t previously paddled among these islands. All went well and we stopped for lunch just inside White Rock Passage. After much debate and listening (again) to the marine forecast, we made the reluctant decision to head home that evening, as rain and strong winds were still on the menu for Wednesday. After a short trip up the passage, we returned on the Read Island side, and crossed from Surge Point to the Lodge, arriving at the dock just before 5 p.m. At that point, we had been in the kayaks continuously for 3½ hours, and flopping out onto the dock was less than graceful (for some of us, anyway).  (Second day 24.1 km or 13 NM ; 6 hours)

A good if short trip – good weather, lovely scenery, good company.
Thanks to all, Darcy Mitchell, Trip Coordinator

Thanks to Norris and Valerie for the photos

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Multi-day Kayaking – Octopus Islands – 8-9 July 2019

Trip Report – 5040 Peak – 2-4 July 2019

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Fabulous.  But first you have to get there.  Everybody know that getting there is half the fun (and getting back is the other half).  It’s reputation proceeded us, notably the bad road and the steep trail.  The Alpine Club site said a 4×4 was required for the Marion Creek logging road, and others discussed whether high clearance was needed.  The logging road in is only 10 km, but most of it is quite rough.  We only expected the last part to be rough.  But there are a number of steep sections, right from the start, and those are always the worst.  We met a car coming out and they had parked before the last hill and walked the last 2 km.  So that’s what we decided to do.  As it turned out, the last 2 km were not that bad, or at least not any worse than the first part.  The vehicles driving in were either 4x4s, pickups, or beaters.

Day 1: The trail isn’t that bad — for the first 300 m, as it goes up through a logged section.  After that, it’s just a path and it goes straight uphill.  No switchbacks.  It’s not walking.  It’s more like climbing stairs and ladders, on rocks and tree roots.  It’s rough, but it’s not bushwacking.  It is steep.  There are two short stretches where a rope aid is provided.  We were climbing in the cloud and it was misty, wet and muggy.  We reached Cobalt Lake, but it was shrouded in the fog.  After that it was a short climb to the hut, also in the cloud.  The hut is very nice.  There was only our group of six the first night, so it was very spacious.  It has a wood pellet stove and solar panels and LED lights.  It seems to be very well insulated, so it was quite warm.  Everything is very well thought out and it is extremely well equipped.  Then in the evening, the surrounding peaks started to emerge and the hut popped into the sunshine, above the clouds.  That’s when we switched to feeling like the Greek gods on Mt. Olympus.  We had a beautiful sunset.  And the stars at night!  No moon, so we saw the Milky Way and everything.  (driving the road – 7.5 km; walking the road – 1.7 km, ½ hour; walking the trail – 3.3 km, 700 m elevation gain, 3½ hours)  (Some others can do it faster)

Day 2: Above the hut is some subalpine and then alpine with lots of rocky ridges to walk.  We went to the top of the 5040 peak, as it was peeking in and out of the cloud and then to some minor peaks along the ridge.  ( 4.1km, 344m elevation gain, 4¼ hours)  The wildflowers were excellent and much ahead of schedule.  The area looks great for further explorations with sufficient time.  It’s quite steep in places, with some hidden cliff bands.  Our walking was somewhat limited by the remaining steep snow bands and maps with insufficient contour detail.  But some in our group ventured out on the ridge toward Triple Peak (2.6 km, 115 m elevation gain, 2 hours) and the short ridge beyond the outhouse (0.6 km, ¼ hour).  Some returned to the summit after dinner, when the cloud level lowered and the views were clearer.  (1.9 km; 220 m elevation gain, 1½ hours)  The views are really impressive, with lots of nearby mountains like Nahmint and Klitsa as well as views as distant as the Golden Hinde.  That afternoon two couples from Comox arrived at the hut and one of those couples got engaged on the 5040 Peak summit.

Day 3: The final day was for the descent.  Nobody was really looking forward to that.  Sometimes it is harder going down.  We stopped at Cobalt Lake, which was beautiful in the morning light, but after that there aren’t any vistas.  The trail parallels, close by, a stream with cascades, waterfalls and canyons for much of the way.  The trail was slippery going down as it had been in the cloud for days.  Poles are highly recommended.  There is one point where the trail turns abruptly, around a big rock, and almost everybody misses that turn and continues straight down into the forest.  They catch on sooner or later as the trail fades out.  What you think of the trail to the hut will depend on your fitness, but Cobalt Lake, the hut and the 5040 alpine area make it all worth while.

Norris

Thanks to Norris and Stephen for the photos

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Multi-day Hiking – 5040 Peak – 22-4 July 2019

Hiking – Newton Lake and Waiatt Bay – 14 Aug 2019

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Activity Hiking with swimming
Destination Newton Lake, Small Inlet and Waiatt Bay
Date 14 Aug 2019, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Julie Mellanby
Contact Info 3978
Description We will hike up to Newton Lake, down to the portage between Small Inlet and Waiatt Bay and back to the Newton Lake parking lot. Distance about 15 kilometres – will take approximately 6-7 hours (including lunch and short swim stops at Newton Lake)
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot for carpooling
Departure Time 9:00
Difficulty
 Moderate, with a steepish grade between the portage trail and Newton Lake.  Fairly long day.
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs?
Notes: Bring plenty of water, lunch and snacks, and swimming stuff if you want to swim.

Hiking – Stramberg Creek and North Grove – 7 Aug 2019

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Change of start time to 9:00

Activity Hiking
Destination Stramberg Creek and North Grove
Date 7 Aug 2019, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710.  Please contact the trip coordinator prior to the trip.
Description We will begin at the Main Lakes Park parking access to Stramberg Lake and follow Little Main Road north, paralleling Stramberg Lake and Creek.  We will cross Stramberg Creek near Shadowbrook Creek and follow a flagged route north of the lake to a grove of old growth trees.  This is not a maintained trail.  Expect bushwhacking, deadfall and a creek crossing.  We will stop for a swim in Stramberg Lake at the end of the hike.  About 12 km; 4.5 hours without the driving.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot, to arrange carpools
Departure Time 9:00 9:30
Difficulty
 moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs?
Notes: Bring lunch and bathing gear if you want to swim.

Kayaking – Tree Island – 31 July 2019

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Activity Kayaking
Destination Tree Island
Date 31 July 2019, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca or 3710
Description We will take the ferry to Campbell River and drive to Union Bay, where we will launch the kayaks into Baynes Sound.  The crossing to Tree Island/Sandy Island Marine Park is about 2.5 NM and the low tide is around noon.  We can explore the beaches, Seal Islets, and spits to the northwest and southeast.  The marine park is known for its bird and marine environment and fragile ecosystem.  Here is the link to the park information:
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/sandy_is/
This is meant to be a relaxing trip and we will cancel or postpone if the weather is not reasonable.
Meeting Place QCove ferry terminal
Departure Time 8:00 ferry, be early in case of overload
Difficulty
 Moderate depending on conditions
Costs Ferry, transportation costs, and $5 boat launch fee
Trip limits 10 paddlers
Dogs? no
Notes: This will be much more efficient if participants carpool.  You will need to follow the QIOC paddling guidelines. This trip requires a sea kayak with spray skirt and floatation. The deadline for registering for the trip is July 29th.

 

Hiking – Morte Lake Loop – 24 July 2019

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Activity Hiking
Destination Morte Lake Loop
Date 24 July 2019, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Julie Mellanby
Contact Info 3978
Description We will hike the official Morte Lake loop, with opportunities for a picnic lunch and swimming.  4 to 5 hours.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store for car pooling
Departure Time 9:30
Difficulty
 Easy to moderate.
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? okay
Notes: Bring lunch and something to swim in, if you want to.

 

Kayaking – Granite and Kanish Bays/Small Inlet – 23 August 2019

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This trip was originally scheduled for August 21.

Activity Kayaking
Destination Granite and Kanish Bay/Small Inlet
Date 23 August 2019, Friday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-285-2111; cell 250-287-0459
Description Depending on weather (wind) conditions, paddle to Chained Islets, Granite Point, Orchard Bay and/or to Small Inlet with option to hike across to Waiatt Bay (if winds shorten our Kanish Bay portion).
This trip could be as much as 12 NM (24km) and take, including breaks, up to 6 hours not including the driving time.
Please carefully read all notes posted below.
Meeting Place Granite Bay boat launch
Departure Time 0830 at Granite Bay; 0900 on the water
Difficulty
 Moderate – winds and tides over a 5-6 hour day
Costs Use of ramp $ 5.00; transportation to GB
Trip limits 8 paddlers
Dogs? no
Notes: Lets try to carpool to save fuel – carbon footprint – and space at the boat launch parking. If you can take 2 kayak, set it up with your paddling partner or let me know. I can pick up 1 passenger/kayak.

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING
**All participants must review and conform to QIOC paddling guidelines. Only ‘sea kayaks’ with skirts for this trip, as weather can change quickly with the potential for strong northwesterly winds. If you have not paddled with the coordinator previously, please contact Vic no later than August 16. All participants must contact the coordinator by email (preferably) or by phone to confirm participation no later than August 19th. The trip will be cancelled if Environment Canada forecast winds for Johnstone Strait are higher than 15 knots, or steady rain is expected. Participants will be informed by 7 p.m. on Aug 20 if the trip will be cancelled.

Trip Report – Kayak training – 26 June 2019

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Nine kayakers participated in an excellent course on strokes, braces and rescue techniques taught by Monica Russell and ably assisted by Graham and Janet.  The day began cool and a bit rainy, but rapidly cleared and warmed up.  The morning was spent on strokes (forward, sweep from bow and stern, sculling, and bow rudder), edging and bracing, particularly low bracing.

The afternoon was spent on assisted- and self-rescue.  Everyone began with a wet exit and assisted re-entry, then moved on to self-rescue with a paddle float.  Some tried the t- or bow rescue. The water and weather were warm enough to avoid getting chilled.  There definitely wasn’t enough wind to make the rescue practice realistic.

The course reinforced the importance of practicing these skills and of having the proper deck rigging to facilitate rescues.

Debbie

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Kayaking Training – Mine Lake – 26 June 2019

Trip Report – Main Lake Prov Park – 20 June 2019

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Although the wind was blowing about 15 knots, five kayakers decided to to give it a try as the day was otherwise beautiful. We started at Mine Lake boat launch and headed to the creek joining Village Bay Lake. The water level is low but it was out of the wind. As we entered the lake we were treated to watching a osprey hunt for about five minutes. They are such fast and graceful birds. He would swoop and hover, swoop and hover as he watched for prey and then dive at great speed to hit the water. After a few tries up he came with a fish in his talons and carried it off to the nest.

We then traveled back the creek and entered the channel to Main Lake. Here we pushed straight into the wind and waves. It was a challenge and work but also gave us some good practice in rough water. Upon reaching the small island to the west of Big Sandy we decided to take a break and have lunch. As we ate the wind came up more so decided to paddle back to Mine Lake. It was so much easier going with the wind back to the vehicles. About 3 hours and 4.5 nautical miles.

Les

Thanks to Norris and Les the photos

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Kayaking – Main Lake Prov Park – 20 June 2019

Trip Report – Mt. Sweat & Coast Mtn Lookout – 19 June 2019

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We began the outing by exploring the Kellerhals’ farm from the barn down to the water, encountering gardens and farm animals on the way. Heather showed us the quickest way up to the Pond, taking old, wide logging roads and smaller paths. After admiring the Pond we began the route up Mt. Sweat. This clambers up a steep bluff and then undulates along a ridge to a wonderful lookout with views through 270°. The day was mostly sunny and very windy from the northwest. We stopped for lunch and then followed a very basic route, steeply down to Kolker Main. We soon left the logging road and re-entered the Kellerhals property, following an old, wide trail to the Coast Mountain Lookout. After descending back to the farm, we stopped to enjoy Heather’s wonderful trees and her garden. She then invited us to sit on her deck and enjoy some refreshments. It was a lovely, social day.  7.3 km; about 4 hours moving time.

Debbie

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Hiking – Mt. Sweat & Coast Mtn Lookout – 19 June 2019