Trip Report – Amor Lake – 21 May 2025

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Seven paddlers launched at Amor Lake, a little later than planned as the road seems considerably rougher than previously. We headed north from the boat launch to the campsite at the north end of the lake. The site boasts a shelter with picnic table and fire ring (not an official structure) installed when there was easier road access. Some ATV’s seem to be getting in, but the main access road from Blackwater Main is blocked now. After lunch, we headed to the portage trail at the east end of the lake for a planned walk up to Twin Lake. However, by then, the rain had started and the access point is both muddy and rocky, so we gave the portage hike a miss. After taking a short break at one of the sandy beaches on the west side of Amor, we paddled back to the boat launch, at which time the rain stopped. We were the only folks out, and enjoyed the quiet, if occasionally damp, conditions. Not too much wildlife – just a few loons which were not perturbed by our presence.  (13.4 km, 4¼ hr)

Darcy

(click to enlarge photos)

Kayaking – Amor Lake -21 May 2025

Hiking – Granite Bay Community Trails – 4 June 2025

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Activity Hiking
Destination Granite Bay Community Trails
Date 4 June, Wed
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710
Description We will explore some lovely and quite easy trails which lead to wetlands, some mature forest and a lake.  This is also the controversial area which Mosaic might log and which the Granite Bay community and others are trying to protect.  We will follow the locally-maintained trails around the Back Bog and out to Two Mile Lake.  In order to hike this as a loop we will walk on a new logging road for about 2 km.  It is quite a long drive to the trailhead on unpaved and logging roads.
Meeting Place Community Centre parking lot for carpooling
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Mostly easy, with a few hills
Costs none
Trip limits 10
Notes Bring a lunch or snack and dress for the weather.

Multi-day Hiking – Woss Area – 8-10 July 2025

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Activity Multi-day camping and hiking
Destination Woss Area
Date 8-10 July 2025, Tuesday to Thursday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 285-2029 or lhquadra@gmail.com
Description The activities for this trip may change depending on the people that go. We will definitely be doing the Huson Caves that is easy and the Woss fire tower lookout that is a hard steep climb. There is the Woss River trail and Schoen Park that we may check out, as well as Mount Cain. Depending on the interest of the group, we could also do a paddle with canoe or kayaks.
Meeting Place QCove ferry terminal; be at the ferry terminal early enough for the 8:30
Departure Time 8:30 ferry
Difficulty Easy to hard
Cost Ferries, fuel
Trip limits 10
Dogs? No
Notes:

Trip Report – Ripple Rock Trail – 13 May 2025

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Three of us and two dogs hiked out from trailhead at Highway 19 to the viewpoint overlooking former Ripple Rock. Blasted in 1958, it was the largest non nuclear blast up until that time. It was a beautiful sunny day with slight breeze so temperature was ideal for hiking. With no significant rainfall for awhile the trail was dry with no mud or slippery sections. We walked the trail at a good pace with dogs helping us along. The whole route out and back was 9 km and took 3 hours and 6 minutes, with a 15 to 20 minute break for a snack at Ripple Rock viewpoint. The last uphill stretch to parking lot was a bit exhausting, but welcome once there.

Allan
 
Thanks to Allan for the photos
 

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Hiking – Ripple Rock Trail – 13 May 2025

Trip Report – Gowlland Harbour – 14 May 2025

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What could go wrong?  Well, first there were 13 people who registered to come on this trip, but only four were able to come and three of them live on Gowlland Harbour.  The day was beautifully clear and a perfect temperature.  We paddled over to Gowlland Harbour Resort, who very generously allowed us to launch from their property.  There was a slight breeze from the northwest, which was just a bit of extra work.  By the time the last person was in the water, however, it seemed as if the wind was sufficient to reconsider the planned route and so instead of paddling over to Gowlland Island, we went upwind into North Gowlland.  We got out on a beach there for a short break, even though we had not paddled for very long.  In the 15 minutes or so that we were there, the wind increased noticeably so the there were small white caps.  So we once again changed our plan to explore the upper reaches of North Gowlland Harbour and instead crossed over to Vigilant Islet.  The bay behind the island was very sheltered and the tide was rapidly ebbing so there was lots of foreshore.  A few people rambled around the Island, admiring the flowers and the views before returning to the kayaks.  We had a brisk paddle back over to the north shore of Quadra Island, but were then somewhat sheltered.  We poked into the inlet east of Gowlland Harbour Resort before heading back to the launching beach.  We had lunch on the rocks there, enjoying the sunshine, and the view.  In our fairly short paddle we saw a mink, river otter, lots of Harbour Seals, a few porpoise or dolphin (which may have been Pacific White-sided Dolphin), deer, Bald Eagles, Canada Geese, Turkey Vultures, and Great Blue Heron.  It was a lovely day, but not the day we expected.    (From east Gowlland Harbour 7.4 km; 4 hours with lunch and two stops)

Debbie

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Kayaking – Gowlland Harbour – 14 May 2025

Trip Report – Trout Creek Falls – 7 May 2025

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On a sunny spring day, nine hikers drove out Menzie’s Main to the start of the trail. There is a easy place to park just before and after the bridge over Mohun Creek, which used to be called Trout Creek. It is only a short walk to the first of three waterfalls. The first is impressive, but smaller. The trail has lots of rocks and roots in it so you must be careful not to trip. The trail has been used extensively already this spring. As you hike up the trail, there are many pools and rapid areas that are very picturesque. The second waterfall is the highest and very beautiful. The trail is very steep here so you need to be careful not to slip. The third waterfall is short but very impressive as it drops over a rock face and then makes a sharp right down a rocky ravine before it drops more. We carried on and had lunch on the rock bluff above the waterfall. After lunch we hiked out to the old logging road, stopped briefly at Mary Lake and then returned to the vehicles.
7 km in about three hours

Les
 
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Hiking – Trout Creek Falls Loop – 7 May 2025

Hiking – Ripple Rock – 13 May 2025

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Activity Hiking
Destinatio Ripple Rock Trail, Campbell River
Date 13 May, Tuesday
Trip Coordinator Allan Liimatta
Contact Info allanliimatta@gmail.com; 1 250 416 9338
Description Ripple Rock Trail starts 16 km north of Campbell River. It is a moderate hike through a lovely forest. The trail undulates over 9 km (RT), taking 4 to 4.5 hours return. There are several metal bridges, and a 47-step staircase near the top.
Meeting Place QCove ferry line up
Departure Time 10:00 ferry
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs Ferry and gas
Trip limits 10
Dogs? Bring a leash.
Notes: Please arrange your own carpools. Bring a lunch and dress for the weather.

Trip Report – Blindman’s Bluff and Eagle Ridge – 30 Apr 2025

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On a gorgeous sunny spring day, five hikers set out from the Copperhead Road parking area to hike around Blindman’s Bluff. There were only a few fallen trees on the trail, so it was in fair shape. There had been no other hikers on the trail since last fall, so it was easy to lose the path because of the new grass growth and trees across it. We had to rely on an old GPS track in a couple of places as we went around the Bluff counterclockwise. We stopped at a couple of open bluff areas to admire the mountains on Vancouver Island. Victoria Peak was especially prominent. As we came across the south side above Gowlland Harbour log sort we decided to go south down the rocky open area and explore a bit. This is a beautiful mossy area and we found many deer bones as well as a full skull where possibly a cougar had feasted. We then returned back to the main trail, continued on around Blindman Bluff Trail, and headed for Eagle Ridge.
We stopped by the large beaver pond to have lunch, admire the lily pads that were starting to grow and vegetation around the lake. We then preceded up the ridge to the highpoint, looking over Seymour Narrows toward Menzies Bay. This is also a great viewpoint with a large swampy area below you, then the ocean and looking again to the mountains in Strathcona Park. There were two tugs moving a log boom from Menzies Bay around Race Point. You could see the current moving the center of the boom out as they tried to get it going straight again, and finally did. After a short rest we headed back to the vehicles to call it a day.  (6.8 km and about four hours)

Les

Thanks to Carrie and Les for the photos.

Click on photos to enlarge
 

Hiking – Blindman’s Bluff and Eagle Ridge – 30 Apr 2025

Paddling – Amor Lake – 21 May 2025

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Activity Paddling
Destination Amor Lake
Date 21 May, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Darcy Mitchell
Contact Info mitchelldarcy51@gmail.com
Description Amor Lake is an interesting and attractive lake with several sandy beaches and a hiking option (about one hour round trip for the hike). Driving distance to the launch site is about 45 minutes from the ferry.
Meeting Place Drive-in campsite on the west side of Amor Lake
Departure Time On the water at 11:00
Difficulty Easy
Cost Ferry
Trip limits 8
Dogs? No
Notes: Trip timing is flexible, but we will likely be out for about 5 hours. Please contact the coordinator no later than Sunday, May 18. If the weather will be cancelled for any reason, I will send a note to registrants by noon on Tuesday.
For more information about the Rec site visit: https://www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca/search/search-result.aspx?site=REC0174&type=Site

Paddling/Hiking/Camping – Main Lakes Provincial Park – 10-12 June 2025

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Cancelled due to wind forecast.

Activity Multi-day paddling/hiking/camping
Destination Main Lake Provincial Park
Date 10-12 June, Tuesday to Thursday
Trip Coordinator Vic Gladish
Contact Info vicgladish@gmail.com; 250-287-0459
Description We will set up camp at Main Lake and spend three days exploring by hiking and paddling. Destinations can vary with the group’s interests. Possibilities include a paddle into Little Main, Paddle to Village Bay Lake, hike to Yeatman Bay and/or Surge Narrows.
Meeting Place Mine Lake boat launch
Departure Time On the water by 10:30
Difficulty
 Easy; moderate if paddling in windy conditions
Costs $5/night/person
Trip limits 8
Dogs? No
Notes: This multi-day trip is relatively easy on these small lakes but requires good paddling skills, Coast Guard required safety gear and your own camping gear. Bring footwear suitable for hiking (easy). Each participant is responsible for their own camping gear and meals. Tent and/or meal sharing can be arranged if you buddy up with someone.
Carpooling will make parking easier.
Please sign up no later than FRIDAY, JUNE 6th. A final weather decision will be made by 8:00 PM, Sunday, June 8th.
Ask coordinator about joining for just 1 or 2 days if you have a schedule conflict.
Visit the BC Parks Camping website after May 28th to register and pay for camping. https//:camping.bcparks.ca under “Backcountry” ;l “Backcountry Registration” ; “Main Lake”