Hiking – Big Tree Woodlot – 31 Oct 2018

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Activity Hiking
Destination Big Tree Woodlot
Date 31 Oct 2018, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 285-2029 or leshand@gicable.com.  Please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip.
Description We will start at the new sign at Benner’s woodlot. From here we will go via his roads to Open Bay Main and then to Stramberg Lake. Then do a loop back to Village Bay Road. It is about 8 km. We may do another nearby short hike if the group wants more.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot.
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 Easy
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? Yes, but no back and forth through the group.
Notes:

Trip Report – North Gowlland Harbour Bike Trail Loop – 10 Oct 2018

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Seven hikers and Joey, the dog, enjoyed a three hour hike in the area north and west of North Gowlland Harbour Road. The weather was perfect – mostly sunny with a few clouds and pleasantly cool. Starting at the Cash Only trailhead, we made a grand loop following Backdoor to Silk Stockings where we passed an area recovering from past copper mining and enjoyed views south to Gowlland Harbour.   The lake on the east side of the trail reflected the changing fall colours. From there we dropped down to the Missing Links Road, then paralleled North Gowlland Harbour Road along Bite the Bullet. As we entered John Marlow’s woodlot on the east side of the road, we stopped on the bridge for Les’s pizza and marvelled at the large beaver dam built at the south end of the wetland. Sam’s Shorty trail behind the wetland brought us back to the vehicles. After much rain, the forest and mosses were bright green, punctuated by brilliant yellows of turning maples.  7.3 km.

Janis McLean

Thanks to Norris and Les for the photos

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Hiking – North Gowlland Bike Trail Loop – 10 Oct 2018

Hiking – Rebecca Spit Loop – 24 Oct 2018

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Activity Hiking
Destination Rebecca Spit Loop
Date 24 October 2018, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg / Les Hand
Contact Info 285-2029 or leshand@gicable.com.  Please contact the trip coordinator prior to the trip.
Description We will visit the Sasquatch and then continue to Paddy’s Lagoon.  We will follow some unofficial trails that loop out and then circle back to the campground.  If we then continue to the end of the Spit, the hike is about 8km.
Meeting Place Rebecca Spit parking lot just past the gate on the right by the water at the south end of the park.
Departure Time 1:00 PM
Difficulty
 easy
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs?
Notes: Expect some mud on the way to Paddy’s Lagoon.

Hiking – Morte Lake Bike Trails Loop – 17 Oct 2018

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Re-scheduled to 17 Oct

Activity Hiking
Destination Morte Lake loop via Dead Fish
Date 17 24 Oct 2018, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info debbie.quigg@ualberta.ca or 285-3710;  Please contact the coordinator several days prior to the trip
Description We will start from the Morte Lake parking lot and hike up Morning Beer on the southern ridge.  We will follow mountain bike trails to Seven Sins, then descend on Lost Rider to Reed Lake.  We will cross the road and the creek and continue on Yellow Mud and Jack Rabbit back to the parking lot.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store for car pooling
Departure Time 10:00 A.M.
Difficulty
 moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? Okay on leash or out front – we may encounter bikes or animals
Notes: Bring lunch.  Expect some steep sections, wet sections, mountain bike trails, and views.

 

 

Hiking – Stramberg Creek and North Grove – 17 Oct 2018

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This hike has been postponed.

Activity Hiking
Destination Stramberg Creek and North Grove
Date 17 Oct 2018, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Debbie Quigg
Contact Info debbie.quigg@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 and follow a flagged route north of the lake to a grove of old growth trees.  This trip will not go to Stramberg Lake, unless the group wants to make a short side trip.  Expect some bushwhacking and a creek crossing.  If it’s too late in the season to do this creek crossing, we will have a substitute. About 12 km; 4.5 hours without the driving.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot, to arrange carpools
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty
 moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs?
Notes: Bring lunch, gear appropriate for the weather and maybe rubber boots.

Trip Report – Maud Island – 3 Oct 2018

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Twelve hikers thoroughly enjoyed this classic hike through the forest to the bluffs overlooking Seymour Narrows. The big-leaf maples were in their beautiful fall bloom, the moss was brightly coloured after the rains, and the red Oregon Grape highlighted the floor of the forest, along with newly emerging fungi.

Nine hikers chose to go up to the bluffs at Mt. Lolo and three took the lower, more direct path to the viewpoint. Upon arrival at the Seymour Narrows viewpoint, we were all delighted by the sight of a couple of orcas frolicking, a porpoise, and sea lions enjoying some time in the kelp bed below.

Lunch and conversation was enjoyed by all then the return via the Saltwater Lagoon. 10.4 km; 4½ hours.

Sandra

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Hiking – Maud Island – 3 Oct 2018

Trip Report – McKenzie and Douglas Lakes – 26 Sept 2018

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Eight of us and a dog set out on a beautiful, crystal clear fall day to visit Douglas and McKenzie Lakes on the Forbidden Plateau in Strathcona Park.  The short way to get there involves an half hour, 6.3 km drive on a rough old logging road.  We made it and then walked 700 m into the park on a rough but easy trail through old growth trees and blueberries.

At this point it is necessary to cross the outlet stream from McKenzie Lake.  It turned out that the Lake level was a few inches higher than expected and the puddle jumping rocks were under water.  At this obstacle, five people and the dog decided to go up to Paradise Meadows, leaving three to continue to the Lakes as planned.

Having found a dry way across the creek using rocks and logs, we arrived at the sunny side of the stream, the path was found and the lakes were beautiful, the meadows were beautiful and the weather was beautiful.  So after lunch at McKenzie Lake, we explored the trail towards the main area of Paradise Meadows via Kwai and other Lakes.  The trail gains some elevation, follows a sequence of small lakes and was in unexpectedly good condition.  Now we want to come back and do the whole trail from Raven Lodge to the old ski area beyond Mt. Becher.  We saw a Western Toad, maybe a toadlet, grouse and a glimpse of sandhill cranes migrating south.  11.8 km, 5¼ hours.

The alternate group hiked the Battleship Lake – Helen MacKenzie Lake loop and said it was great.

Norris

Reporting from Paradise Meadows and beyond –   On a perfect fall day, we began with the intent of hiking to Douglas and MacKenzie Lakes, and enjoyed the drive and short hike in. Then, deciding to eschew the fun of wading across the high water in the creek in our bare feet, five of us, and one dog, decided to walk in Paradise Meadows instead. We had a lovely, brisk walk around the Battleship Loop with a brief lunch stop in the Meadows, alive with the vibrant fall colours. The views across the lakes were astounding. We enjoyed chatting with some of the overseas visitors we met on our perambulation.  10.5 km

Valerie

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Hiking – McKenzie and Douglas Lakes – 26 Sept 2018

Trip Report – Gowlland Island and Harbour – 19 Sept 2018

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Six people met at April Point Marina an hour after low tide to launch their kayaks. The weather was sunny and calm as we paddled through the narrow entrance into Gowlland Harbour. This is where we encountered the most current, but it was not that heavy. Once into the harbour we paddled between Mouse and Crow Islets. Then by Wren Islet and up the northeast side to the log dump. The clouds moved in as we headed for May Island for lunch. Just as we got there the heavens opened up and we all got soaked.

After lunch the weather turned back dry and we left for the opening between Steep and Gowlland Islands. The flood current here was not anywhere near the 4 knot max that the charts showed was occurring off Orange Point. We also found this the case for just off April Point so we slid on down to the next little bay. From there we returned to April Point Marina in another shower. All in all it was a great paddle.  12.7 km taking 3.75 hours.

Les

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Kayaking – Gowlland Island and Harbour – 19 Sept 2018

Hiking – Maud Island- 3 Oct 2018

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Activity Hiking
Destination Maud Island
Date 3 Oct 2018, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Sandra Burns
Contact Info sandraburns.ca@gmail.com or 3977.  Please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip.
Description Hike to Maud Island through varied forest and terrain.  We will do a loop passing over the shoulder of  Mt. Lolo, crossing the causeway to Maud Island, enjoying views of Seymour Narrows, and returning by the salt water lagoon. The currents in the Narrows will not be impressive at this time.   Allow 5 hours, including driving, for this walk of approximately 10km.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store for car pooling
Departure Time 9:30
Difficulty
 Moderate
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs?
Notes: Bring lunch, poles if you use them and gear for the weather.  We don’t usually do this trip in very poor weather.

Trip Report – Eagle Ridge and Beyond – 12 Sept 2018

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After parking just where the culvert had been washed out on Copperhead logging road and walking the logging road, trail and route, five of us thoroughly enjoyed the company, weather, spectacular views and the very interesting hike to Eagle Ridge and beyond.   After pausing at the end of the Eagle Ridge trail for the views, we made the steep descent to the saddle between Eagle Ridge and the ridge to the north.  The route follows lovely, open, mossy bluffs.  We had lunch on the northern ridge and then wandered to the high point, exploring the views to the north and south.

We followed the long, open bluff down with a bit of bushwacking at the end to re-join the Copperhead logging road.  Just before reaching the vehicles, a short side trip was taken to the beaver pond below the Silk Stocking trail to inspect the progress the beavers had made on their new dam and check out the remains of the old one. It appears the beavers have been busy constructing a new, very beautiful dam to replace the one that was washed out last year in the rains.  5.0 km; 3¼ hours; 150m elevation gain.

Sandra

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Hiking – Eagle Ridge and Beyond – 12 Sept 2018