Kayaking/hiking – Hyacinthe Bay & Point – 20 June 2018

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Activity Kayaking and hiking
Destination Hyacinthe Bay and Point
Date 20 June 2018, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 3710
Description We will have a short paddle in the Heriot Bay-Hyacinthe Bay area and then visit the proposed ecological reserve on Hyacinthe Bay.  We plan to hike into the Kellerhalls property and Crown Land adjoining the proposed ecological reserve.  The hike is on old logging roads, marked but rough trails.  The route is undulating, sometimes very steep, sometimes a bit exposed, with good views west and south.  If the group wishes we can extend the kayak portion by touring Heriot Bay.
Meeting Place Len Road
Departure Time Arrive at 9:30 to be on the water at 10:00
Difficulty
 easy kayaking/challenging hiking
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? no
Notes: We are expecting hot weather and big tides.  All kayak outings are dependent on weather. Bring your kayak with appropriate flotation, paddle and recommended spray skirt, plus required safety equipment: life jacket, heaving line, bailer or pump, and whistle. Bring hiking shoes and hiking poles are recommended for the hike to Hyacinthe Point.  Bring lunch and lots of water.

Trip Report – Mine Lake Bluff – 9 May 2018

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Seven hikers parked at the trail-head and headed along side of Mine Lake to Camp Homewood’s summer site. This trail can be covered in water in places but was dry for us. After going through the site you take the left trail that heads up to the bluff. The trail is steep through the trees but some steps have been dug out to make it a little better. The tough part is when you come to the rocks. It had rained the night before so the first climb was slick. Luck was with us though and the next section was in the sun and wind so it was dry. This is definitely a hike that should be done when dry as it involves some scrambling on all fours. When we reached the top the view was certainly worth the effort.

We ate lunch here and descended down the back side. The walk down is easier and below an impressive cliff. When we returned to the lake three brave souls went for a dip. They said it was cold but refreshing. 5 km; 3 ½ hours.

Les and Julie

Thanks to Les for the photos

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Hiking – Mine Lake Bluff – 9 May 2018

Trip Report – Gowlland Harbour – 2 May 2018

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A light wind started the day, however it soon diminished. Fifteen kayakers met at Gowlland Harbour Resort, we were all on the water before 10:30 a.m. Kayaked southeast, around the point of Stag Island. All the islands were painted in yellows, reds, blues & splashes of white flowers, extremely beautiful. We stopped at Vigilant Island, aka Tree Island and explored the area. The flowers were amazing, we even found chocolate lilies growing, also discovered a mass of large bones, probably a sea lion. To stand on this island and look at the flowers with the backdrop of snow covered mountains, unbelievable. We live here! Kayaked around the shore of the island viewing sea urchins, starfish, displaying a mass of colour in the ocean. The seals watched us and probably celebrated when we left. We then kayaked over to May Island, the tide was low and found adequate spaces for all to land. Enjoyed our lunches and chatter. Off again to view the ship wreck and kayaked over to the shore of Quadra. Traveling down the shoreline was such a treat, cascades of water, wildflowers in an abundance. The tugboats were still working, taking out log booms. Arriving back at Gowlland Harbour Resort, we were filled with memories of a pretty perfect day.
Thank you to all kayakers for your help, the sharing of stories, delicious cookies, laughter and to be together. And thanks to Gowlland Harbour Resort for giving us permission to launch from their private property.  Wishing you all beautiful memories of this day.
Margot

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Kayaking – Gowlland Harbour – 2 May 2018

Kayaking – Main Lake Prov Park – 30 May 2018

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This trip has been changed to a day-trip on Wednesday.

Activity Kayaking Multi-day kayaking/camping
Destination Main Lake Provincial Park
Date 30 May 2018, Wednesday 29-31 May 2018, Tuesday-Thursday
Trip Coordinator Les Hand
Contact Info 2029 or leshand@gicable.com
Description The destination will be determined by the group when we depart the boat ramp.  Camping on Main Lake, probably on the north shore, with day paddling/hiking.  Possible day trips are: kayaking to Little Main Lake up Shadow Brook Creek, kayaking to the east end of the lake and hiking to Yeatman Bay, and/or kayaking to the north shore and hiking up to Clear Lake.
Meeting Place Boat launch, Mine Lake
Departure Time 10:00 10:30 a.m.  Plan to be at the launch site by 9:30.
Difficulty
 Probably easy, unless it’s windy
Costs As of 2017 there is a $5/person/night fee for camping between May 15 and Sept 15.
Trip limits none
Dogs? no
Notes: Participants need to have all required safety equipment.  Here is the link to the Park information.  Everyone is responsible for their own kayaking gear, camping equipment and meals, but cooking groups would be a good idea.  I will send a list of people who have signed up a week before the event to facilitate planning, so please let me know if you are interested no later than May 15.  We’ll plan to come back after lunch on the 3rd day, so will have 2 half days and one full day to explore the park.

 

Hiking – North Gowlland Trail Loop – 10 Oct 2018

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Activity Hiking
Destination North Gowlland Trail Loop
Date 10 Oct 2018, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Janis McLean
Contact Info 3614; please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip
Description A series of bike trails including Cash Only, Little Black Dress, Silk Stocking, Bite the Bullet and Sam’s Shorty, to start and end on North Gowlland Harbour Road.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store parking lot
Departure Time 9:30
Difficulty
 Moderate (some steep sections)
Costs None
Trip limits
Dogs? Okay
Notes: Bring snacks/lunch; hiking poles; time approx. 3 hours.

 

Hiking – Homewood Trails Loop – 22 August 2018

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Change of start time!

Activity Hiking
Destination Homewood Trails Loop
Date 22 August 2018, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Janis McLean
Contact Info 3614; please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip
Description Hopespring trail, south on Homewood trail to Homewood Bluff. Loop trail to High Bluff and north along Heriot Ridge to Hopespring trail.
Meeting Place Hopespring trailhead
Departure Time 8:30 9:30
Difficulty
 Easy to moderate (on bluff climbs)
Costs None
Trip limits
Dogs? Okay
Notes: Bring snacks/lunch; hiking poles for the up and down; time approx. 2.5 to 3 hours.

 

Hiking – Rousseau Ridge Loop – 4 July 2018

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Activity Hiking
Destination Rousseau Ridge Loop
Date 4 July 2018, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Janis McLean
Contact Info 3614; please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip
Description Hopespring and Gowlland trails to Rousseau Ridge, then continuing on Gowlland trail, crossing N. Gowlland Harbour road and returning via Gowlland and Thompson trails.
Meeting Place Hopespring trailhead
Departure Time 9:30
Difficulty
 Easy to moderate (on the Rousseau bluff)
Costs None
Trip limits
Dogs? Okay
Notes: Bring snacks/lunch; hiking poles for the up and down; time approx. 3 hours.

 

Hiking – Surge Narrows – 8 August 2018

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Activity Hiking
Destination Surge Narrows
Date  8 August 2018
Trip Coordinator Julie Mellanby
Contact Info 3978; please contact the coordinator in advance of the trip.
Description We will drive to the end of the Surge Narrows Rd and hike along the undulating and relatively short trail and then continue on the unmaintained route to a small bay.  Perhaps the tide will be low enough for intertidal viewing or a walk to the island.  (Low tide at 7:40)  We will return to the bluff at the end of the maintained trail for a view of the rapids, which will be flooding 9.4 knots at 11:30.  We will stop at Mine Lake on the way back for a swim.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Store for car pooling
Departure Time 9:00
Difficulty
 The official trail is moderate but short; the route is more challenging
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs?
Notes: Bring  lunch and swim gear (optional) for the dip at Mine Lake

 

Multi-day Kayaking – Cortes Island, Shark Spit – 25-28 June 2018

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Activity Multi-day Kayaking
Destination Cortes Island, Shark Spit
Date 25-28 June 2018: three nights, four days, Monday to Thursday
Trip Coordinator Margot Wood
Contact Info 250-285-2393.  Please contact the coordinator by June 1st.
Description We will take the first ferry to Cortes, this can be a very busy ferry, please arrive at 8 am. We will launch kayaks in Whaletown Bay and paddle to Shark Spit, to set-up camp. This is such a beautiful camping area in the woods with many lovely sites. Weather conditions will determine our kayaking routes. Choices would be: Carrington Bay returning with a paddle in Coulter Bay; kayak around Marina at low tide, just gorgeous; Manson’s Landing, Smelt Bay and around Sutil Point. Dare we ‘do’ Gorge Harbour, all exciting. I am sure we will hear the wolves at Shark Spit either morning/evening and may even see them……lets hope.
Paddlers will bring their own breakfast, lunch, water and camping equipment. . Margot will put together ‘dinner teams’. Do not forget treats.
Meeting Place Cortes ferry line-up (8:00 am)
Departure Time 9:05 am ferry
Difficulty
 Moderate to difficult
Costs Ferry cost
Trip limits Eight kayakers.  Let’s try to car-pool.
Dogs? no
Notes: Must have kayak rescue skills, sea kayak and all kayak safety equipment.
The paddle could be moderate or difficult depending on the weather conditions and the wind can soon pick-up, we must be prepared for this happening. The beauty is astounding and hopefully we will see lots of wildlife.

Trip Report – The Campbell River Loop – 25 Apr 2018

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Eight of us hiked the loop from the logging bridge on the Campbell River up to Moose Falls and back. This is always a beautiful walk, but it is particularly special in the spring with the wildflowers in bloom. We crossed the bridge and walked along the excellent trail on the north side of the river.  As the path follows side branches on the Campbell River, the trail was bordered by a profusion of pink fawn lilies, trillium, and wild bleeding heart.

We admired the Canyon View and continued up to the Millennium Trail.  We took an unmarked side path, recommended by Cyndy, to a lovely mossy bluff with an excellent view of Elk Falls.   We walked on through some big old growth Douglas fir trees to the Elk Falls viewing platform and suspensions bridge.  The views were particularly impressive because of the amount of water coming down the river.

We took the gradually ascending Old Growth trail and then the very steep descent to the rocky viewpoint for Moose Falls and the Dolphin Pool, where we stopped for lunch. The weather was beautiful and sunny, with a very warm afternoon. We returned along the river, passing more old growth trees, Deer Falls and another spectacular viewpoint for Elk Falls.  We crossed at Station View, which was quite hot and industrial, and continued on the south bank, with more wildflowers, back to the vehicles. 12.9 km; 5 hours.

Debbie

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Hiking – The Campbell River River Loop – 25 Apr 2018