Trip Report – Shellaligan Forest Trails – 3 Jan 2018

Posted on by
Reply

With crunchy snow underfoot, the thermometer hovering around 0° C, and almost sunny skies overhead, eight members enjoyed an exhilarating tramp through the Shellaligan forest trails on the first Club outing of the New Year. We parked at the second forest parking lot and headed roughly north to the trail junction, returning by the trail/logging road route to the first parking lot, then following the forest road back to our cars. Despite the snow, the trails were very navigable, no need for crampons or snowshoes. As the temperature rose, the occasional ice bomb cascaded down from the treetops. The highlight of the hike was a whale (Humpback?) blowing just offshore as we came down to the seashore beside the aquaculture farm. Tracks in the snow also indicated the possibility of wolves close by. Afterwards hikers were warmed and refreshed with a pleasant social at the coordinator’s house in Open Bay, with many thanks to Janis and Terry for the additional tasty treats!
Time: 2 hours, distance: 5.1 km

Valerie van Veen, trip coordinator

(click on photos to view larger)

Hiking – Shellaligan Forest Trails – 3 Jan 2018

Hiking – Surge Narrows logging roads & trails – 10 Jan 2018

Posted on by
1

Activity Hiking
Destination Forested area east of Mine Lake
Date 10 Jan 2018, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info phone 3710 or e-mail norris.weimer@ualberta.ca
Please contact the coordinator in advance.  With the winter weather, stay in touch with the coordinator.
Description We will leave from near the Mine Lake access and walk logging roads through a woodlot.  The roads are relatively flat.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay Tru Value parking lot
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty easy
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? yes
Notes: Bring lunch.

Trip Report – Thompson/B&B Trail loop – 20 Dec 2017

Posted on by
Reply

Five women met at the Thompson trailhead for a two and a half hour hike.  Having missed the threat of snow the previous day, we had a dry and sunny morning, with the temperature a bit above freezing and light wind from the north.  We headed up Thompson Trail to the first viewpoint.  After stopping to take in the views north and east to gloriously snowy mainland mountains, we walked north down the open ridge, dropping to the forest floor at the big maple tree.  From here, we followed a deer trail north to the B&B trail, turning south on the B&B at this point through pleasant second-growth forest and along a deeply-cut unnamed stream.  Reaching the Thompson Trail junction, we followed it south to the second viewpoint.  Climbing to the top of the ridge, we stopped for a break in the warm sun, again taking in snowy views to the east.  From here, we followed a rough off-trail route east and north down the ridge, eventually connecting to Thompson Trail and back to the vehicles.  The weather and company were perfect for a stunning December hike.

– Janis

hiking-thompson-bb-trail-loop-20-dec-2017

Trip Report – Mt. Washington Area – 13 Dec 2017

Posted on by
Reply

Eight of us put on our snowshoes — we also had one dog who was happy without snowshoes — and walked around one of the loops of logging roads from the Ramparts chain-up area near Mt. Washington.  There was no fog and the visibility was good.  We could even make out Mt. Baker 272 km away with our naked eyes.  The area has many good viewpoints of the snow covered mountains on the mainland.  The conditions were spring like.  The snow was crunchy — noisy on snowshoes — and it was very warm.  We ate lunch with the Whiskey Jacks.  6.0 km, 3.5 hours.

– Norris

(click on photos to view larger)

Snow – Mt. Washington Area – 13 Dec 2017

Hiking – Thompson-B&B Trail Loop – 20 Dec 2017

Posted on by
1

 

Activity Hiking
Destination Thompson-B&B Trail Loop
Date 20 December 2017, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Janis McLean
Contact Info phone 3614
Description We will hike a loop on and off the trail from Thompson trail to B&B trail, and back to Thompson trail, with viewpoints at Thompson trail’s first and second viewpoints.
Meeting Place Thompson Road at the Thompson trailhead
Departure Time 10:00
Difficulty Easy to moderate (on viewpoint bluffs)
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? okay if under control
Notes: Hiking pole(s) will be useful on the rock bluffs.  If the weather is decent, we will stop at the second viewpoint for tea and a snack.  Overall time should be 2 hours or so.

Trip Report – Deepwater Main and beyond loop – 6 Dec 2017

Posted on by
Reply

Six of us set out early in the thick fog (horizontally), but quickly broke through it to a stunningly bright, clear, sunny day, since the fog was thin (vertically).  We started hiking from the summit of the Deepwater Main road, up old logging roads, sometime steep and stoney due to water eroding them, other times soft, mossy carpeted through the forest.  At the top of the shoulder to the north of Mt. Seymour, there was still some snow on the ground from last week’s storms, and the lake was partly frozen. We stopped for lunch and the magnificent views of the snow-covered mountains to the north and fog-covered water passages.  Thanks to Les for the great buffet lunch including smoked salmon, veggies, cold cuts, cheese and cookies. Then we continued on, down the logging road to the Granite Bay Road to complete the loop.  7.1 km; 3¼ hours.

– Norris

(click on photos to view larger)

Hiking – Deepwater Main & beyond loop – 6 Dec 2017

Hiking – Shellaligan Forest Trails – 3 Jan 2018

Posted on by
1

Activity Hiking
Destination Shellaligan Forest Trails
Date 3 Jan 2018, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Valerie van Veen
Contact Info vvv@qisland.ca or 285 2329
Description A post-Christmas social: walk through the forest (we will not do the Oceanside section of the trail) on good trails then all hikers are invited back to Valerie’s house for coffee/tea; bring any Christmas baking leftovers to share if you wish.
Meeting Place Meet at Heriot Bay store parking lot to carpool: meet up with coordinator at intersection of Valdes and logging road to trailhead at 10:15
Departure Time 9:55 am
Difficulty
 Easy
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? Must be under control at all times; must be left in cars at Valerie’s place
Notes: Hikers must contact coordinator by day before.

 

Trip Report – Deadfish-South Morte Lake Loop – 29 Nov 2017

Posted on by
1

On a blustery day under threat of rain, seven hikers enjoyed a brisk three hour hike around this loop connecting several mountain bike trails.   Beginning at the Morte Lake parking lot, we followed Lower Deadfish, Lost Rider, Ridge and Connector trails to the southwest corner of Morte Lake. The group encountered a few sprinkles here, which eventually passed. We followed the Morte Lake south trail, turned right on Nirvana and then left on 7 Sins with its seven switchbacks. At the junction of this trail and Upper Deadfish, we stopped for a brief lunch and took in the views across to Beech’s Mountain, Morte Lake and Discovery Passage. From there, it was downhill on Upper and Lower Deadfish along Little Morte Creek to the parking lot. Fortunately, we didn’t get rained on. Having had dry weather the previous day, there were very few puddles to cross. We agreed that it was a good workout and the lovely greens of the forest were at their peak. 8.7 km

Janis

Click on photos to enlarge

Hiking – Deadfish-South Morte Lake Loop – 29 Nov 2017

Trip Report – Little Black Dress & Silk Stocking Loop – 22 Nov 2017

Posted on by
Reply

Six of us met on a blustery grey morning to walk the mountain bike trails from North Gowlland Harbour Road. We parked at the Missing Links trail parking lot. We made a loop up Little Black Dress and returned via Back Door and Silk Stockings.   It was a beautiful meandering path through mixed forests and rocky outcrops. Along the way we passed the remnants of an old copper mine. We were quite protected in the forest and it was more  foggy and misty than rainy.  There is no signage on the trail and several T-junctions.  We were reminded of the importance of waiting for the group at each intersection, so that the group stays together. There was some timely conversation about basic safety equipment for day hikes. We hiked 6.8 km in 3 hours 20 minutes, including a stop for lunch.

Diana

(click on photos to view larger)

Hiking – Little Black Dress & Silk Stocking Loop – 22 Nov 2017

Hiking – Deepwater Main & Beyond Loop – 6 December 2017

Posted on by
1

Activity Hiking
Destination Deepwater Main & Beyond Loop
Date 6 Dec 2017, Wednesday
Trip Coordinator Norris Weimer
Contact Info norris.weimer@ualberta.ca or 285-3710.  Please contact the trip coordinator prior to the trip.
Description We will either walk or drive up Deepwater Main from the Granite Bay Rd.  Then we will walk up a steep old logging road on the NW side of Mt Seymour.  From there the road contours around the N side of Mt Seymour, with views to the N, then it descends back down to Granite Bay Rd.  About 10.4 km if we walk the whole loop.  If we do a car shuffle, it will be a couple km shorter.
Meeting Place Heriot Bay store parking lot, to arrange carpools
Departure Time 09:30
Difficulty
 moderate, due to elevation gain and eroded logging roads in places
Costs none
Trip limits none
Dogs? okay if under control
Notes: Bring lunch and poles if you use them