Next Hike

The next hike will be on Saturday, 7th April.

We meet at the Ballpark in Gillies Bay at 10:00am

Last week we started the hike from the Raven Bay turnoff on the High Road.  The route we followed started by going down the road to Raven Bay and then after crossing the creek without getting our feet wet we headed up the steep hill side along a very overgrown logging road until we reached a more modern logging road that comes in from the High Road on more level ground. After a few minutes walk we branched off on a side road on the left that ended not far above the beach close to some old mine workings called the "Lucky Lead" prospect. From there we continued on a new hiking trail that runs not far above the shoreline all the way back to Raven Bay.  Shortly before the end there are more mine workings, two tunnels and a connecting shaft, and this appears to be all that is left of the Raven Good Hope prospect. I don't think either were very lucky or good for the investors as neither appear to have produced any valuable ore

After crossing back over Rumbottle Creek we joined the non-hikers who were already tucking into the barbecued treats cooking over the campfire. This was the day for the annual Trekkers Beach Barbecue and Potluck at Raven Bay and the weather was exceptionally good for a change.  Special thanks go to David Taylor and Russ Sparks for the planning and preparations that go into making sure everyone has a good time.

JD.

 

A tricky crossing of Rumbottle Creek at Raven Bay.  

Next Hike from Slow Farm turnoff starts at 10:00am.

Sorry, I left out the time.
JD.

The next hike will start from the Slow Farm junction on the High Rd.

The next hike and beach barbecue at Raven Bay will be on Saturday, 31st March.

We meet and will start from the High Road at the Slow Farm junction. 

If you are unable to hike right now, you used to hike or are spouses/partners/visitors of hikers, you are welcome to come to Raven Bay!  Raven Bay Road is only suitable for 4 wheel drive vehicles, but if you come by car you can park on the High Road at the turnoff to Raven Bay which is at Slow Farm.  This is only about ten minutes drive from Van Anda.  The walk down to the beach takes ten to fifteen minutes.  There will be a fire and the opportunity to roast oysters, clams and hot dogs and please bring whatever food or drinks you wish to eat or share with others.  There are logs to sit on, but no picnic tables so bring chairs if you want to sit close to the fire.  Also BYOB if you wish.  The tide should be low enough to gather shellfish, but don't forget to have your current Saltwater Licenses.  For more details please get in touch with David Taylor or Russ Sparks.  

After the BBQ those those who drove down to the bay will transport the other drivers and those who need a ride back to their vehicles parked on the High Road.

Last week we drove along the High Road and parked just north of the Pocahontas Bay turnoff.  The hike was along old logging roads and an ATV track with a short section through a very recent clearcut.  As usual there were interesting mosses and lichens to see and the less usual remains of a small old grow-op. 

  JD. 

Hikers on a mossy bluff not far from the Oasis.

Next Hike

The next hike will be on Saturday 24th March.

We meet at the Ballpark in Gillies Bay at 10:00am.

Last week we had more than the usual number of hikers and all were keen to do a hike with at least one good viewpoint so we headed off towards the high ground with no doubt at all that we would have no problem reaching the summit of Mt. Davies.  We did manage to reach our chosen destination for lunch, but it turned out a good deal more complicated than expected!  I was quite surprised to see unexpected snow patches along the roadsides just as we drove past Bell Farm and after the turnoff to the  Hydro Reactor Station sections of road had some snow here and there.  Then as soon as we came to the next fork in the road we found we were driving with snow an inch or so thick all over the road, in the ditches and up to the forest edges.  That was just too much and it took a lot of effort to get two pickups unstuck and up a short hill to a spot were we could park and turn.  I knew the road ahead had some long steeper sections so we changed the plan and started going forward on foot rather than driving to the start of the Mt. Davies Trail.

It was lucky the forest had no snow on the ground at all, and the rest of the hiking was uneventful. At the summit we ate lunch quite quickly as it started to blow, with a mix of rain and snow falling from the sky and getting moving again was the best way to keep warm. On the way down we did the side trail that took us past ice-covered beaver ponds to Bloody Mt. viewpoint.

JD.

PS.  The last Saturday in the month is set as the day this year for the annual Trekkers Beach Potluck at Raven Bay and the meeting place for hikers will be at a different location this year.  More details will follow next week.

 

Walking downhill and back to our vehicles after lunching on the summit of Mt. Davies.

Next Hike & Biologists Talk.

The next hike will be on Saturday, 17th March.

We meet at the Ballpark in Gillies Bay at 10:00am.

Wildlife Conservation on Texada 

Come join us for an update on the work of Conserving Species at Risk and their habitats in the Powell River Regional District. Biologists will discuss a continuing project to protect and restore important ecosystems in the region. A 40 minute presentation will be followed by time for questions and discussion. Bring your questions about rare plants and wildlife and learn how to help conserve Texada's natural heritage.

6:00 pm   Monday, March 19 

Location - Seniors Centre, Gillies Bay

Last week we drove south on the road to Davie Bay and parked on the roadside before we got to Eagle Creek.  Taking the road that goes to the old cabins we headed towards the coastline and came out on the bluffs not far from the area where the cactus grow.  Going down the rocky slope to get close to the water we had to be careful not to step on the places where water seepages had made for very slippery surfaces.  My photo shows just how rugged the coastline can be in some places, but the smooth basalt rock was just great for sitting to eat lunch.

JD.

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Hikers lunching on the rugged coastline south of Mouat Point on a lovely sunny spring day..

Next Hike & the Biologists Talk

The next hike will be on Saturday, 17th March.

We meet at the Ballpark in Gillies Bay at 10:00am.

Wildlife Conservation on Texada 

Come join us for an update on the work of Conserving Species at Risk and their habitats in the Powell River Regional District. Biologists will discuss a continuing project to protect and restore important ecosystems in the region. A 40 minute presentation will be followed by time for questions and discussion. Bring your questions about rare plants and wildlife and learn how to help conserve Texada's natural heritage.

6:00 pm   Monday, March 19 

Location - Seniors Centre, Gillies Bay

Last week we drove south on the road to Davie Bay and parked on the roadside before we got to Eagle Creek.  Taking the road that goes to the old cabins we headed towards the coastline and came out on the bluffs not far from the area where the cactus grow.  Going down the rocky slope to get close to the water we had to be careful not to step on the places where water seepages had made for very slippery surfaces.  My photo shows just how rugged the coastline can be in some places, but the smooth basalt rock was just great for sitting to eat lunch.

JD.

Hikers lunching on the rugged coastline south of Mouat Point on a lovely sunny spring day..

Next Hike

The next hike will be on Saturday, 10th March.

We meet at the Ballpark in Gillies Bay at 10:00am.

Last week we drove part way along the High Road towards Van Anda and parked just after the last house on the right.  We had really nice weather again and it was quite warm and sunny when we sat down on the bluffs on the west side of the Pocahontas ridge.

In connection with the Texada Official Community Plan update a workshop is being held this Saturday. The hike will end in time for hikers to get to the hall for the event.

Saturday, March 10, 2018

Texada Community Hall, Gillies Bay

Doors open at 1:30pm.  Workshop runs from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. 

My photo this week is a view of the Lafarge Quarry and the more distant Surprise Mountain with the mountains of Vancouver Island in the background. There will be the usual beach barbecue and potluck again this year and I will have more details about that next time.

JD.

View of Lafarge quarry and Surprise Mountain from the Pocahontas ridge