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CRFP Skutz Falls Up River (Lake Cowichan) - Retreads

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Trail photos

Photo ofCRFP Skutz Falls Up River (Lake Cowichan) - Retreads Photo ofCRFP Skutz Falls Up River (Lake Cowichan) - Retreads Photo ofCRFP Skutz Falls Up River (Lake Cowichan) - Retreads

Author

River Kaatz
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Trail stats

Distance
1.3 mi
Elevation gain
10 ft
Technical difficulty
Easy
Elevation loss
10 ft
Max elevation
453 ft
TrailRank 
32
Min elevation
383 ft
Trail type
Loop
Moving time
30 minutes
Time
49 minutes
Coordinates
372
Uploaded
September 3, 2019
Recorded
September 2019
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near Paldi, British Columbia (Canada)

Viewed 111 times, downloaded 2 times

Trail photos

Photo ofCRFP Skutz Falls Up River (Lake Cowichan) - Retreads Photo ofCRFP Skutz Falls Up River (Lake Cowichan) - Retreads Photo ofCRFP Skutz Falls Up River (Lake Cowichan) - Retreads

Itinerary description

This short and pleasant hike follows the Cowichan River Footpath (CRFP) upriver from Skutz Falls. There are a couple of spots where the trail meets the river but it is mostly a pleasant stroll in the mossy, fern floored forest.

You can follow the CRFP further to extend the hike, maybe even as far as Trestle 70.2. We made it a loop by returning via the rail trail (Trans Canada Trail) but this is pretty snoring, boring. If you have time, go back the way you came & enjoy the scenery from the other direction.

The trail head is right near the Cowichan River fish ladder which was constructed to assist migrating fish in getting over Skutz Falls. It is worth a visit.

The Retreads Hiking Club gives this hike an AVA rating of 1A.

Looking for a hike in the Cowichan Valley? Or, looking for hiking companions? Google "Retreads Hiking Club CVRD".

Waypoints

PictographCar park Altitude 417 ft
Photo ofTrailhead parking (& fish ladder) Photo ofTrailhead parking (& fish ladder) Photo ofTrailhead parking (& fish ladder)

Trailhead parking (& fish ladder)

PictographPhoto Altitude 400 ft
Photo ofTrail down to River

Trail down to River

PictographPhoto Altitude 390 ft
Photo ofA wide path through ferns & mossy trees

A wide path through ferns & mossy trees

PictographIntersection Altitude 394 ft
Photo ofKeep right

Keep right

PictographPhoto Altitude 427 ft
Photo ofThe forest

The forest

PictographPhoto Altitude 423 ft
Photo ofPath starts to narrow down

Path starts to narrow down

PictographPhoto Altitude 417 ft
Photo ofPath reaches the River here

Path reaches the River here

PictographPhoto Altitude 397 ft
Photo ofBeautiful River (but beware the Knot Weed!) Photo ofBeautiful River (but beware the Knot Weed!)

Beautiful River (but beware the Knot Weed!)

On the bank here you will find Japanese Knotweed, a pestilent, invasive plant which is spreading along the River.

PictographPhoto Altitude 400 ft
Photo ofAnother glimpse of the River

Another glimpse of the River

PictographInformation point Altitude 407 ft
Photo ofThe path starts to widen out again

The path starts to widen out again

PictographTree Altitude 417 ft
Photo ofA huge alder tree. Note the thick moss on the bark. Photo ofA huge alder tree. Note the thick moss on the bark.

A huge alder tree. Note the thick moss on the bark.

PictographPhoto Altitude 440 ft
Photo ofTypical trail condition

Typical trail condition

PictographIntersection Altitude 440 ft
Photo ofJunction with rail trail, turn right

Junction with rail trail, turn right

PictographInformation point Altitude 440 ft
Photo ofBack at the trail head

Back at the trail head

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