Mesachie Forest Loop II (Lake Cowichan) - Retreads
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 4.38 mi
- Elevation gain
- 207 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Moderate
- Elevation loss
- 207 ft
- Max elevation
- 693 ft
- TrailRank
- 64
- Min elevation
- 693 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Moving time
- one hour 29 minutes
- Time
- 2 hours
- Coordinates
- 1191
- Uploaded
- June 24, 2022
- Recorded
- June 2022
near Mesachie Lake, British Columbia (Canada)
Viewed 120 times, downloaded 2 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
This hike takes you around and through the Cowichan Lake Forest Research Station. The section through the Research Station proper (between waypoint #16 and #30) has restricted access. You are advised to contact the Research Station prior to hiking this section to make them aware of you intentions. Their phone number is 250-749-6811.
The slopes on this hike are gentle and the trails clear and well maintained.
The beginning section of this hike is through mature forest. If you follow some of the side trails here you can see some amazingly large trees. Once you get down to Lake level there are nice views over the lake to Bald Mountain. At waypoint #15 there is a small beach where the Cowichan Lake and River Stewardship Society has done some repair of the riparian zone to make it more fish friendly.
The Research Station in its heyday was set up with well labelled displays to explain to the public what was being done there. Sadly, this has fallen into disrepair but there is still some signage explaining what you are looking at. There is a brief history of the station at:
www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=21676
Active research still continues at the station and you may encounter folks who are engaged in this activity.
Retreads Hiking Club gives this hike an AVA rating of 2B.
Looking for a hike in the Cowichan Valley? Or, looking for hiking companions? Google "Retreads Hiking Club CVRD
The slopes on this hike are gentle and the trails clear and well maintained.
The beginning section of this hike is through mature forest. If you follow some of the side trails here you can see some amazingly large trees. Once you get down to Lake level there are nice views over the lake to Bald Mountain. At waypoint #15 there is a small beach where the Cowichan Lake and River Stewardship Society has done some repair of the riparian zone to make it more fish friendly.
The Research Station in its heyday was set up with well labelled displays to explain to the public what was being done there. Sadly, this has fallen into disrepair but there is still some signage explaining what you are looking at. There is a brief history of the station at:
www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=21676
Active research still continues at the station and you may encounter folks who are engaged in this activity.
Retreads Hiking Club gives this hike an AVA rating of 2B.
Looking for a hike in the Cowichan Valley? Or, looking for hiking companions? Google "Retreads Hiking Club CVRD
Waypoints
Bridge
Intersection
Photo
Fauna
Panorama
545 ft
This beach has been replanted with native plants. Great views of the other side of the lake.
The replanting was done to preserve and enhance fish habitat. In the winter these plants will mostly be covered by water, providing shelter for young fish from their predators.
Information point
545 ft
View across lake from the beach at the conference center
Bald Mtn. on the left, community of Woodland Shores straight ahead.
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