Shaw Creek (Lake Cowichan) - Retreads
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 3.32 mi
- Elevation gain
- 203 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Easy
- Elevation loss
- 203 ft
- Max elevation
- 760 ft
- TrailRank
- 64
- Min elevation
- 615 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Moving time
- one hour 25 minutes
- Time
- one hour 52 minutes
- Coordinates
- 949
- Uploaded
- November 30, 2019
- Recorded
- November 2019
near Caycuse, British Columbia (Canada)
Viewed 2862 times, downloaded 10 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
Shaw Creek, near the west end of Lake Cowichan, is a jewel of the Cowichan Valley. It’s pristine water – fishermen refer to it as “gin clear” - provides fish spawning habitat and is the home of the endangered Cowichan Lake Lamprey. It is one of the major tributaries flowing into the Lake, providing water to cool & replenish the Lake year round.
This hike first takes you to an upper section of the Creek overlooking a narrow gorge. And then to an area known as the Elk Garden Meadow. As the name implies, this is a popular place for elk, Roosevelt Elk. They hang out here mostly in the winter and spring. The Garden's area is a relatively open valley with huge moss covered maple trees. Verdant with deep moss and ferns, it is a stunning sight, especially in the spring!
The hike is primarily along logging road with short forays into the forest. Views of the surrounding hills from the road are good.
Warning: active logging may be ongoing in the area. Be aware of approaching logging trucks and keep well off the road when they pass. Parking is available at the start of the logging road before the orange gate. DO NOT proceed past the orange gate in your vehicle. The gate may be locked behind you or you may encounter a loaded logging truck.
The 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"
This hike first takes you to an upper section of the Creek overlooking a narrow gorge. And then to an area known as the Elk Garden Meadow. As the name implies, this is a popular place for elk, Roosevelt Elk. They hang out here mostly in the winter and spring. The Garden's area is a relatively open valley with huge moss covered maple trees. Verdant with deep moss and ferns, it is a stunning sight, especially in the spring!
The hike is primarily along logging road with short forays into the forest. Views of the surrounding hills from the road are good.
Warning: active logging may be ongoing in the area. Be aware of approaching logging trucks and keep well off the road when they pass. Parking is available at the start of the logging road before the orange gate. DO NOT proceed past the orange gate in your vehicle. The gate may be locked behind you or you may encounter a loaded logging truck.
The 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
Car park
623 ft
Trailhead and parking
DO NOT park past the gate. DO NOT proceed past the gate in your vehicle.
Photo
Bridge
Risk
Information point
Intersection
River
Panorama
Tree
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