Oct 30, 2021
Cowichan Valley - West Coast Highway
It's a big loop from Victoria into Cowichan Valley and back through Highway 14 (also called the West Coast Highway). Not two far from Victoria, there are at two lookouts along Highway 1: Malahat Lookout and Split Rock Lookout - both offer great views of Saanich Inlet on a clear day. Continuing on Highway 1, just north of the town of Duncan is Somenos Conservation Area - a short loop trail where you may see birds. Shortly after Duncan, Highway 18 heads west. The lovely town of Lake Cowichan is just 30km away. It's a nice stop to relax and have some supply as there will be no facilities in the next couple of hours until Port Renfrew.
The road between Lake Cowichan and Port Renfrew is a paved logging road. On the main road, there are two interesting spots to stop by - Harris Creek Spruce and Fairy Lake Bonsai Tree. The former is an old spruce; and the later is a lone tree in the middle of Fairy Lake. Both are worth seeing. Not too far from reaching Port Renfrew, there is a side road on the west side leading to Avatar Grove - a highlight in the area. Part of the road is not paved and there are lots of potholes. A regular car is OK - just drive carefully. There are basically two trails. The Upper Avatar Grove Trail leads to the so-called "Canada's Gnarliest Tree"; and the Lower Avatar Grove Trail is a loop trail down into the forest on the other side of road. Overall Avatar Grove is indeed amazing. Just before the bridge into Port Renfrew, there is a small road called Island Road on the east side of the highway that leads to part of the San Juan River Estuary Ecological Reserve. It's a nice area but nothing very special.
After a quick lunch break at the Renfrew Pub in Port Renfrew, the second half of the journey began. This first top was the famous Botanical Beach Provincial Park, not too far from Port Renfrew. The trail in the forest is nice and there are several side trails leading to the ocean. Eventually the trail reaches Botanical Beach, the highlight of the park.
Back to Port Renfrew and heading east along Highway 14, there are many beaches on the way. I found Sandcut Beach most interesting because of the unique Sandcut Falls right on the beach - an unforgettable experience!
 |
| Canada's Gnarliest Tree |
Oct 31, 2021
Victoria
I had been to Victoria many times, all by public transportation. With a car, the trip could be a little bit different. A scenic drive from James Bay to Oak Bay and into University of Victoria is very rewarding. Many stops can be made along the way, including Ogden Point Sundial, Finlayson Point (can also cross the street into Beacon Hill Park to check out nearby Mile Zero Monument, Terry Fox Statue and World's Tallest Totem Pole), Chinese Cemetery/Harling Point (the nearby Trafalgar Park also has great views of the ocean) and Willows Beach (public washrooms are available).
Heading north after the scenic drive, there are two hiking areas only accessible by car that are worth checking-out - Tod Inlet and John Dean Provincial Park. Tod Inlet Trail is a short but nice walk near the more famous Butchart Gardens. John Dean Provincial Park is closed in wintertime from November 1st so it's very fortunate this park can be explored on the last day when it's open this year. There are numerous trails inside the park. Pickles' Bluff is the most scenic viewpoint and it's not too far from the parking lot. The view is fabulous.
 |
| World's Tallest Totem (127 feet/38 meters) |
Overview
While most of Victoria can be checked out by public transit, having a car can definitely enhance the experience. A day trip into the Cowichan Valley and some beaches on the west coast is very rewarding. My favorites are Avatar Grove and Sandcut Falls.
No comments:
Post a Comment