Island trip this summer - some advice

[rgallant]

Hello all, it has been a while since I have been over to the island so I am planning a 4 or 5 day trip in June. I am aware a good chunk on the heavily gated by the timber company, I have emailed them about access.

I also have the web site to check for closures and openings. ( http://blog.islandtimberlands.com/)

But given some of you may have traveled some these routes any comments ?

Are the gates generally open or almost always closed ? -I am aware of the weekend vs weekday issue

1st evening is just getting there with camping at either

If the road is open Nanaimo to Second lake - camp at Windy point.
Backup/Secondary campsite Horne Lake Caves Prov campsite

1st day I would like to get down to Bamfield via this route

Day 1

Backroads Mapbook maps -7/8

Nanamio River / Nanaimo Lakes to the Nitinat river

Nitinat river West to Carmanah

Carmanah to Flora lake - stop to check out the B24 Wrecksite

Flora lake to Central South Main

Central South Main to Bamfield area

Day 2

Bamfield/Spencer/Canal to Port Alberni from there I will either continue north or take a day down to Ucluelet/Tofino undecided at this time

Backroads Mapbook Map 26

I would like to follow Comox Main/Lake to Hwy 19 otherwise Hwy 19 to Campbell River then 28 to Gold River.

Muchalat lake is looking like a the best spot to camp with a side trip to the Upana caves next day

That is it so far still working on the rest of the plan

[Rob]

As you are probably aware, most of the south island is locked-up weekdays due to active logging. Unfortunately much of the island gets "locked-up" during the summer due to forest fire concerns. The Nanaimo Lakes roads are often closed as that is a watershed area. A nice alternative is to go along the south-west side of the island and camp along the ocean at China Beach or in Port Renfrew which would then lead you to Lake Cowichan and the route to Nitnat and Bamfield (not sure if those will be open though).

The farther north you go the more open the roads. Muchalat Lake campground outside of Gold River has year-round access and is nice though heavily treed and dark so best for warm weather camping there. It has a nice beach as well and is along the main line that you can take up to Woss. Upana Caves are great on the road out to Thasis. Gold River has limited services these days but the little motel there is nice and the pub has good food. The run out to Thasis is dusty but pretty, deadends at the ocean and you'll have to back track to Gold River.

Continuing North there is Bonanza Main that runs along Bonanza lake (nice camp spots along the lake) and terminates at Telegraph Cove which is well worth a visit. A couple of years ago we drove from Telegraph to Woss via the Bonanza Main and it was an easy run. Last year when I drove up there it looked like the intersection where the main met the highway (just north of Woss) was blocked by rocks but that might be temporary. A side trip up Mount Cain is a nice alternative and is also near Woss.

A nice day trip is Port Hardy to San Joseph with detours available down to Winter Harbour and other outports. Be cautious as earlier editions of the back roads map book show bridges where there are no longer bridges - be sure to use the latest print version to verify your route.

Hope this helps and you enjoy the island!

Regards, Rob

[rgallant]

Thanks Rob, just updated my Mapbook this spring - been through that bridge issue in the Shuswap.

Fire closures are a concern, given last year and that we have already had 2 grass fires on this side. I am hoping Mid June will get me through before those take effect.

Thanks for the suggestions on alternate routes, sounds like it will very much be hit or miss in the south with the gates. But then what fun would exploration be without the odd adventure.

[DrRangelove]

I live on Horne Lake if you get stuck for a place to camp.

Pretty much the farther you go north the better the access. The gold river to woss route is great (nimpkish main) - it used to be the highway before 19 went in north of campbell.
Zebellos main is a nice trip too - plenty of camping at husan lake and some nice caves there too

[rgallant]

I live on Horne Lake if you get stuck for a place to camp.

Pretty much the farther you go north the better the access. The gold river to woss route is great (nimpkish main) - it used to be the highway before 19 went in north of campbell.
Zebellos main is a nice trip too - plenty of camping at husan lake and some nice caves there too

Thanks kindly for the offer, I live out of the back of my Disco so as long as I find a flatish spot and a bit of a clearing I am usually good.

The trip down Zebellos looks interesting as a day 3 run

[island dormy]

Hello

Why don't you come over for the Vancouver Island Land rover Rally June 8,9 and 10th? Scroll down for more info.
So far nobody has replied but we have had up to 25? Rovers attending in years past.

Victor 1962 Dormobile

[rgallant]

I thought about that but I only get one or two good multi day camping trips a year. I try to get one in at the start and end of summer, the wife is ok with 4 or 5 days not so much for more than that.

[island dormy]

Okay

Just wanted to make sure you were aware of the rally it is a fun family event. I believe all the ladies will be going to visit the local wineries on Saturday while the boys are off 4x4ing.

Victor 1962 Dormobile

[Roadqueen17]

Okay

Just wanted to make sure you were aware of the rally it is a fun family event. I believe all the ladies will be going to visit the local wineries on Saturday while the boys are off 4x4ing.

Victor 1962 Dormobile

[Roadqueen17]

Okay

Just wanted to make sure you were aware of the rally it is a fun family event. I believe all the ladies will be going to visit the local wineries on Saturday while the boys are off 4x4ing.

Victor 1962 Dormobile

Not all the ladies going to a winery!!!! I'm going 4x4ing!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Rob]

So maybe some of the guys can go to the winery then? Sign me up!

Rob