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Bald Mountain
Park: South Island Forest District, Duncan region, Cowichan Valley
MapNTS 92C/16
10.0 km loop.
Terrain: Intermediate
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Elevations (in meters) |
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| Start | End | Minimum | Maximum | Gain |
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| 163 | 629 | 163 | 629 | 466 |
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UVic Cowichan Lake Research Station Trailhead: (98 km from Saanich Hall). Drive north from Victoria on the Trans-Canada highway (#1) to the the Lake Cowichan highway (#18) just north of Duncan. Turn west (left) and drive 25.5 km taking the south fork to Lake Cowichan Village. At the Riverside Inn turn right onto North Shore Road. Follow this to Meade Creek Road, turning left onto this road. Drive until you cross Meade Creek Bridge turning left again onto Marble Bay Road. Drive until you come to a gate (1.5 km) and park.
Facilities available at the trailhead include:
- Shelter is available
- Toilets and/or outhouses
- Water is available
Access restrictions:Limited parking, can only accomodate 8 vehicles.
Uses
| Dayhike | 3 boot (moderate). | 4.5 hours for the loop. | Suitable all year. |
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Description
Walk along the road for .8 km to the Scout camp, Although it is easier to do the hike in a clockwise direction (it is easier to ascend the bluffs than to descend them) the best option for views is to hike counterclockwise. The north arm view point is worth the short scramble required to reach it, the best views, however, will be found while descending the west bluffs.
Update: May 2003: Recent logging activity has made the route dificult to find if ascending from the Scout Camp. It is better to hike along the shore and do the hike in a clockwise direction. Also, we have heard there are plans in the works to clearcut the entire mountain and sell the land for housing. You might want to check the state of the trail before heading out.
Update: June 2003: We have been asked not to hike this trail until the logging activity has been cleared. Once this has been done the builder has assured us that a right of way will be provided for those wanting to hike this trail. In the meantime the only access to the trail is via boat to the marine park at the head of the peninsula.
Features
This trail features forests, lakes, swimming and views.
Hazards
- some scrambling is required
Caution is required in ascending or descending the bluffs on the south side of the mountain, during winter ice may be a problem, particularly on this slope.
We have heard that there is active logging going on. According to our source this trail should only be hiked on Sundays when the loggers are not active.
Comments
This hike may also be done as a "there and back" ascending the mountain in a counter-clockwise direction and thus avoiding the steep bluffs. Time estimate for this option: 2 hours up, 1.5 hours down.
View trail condition reports for this trail.