Mt Erskine

(also known as Jack Fisher Trail)

Location:Salt Spring Island

Map

NTS 92B/13

2.5 km one way.

Terrain: Intermediate

Elevations (in meters)

Start End Minimum Maximum Gain

70 410 70 410 340

Collins Road, Saltspring Island Trailhead: (46 km from Saanich Hall, ferry required). Drive north from Victoria on highway 17 to the Swartz Bay ferry terminal and catch the ferry to Fulford Harbour on Saltspring Island. Drive north on the Fulford/Ganges Road for 14.2 km until you come to Rainbow Road (shortly after the hard left turn in the center of Ganges). Drive to the end of Rainbow Road (4.2 km) and turn left onto Collins Road. Drive .8 km (to where the road stops winding). Look for a red trail marker on the left side of the road opposite some large arbutus trees.

Toynbey Rd Trailhead: (alternate start).Toynbey Rd is off Mt Maxwell road. Continue down Mt Maxwell Rd until you come to a gate on the right hand side (there may be a forest sign nearby as well). The trail begins through the gate and to the left up an old logging road.

Uses

Dayhike	2 boot (easy to moderate).	1 hour one way.	Suitable all year.

Description

This trail heads up quickly from the viewpoint. The initial section of the trail is quite steep and the footbed contains some small rocks requiring a little caution. The trail levels out for a short time at the top of the initial climb but then resumes climbing and continues to do so with only occasioinal level (and a couple of downward) sections. As you near the top there is a branch in the trail (the upper section of the trail forms a loop). Stay to the right to go to the viewpoints. The final viewpoint provides expansive views of the east coast of Vancouver Island including the towns of Crofton and Chemanius, the northen portion of Salt Spring Island and several other gulf islands with the coast mountains of the mainland visible to the north east.

The last portion of the trail is very steep. There is a junction with signs for the south and north routes. While I have not explored the north route I did see what appears to be the north route trailhead a couple of hundred meters north of the south route trailhead. If this is the case then the north route might provide a less steep descent.

The alternate access via Toynbey Rd offers a different approach to Mt Erskine, it is a steep route up an old logging road. This route is on private property but, as of June 1999, my reports are that islanders regularly use this route without a problem. This route is not as interesting as the Collins road approach described above but does provide variety.

Features

This trail features forests and views.

Hazards

some exposure (steep dropoffs)

Trail is somewhat steep at the beginning and is also rocky with gravel underfoot making caution necessary especially when descending.

Comments

Fabulous views from the summit, good views from a couple of lower viewpoints as well.

Time up: 50 minutes, return time: 40 minutes.

Last hiked:October 10, 2004

View trail condition reports for this trail.