Father and Son Lakes

Park: South Island Forest District Forest District, Port Alberni region

Map

92F/2

3.0 km one way.
Elevations (in meters)
Net Gain: Cumulative Gain: 0

China Creek Park Trailhead: Drive north from Victoria to the Nanaimo via highway #1. Take the bypass route (highway #19) around Nanaimo and continue north. Take the Parksville bypass to the junction with highway #4 and head west towards Port Alberni. Near the summit of Sutton Pass take the road to Mt Arrowsmith. At the junction with Cameron Mainline turn right and continue to the park (the road may be known as Corrigan Main line). (A $0 parking fee is charged.)

Uses

BackpackEasy to moderate.45 minutes one way. 
DayhikeEasy to moderate day hike .  

Description

The trail heads up from near the park to join Thistle Mine Road. Follow the road keeping right at the first two forks (one before and one immediately after crossing Franklin River) and then left at the third. Go to the end of the road and locate the final short trail to the lake. The coordinates of the lake are Latitude: 49°06"53", longitude: 124°37"59".

This trail leads to a small, primitive site accessed operated by the BC Ministry of Forests. The vista along the trail are exceptional. The site nests in a small bowl surrounded by aged Western Red Cedar, Amabalis Fir and mountain Hemlock. The lake is popular with Rainbow Trout fishermen. There are also a variety of hiking opportunities to nearby ridgetops with spectacular views in an area abounding in alpine and subalpine flowers and plants.

In October 1997 the BC Ministry of Forests recognized this area"s recreation potential. They wrote "A trail to and circling a natural lake setting at Father and Son Lakes which includes several informal camping areas." Their recommendation was to "maintain the natural environment experience, allow for the provision of basic facilities suan as trail improvements (boardwalks, bridges), toilets, camp pads and picnic tables to enhance the opportunity to enjoy the natural setting." Their comments under the "Recreational Feature Objectives" note "Maintain the quality of the recreation features by restricting industrial, commercial, recreational or other uses that would result in deterioration of the quality of those features." They recognized this area"s potential for camping, fishing, nature and viewing. In their access objectives they state that they would work "with MacMillan Bloedel to maintain access to 4 WD standard." This document was approved by the South Island Forest District manager on December 1, 1997.

On their website in 2007 Backroad Mapbooks listed the following information on this trail:

"Access into the Father and Son Lake area is getting more difficult and hikers should expect to add a couple kilometres of old road walking to the actual trail. The trail circling the lake is slowly deteriorating but still offers access to fishing holes and informal routes to the nearby meadows and ridges."

Features

This trail features animals (Fisher), fish (Rainbow trout), fishing, flowers, forests (Anabilis fir, Mountain hemlock and Western red cedar), lakes, mountains, views and The forest consists of Western Red Cedar, Amabslis Fir and mountain Hemlock old growth. Fishers come to this lake in search of rainbow trout.

Campsites along the trail

Father and Son Lake3.0 km 
  • Fishing
  • Swimming
Water is plentiful.

History

In May 2009 in a memo to all licensees of the Southern Vancouver Island Forest District the BC Ministry of Forests recognized Father and Son Lakes as an official "known feature" In a May 2005 document listing the recreation sites in the South Island Forest District Father and Son Lake is listed as one of the Managed Recreation Sites with no-fees.

For additional information see:

Other trails in South Island Forest District

Trail-conditions

View trail condition reports for this trail.