Gibson-Klitsa

(also known as Mt Klitsa)
Park: South Island Forest District Forest District, Port Alberni region

16.0 km round trip.

Terrain: Rough
Elevations (in meters)
Start: 35End: 1643
Minimum: 35Maximum: 1643
Net Gain: 1608Cumulative Gain: 1608

Mt Klitsa Trailhead: Take highway 19 north from Victoria to the Port Alberni cutoff. Take highway 4 to Port Alberni, follow this until you cross Taylor River (about ½ hour past Port Alberni. It is the following distance from these landmarks:
Taylor Arm Provincial Day Park (on right) - 14.0 km
Provincial Government Rest Stop (by lake with plaque) - 8.7 km.)

Take the first road on your left. It is a good, wide, dirt road which follows the river back to Sproat Lake. Follow this road till you find a wooden bridge on your left hand side. Then come back the way you came to the first road which branches to the west (South Taylor Main Br 522J) about 100m from the bridge. Low clearance vehicles should park here.

In 1998 it appeared that logging activity might recommence up spur 552C (to the west). It is now possible with a 4x4 to negotiate the lower section plus 400 to 500 meters of 552E from which the trail leaves.
552E is not marked, but you turn left immediately before the spur marked '552C'. My 1996 instructions had us following the road until we come to the first intersection (552E). Take the road to the left. Follow this road until you come to a place where a stream cuts across the road and has really washed it out - about 30-45 minutes after turning onto this road).

Trail begins on your right (flagged).

(In July, 1994, there was a "Our Forests Are Vital" billboard 20 m before the turnoff.) The turnoff is quite noticeable. The road immediately splits, both directions paralleling the highway. Turn right, continuing in the direction that you were traveling. About 5 minutes down the road, there is a wooden bridge that crosses the Taylor River and again the road splits. Turn right. About 300 meters past here is a road (552) on the left. From here onwards, the road is only passable with a four-wheel drive. This road is unmarked and goes up a short hill and disappears. Continue up this road until you encounter a four-way intersection. Turn left (552F). Driving on for about 5 more minutes, the driving part of the road ends abruptly as the road becomes overgrown.

Uses

BackpackStrenuous.3 hours one way.Best from mid June thru late September.
Dayhike6 boot (strenuous).6 hours one way.Best from late June thru late September.

Description

Trail goes through a clearcut to the trees (approx 100m from road to trees). Trail is flagged and follows the stream direction to Brigade Lake and then around the lake until you come to a steep climb. In 1996 there was a fixed rope in place for this section but there has been a landslide since that time (discovered by Pat Brown in August 1998) which appeared to have occurred within the last year. That makes this section more difficult. The rope is not long enough and the slope has not stabilized.

After negotiating the climb you will come to a plateau, cross it and follow flagging and cairns to ridge, follow ridge to Klitsa summit.

If backpacking either stop at the lake (elevation approx 870m) or on the plateau (elevation approx 1065m). Water is limited on the plateau. (The time estimate for backpacking is to the lake).

Features

This trail features flowers, forests, lakes, meadows, mountains, views and waterfalls.

Hazards

Fixed rope to assist in climb of one section (but a 1997/98 landslide has made this section considerably more difficult).

Water

Water available from a stream at the end of the clearcut on the way up, also from the lake (much poorer quality) and from some very small, stagnent pools on the plateau (I would only use this if desperate).

Last hiked:July 30, 1996

Trail-conditions

View trail condition reports for this trail.