Kludahk

36.5 km one way.

Approximate Elevations (in meters)

Start End Minimum Maximum Gain

880 800 800 1065 265

Walker Lake Trailhead: (70 km from Saanich Hall, 31k on logging roads, 4wd recommended). Take BC#14 to Sooke, turn right on Otter Point Road (34.0 km from Saanich Hall). Follow this 4.6 km (38.6 km from hall) to Young Lake Rd, turn right, drive .6 km (39.2 km from hall) to Butler Mainlline, turn right again (note: Butler Mainline closed to public 6am - 6pm weekdays). Follow this for 25.2 km (64.4 km from hall) to bridge (marked at 18 miles on road signposts). Cross bridge, on far side take left fork. At first fork (.5 km) turn right. At next fork (1 km from bridge) turn right again on Walker 2 road (signed as "WA2)". Follow this, ignoring spur roads, to gate. Distance from bridge to gate is approximately 5.6 km.

If the gate is locked then walk down the logging road for 3/4 hr to Walker lake. The trail begins on the far side of the lake. Time given in this description does not include walking on the logging road.

Note: Do not know exact directions to Jordan River trailhead. It is basically as follows:
Drive west from Victoria to Jordan River. At the top of the hill leaving Jordan River take the logging road that exits from the apex of the corner. Follow this road as high as you can drive. There is one major intersection, stay left.

If the gate is locked then walk down the logging road for 3/4 hr to Walker lake. The trail begins on the far side of the lake. Time given in this description does not include walking on the logging road.

Jordan River Mainline Trailhead: (80 km from Saanich Hall, 8k on logging roads, 4wd recommended). Drive west from Victoria to Jordan River. Drive 2.7km from the west side of the Jordan River Bridge and turn right onto a logging road. Proceed up the road, you will notice a road joining from your right approximately 1km in, continue straight a short ways until you come to a gate, go through the gate and take the left fork almost immediately thereafter. Continue on this road, ignoring the side roads for as long as you can drive. There is one gated juntion approximately 6.5km up the road. This gate is usually locked. I have been told there is an access to the Kludahk Trail via this road but you can find another by going left at the gate and continuing up the main road. (again ignore the side roads).

For skiing access simply drive up as far as you can. It is very unlikely that you will be able to drive beyond the summit of the hill just beyond the gate mentioned above. The road dips a little here and often collects a lot of snow. If you can reach the summit it makes an excellent stopping point as the terrain becomes gently rolling for the next 2km or so.

Mile 18 on the Jordan River Mainline Trailhead: (intermedidate trailhead).

Uses

Backcountry skiing	Moderate.	4.5 hours one way.	Best from late November thru early April.
Backpack	Unrated.	3 days one way.	Best from June thru early October.
Dayhike	3 boot (moderate).	7 hours one way.	Best from late May thru early October.

Description

This trail runs along mountain ridges of San Juan Ridge on the southwest coast of Vancouver Island. It passes through delicate sub-alpine terrain between Sooke and Port Renfrew. Once up on the trail, hikers will find typical semi-alpine meadows with hemlock and gnarly bonsai-type trees. Mountain lakes dot the ridge that runs on an east-west plane. This trail can have some very wet spots, especially during snow melt and after rains.

The trail is inaccessible for most of the year because of snow. It's usually passable beginning in June. There are 5 or 6 trail heads near Port Renfrew. It's also accessible up Butler Main roads. But active logging cuts down on the accesses in summer months.

Permission of the Kludahk Club must be obtained before using the cabins on this route.

There is a ladder on trail between Walker and Wye Lakes.

Features

This trail features flowers, forests, lakes, meadows, swimming and views.

Hazards

ladders which must be climbed to get around some obstacles
route-finding skills are required

Wooden 10 meter ladder between Walker and Wye lakes. The danger of getting lost is real and hikers should be familiar with orienteering - navigating through bush with a map and compass.

Comments

Two boot rating to cabin in meadow. Hike can be extended beyond this for a longer hike with a higher rating. If doing full trail then transportation would be required at both ends.

Trail can be very boggy in places.

Water

Water can be obtained at signed spots on trail.

View trail condition reports for this trail.