Kwai Lake

Park: Strathcona Provincial Park, Forbidden Plateau region

Map

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/strath/strath_01.pdf

14.4 km loop.

Terrain: Intermediate
Elevations (in meters)
Net Gain: Cumulative Gain: 

Raven Lodge (Mt Washington) Trailhead: (250 km from Saanich Hall). Take highway #1 north from Victoria to Naniamo. Stay on the main road, which becomes BC#19, and continue to to Courtney. Follow the signs to Mt Washington Ski Resort, park in the cross-country ski area (Nordic Lodge) parking lot.

Note, you can cut about .8km from the trip by dropping off your passengers at the Mt Washington day use parking area on the approach to Raven Lodge.

Facilities available at the trailhead include:

Uses

BackpackEasy to moderate.2.5 hours one way.Best from early July thru late September.
DayhikeEasy to moderate day hike . Best from late June thru mid October.

Description

There are multiple ways to reach Kwai Lake. This page assumes you are hiking the shortest loop in a clockwise direction. The one-way distance for backpackers is just under 8km.

Features

This trail features activities (Swimming Swimming is not permitted in Kwai Lake, use Battleship or Mariwood Lakes.), birds (Common Raven, Steller's Jay, Varied Thrush), flowers, forests, lakes, meadows, mountains, swimming and views.

Campsites along the trail

Lake Helen McKenzie2.7 km 
  • Bear cache/wire
  • Tent pads
  • Pit toilet
Water is available.
 Reached by side trail of unknown length (looks like about .3km from map)
Kwai Lake6.8 km 
  • Bear cache/wire
  • Tent pads
  • Pit toilet
Water is available quality is fair.
Kwai lake is the water source for the camp. Despite park signs asking people not to swim in the lake or allow their dogs to swim people are using the lake in this way. Make sure to filter all water!

The following trails can be accessed from this trail:

Other trails in Strathcona Provincial Park

Trail-conditions

View trail condition reports for this trail.