A looping forest trail around a pretty wilderness lake.
LOCATION
From Port Renfrew, drive towards Cowichan Lake on Pacific Marine Road. About 18 km from Port Renfrew, the signposted Lizard Lake Recreation Area is on the right side of the road. Three different exits from the highway lead to different parts of the campground. The second one, by a floating dock, is the best starting spot for your walk.
DISTANCE
1.5-km loop
ELEVATION GAIN
Negligible
DIFFICULTY
The trail is easy but does require being a little sure-footed around some of the rooty sections and can require climbing over dead-fall, depending on the time of year.
SEASON
All season, but wear boots during the wet season to wade across two small streams.
OF SPECIAL INTEREST FOR CHILDREN
The lake can get pleasantly warm during the summer: enough said! An information poster about rough-skinned newts, common around the lake, can add spice to the quest for the colourful critters, especially in spring. Most kids will be fascinated by the information on the poisonous nature of the newts.
The view from the south shore.
1.Turn right along a broad, crushed-gravel trail, crossing a sturdy little handrailed bridge, and wander through a stand of tall, second-growth hemlock. Pause at the information poster on the local salamanders or rough-skinned newts.
2.When you come to a gravel road, a loop road serving several tent sites, turn left (but note the potentially useful outhouses). Within a very short distance, come to a sign simply announcing “Trail” and pointing to a small track. This is the proper beginning of the route around the lake. Soon notice occasional grapefruit-sized yellow (and, at some points, red) spots painted on trees. These useful splotches mark the trail for the whole route.
The docks near the campground and parking area.
3.Although the trail is well back from the edge of the lake along this section, you do come to two side tracks leading left down to the shore. You don’t find any beaches, but you do find pretty views. Children might be intrigued by a little lean-to along the second of these trails. Perhaps the world’s smallest island sprouts pretty little trees a short distance into the lake.
4.When you come to a second wet-season stream crossing, you may be greeted not by clear trail ahead but by a confusing pile of fallen trees. The trees are, however, easily scrambled over and, in any case, may be cleared away by the time you visit the trail.
5.The trail climbs slightly then swings left to merge with a broad, level roadbed. Within a few minutes, arrive at some walk-in tent sites. The path to your starting point, a short distance away, is a little vague, especially in the wet season when you must make your way across a squelchy little gully. You may, with small children, find it easiest to walk out to the highway and then walk the short distance back to your vehicle.