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Winding
its way from Cowichan Lake to the salty waters of Cowichan Bay, the
Cowichan River runs 47 kilometres (30 mi). This river has been the
life blood of the Cowichan First Nations. In early spring carpets
of wildflowers and abundant life in the river and rainforest compete
for attention. Fall rains bring spawning salmon and an explosion of
wild mushrooms.
HIKING
A footpath following 20 kilometers of the river provides a day long
(7 hour) hike, one way. Backpacker camping is permitted. Walk through
ranges of salal and ocean spray, Oregon grape and bracken fern. The
forest understory is draped in moss.
SKUTZ FALLS is accessed from Riverbottom Road or from the Cowichan
Valley Highway. The trail leads downstream into the sheer-sided 2-km
long Marie Canyon.
The canyon can be isolated as a 2 hour loop by utilizing a spectacular
abandoned rail trestle (as yet unrepaired) spanning the deep canyon.
The trail passes by a grassy knoll where a grove of Garry Oak overlooks
the rapids that are run by intrepid kayakers. Downstream vistas include
high gravel cliffs tumbling into the river and gorges the 50' deep
crystal clear pools. Exercise caution with young children.
STOLTZ POOL PARK (footbridge 2000?) This much anticipated river crossing
access will enable hikers to walk a trail/rail-bed loop that passes
by old growth Fir, Cedar and Hemlock, big leaf Maple, and Arbutus
(Madrone). Notched stumps leave evidence of logging from eras gone.
This needed river crossing will facilitate carpooling between the
Skutz and Stoltz access points and make possible well textured loop
and figure 8 hikes, and rail-bed cycling.
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FISHING
Turn of the century London newspapers regularly published reports
of the Cowichan River, Chinook, Coho, Cum salmon, Steelhead, Rainbow,
Cutthroat, and Brown trout inhabit the waters. The entire Cowichan
River is still one of the most valuable and productive salmon and
trout river systems on Vancouver Island despite a combination of over
fishing and dubious logging practices over the decades. Some anglers
fish the Cowichan specifically for Brown trout that were introduced
from Wisconsin in the 1930's, but more come for the late spring and
fall fly fishing or winter run steelhead
CYCLING
Trans Canada Trail! Experience the pleasure of off road cycling on
abandoned rail lines. Create loops utilizing rail lines running both
south and north of the River Corridor. With the arrival of the TransCanada
Trail (2000) expect improvement in signage and trail surfacing. As
well, the Cowichan Region offers good triangular road touring to/from
Saltspring Island/Victoria/Nanaimo.
CANOEING,
KAYAKING AND INNER TUBING
Safety First! Fast6 flowing water with 130 rapids and numerous small
waterfalls present challenges for kayakers and white-water winter
canoeists. (Best Conditions are October to June.) Training on flat
water doesn't prepare one for river dynamics. Respect the river. Know
your put-in and your take-out point, and the hazards between. Only
portions of the river are safe for summer inner tubing.
SWIMMING
During summer months the water is so clear it mesmerizes. Being lake
fed it warms to comfortable lazing temperatures.
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