Caves and Koksilah Ridge View (Shawnigan) - Retreads

A strenuous hike with an interesting historical twist, leading to a wildflower filled mountain meadow with a view of Koksilah Ridge.

The hike explores the area NE from the world famous Kinsol Trestle. This area, was part of a speculative copper mining craze that swept Vancouver Island back in the early 1900's. In fact the Trestle's name "Kinsol" is a contraction of "King Solomon's Mine" which was a nearby mine. On this trail, you will pass by three shallow caves which were test explorations to determine if there were recoverable minerals present (copper/silver). Officially, these caves are part of the Dora-Mabel mineral claim, still actively held.

Once you pass the caves, the trail ascends steeply through pleasant forest, along a decommissioned logging road until it breaks out into a lovely mountain meadow with a great view of the Koksilah Ridge to the west. On the early summer day of this hike, the meadow was alive with purple Camas Lily and bright red Indian Paintbrush.

This hike starts from the Kinsol Trestle’s small Riverside Rd. parking lot. It is possible to start from the larger Glen Eagles Rd. parking lot, on the other side of the trestle, which would add about 4 km to the hike but would also allow you to check out the impressive trestle.

There are pit toilets at the Kinsol Trestle interpretive area, about 300 m from the trail head.

The Retreads Hiking Club gives this hike an AVA (American Volksports Assoc.) rating of 3C for the ascent to the ridge section of the hike. The approach logging road is a 2A.

Looking for a hike in the Cowichan Valley? Or, looking for hiking companions? Google "Retreads Hiking Club CVRD"