This is one place that I didn’t go to often when I lived on the island. However, for visitors looking for gorgeous and classic Canadian scenery, this is a perfect space for that. From rain-forests dripping with moss to a crystal-clear lake to swim, you can find a little bit of everything here. Beautiful Cowichan Lake on Vancouver Island is a destination in itself.
Getting There
The second largest fresh water lake on the island is located in the Cowichan Valley. Visitors heading north from Victoria, will take a left hand turn onto Highway 18 after passing through Duncan. Follow that road all the way to the lake. There are multiple parks along the extensive shoreline to pull into and access the beauty that is here.
Forest
The park my daughters and I visited this day is called Spring Beach. Walking towards the lake, one passes through a small portion of the natural forest. This is the perfect place to experience the incredible temperate rain-forest that the Pacific Northwest is known for.
When the sun is shining as it was today, the dappled effect inside this canopy of soaring pine and fir trees is jaw droppingly beautiful. Moss drips from the trees in sheets, swaying in the morning breeze. Nests of spider webs are aglow and dance in the rays.
The feeling walking through this ancient forest, seeing the ferns and indigenous salal, is one of surreal beauty. Its magical and makes one feel as insignificant and small as an ant.
Logging
Vancouver Island has a history of logging dating back to the 1880’s. One of the most fascinating things to see up close, are the reminders and remains of those old logging days.
See these massive stumps left from a century or more ago. Those notches in the wood, that is where the loggers stood as they chopped down these magnificent ancient trees. The living trees today are all smaller, having been spared by those early loggers, as they would have been in their infancy then.
Beach
This is what we have actually come for, the beach! A rocky one as are most of the beaches of the lakes and oceans here. The scene couldn’t be more picturesque. With mountains as our backdrop, the light flitters over the surface of the azure blue waters.
Walking up to the edge, the crystal-clear fresh water is begging to be touched. Waves are gentle at the moment, perfect for a swim. If the breeze picks up, this lake can become quite choppy. Its fairly early still, no one else is around as we set up our towels and blankets. Slowly I can hear the engines of boaters and then see the first water skier of the day. Water sports are what this lake is all about in the summertime.
Swimming
Testing out the temperature with bare toes, it feels surprisingly warm. Well not warm, but more so than I was expecting. To swim outdoors in Canada is indeed a special activity, one that locals wait all year long for. The summer temperatures have made the lake bearable, especially towards the shore where the water is shallower. Dare I go for a swim?
Of course! I get up the gumption and head into that dreamy clear abyss. Not one for a cold-water swim, it takes me a little while to submerge. But when I do, it is complete bliss! I’m so proud of myself for getting in and paddling around.
People are beginning to flood into the park now, it’s later in the morning and we have plans. Packing up our things is a sad affair, for I know it will be my one and only chance to see the lake on this trip. The beauty of nature in Canada is where this country shines. While most countries I have visited have equal parts of fascination such as history, nature, art and culture, Canada really comes alive in the natural environment. Cowichan Lake, definitely a destination for visitors and locals alike.
