Cowichan Lake; the Second-largest Lake on Vancouver Island

Cowichan Lake or "Kaatza" (The Big Lake) is the second-largest lake on Vancouver Island and a major recreational hub in the Cowichan region. It is located where the Cowichan River meets Lake Cowichan, the largest town in the area. There are other small lakeside communities along the lake, including Mesachie Lake, Honeymoon Bay, and Youbou.
Fishing, hiking, and camping are common in Lake Cowichan. To enter the Trans Canada Trail, you need to pass through this town. Lakeview Park Campsite is ideal for a picnic, swimming, and boating.
Cowichan Lake has dry summers and mild winters. In late October and March, one can only experience 14.2 cm (5.5 inches) of snow on average. Most of the time, the area does not have any snow. Rainfall occurs almost between October and April, and December is the wettest month.
Many services are given to tourists. If you wish, there are kayaks, wakeboards, or even houseboats for rental. Cowichan Lake Education Center provides a floating boardwalk for enthusiasts. The local Kaatza Station Museum's permanent pioneer shows include a store, post office, mine shaft, and schoolhouse and historic logging and rail exhibits, including rolling stock from the 1920s. Gordon Bay Provincial Park, located on the south shore of Cowichan Lake, can add more adventure to your vacation.

Cowichan Lake Location

Cowichan Lake is located south of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. This freshwater lake is placed along the Cowichan Valley. Cowichan Lake's length is about 30 km (19 miles), stretching from west to east. The lake, which is the Cowichan River source, is at its widest point, about 4 km (2.5 miles). With less than an hour from Victoria, British Columbia, Cowichan is a region known for its natural beauty and diverse cultural activities and friendly locales. Cowichan consists of a vast belt that extends south of the island and features a kaleidoscope of vistas, villages, and opportunities for adventure.

How to Get to Cowichan Lake by Car

From Victoria:
The fastest route to get to Cowichan Lake from Victoria is via Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N. It is 114 km (70.8 miles) and takes about 1 hour and 49 minutes.
Take Government St to Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N. After 1.2 km (0.7 miles), use any lane to turn left onto Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N. Drive 63.9 km (39.7 miles) and follow Cowichan Valley Hwy/BC-18 W to S Shore Rd in Cowichan Valley F. After 48.7 km (30.2 miles) you will reach Cowichan Lake.

From Nanaimo:
The fastest route to get to Cowichan Lake from Nanaimo is via Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S and Cowichan Valley Hwy/BC-18 W. It is 94.4 km (58.6 miles) and takes about 1 hour and 21 minutes.
Follow Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S and Cowichan Valley Hwy/BC-18 W to S Shore Rd in Lake Cowichan for 72.6 km (45.1 miles). Drive to S Shore Rd in the Cowichan Valley F. After 21.8 km (13.5 miles) you will reach Cowichan Lake.

The Hike to Get to Cowichan Lake

1. With a 10.3 km (6.4 miles) out-and-back easy trail behind Cowichan Lake, the "Cowichan Tressle Via Cowichan Valley Trail" is often used for hiking and nature trips. It has a 72 m (236.2 ft) elevation gain and is proper for all skill levels. Along the route, you enjoy its beautiful natural scenery.

2. Another out-and-back trail near Lake Cowichan is "Mesachie Mountain Trail." This private property is 3.9 km (2.4 miles) and has a 257 m (843.1 ft) elevation gain. The difficulty level is moderate. Watching wildflowers during the path is fascinating.

History of Cowichan Lake

During the post-war decade, research-based at Cowichan Lake included studies of seed crop production, direct seeding and rodent control, the effects of slash burning, and Douglas-fir heartwood. However, the most far-reaching event during the 1950s was the inception of the Douglas-fir tree improvement program.
The following quote comes from the 1953 Forest Service Annual Report:
A new field of study was initiated in 1953. Forest genetics has been somewhat neglected in British Columbia, considering that the earliest reforestation projects began in the coastal region in 1932. At the end of 1952, the area of 106,322 acres (43026.9 hectares) had already been planted. By far, the more significant parts of this area begin on Vancouver Island, with Douglas-fir being planted almost exclusively. Therefore, a program with its primary object, improved quality of seed, would seem very timely, especially as there is minimal knowledge concerning the many races and strains. Into which an important species such as Douglas-fir is almost certainly divided.
Genetics research started in that year, mainly due to the persistence of Dr. Alan Orr Ewing. Research budgets were still tight, and it took a lot of persuading by Alan to get genetics research launched. Broad acceptance of this research took several years. Alan had several little stories indicative of the times.
During the 1950s, he had established several different field plots at Cowichan Lake to demonstrate the importance of genetic variation in Douglas-fir. On one occasion, he was conducting a busload of foresters through these plots. After Alan's explanation, he anticipated some questions, and he was hugely disappointed because the bus driver was the only one to ask a question. On another tour, a group of Russians visited his demonstration plots, and Alan was downright insulted when he saw one man relieve himself on one of his select trees.
During the 1950s, the provincial government supported a youth training program to provide summer jobs for students. Each year, between 10 and 20 male students would be stationed at Cowichan Lake. They were primarily occupied with maintaining and widening trails, painting buildings, and assisting researchers from time to time.
During the 1950s, the Civil Defense Organization of the provincial government decided that the Cowichan Lake station was sufficiently remote to provide a safe refuge for the cabinet in case a severe threat of atomic bomb attack occurred. The Reforestation Division was tagged responsible for maintaining a large stock of canned goods at all times. It was also stipulated that the stock be inventoried and replenished monthly. This inventory usually required the better part of a day for two people. Finally, in 1972, Ingemar Karlsson quietly eliminated this practice, and no one in Victoria ever noticed that it had come to an end.
In 1970, Ingemar Karlsson was placed in charge of the station, a position he held until 1985. He had been hired in 1964 to assist Alan Orr-Ewing as a tree breeding technician because of his considerable experience in this field in Sweden. With his background in tree improvement, Ingemar had a clear idea of the facilities needed to provide adequate support for the program.
The year 1979 also marked the 50th anniversary of the station. It was commemorated on August 24 by a gathering of foresters and others, many of whom had been closely associated with the station's development. Recollections of the past were presented by Eric Garman, Dr. Clifford Riley, Dr. Braham Griffiths, Charlie Schultz, Dr. Alan Orr-Ewing, Dick Spilsbury, Ted Whiting, Harold McWilliams, George Warrack, Dr. Ray Ie Jeune, Trevor Green, and Ingemar Karlsson. The program ended with a dedication ceremony where the Honourable Tom Waterland unveiled a stone cairn into which a time capsule had been implanted.

Things to Do around the Cowichan Lake Area

Catching a glimpse of local wildlife is a must in Cowichan. In Cowichan Bay, you get excited to watch orcas, humpback whales, grey whales, minke whales, porpoises, and sea lions, and many seabirds. To witness land-based birds of prey up close, be sure to visit just north of Duncan. There you can find local feathered friends, including eagles, hawks, owls, falcons, and vultures.
Before mountain bikers referred to rides as "sweet," there was "Maple Syrup," a breathtaking 9-kilometre (5.5 miles) mountain bike trail that's part of a network of hiking and biking trails Maple Mountain in North Cowichan. Access to all of Maple Mountain's trails is by way of a trailhead on the east side of Osborne Bay Road, midway between Herd Road and Crofton. Equally challenging are the trails you'll find on Mt. Tzouhalem and Cobble Hill.
It doesn't matter how you intend to spend your days in Cowichan; there's always an ideal place to spend the night - for every taste and every budget. If your heart is set on camping or RVing, your options are many. Public and private campgrounds can be found close to many of the region's spectacular parks - just about all of which are close to the lake, river, or beach (often all three). There are outstanding provincial campsites nearby; Cowichan River Provincial Park (just east of Skutz Falls) and Gordon Bay Provincial Park (located west of Honeymoon Bay on the south shore of Cowichan Lake).
Located just north of Duncan, the BC Forest Discovery Centre is an open-air museum with an operational steam train that can take you and your family on a tour of their 100-acre (40 he) grounds. The excursion will introduce you to woodland and traditional forestry machinery and transport you over a lakeside trestle. You might very well see some of the local geese, raptors, and other wildlife. Inside the center, you'll be treated to interactive experiences that shed light on British Columbia's acclaimed forestry legacy.

Festivals & Events:
- Annual Wooden Boat Celebration at Maple Bay Marina.
- Ladysmith Days, an annual parade, concerts, and fireworks.
- Cowichan Valley Grape Escape, an annual bike tour to benefit the MS society.
- Ladysmith Festival of Lights and annual light-up ceremony
- The Great Lake Walk and UltraMarathon, around Cowichan Lake
- Sunfest, Cowichan Valley outdoor musical concerts