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Vanislander

Beaufort Range

The Beaufort Range is an expansive chain of mountains on Central Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Located northwest of Qualicum Beach and Port Alberni, the Beaufort Range has an area of 647 km2 (250 sq miles) and is a subrange of the Vancouver Island Ranges that form part of the Insular Mountains.
The Beaufort Range has incredible mountains stretching from Horne Lake in the southeast to Comox Lake in the northwest. Mount Joan is the highest summit located towards the southern end of the Beaufort Range, at an elevation of 1556 m (5105 ft.), with a superb view of the hills and valleys around. The Beaufort Range offers an excellent hiking experience with outstanding views overlooking the Strait of Georgia and Port Alberni, passing through a bit bushy cols.
Mountaineers can access all of the Beaufort Range peaks as day trips in both summers and winters. Access to most of the mountains is possible via trails off the Comox and Alberni logging road. Visitors would take a multi-day trip as 'Haute Route' or high-level traverse starting at Mount Clifton and culminating to Mount Joan.
Hiking the mountains is fascinating, through the green environment of forest passes around gorgeous lakes with a bit bushy cols. There exist opportunities for seeing a variety of beautiful wildlife and birds. After a bit of rock scrambling at Mount Joan, you will be amazed by the beautiful scenery of surrounded mountains and forested hills while shrouded by clouds in winters having spectacular views of poked-out Port Alberni.
The Beaufort Range was named by Captain George Richard, after eminent Sir Francis Beaufort, a hydrographer to the Royal Navy. The range's peaks honour many locals and are significant for residents of Alberni and Comox Valley.


Beaufort Range Location

The Beaufort Range is a group of mountains with an area of 647 km2 (250 sq miles), northwest of Port Alberni and Qualicum Beach and south of the community of Bowser, Fanny Bay, and Buckley Bay. The range stretches from Horne Lake in the southeast to Comox Lake in the northwest, along with myriad lakes throughout the range.
While visiting the Beaufort Range, you will be fascinated by magnificent mountains spreading in the area with treed hills and peaks overlooking the Georgia Strait and Port Alberni. Mountaineers would have perfect hiking within the range, with access via trails off the Alberni and Comox logging road.
Choose a random spot that fits camping and spend some time relaxing and enjoying the pleasant ambiance through the wilderness. However, the nearby area and lakes, such as Cumberland Lake Campground on Comox Lake, offer perfect recreations with a breathtaking view of the Comox Lake to stroll along.
Cliffe Glacier and Comox Glacier are to the northwest of the Beaufort Range, and Denman Island 10 km (6.2 miles), Hornby Island 18 km (11.1 miles), Lasqueti Island 42 km (26 miles), and Texada Island 44 km (27.3 miles) are to the northeast.
The gorgeous lakes with a pleasant atmosphere worth visiting within 15 km (9.3 miles) west of the Beaufort Range on which opportunities for camping, fishing, and outdoor recreation may exist, including Nimnim Lake, Willemar Lake, Elsie Lake, Ash Lake, Dickson Lake, and Great Central Lake. Outdoor enthusiasts would find Sproat Lake, Sproat Lake Provincial Park, and the Taylor Arm Provincial Park right on it an excellent spot for several recreational activities like paddling, swimming, and fishing, as well as having perfect camping. Also, Spider Lake Provincial Park by the Spider Lake southeast of the Beaufort Range is a hot spot for water lovers offering excellent canoeing and kayaking in warm waters.


How to Get to the Beaufort Range by Car

From Nanaimo:
Getting to the Beaufort Range from Nanaimo is via BC-19 N. It is a 92 km (57.1 miles) route that takes almost 1 hour and 25 minutes.
Take Third St to BC-19 N for 3.3 km (2 miles). Turn right onto BC-19 N (signs for Campbell R) and continue for 68.6 km (42.6 miles). Take Horne Bowser Rd and drive 20.1 km (12.4 miles) to your destination in Nanaimo H.

From Victoria:
The fastest route to get to the Beaufort Range from Victoria is via Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N and BC-19 N. It is 206 km (128 miles) and takes about 2 hours and 53 minutes.
Take Government St for 1.2 km (0.7 miles) to Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N. Follow Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N and BC-19 N for 181 km (112.4 miles) to Cook Creek Rd in Comox-Strathcona A. Take Horne Bowser Rd and drive 20.1 km (12.4 miles) to your destination in Nanaimo H.


The Hike to Get to the Beaufort Range

There is no designated hiking trail to reach the Beaufort Range.


History of the Beaufort Range

The Beaufort Range area is home to the traditional territory of the people of K'omox and Qualicum. Their legends and culture are rooted in the mountains and lakes of the range and nearby areas. The Beaufort Range has a rich history of pioneers exploring the mountains, carving their names on the enormous trees. Captain George Richard named the range after eminent Sir Francis Beaufort, a hydrographer to the Royal Navy.
Yuts-whol-aht is the old name of the range that first nations had been responsible for, which means: 'walking through the face of the mountains.' An ancient trading trail was used to link Port Alberni and Comox before the logging roads, which Yuts-whol-aht refers to. Ruth Jessie Masters, born and raised in Courtenay, is responsible for naming most of the Beaufort Range peaks.


Things to do around Beaufort Range Area

Visiting the Beaufort Range will be a valuable adventure with awe-inspiring views of mountains dotting the area and surroundings. Climbing the magnificent mountains would be adventurous, as well as hiking through the pleasant forested hills around lakes with opportunities for seeing beautiful wildlife and birds.
Choose a random spot, whether on the lakes or in the wilderness and enjoy the fresh atmosphere. At the nearby provincial parks and lakes, outdoor enthusiasts would be entertained by several activities such as fishing, swimming, scuba diving, or viewing ancient and old-growth trees.

List of Mountain Ranges Near the Beaufort Range

Mount McBride

Mount McBride

Beaufort Range

Beaufort Range

Beaufort Range Activities

Fishing

Anglers have many opportunities to catch various fishes at the fresh waters of Comox Lake, Elsie Lake, Nimnim Lake, Spider Lake, Stamp River Provincial Park, and Willemar Lake.
There are chances for catching rainbow, cutthroat trout, fly fishing, Dolly Varden, and Kokanee.
All anglers should check the regulations for knowing restrictions before fishing. An appropriate license is required.

Hiking

The Beaufort Range offers perfect hiking through the forested hills' fresh atmosphere with chances for seeing various wildlife and birds. While ascending breathtaking view of mountains surrounding and hills covered with trees induces a sense of freshness.

Canoeing, Kayaking

Have fun paddling in the fresh waters of Willemar Lake, Comox Lake, and Horne Lake. Spider Lake Provincial Park offers excellent canoeing and kayaking that attract paddlers for its warm waters. Spend a whole afternoon in the peaceful waters of Spider Lake and exploring many bays and shorelines. Be cautious of the possibility of hitting high winds.

Climbing

Climbing the mountains within the Beaufort Range is an enriching experience with Georgia Strait views, hills packed with trees below your feet, and mountains surrounding shrouded by clouds that make it more spectacular.

Scuba Diving

Opportunities for scuba diving exist in Spider Lake at Spider Lake Provincial Park.

Swimming

Swimmers will find several lakes where swimming is possible without any lifeguards on duty or any designated areas.

Wildlife viewing

Enjoy seeing beautiful wildlife at the nearby MacMillan from a raised viewpoint. Hike the trails through an old-growth coastal forest, where opportunities for visiting large Douglas firs on the southern side and western red cedar on the northern side exist. Also, viewing wildlife is possible at Stamp River Provincial Park in late summer from a viewpoint with excellent river and spawning salmon sights.

Camping

Mountaineers and visitors would have perfect time backcountry camping in the wilderness within the Beaufort Range. By pitching a camp on Willemar Lake on which undeveloped campsites are provided and Comox Lake at Cumberland Lake Park Provincial Park or riverside Stamp River Provincial Park, you will have perfect camping with awe-inspiring views of the lake and nature.

Windsurfing

During the periods of high waves, windsurfers would find Spider Lake a perfect spot for Windsurfing.

Cave Exploring

Close to Spider Lake at Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park, excellent caving opportunities exist approximately 8 km (4.9 miles) away.

What you Can Expect to Do Near the Beaufort Range

Hiking on the Rosewall Creek Trail

Hiking on the Rosewall Creek Trail

Mount Washington Snowmobiling

Mount Washington Snowmobiling

Mount Washington Snowboarding

Mount Washington Snowboarding

Mount Washington Snowshoeing

Mount Washington Snowshoeing

Mount Washington Skiing

Mount Washington Skiing

Camping in Fillongley Provincial Park Campground

Camping in Fillongley Provincial Park Campground

Camping in Deep Bay RV Park

Camping in Deep Bay RV Park

Camping in Ford's Cove Marina

Camping in Ford's Cove Marina

Camping in Qualicum Bay Resort

Camping in Qualicum Bay Resort

Camping in Lighthouse RV Park and Campground

Camping in Lighthouse RV Park and Campground

Camping in Bradsdadsland Campsite

Camping in Bradsdadsland Campsite

Camping in Cumberland Lake Park Campground

Camping in Cumberland Lake Park Campground

Camping in Puntledge RV Campground

Camping in Puntledge RV Campground

Norris Rocks Diving

Norris Rocks Diving

Flora Islet Diving

Flora Islet Diving

Beaufort Range Outline

Specifications

Peaks and Heights

Climate

Timing

Get There


1. Be well-equipped for climate conditions and check the weather reports before heading out.
2. The temperatures are estimated on average and related to Beaufort Range.


What you Can Expect to See Near the Beaufort Range

Courtenay

Courtenay

Parksville

Parksville

Mount McBride

Mount McBride

Qualicum Beach

Qualicum Beach

Parksville Beaches

Parksville Beaches

Goose Spit Park

Goose Spit Park

Milner Gardens & Woodland

Milner Gardens & Woodland

Englishman River Falls Provincial Park

Englishman River Falls Provincial Park

Englishman River Regional Park

Englishman River Regional Park

Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park

Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park

Tribune Bay Provincial Park

Tribune Bay Provincial Park

Rosewall Creek Falls

Rosewall Creek Falls

Brown's River Falls

Brown's River Falls

Beaufort Range

Beaufort Range

Trent River

Trent River

Planning for the Beaufort Range

Suitability

Camping & Resort

Services

Tips

Packing




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