The Refugium Range

The Refugium Range is a low, small chain of mountains and hills on northern Vancouver Island in Brook Peninsula. The Refugium Range is a subrange of the Vancouver Island Ranges, which form a portion of the Insular Mountains. It was named by an expedition in 1981, found that the range and nearby area have escaped the last glaciation and are therefore refugium with endemic geologic formations and rare species of plants.
The Refugium Range's peaks are perched on the edge of Vancouver Island's western coast comprises eight peaks near the limit of the last icebergs. Among them, Nunatak Mountain is the highest mountain with an elevation of 930 m (3054 ft.). The Doom Mountain within the Refugium Range was named by Dr. Richard Hebda, a member of the Royal British Columbia Museum, because of its sheer cliffs' foreboding impression and the clouds shrouding the mountain top.
Exploring the Refugium Range will be an enriching journey of pristine and secluded wilderness. The Refugium Range falls within the borders of Mquqᵂin/Brooks Peninsula Provincial Park that features a vastly remote area of old-growth rainforest and uninhabited sandy beaches.
The Refugium Range, as well as the park, has long served first nations with hunting and fishing. Visitors can be entertained by several recreational activities, including hiking, boating, kayaking, and wildlife viewing.
Hikers can see various marine mammals, including sea lions, sea otters, gray whales, and bountiful seabirds such as marbled murrelets and rhinoceros auklets. The unique species of plants and geologic formations make this part of Vancouver Island distinctive and provide an unparalleled scientific study setting.

The Refugium Range Location

Located on the northwest side of Vancouver Island, the Refugium Range comprises mountains and hills of Brooks Peninsula with an area of 239 sq km (92 sq mi). The range is between Kyuquot Sound and Quatsino Sound, near the limit of the remaining icebergs, unaffected by the last ice age. The Refugium Range is approximately 30 km (18.6 miles) southwest of Port Alice.
Hikers and mountaineers will experience a fascinating journey exploring the range and Mquqᵂin/Brooks Peninsula Provincial Park ـــwithin which borders the Refugium Range falls. Hiking through the rainforest winding around beautiful lakes and tarns with abundant seabirds and opportunities for seeing gray whales, sea otters would be fascinating.
Visitors can camp through the pristine and remote wilderness and start more energetic exploring. Wilderness camping would be more interesting near the lakes as Moneses Lake, Cladothamnus Lake, and Gaultheria Lake, with their breathtaking views surrounded by gorgeous trees.
The first nations have been fishing and hunting in this area for thousands of years. There are opportunities for catching saltwater fishes in the freshwater of Power Lake, to which access is via Ououkinsh Inlet.
Set in your boat and enjoy sheltered paddling from Columbia Cove to Ououkinsh Inlet and Nasparti Inlet, and Johnson Lagoon.

How to Get to the Refugium Range by Car

Access to the Refugium Range is by boat, south from Kyuquot and north from Quatsino. Also, quick access to the range is probably available by air charters in Tahsis. You can drive from your departure point to Tahsis and continue toward the Refugium Range by boat.

From Nanaimo:
The fastest route to get to Tahsis from Nanaimo is via BC-19 N and Gold River Hwy. It is 308 km (191.3 miles) and takes about 4 hours and 11 minutes.
Follow BC-19 N and Gold River Hwy to Head Bay Rd for 307 km (190.7 miles). Continue on Head Bay Rd. After 450 m (1476 ft.), take Rugged Mountain Rd to D Rd, approximately 610 m (2001 ft.) to reach Tahsis.

From Victoria:
Getting to Tahsis from Victoria is via BC-19 N. It is a 418 km (259.7 miles) route and takes almost 5 hours and 42 minutes.
Take Government St to Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N for 1.2 km (0.7 miles). Follow Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N and BC-19 N to Island Hwy/BC-19A N in Campbell River. After 264 km (164 miles) driving, follow Gold River Hwy and Head Bay Rd to D Rd in Tahsis for 153 km (95 miles) to reach Tahsis.

The Hike to Get to the Refugium Range

There is no designated hiking trail to reach the Refugium Range. But there are wilderness hiking trails in the area, a 20 minutes hiking trail from Columbia Cove to the most easterly beach on the peninsula's south coast, which is scenic. Another hiking route is near the top end of Ououkinsh Inlet, up the Lower Power River to Power Lake.

History of the Refugium Range

The Refugium Range area is home to the traditional territory of Quatsino and Checleset/Kyuquot people. Their culture and legends are steep in the mountains and lakes. The area has been used for fishing and hunting for thousands of years.
The Refugium Range was named by an expedition in 1981. Due to being un-affected during the last ice age, the name was given to the range with unique ecologic formations and endemic plant species.
Mquqᵂin/Brooks Peninsula Provincial Park was established in 1986 and upgraded to a class "A" Provincial Park in 1995.
An agreement was made in 2009 to rename Brooks Peninsula Provincial Park to Mquqᵂin/Brooks Peninsula Provincial Park. The name is for the connection of first nations with the history of the park. In the Nuu-Chah-Nulth language, Mquqᵂin means "The Queen." 

Things to do around the Refugium Range Area

Here in the wilderness, you can experience life in touch with mother nature. Hike and explore the real beauty. Water activities, including kayaking and canoeing, are possible around the Mquqᵂin/Brooks Peninsula Provincial Park. The difficulty level is moderate and suitable for beginner to intermediate. By the way, you can get into the water taxis to reach the park from Kyuquot and Zeballos.
Saltwater and freshwater fishing attract enthusiasts. For fishing or angling, you must have an appropriate license. This situation is the same for hunters. You can hunt in the Refugium Range area with valid licenses for specific species.
As you are in the wilderness, swimming can be done without any lifeguard on duty.
Sandy beaches, pristine nature, and rare plants here make it pleasurable for wildlife viewing. Bears are among the habitats of the area, so keep in mind the safety tips.