Gordon River & Tall Trees

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Lake Cowichan, British Columbia, CA

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Route Overview

Salty Beard Bikepacking

Giving you the DIRT on bikepacking routes

76 mi.

9,081 ft.

From Lake Cowichan, this scenic mixed surface ride takes you through ancient forests and crystal clear rivers between Port Renfew & Lake Cowichan.

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Route Details

# Gordon River & Tall Trees

This route is a combination of the Gordon River logging road and a paved section of the Pacific Marine Scenic Highway.  The loop takes you through some classic Southern Vancouver Island landscapes: warm inland lakes, crystal clear rivers, old-growth forests, and scenic vistas.  While it's only 150 km, it can be completed in one day by the intrepid cyclist, or can be done as a leisurly three-day trip mixed with wilderness camping or paid forestry recreation sites, giving you ample time to stop and stroll through stands of massive trees, or dip yourself into seculed swimming holes.

This route starts & ends in Lake Cowichan, however, other starting locaitons could be considered to extend this route length via the Cowichan Valley Trail. **Please read the note regarding private logging lands.**

**Watch an exclusive Salty Beard video of this route** [here](https://youtu.be/GCdcRCjaDBM).

## Route Highlights & Notes:

* **PARKING:** Street & Lot parking available. Contact township regarding overnight parking.
* **FOOD:** Groceries, cafe's, pizza, and ice cream shops. 
* **WATER:** Clear creeks and rivers to filter your own water. 
* **Lonley Doug / Eden Grove & Eden Falls:** A short rough climb up Edinburgh Main, will bring you to @photo[Lonely Doug](10834833), the 2nd Largest Douglas Fir Tree in North America. Shortly after is @photo[Eden Falls](10834824), and Eden Grove (on lower slope just past falls). **Wild Camping:** @poi[Old logging pad](38359433) just prior to Lonely Doug offers scenic spot for a few tents. 
* **Avatar Grove:** is only 5km down the road, where you'll find @poi[Canada's Gnarliest Tree](38359253). 
* **PORT RENFREW:** Feel free to take a detour into Port Renfew if you wish.  If you have the time & energy, you can extend your ride and check out Botanical Beach tide pools.  Or stop in at @poi[Beach Camp Coffee](35840717) - if they are closed, you can get their coffee at the grocery store.
* **Fairy Lake / Lizard Lake:** both lakes have forestry recreation camping (paid), [info here](https://www.grandgetaways.ca/campsites/). 
* **Tree on the Lake:** As you ride past Fairy Lake, The Tree on the Lake, is a small tree growing out of a log in Fairy Lake.  Under the right conditions this tree appears to be growing out of the water.  Online sources say it is the most photographed Canadian tree on social media. 
* **Ancient Forests:** Other stands of old growth trees are in the are, but require detours from this route, incluidng the world's largest Fir Tree, and Canada's largest Sitka Spruce Tree.  Visit [Ancient Forest Aliance](https://www.ancientforestalliance.org) for more info.
* **GEAR:** While this route is on reasonably maintained roads, there are some rough setions.  Any well maintianed gravel bike or mountian bike will be perfectly suited. 
* **DIFFICULTY:** A few sections may require a push, like a short rough bit after crossing the bridge (@point[@ 50km](d,49305.7)) leading up to Lonely Doug.  A short switchback climb (@slice[@@slice[ 95-96km](d,94641.83,98099.33)](d,96081.75,96502)) that will get your legs burning heading north back to Lake Cowichan. 
* **PRIVATE LOGGING LANDS:** Parts of this route cross through private logging lands. **DO NOT** wild camp north of the two caution POIs shown on this route.  Visit [MOSAIC FOREST MANAGEMENT](https://www.mosaicforests.com) for more info.

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Gordon River & Tall Trees

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