3 minute read
OFF THE BEATEN PATH
OFF THE BEATEN PATH Bud Logan
THE MCIVORLAKE TRAIL
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Just eight kilometres from Campbell Riveron the Gold River road–Highway 28–you'll find McIvor Lake, truly a recreational paradise. With good fishing and many sandy beaches for swimming, loads of free parking, and picnic areas for use, it’s a great lake to visit.
McIvor Lake is a starting point to reach many good fishing areas on lower Campbell Lake, with a good boat launch for your use. The fishing here and in other parts of this lake is awesome and you have a really good chance of hooking into a big fish. I have caught plenty in the 2 to 3 kg range here. The lake joins onto lower Campbell Lake and this opens up so many places to fish or camp.
The lower Campbell Lake is part of the Sayward valley canoe route, and this gives you access to explore all the lakes that make up this canoe trail. Back in the 80s, my firefighting crew and I would work through the winter months on various trails and campsites in this area—one winter we worked on the canoe route and we all completed the journey while building the trails and campsites. It was a bit cold but a great adventure as well.
This is the swimming hole for Campbell River. The water is warm during the summer months and there are many sandy beaches here, some geared towards the young crowds of teenagers, and others are family swim
areas where the little ones can play at the water's edge building sand castles. Water skiing is very popular on this lake and there are many wonderful places to explore from kayaks or canoes.
There are many trails to hike on McIvor lake. My favourite runs from the gate on the road in to the main beach, Lions Beach. This trail follows the shoreline and the views are fabulous. There are benches to sit on to just relax and take in the awesome vistas. It takes about an hour to complete the trail. You will hardly ever see others here so it’s a great place to walk your pups. This trail is always accessible, it starts right at the gate, and you can park alongside the road and hit the trail. As you walk along the trail, you will find yourself going through an area where people have laid their animal friends to rest, this has been going on here for many years and some of the graves are very old. This is Campbell River's own pet cemetary. The care taken with these graves just shows the love people have for their furry friends, and it’s a must-see when you are here hiking on this trail.
I always enjoyed hiking this trail during the winter months, it's a level grade, well-constructed trail that is easy enough for people with various mobile issues to use, although it is not wheelchair accessible. So put on your hiking boots, pack a lunch and give this trail a walk, you won't regret it.
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