Finally made it to Bear Creek Reservoir via Forebay Road. here are some pics.
I worked up there one summer. 1974 I think, which I guess kind of dates me.
IT was beautiful there (April 17). But waaaay to cold for swimming, at least for us. I was feeling a bit under the weather as I'd had Astrazeneca the day before. But i'm glad I finally found it after years of trying. And it turned out to be so easy!
Definitely will be checking it out this summer.
Cheers,
Llew
I love that area. I went through there last weekend myself. I found a route that takes you all the way from Holt Main in Duncan to Forebay Rd. in Jordan River. Over 100km of dirt! Secret Lake is near the reservoir too, next time you're in the area it's worth checking out.
Thanks for the info. If you have a map with that route pls pm me if ok with you.
cheers,
Llew
I would Iove a map of that trip for a jaunt coming late August/early Sept. possible to PM me?
Thanks
Ray
Sure. PM on the way.
Would love a map of that if you've got one.
Hey everyone, new member here, I just moved back home to the island after a long stint (13 years) working in Edmonton... I'm having a hard time adjusting to all of the gates and roadblocks keeping us out from enjoying our beautiful land here. I've gone out on a handful of scouting trips this summer up around Courtenay, Lake Cowichan, Sooke & Jordan river looking for nice secluded areas to fish and camp, but every time out I've been disappointingly turned around by gates and trenches.
Anyhow this post is to let you all know that yesterday, Sept. 6 2021, I attempted to get to Bear Creek Reservoir via Forebay and was stopped by a massive trench on the main road. Not sure if I could have made it through, but wasn't going to attempt it solo.
This was my first time out there, going off my brothers' directions, but he swears we were on the correct trail (seemed to be the main road the whole way up), the trench is about 2km before Bear creek reservoir, just past the end of Diversion.
Was up there three weeks ago and that was what we encountered as well.
I heard that happened. I was thinking about checking it out on my bike this weekend. It's a bummer, because that route made some really nice loops around the area. Does it look like a natural washout, or a trench they dug out to stop traffic?
Looked man made for sure, just before a fork in the road with a newly graveled road on the other side. All around there were signs of heavy equipment tearing up the brush and the far side of the trench was in-filled / built up with a dump of shale and large rock
Oh, so they must be doing some logging or other work out there, and don't want people messing around. Hopefully they'll re-open it once they're done!
Did you travel the new road at all? Just wondering if its a minor detour.
I didn't attempt to get past the trench, there was no way forward from there except through the trench unfortunately.
North island fire ban lifted went to sayward some great trails up there and get no gates
If you are into sharing your route with another person I’d really like to know too!
Sure, I'll send a PM.
The dug out is still impassable, between Diversion and Bear Creek reservoirs. But it’s a great drive out and back anyway.
Ok - Thanks Alex!
Hey man Id love to get that route if you’ve got it!
Not much of a route to know :) Just turn off Hwy 14 at Forebay Rd, just south of Jordan River. There's a bunch to explore out there, and you can go as far as the dug out in a truck. I've heard dirt bikes and quads are getting through the dugout now.
Hello, i just bought a 2017 Jeep Compass Trailhawk and wanted to try it off road. Im a newbie to off roading and just wondering if this trail is okay for beginners like me with all stock vehicle? Any recommendations?
Thank you!
Chris
Totally. It's a great first place to explore off-road. Beautiful views, and an easy drive. Most trails on the island are pretty tight, and you'll get pinstripping in your pretty new paint job, but this one is wide open as far as I remember. Also worth checking out nearby: North Main and Jordan Main, just on the north side of Jordan River. Just go explore!
Get some 10 ply tires, always give someone back home your route if u go alone, always bring emergency and first aid kit include lighter or fire starter, water and food and blanket, always bring good hiking boots and rain gear. Keep your simple stock of essential for car, if you can get portable air compressors and tire kit do so; of course spare tire and jack.
Take your time if you don’t know trails then after you get the gist…..giver!!!! Most important have FUN! And boing the shit out of the shocks! You bought to enjoy it few scratches are worth the experience 😄!
Thank you for the tips guys! Also, hust a stupid question from a beginner, wondering if you guys have a contact of a reliable towing company who are willing to tow vehicles from trails? Lol! Just in case of contingencies.
It's mostly individuals with tow rigs that do trail recoveries. The companies shy away from risky jobs. Join this FB group and post here if you need help: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2160745697472504
There's a guy in there named Chad that seems willing and capable to do most recoveries, so I saved his number in my phone too. Look for him on there and get his number.
Thanks for the info. That's a useful contact.
Thank you for the info! I’ll definitely saved this!