With its river rapids and man-made fish ladder offering premium views of salmon spawning in season, Skutz Falls can be enjoyed best from one of Owner Direct’s many vacation rentals nearby. There are beautiful views, good parking, pit toilets, and an information shelter. There are 39 drive-in and 4 walk-in sites at the Stoltz Pool campsite. SIGN UP FOR NICOLE’S NEWSLETTER – COME AND JOIN THE ROMANCE, https://nicoletayloreby.com/nicoles-privacy-policy/. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. But I wasn’t going to drive all the way up there to just scramble down from the parking lot, so we planned to do a loop hike. Located at the end of Mayo road off Cowichan lake road, Skutz Falls is a popular destination all times of the year. In late fall/early winter this section of river is home to thousands of spawning salmon that can be seen swimming and jumping up the river or the salmon ladders in the upper section. It’s more like a mini-waterfall. The Swinging Bridge at Skutz Falls is quite a feature, linking the tow sections of the Footpath. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. There is just enough current to have a little fun without having to worry about any nine-year-olds getting swept downriver. Paddling from Skutz Falls to Marie Canyon is approximately 10 kilometres and you might have to portage around Marie Canyon, depending on the water level. About 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) after exiting Cowichan Lake, the river drops over Skutz Falls, a small waterfall that is often visited when fish are climbing the fish ladder constructed beside the falls. Skutz Falls is also a must see as it offers stunning views of river rapids and a great spot for an afternoon picnic. Skutz Falls is a little canyon-like subsection of the lovely Cowichan River. There are a couple of trails that you can take to get to Skutz Falls, but you don’t really have to hike to view them. ( Log Out / The Lake Cowichan RCMP began the search after the man texted a friend to say he was stuck sometime after 6 … It’s almost like the waterfall is horizontal. The Skutz Falls area is home to the Skutz Falls fish ladders, it has a couple of quick little rapids exciting enough to make the under 1km walk back to the start over and over again all part of the fun. In the fall spawning salmon can be viewed at the Skutz Falls and Marie Canyon areas. This adventure took place on 13 August 2020. It makes a nice loop. Below the falls, in the summer time, are swimming areas. They are probably holding in some of the deep, cool canyon waters and swims are being done to try to find them. The Cowichan River Footpath follows the River from one end the park to the other. Even though the waterfall is small, the area below the falls is very narrow, so you can still feel the power of the rushing water. Note: If you have not yet gone tubing down the Cowichan River that should be first on your list when visiting in the summer, as it is rated the number 1 summer activity of Vancouver Island! Swimming and tubing are popular activities at the Stoltz Pool day-use area and below Skutz Falls. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. It’s that hidden! Sometimes, when there is a location I would like to use in a book, but I can’t go and see it, or I haven’t been there in a long time, I will cruise Google to get the lay of the land. Alright, it’s time to get back to editing, otherwise the love between Claire and Spencer will never get a chance to get out of my head and into your life . The Cowichan River Provincial Park recreation area has four main areas. 2600 3 "building" means any structure, wholly or partly enclosed by a roof or roofs supported by walls or columns, which is used or intended to be used for supporting or sheltering any use accommodating persons, animals, chattels or … Located on the Cowichan River in the beautiful Cowichan Valley, Skutz Falls is a popular area for outdoor leisure. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Well, let’s just say that we went east when we should’ve gone west. Who orients a sign with a map on it, so that it’s facing south? You will have to just take my word for it and go see for yourself. Warning: The Cowichan River has fluctuating water levels and swift currents. Experienced whitewater kayakers may wish to navigate the river between Skutz Falls and Marie Canyon. The area is a rocky playground with pools deep enough for diving and lots of places to park yourself for the day. To get to the Cowichan River Footpath, turn right onto Mayo Road from highway 18 about 9km from Lake Cowichan. Children should be accompanied by an adult when in or near the river. Parks staff have done an excellent job of parking the dodgy places. Skutz Falls day-use area and campsite: day-use area: A great place to picnic, watch surging white water, salmon runs and fish ladders. An interesting feature is the man made fish ladders that help get the fish up the Cowichan River. There is a parking lot just a few hundred metres (or a few hundred yards, if you’re from south of the border ) from the falls. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. I have spent quite a bit of time on the Cowichan River where Skutz Falls is located. Besides, she might have led us a little astray on the hike—don’t tell her I told you; I think it might be a secret—so she can’t tease me too much. Skutz Falls is a little canyon-like subsection of the lovely Cowichan River. I enlisted the help of my friend, who lives in the Cowichan Valley, loaded my kids in the car, and headed up island on a waterfall hunting adventure. They may not be able to get past Skutz falls in the low, warm river. There are 39 drive-in and 4 walk-in sites at the Stoltz Pool campsite. These cookies do not store any personal information. ( Log Out / Skutz Falls is not just a lovely place to view but also home to a refreshing swimming hole. Viewing the falls takes no time so why not add in an afternoon hike along the banks of the Cowichan River. Expert kayakers run the falls and other put in just below them. Skutz Falls might not be mighty, but even mini-waterfalls have the power to enchant! Both sides of the Fall’s pool are rock lined, one side a giant rock wall and the other a set of smooth rocks for laying on in the sun. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. You can start and finish your hike at Skutz Falls, a popular swimming hole in the summer and a great place to watch salmon jump up the fish ladders in the fall. The river is the main attraction of the park, as it includes great recreational options such as swimming, canoeing, white-water kayaking, tubing and fishing. Easy stretch of trail along the Cowichan River. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. But don’t be worried, it’s more fun than it is dangerous. What they don’t know… right? Ian Morrison, the Cowichan Valley Regional District director for Area F (Cowichan Lake South/Skutz Falls) is the new president of the Association of Vancouver Island Coastal Communities. It wasn’t really the end of the world, because the trail loops across a trestle bridge and joins up with the Cowichan Valley Trail on the other side of the river. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. For your next holiday or vacation, consider bringing your pet and staying at … Even though the waterfall is small, the area below the falls is very narrow, so you can still feel the power of the rushing water. I had never been to Skutz Falls before, but there are a few scenes in West Coast Romance Book 3 that take place there, so I figured I better get my boots on the ground and check these falls out. Skutz Falls is not just a lovely place to view but also home to a refreshing swimming hole. THE UNEXPECTED ROMANCE OF A SIDNEY ISLAND DAY TRIP! Continue following the signs on Skutz Falls Road to Riverbottom Road and the day use area. Tourists and locals flock each year to the river to go camping, swimming, fishing, hiking, tubing and canoeing in and along the river corridor. Horseback Riding - Riding is permitted on the Trans-Canada Trail Swimming - Swimming is a popular activitie at the Stoltz Pool day-use area and below Skutz Falls. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Highlights include the 90 metre long Mile 66 Trestle over Marie Canyon, and the 73 metre long 64.4-Mile Trestle over Holt Creek. May be fun to check that out at the right time. THE ROMANCE OF CAPE SCOTT PROVINCIAL PARK. Both sides of … You should’ve seen their faces when they saw the waterfall . I had seen the signs on the river warning about how much further it was to the falls. Also, tubers should always avoid submerged trees and logs. Change ), View from the jumping point http://rickpaulettervjournal.blogspot.ca/2010/10/skutz-falls-last-river-blog-for-now.html, http://www.trailpeak.com/trail-Little-Mountain-near-Parksville-BC-6729, By: Gordon Niamath http://www.panoramio.com/user/241496/tags/Errington, http://www.nanaimoinformation.com/little-mountain.php, http://rickpaulettervjournal.blogspot.ca/2010/10/skutz-falls-last-river-blog-for-now.html. Of course, the Marie Canyon trestle is a wonder and Skutz Falls is also worth viewing. Secondly, the Stoltz Pool Campsite is located off Highway 18 and gives access to the middle of the Park. Be safety conscious if you think swimming in the Cowichan River is a good idea. But you only need to look downriver or upriver, ignoring what’s behind you, to take in the beauty that is the Cowichan River. So, yes, the first time I viewed Skutz Falls, I was standing at the base watching the water come roaring over the top… and it wasn’t what I was expecting. We chose to move down below the falls to swim. And after having been to the falls, I think the scenes are going to be even more amazing, because the only thing better than a sassy woman being forced to hang out in nature, when she would rather be anywhere else, is to have the promised waterfall be more like a bump in the river. Campsite reservations are accepted. Best to park at Skutz Falls. You don’t need to be afraid of getting carried away down the river in this spot because in the summer it gets very shallow at the end. There are still large chinook salmon swimming up the river and about 70 have so far been counted at Stoltz but only a few have been seen above Skutz falls. The Holt Creek Trail Head, Stoltz Pool and Campgrounds, Maire Canyon, 66 Mile Trestle and Skutz Falls Trailhead. Which is what would’ve happened, if we’d gone west. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Electoral Area F - Cowichan Lake South/Skutz Falls Zoning Bylaw No. There is a Provincial Campground nearby and Sathlam Lodge has a cable car over the river to the trail. Skutz Falls would be better described as steep rapids. These falls are a perfect place to take a walk around and view the waterfalls and old salmon ladders along the river. Warning: The Cowichan River has fluctuating water levels and swift currents. Whitewater Kayaking on Vancouver Island Cowichan River: wilderness guides and food and beverage artisans, Skutz Falls is a waterfall on the Cowichan River on Vancouver Island, British In 1901, Whymper and his four guides (Joseph Bossoney, Christian Kaufmann, Nelson Whitewater Rafting Co. Public Notices The Town of Lake Cowichan. ( Log Out / You are good as long as you stay on the trail. Skutz Falls is not just a lovely place to view but also home to a refreshing swimming hole. Marie Canyon, 66 mile trestle, Skutz falls, and Skutz bluff are highlights of hiking in the areas. Get back to nature at picturesque Skutz Falls on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The Glenora Trails Head Park is an important eastern gateway to the Cowichan River Provincial Park, the central portion of the Cowichan Valley Trail (part of The Great Trail), the Cowichan River Footpath and Glenora Riverside Park. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. It forms one end of the scenic Cowichan River Footpath. The area is a rocky playground with pools deep enough … Follow Mayo Road downhill to the river and park near the bridge. If you would like to know more about my books and the inspiration behind them, sign up for my newsletter and never miss a thing! The Cowichan River Provincial Park is a popular recreation park for many outdoor adventure activities. I, personally, blame whomever it was that placed the sign. Swimming and tubing are popular activities at the Stoltz Pool day-use area and below Skutz Falls. We didn’t actually tell the kids that we had taken the longer loop. We ended up going for a long, hot hike, and then a delicious swim in the river next to a baby waterfall. https://nicoletayloreby.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/20200813_152409.mp4, DISCOVERING A WATERFALL WHEN SEEKING POTHOLES - NICOLE TAYLOR EBY. The down-river section on the south side is the more frequented trail and is well brushed out. This site also provides access to the Skutz Falls section of the river, where visitors can view spawning salmon in the Fall, river rapids and a man-made fish ladder. Skutz Falls is a little canyon-like subsection of the lovely Cowichan River. As I hinted at the beginning, this entire adventure was research driven. Strange structure on the trail to Skutz Falls. There is a nice picnic spot at the west end of the 66 Mile Trestle. Skutz Falls day use is located at the Western trailhead of the Cowichan River Footpath and offers pleasant walks, fishing, picnicking, great swimming and tube runs. If that makes any sense at all. So, rewind back to Skutz Falls main, and up the Rock Garden, through the 4×4 bypass, and down Skutz-14 to the waypoint I had for the caves. The Skutz/66 Mile Loop Trail is a beautiful hike, but it isn’t for the feint of heart. That is, right after you go tubing down the Cowichan River! This provincial park has three main access points. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to find pictures of Skutz Falls. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. I have ridden down it on a tube almost annually. It has some pretty steep sections, and there are a few places where the river has undercut the banks, making for some unstable ground along the edges. The problem was that I had told my kids that we were going for a short hike and then a swim in the river. Once you get a little down river, it widens, deepens, and slows down, and there is a nice area to swim. Look for a turn off out of Duncan, onto the Cowichan Valley Highway. The trail starts from Cowichan Lake Road, approx 4km west of the Skutz Falls turnoff, or 4km east of Lake Cowichan. We have 32 pet friendly vacation rentals in Skutz Falls resorts. I also knew that people had died tubing over the falls. As each owner sets their own pet policy, there are many owners that do allow dogs, cats and even other critters to stay at their vacation rental home in Skutz Falls. These falls are a perfect place to take a walk around and view the waterfalls and old salmon ladders along the river. By the time we actually arrived at the falls, I was sweaty and ready for a swim. By the time we actually arrived at the falls, I was sweaty and ready for a swim. At one point I had to point out that we were actually hiking slower than we did at Cape Scott with our heavy backpacks on, and if we didn’t pick up the pace a little, then we would make it to the waterfall (which I still believed, along with my kids, was a giant thundering waterfall) sometime after dark. Access can be found from Duncan via Hwy 18, Cowichan Lake Road and River Bottom Road. Experienced whitewater kayakers may wish to navigate the river between Skutz Falls and Marie Canyon. Skutz Falls isn’t a giant, cascading waterfall. Downstream, the river flows through Marie Canyon, … Swimming and tubing are popular activities at the Stoltz Pool day-use area and below Skutz Falls. The up-river section on the north side is a more overgrown trail. We parked at a lot just a little bit away from the falls and consulted the map that had been very generously placed there by park staff—Skutz Falls is located in Cowichan Valley Provincial Park. From there we took what appeared to be a “less traveled” route southward. Don’t exactly know where Cowichan Lake is? Hazards include rapid water level changes, log jams and rapids. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Cowichan River Provincial Park: This is a great hub for camping, fishing, swimming, paddling, hiking, cycling or simply enjoying a forested river setting. Many come here to challenge the current of the river and get some exercise, as you can travel from one end of the pool to the other in no time. I knew that Skutz Falls would play a significant role in the meeting of heroine and hero in West Coast Romance Book 3. This venture can easily be made into two smaller loops, a 6k and a 8k. Swimming in the Cowichan River is at the swimmer’s discretion – rapids, pools, long slow meandering sections of the river are all to be found. Cowichan Search and Rescue found a man stranded in his car, which was stuck deep in the woods on a logging road, last weekend in the Skutz Falls area. And that’s where things went a little haywire. The Skutz Falls area is home to the Skutz Falls fish ladders, it has a couple of quick little rapids exciting enough to make the under 1km walk back to the start over and over again all part of the fun. We hiked through expanses of forest that were so thick with ferns that the fronds looked like they were shag carpet—only a very pretty and vibrant carpet—not like the shag carpet I remember from my childhood <