This Big Country - Vancouver Island

It's hard to imagine just how big this small island can be when you look at it on the map.
So Jim took us for a drive to some of his favorite spots, including logging roads that cover vast expanses of mountainous terrain and the many lake spread out around the area. 

Upper Campbell Lake

Buttle Lake

You only need look or have a good local guide who knows where hidden waterfalls pour out of the mountains from glacial lakes, and hiking trails sent you high into the wilderness. The people are spoilt for choice here as there is certainly no end of things to keep you from the TV or X-Box, should you be into fishing, hiking, biking, winter sports or just chillin down at the lake or ocean.. It's an outdoor persons paradise.

Me & Esther, Beaver Lodge Lands

With this in mind and knowing Esther was still a little still from her spill at Mt Washington, we hit the local trails here at Beaver Lodge Lands Forest. We managed to clock up about 30k's on what seems like an endless array of trails. just when you think it has been done there is no doubt a new opening appears that you seemed to have missed before.
These trails tend to be more fast and flowing like Rotorua, but there are some hidden gems that are twisty, very rootie, log rides and rock roll overs, just enough to keep you on your toes and the brakes.

Buttle Lake

Surprisingly we still haven't seen a Bear or an Elk, but then given how big this place is I shouldn't be surprised. It has been so hot lately that they are more than likely hunkered down and waiting until it gets cooler before strolling around. Did see a sign in one of the camp sites stating that a Bear was sited in the area. Probably looking for honey, just like Winnie the Pooh!

Lupin Falls

After this weekend we are off to Victoria, the capital of BC. Again there is more good riding down that way, and hopefully for us not to hard to find..

Waterfall above Trout Creek