DIRECTIONS: Trailhead is located at the end of Cameron lake. It looks like an old dirt road with a small sign marking it as the trailhead.create
SUMMARY: FROM CAMERON LAKE
Long and hard hike. Plan ahead with a GPS and appropriate gear. Camping is not permitted in the park.create
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Mount Cokely
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Aug 24, 2018
A challenging hike in both distance, and elevation. I somehow found the difficult approach to the summit of mount Cokely. The easier approach is done via the saddle route, that is nestled in a small valley between Mount Arrowsmith and Mount Cokely. But where is the fun in that? (The forest service roads to access the saddle route are temporarily closed due to fire hazards.)
The trail starts at the side of the road with a tiny sign that says "Arrowsmith trail." I actually nearly missed the beginning of the trail on our drive over and had to loop back. It seems safe to park on the side of the road--keep in mind that the area does not permit camping. It's strictly a day use, hiking area. Some documentation says it is possible to drive up 1 km of road. Don't. There are giant rocks spaced out in two locations deliberately for vehicles not to pass.
Following the dirt road up, our first obstacle was hitting a new logging road. But fear not. If you crouch down to start pulling out a map you will notice the tiny green sign indicating the trail on the left. (We got to enjoy the shiny new logging road to trek on later on in our journey.)
Beyond the sign is a nice little post describing the history of the area and the trail that lies ahead. It also warns that hikers intending to tackle Cokely must be well equipped. I also noticed that the map on the trail does not even indicate how to reach Cokely. But we were determined. Armed with a GPS, and two different print outs of the trail, we embarked on the long journey ahead.
Leading up to the junction between the CPR trail and Lookout trail is just a series of switch backs. There is a small detour closer to the creek due to erosion (a yellow sign is nailed to a fallen log on the right). And the switch backs are a bit overgrown once a view of a neighbouring hill comes within sight. The old trail is not entirely erased in certain locations but there are enough markers not to be lead too far astray. The new trail only extends out to the lookout itself leaving the other two routes to slowly be eaten at by shrubs.
We stopped by the lookout to marvel at the ocean view and stare at mount Cokely in the distance. Throughout the trip on the lookout trail we continued to get glimpses of our destination towering over the woodlands.
Along this trail there is a small region of interest to form theories on. At one point there is a pink tape with the words "10m TIE FROM TRAIL" and red "DO NOT ENTER" tape. About 10m later there is another red tape with the same lettering. Not sure why it exists. We couldn't hear or see a wasps nest. A regular trail runner we encountered had no idea either. On our return trip I caught sight of fishing wire freshly placed across the trail. It loops around a nearby tree and veers into the depths of the woods. I have no idea if the wire is related to the sign or someone's idea of a cruel joke. We theorized a lot about it in the evening.
Anyway.
Approaching from the lookout trail to the junction gives a glimpse a sign indicating we have arrived at a junction. The route to Cokely is less used therefore far easier to miss.
Going straight brought me to the lovely new logging road. Across is clearly a few orange markers indicating the trail. And we were right to follow it. HOWEVER, the shrubs and trees have claimed the trail as their own and we had to bushwack to the logging road.
From this point on. The GPS was our best friend. Jumping from the logging road to a smaller trail on the right we wove between using an obvious trail and a road leading up to the tower. The area has so many paths that if you want to head in a specific direction there is a route for it. Countless times I would glance over to see a more worn path than my own and would hop on over to it.
The remains of a snow cave lingered next to the mountain side. And alas, after a short scramble we reached the summit of mount Cokely. Not going to lie, I mainly wanted to tackle this mountain to marvel at mount Arrowsmith with Jewel lake at it's base. There is still snow clinging to the side, and the gorgeous mountain occasionally is revealed from the blanket of clouds forming around it. So serene, if I wasn't already facing a long trek back I would hop onto saddle route in a heartbeat to try and climb it. Arrowsmith has made my list of hikes.
The journey back was a bit more complicated. At one point my GPS claimed I was on the right path when I was standing in a sea of heather.... But we made it!
Photos in order of upload (I hope it stays the same once posted)
1. The view of Arrowsmith from the summit
2. another view from the summit
3. Cokely from the lookout point on the trail
4. View of the beach from the lookout viewpoint
5. Unknown marking system
6. You can't really tell, but there are two switch backs below
7. A small waterfall that flows under a bridge early on into the trail