Official LogoWELCOME TO THE GREAT LAKE WALK to be held on the third Saturday of September

The Route

The Walk is 55.9 km in total. It is on a gravel logging road up to Rest Stop 9 at Honeymoon Bay. The remainder of the Walk is on the gravel shoulder of a two lane highway through a scenic wooded area. The route is level until Rest Stop 7. The elevation rises to 100 meters, then declines before Honeymoon Bay.

Click on the red dots for more information.

Route Map

FRIDAY CHECK IN AND THE START LINE
see Photos of our Activities

REST STOPS:

1 - MAPLE GROVE CAMPSITE

Sponsored by FOOTWEAR CENTRE & DALE WEAVER TRUCKING

see Photos of our Stop

6.2 km from the start, Maple Grove Campsite will be hosted by The Footwear Centre and Dale Weaver Trucking. Refreshments and bathroom facilities (Porta potties) will be available. The terrain is flat and the surface is gravel. This part of your walk will no doubt be totally in darkness. A small flashlight is recommended.

2 -MARGUERITE MAIN

Sponsored by HOME HARDWARE of Lake Cowichan

see Photos of our Stop

12.9 km out and 6.7 km from Rest Stop 1 is Marguerite Main. Hosted by 'Home Hardware-Lake Cowichan, this site will offer refreshments and facilities. Terrain is flat on a gravel road.

3 - HEATHER CAMPSITE

Sponsored by the COWICHAN LAKE BAPTIST CHURCH

 see Photos of our Stop

This is the first Rest Stop where you may pick up your items which were transported for you. Remember, you must have your Bib number and the Rest Stop number on your bag. If you do not re-claim it, it will be taken to the finish line for you. You may retrieve it in the Upper Hall. You may also leave a bag of belongings at this Rest Stop to be picked up in the Upper Hall

19.8 km out and 6.9 km from Rest Stop 2, Cowichan Lake Baptist Church hosts this stop. Refreshments and facilities will be available. Terrain is flat on a gravel road.

This is the first rest stop where you MUST register with your hosts. Please make sure your bib is on the FRONT of your clothing and is visible.

4 - SHAW CREEK VALLEY LOOKOUT

Sponsored by

see Photos of our Stop.

25.2 km out and 5.4 km from Rest Stop 3, just past Hemmingson Bay, you will receive a warm welcome from friendly folks at T.B.A.

Refreshments and facilities will be offered. You are now rounding the head of the Lake and heading South East along the lower side of the Lake. Terrain is flat on a gravel road.

5 -PICNIC ISLANDS LOOKOUT

Sponsored by the ROYAL BANK OF CANADA

see Photos of our Stop

This is the second Rest Stop where you may pick up your items which were transported for you. Remember, you must have your Bib number and the Rest Stop number on your bag. If you do not re-claim it, it will be taken to the Finish Line for you. You may retrieve it in the Upper Hall.

You may also leave a bag of belongings at this Rest Stop to be picked up in the Upper Centennial Hall in Lake Cowichan.

29.3 km out and 4.1 km from Rest Stop 4. Congratulations you are at the half way mark. Megan and her crew are your hosts and you can expect a big welcome from this enthusiastic group.

This is the second stop where you MUST register your walker number. Please make sure your bib is on the FRONT of your shirt and is visible.

Refreshments and facilities available. Terrain is still flat on a gravel road.

6 - CAYCUSE CAMPSITE

Sponsored by

see Photos of our Stop.

33.3 km out and 4.0 km from Rest Stop 5 is Caycuse Campsite hosted by T.B.A. Expect a zealous welcome from this group, and enjoy refreshments and facilities before heading out.

Terrain is still flat on a gravel road.

7 - RED GATE PULLOUT

Sponsored by COWICHAN VALLEY DRAGON DIVAS

see Photos of our Stop.

37.0 km out and 3.7 km from Rest Stop 6. This will be the last stop before climbing the hill to the Youbou Lookout. Terrain is still flat but about to change. Gravel is underfoot. Sponsoring this site is the enthusiastic crew from the Cowichan Valley Dragon Divas. Grab a nibble and a quick drink, and enjoy the climb to an awesome lookout.

Please make sure your bib is on the FRONT of your shirt and is visible as this is the third stop where you MUST register your walker number.

Then you can continue to the top of this 100-meter grade.

8 - YOUBOU LOOKOUT

Sponsored by PEARSON COLLEGE from Metchosin B.C.

Take a look at the photos of our Pearson gang.

This is the third Rest Stop where you may pick up your items which were transported for you. Remember, you must have your Bib number and the Rest Stop number on your bag. If you do not re-claim it, it will be taken to the finish line for you. You may retrieve it in the Upper Hall.

You may also leave a bag of belongings at this Rest Stop to be picked up in the Upper Hall

39.6 km out and 2.6 km from Rest Stop 7. You will be welcomed by the enthusiastic participants from Pearson College.

At this point you are climbing the highest grade on the walk. This Lookout is 2/3 of the way up the grade. No doubt refreshments are foremost on your mind and they will be willingly served up by this group.

9 - CHICKEN JOE CALL SIGN

Sponsored by A & W of Lake Cowichan

see Photos of our Stop

43.6 km out and 4.0 km from Rest Stop 8. Friends of the A&W Root Bear await your arrival. Keep your eyes open for that bear. He might be lurking in the woods somewhere. Stop for refreshments and a well deserved rest.

Continue down the hill into Honeymoon Bay. You will pass March Meadows Golf Course, home course to world famous golfer Dawn Coe Jones. The gravel will soon change to pavement as you head through Honeymoon Bay.

10 - HONEYMOON BAY GAS STATION

Sponsored by ISLAND SAVINGS CREDIT UNION

see Photos of our Stop.

This is the final Rest Stop where you may pick up your items which were transported for you. Remember, you must have your Bib number and the Rest Stop number on your bag. If you do not re-claim it, it will be taken to the finish line for you. You may retrieve it in the Upper Hall.

You may also leave a bag of belongings at this Rest Stop to be picked up in the Upper Hall

47.3 km out and 3.7 km from Rest Stop 9. The Island Savings Credit Union folks are hosting this rest stop. Refreshments will be offered. If you have time, make sure you have your picture taken with "Penny" the Owl.

Remember to have your walker number recorded as this is the final stop where you MUST register your walker number.

You are on pavement as you head down the home stretch. Please keep to the shoulder of the road facing oncoming traffic

11 - MESACHIE LAKE Skydome

Sponsored by HEIDI'S FAMILY Friends

see Photos of our Stop

51.0 km out and 3.7 km from Rest Stop 10. Heidi's family and friends will welcome you at this rest stop. If you see horses saddled up do not be temped to ride into town. You are so close to completing the challenge.

Take a short rest, have some liquids and soak up some encouragement before heading out. If you have the energy you may stop here for a dance or just to listen to the music of The Radiators. You are still on pavement, so respect two-way traffic.

12 - BEAVER LAKE RESORT SIGN

Sponsored by BEAVER LAKE RESORT

see Photos of our Stop.

53.9 km out and 2.9 km from Rest Stop 11. Hosted by the owners and developers of the Beaver Lake Resort.

Refreshments, porta potties and your last Rest Stop before the finish line. Still pavement under foot and a final walk in the woods before reaching the outskirts of Lake Cowichan and the Sports Arena, your hosts and supporters are at the finish line.

FINISH - CENTENNIAL HALL, LAKE COWICHAN

55.9 km out and 2.0 km from Rest Stop 12. Experience the great welcome that awaits you at this final stop on your journey.

Massage therapist, first aid technicians, entertainers and people to help you cool down and re-hydrate are waiting for you in the Lower Hall.

Enjoy the entertainment and make some new friends. Take note of your final time crossing the finish line

AWARD PRESENTATIONS ANNOUNCEMENTS WILL BE POSTED

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