Section 7 - Running and Horseback Riding the Trans Canada Trail

Some of us ran, while others rode horses from Lake Cowichan to Shawnigan Lake along the Trans Canada Trail through Cowichan River Provincial Park. There were 4 runners on day 1, totalling about 50km in one day. The 7 horseback riders started at Skutz Falls and finished at the Kinsol Trestle. On several occasions we were able to ride and run together, as a horse's "trot" is a similar speed as a runner. On this hot day, we were sheltered by the extensive maple, cedar and fir forests. We had some occasional views of the Cowichan River - and got to cool our legs off as we crossed the Kosilah River next to the Kinsol Trestle. Vicki from the horseback riders showed us an old copper mine - the King Solomon Mine - a little way off the trail. The Kinsol Trestle is named after this mine. Thanks to Tony Woss from the Garden City Horsemen and Ybo Plante from the Backcountry Horsemen of BC for helping to organize this Section.

A group of 14 runners participated on day 2 from Camp Pringle on Shawnigan Lake to the Humpback Reservoir in Langford, next to Mount Wells Regional Park. The total distance was about 30km. This included the Trans Canada Trail (within the Cowichan Valley Regional District) to Sooke Lake Road and then along the Terasen Gas pipeline through Crown Land, the Elkington Forest, Goldstream Heights and the Capital Regional District (Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Park and below the drainage basin of the water district). We ran along many sections of the proposed Trans Canada Trail extension, expected in 2011.

We had three permits and signed two extra waivers for this this run. One of the real estate developers along the route, Living Forest Communities, participated in the Relay with 6 runners! There were stunning views of Mount Finlayson and many rolling hills along the run. The Capital Regional District was very supportive of the Relay - by giving us access to restricted lands, walking the route with me in advance, providing me with GPS coordinates and providing an escort on the day of the event. Similarly, the private land owners and the Cowichan Valley Regional District were very supportive.

By the end of this 2 day run, myself, Sean Windrum and Mike Macey had ran about 80 km! I found the key to success to be keeping hydrated, staying in the shade when I could, eating a lot (sandwiches, dried fruit, nuts - not just sugars and gels) and by applying mental determination to continue as another muscle or limb started to get sore (e.g., right calf, left lower quad, right arm??!!?, etc.). Also, the soak in the Koksilah River was refreshing, despite the bushwack-scramble up the southeast side afterwards.

Click here for more photos.

Click here for Living Forest Communities' blog entry on the run.

Quote from Doug Makaroff, President of Living Forest Communities:
"As a landowner and neighbour adjacent to the VI Spine Trail, I want to thank you for drawing attention to this valuable resource and eco-tourism opportunity. Together we can make this trail into an epic trail, along the likes of the Camino de Santiago. It certainly can become the richest, most exciting adventure on the Trans-Canada Trail network, with old growth forests, trestle bridges, lakes, and mountain scenery."