The Forest Page

DirectionsFROM the Trans Canada Hwy. Turn east onto TrunkRoad. Follow Trunk which turns into Tzouhalem Road.Stay left at the “Y” junction and you will be on Maple BayRoad. Follow Maple Bay for 3 kilometres, then turn rightonto Kingsview Road and follow it up to Chippewa Road.From here follow direction signs to the Mount TzouhalemEcological Reserve. Turn right onto Chippewa and followit to Kaspa Road. Turn left onto Kaspa and follow it to theend where a narrow paved road leads to theparking area by the water tower.

Welcome to Mount TzouhalemMOUNT Tzouhalem is located in the Municipality ofNorth Cowichan Municipal Forest. Mount Tzouhalem is awell known landmark overlooking Cowichan Bay andQuamichan Lake. It is 500 metres high at the top of thesteep rock bluffs on the southwest side.

HistoryTHE Municipal Forest was established in 1946 by an act ofMunicipal Council. At 5,000 hectares it is one of the largestMunicipal Forests in North America. Most of the land wasacquired through nonpayment of taxes. Since 1995 theforestry program has purchased 28 hectares of land.

For More InformationIF you have any questions or need more information,please contact the Municipality of North Cowichan.

( 250-746-3100

: www.northcowichan.bc.ca

Trunk Rd.

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Tzouhalem Rd.Mt.Tzouhalem

Key FeaturesHIKERS, mountain bikers and equestriansall use Mount Tzouhalem. The municipalityhas not built any trails except for the shorttrail to the Ecological Reserve, but there are4.5 kilometres of roads, many of which arenot currently used for logging. These areshown on the map in this brochure. Thereare also many informal trails built byenthusiasts which are not shown on themap.THE Mt. Tzouhalem Ecological Reserveprotects one of the finest examples ofGarry Oak woodlands and wildflowermeadows in BC. The best display of flowersis in late April.

Safety FirstENJOY your visit, but remember forestry activities areongoing and heavy equipment can be on the roads at anytime. Do not enter the forest when the fire hazard rating isextreme. Check with the municipality for woods closures.Open fires are not allowed in the Municipal Forest. Parkingis limited. Avoid leaving valuables in your vehicle.USE of roads, trails, parking lots, structures and otherfacilities in the Municipal Forest and surroundingareas may result in personal injury, loss or damage toproperty. By using them you assume all risks ofpersonal injury, loss or damage to property. Thesetrails are recommended for experienced hikers only.

USE common sense, go with a friend and let someoneresponsible know where you are going. First time visitorsare advised to go with someone who knows the area wellbecause of the many roads and trails.

Chippewa Rd.

Kaspa Rd.

Kingsview Rd.

DUNCAN

MAPLE BAY

Trail Users Code of EthicsALL trails are for non-motorized users only.

SHARE the Trails. Municipal Forest trails are shared bywalkers, hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders.RESPECT the rights of other trail users and the adjoiningland owners.

USE designated public access points. Never leave vehiclesblocking adjacent properties, driveways, roads or trails.

FLOWERS, trees, plants and even rocks are part of thenatural environment. Please leave natural resources whereyou found them so that the next person can enjoy them.

ManagementFOLLOWING the fires in the BC Interior in 2003,concerns were raised about fighting a potential fire on Mt.Tzouhalem. To address some of these concerns a secondwater source was created and the main road up Tzouhalemwas upgraded to accommodate fire trucks. As you travelalong the Tzouhalem Mainline and Branch “B” roads theuphill side of the road has been sloped back and in steepsections is anchored with rocks. On the downhill side ofthe road extra fill has been smoothed and contouredamong the trees. In some places the roadside has beenseeded and in others native vegetation, such as ferns, willre-establish itself. Both types of vegetation will help tostabilize the road and reduce erosion.

Forest roadimprovementson Mt.Tzouhalem. Onthe right side ofthe road, theroad materialfill has beencontoured andshaped among

the trees, while the bank on the left has been angled back.

The MountTzouhalemEcological Reservewas donated by theMunicipality ofNorth Cowichan tothe Province of BC.

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A Cowichan First Nation LegendMOUNT Tzouhalem was originally called shkewetsen,meaning “basking in the sun,” after a huge rock on the sideof Mt. Tzouhalem which resembled a frog warming itself.The name was changed after the death in 1859 of a warriornamed Tzouhalem who lived in a cave on the mountainafter he had been exiled from his tribe because he had killeda lot of people.

Vanilla Leaf- Achlystriphylla

to report a forest fire 1-800-663-5555 or 911

Guide to:

MountTzouhalem

LegendPublic RoadMainlineSecondary Forest Road

Trail User InformationMOUNT Tzouhalem is open all year to non-vehicle trafficexcept during periods of high fire hazard. The gates on theaccess roads are locked. The Ecological Reserve Trail maybe closed and/or relocated for reasons of safety, forestdevelopment activities, and protection of sensitiveecosystems. There are many other trails on the mountainwhich were not built by North Cowichan, use these trails atyour own risk.

Green Trail - 10 min, easy hike to the EcologicalReserve

Chippewa Rd.

Tzouhalem

KingsviewRd.

Genoa Bay Rd.

Municipality of North Cowichan

Maple

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500m

1kmcontour interval = 20m

483 m400m300m

200m

100m

Birds Eye Cove

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Mainline Branch B

Kaspa Rd.

MT.TZOUHALEM

MT.TZOUHALEMECOLOGICALRESERVE

Road Map

Municipal Forest

to report a forest fire 1-800-663-5555 or 911

500m