It’s hard to believe the blue colour of the water at this lake is even real! Located a short drive from Courtenay on Vancouver Island, this rugged but fairly short hike is guaranteed to take your breath way. One of the most beautiful lakes on Vancouver Island, no editing is needed here, it really is that stunningly blue. Found within Strathcona Provincial Park, here is a guide to the Century Sam Lake hike.
At a glance:
Length: 2km along logging road, plus another 4km along actual trail
Time: 40min along logging road, plus another 1.5-2 hours to the lake
Elevation Gain: 573m
Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult
Recently due to social media, this hike has exploded on different platforms. My biggest tip for you is LEAVE EARLY. We were out the door by 6am for this hike and didn’t regret it. When we got to the lake there were only a couple other people there, we basically had it to ourselves and it was so peaceful. By the time we left in the late afternoon, it was PACKED, and not with quiet and respectful hikers. This hike is also the starting point for the more difficult Comox Glacier hike, which has a higher elevation, and a view of the lake from far up above.
The hike:
When we went in July 2019, culverts had been removed leaving giant cross ditches that are unaccessible without a high clearance vehicle or jeep. We parked our 4WD at the first cross ditch and hiked 2km along the road which took about 40min. The road is easy with only a slight incline. Enjoy the berries along the way, and keep your eyes open for bears.
The trail head will be on your left, there were a couple faded trail markers and a rock cairn. If you see a Strathcona Park plaque right at the beginning of the trail, you are going the right way. From the actual trailhead to the lake it is 4km with an elevation gain of about 573m. Keep an eye out for the fork in the trail at a giant tree with signs in it. To the left is the longer Comox Glacier hike, and to the right is Century Sam Lake hike.
The trail is well marked but be warned, it is VERY overgrown in some places. When you hike through the valleys, the bush will be above your head, with the trail at your feet not visible. There is also plenty of overgrown Devil’s Club thorns that will scratch you if you’re wearing shorts and short sleeves. Be careful in these parts as the trail is uneven with hidden rocks and roots to trip on. The plus side was the trail was full of salmon berries to snack on along the way! There are a few steep parts, making this an overall difficult hike. The hike takes about 1.5-2 hours to the lake, plus the 40 min along the logging road.
The lake and ice caves:
Take a break and enjoy the incredible views when you get to the lake, but don’t stop there! Give yourself plenty of time to explore up here. Cross the river to the right and follow the trail that takes you along the bluffs of the lake. Here you will find a hidden trail along the edge of the lake that will take you through beautiful wildflowers and to the ice caves on the other side. Towards the caves you’ll pass a high waterfall on your right. The ice caves are dangerous and could collapse at any moment, so use caution and enter at your own risk. The snow caves only appear in the summer after the snow melt.
How to get there:
Before you go, you MUST check the Mosaic Forestry website for access and gate closures. Typically, access to this hike is ONLY allowed on weekends due to logging, and during the summer most weekends the gate is closed due to wildfire risk. The website is updated regularly so be sure to check back before you make the drive up there. You are looking for “Comox Lake Main (Access to Comox Lake Glacier trail, Century Sam trail, Alone Mtn. trail, Cougar Lake, Willemar Lake, Forbush Lake, Cruikshank & Toma Rivers)” and NOT “Comox Main.”
Directions to the trailhead can even be found in Google Maps, just upload the directions while you are still in service and don’t close the app. From Courtenay/Comox, take Cumberland Rd towards Bevan Rd. From Bevan Rd it is 33km to the trailhead, with most of it being on rough logging roads. Follow Comox Main along the west side of Comox Lake. After the large bridge, turn right onto Cruikshank Road. At the next fork, turn left. When you reach the first cross ditch, there is space to park just before it (if you’re early enough). When we left, everyone was parked all the way down along the road. At the parking spot there is a fork – one to the left going uphill, and the other to the right and over a cross ditch. Take the road to the right, it will lead you to the trailhead in about 2km.
More to know before you go:
A lot of people are not prepared for the difficulty level of this trail. Wear sturdy shoes, bring lots of water and a lunch! There weren’t any wasp nests when we went, but later throughout the summer we heard of a lot of people getting stung on the trail. Be bear aware, and consider bringing bear spray as there was plenty of fresh scat along the way. Most importantly, enjoy yourself! This is a beautiful part of the world and I am forever blessed I get to call it home.
Looking for more mountain trails like the Century Sam Lake hike on Vancouver Island? Definitely don’t miss the stunning alpine lake at Triple Peaks or the epic views from 5040! Other beautiful hikes to explore include those in the Pacific Rim National Park, Ucluelet, and Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park. If you’re looking to chase some waterfalls, try this list of the best ones between Courtenay and Chemainus.
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