Nanaimo Hikes - The Abyss
Extension Ridge Trail
- People discuss the Abyss
- The Abyss explored (page 80-something of our popular "old mines" dialogue)
- Photos of The Abyss
Extension Ridge is between Harewood and Extension. It's marred by clearcuts, but still has beautiful spots worth visiting, including the locally famous "Abyss", an earthquake fissure that you wouldn't want to fall into. Extension Ridge as a whole is simply termed "The Abyss" by mountain bikers, who've set up some fun wooden playgrounds in the area.
There are also petroglyphs, though not by the fissure. Maybe the petroglyphs predate the chasm?
Where is Extension Ridge, Nanaimo?
Extension is a village southwest of the Cinnabar Valley. It was once a dynamic site for mining, in the second half of the nineteenth century. Extension Ridge can be imagined to rise from the south bank of the Chase River, like at the Colliery Dams, and runs south between Nanaimo Lakes Rd and the Cinnabar Valley. You can see it from downtown - if you go to the top of Albert Street, look south across Harewood. The ridge is conspicuous enough, as a hill that is distinct from Mt Benson. I think you can see the powerlines on it.
Directions to Extension Ridge
Zoom right in on the map below and you can see this great crack in the ground. The best directions to the Abyss are: Study the map below to figure out about where it is. Then go – it's hard to miss it.
Access to the ridge can be found where Extension Rd. is crossed by the power lines, south of Cinnabar Valley. A better place, closer to the abyss, is where the power lines cross Harewood Mines Rd. You can reach Harewood Mines Rd by going to the top (west) of Seventh St.