Waterfalls and secret trails and the Nanaimo River

[missactress22]

I've gotten really interested in obscure waterfalls and rather unknown (but semi-maintained) trails recently...

I was wondering if anyone has any good suggestions of places around Nanaimo (between Duncan and Courtenay)

I've been to the "unmarked" falls at colliery dam; ammonite falls, and followed a couple of streams up mount Benson part way...

Possibly any good spots along the Nanaimo River, that aren't too hard to get to?

[GR74]

I know of a few waterfall spots.

The first is Beach Estates trail at St James Church at the Brooks Landing end of Departure Bay Road. You park at the church on follow the trail down to the beach. You end up at beside BC Ferries and its a nice little area. There is a waterfall about 2 or 3 minutes down the trail from the church. Nice little walk through a forest, following a creek. I believe there is a second waterfall about half way down if I'm not mistaken.

Bonnel Creek Falls in the Nanoose Bay area, just down Summerset Road behind the Arlington Hotel. I've been there once. I think this forum has some info on this specific spot and there have been a few posts from members who have been there.

Englishman River Falls Provincial Park is in Errington, between Parksville and Coombs. Very impressive right now, you should see them after a heavy snowfall begins to melt!

I've only heard about Little Qualicum Falls. I will venture there this summer perhaps but I have heard good things about that spot.

I've done some work for the City of Nanaimo Waterworks District and noticed some photos of a large dam somewhere in south Nanaimo hanging on the wall in one particular office. I'm thinking it is further up towards Mt. Benson, away from the Colliery Dam Parks. The photos were named "South Forks", and they were photos of a large concrete dam, cresent shaped and spilling over with water. I have yet to find this place but it was a very fascinating picture. The dam appeared to be about 10 stories high. The waterfall was also cresent shaped. I'd be interested in hearing the whereabouts of this place from anyone who knows more about it.

Barsby Park, at the end of Prideaux behind the Tally Ho (Howard Johnson or HoJo) has a cool waterfall. Actually its more of a waterslide. The spot is located at the end of Prideaux and to the left. You'll see a bridge and a vacant lot there. You can follow the trail beside the bridge down to the water.

[BigMac]

Some info on the dam here

http://www.nanaimo.ca/EN/main/depart...lyHistory.html

I'll see if i can find some pics. From what I understand, it is still there & in use, behind locked gates on the way to the new dam at Jump Creek

[BigMac]

Here ya go, maybe the same pic you saw?

http://web.me.com/michaeltarbotton1/...SouthForks.pdf

Basic location of the dam, off Nanaimo Lakes Rd. Gated as I said before. My neighbor works up there everyday, maybe I'll ask him to take some pics!!

http://www.cddhoward.com/pictures/Nanaimo_Fig1.JPG

[GR74]

Here ya go, maybe the same pic you saw?

http://web.me.com/michaeltarbotton1/...SouthForks.pdf

Basic location of the dam, off Nanaimo Lakes Rd. Gated as I said before. My neighbor works up there everyday, maybe I'll ask him to take some pics!!

http://www.cddhoward.com/pictures/Nanaimo_Fig1.JPG

Yeah thats the dam! Thanks BigMac, I'll have to go and see it sometime. For some reason I must have related it to the Colliery Dam Parks without realizing what certain people were talking about. I wasn't sure it really existed until I saw the photos a few months ago. Thanks again!

[missactress22]

thanks! this dam looks awesome!

[BigMac]

A few shots of the dam under construction, courtesy of the B.C. Archives

[BigMac]

[BigMac]

A couple of Google Earth shots to give perspective




Actually I think I screwed up, dam should be at the top of the pic in the narrowing of the lake, wouldn't work too well where I pointed to!! Sorta looks like a dam there though.!

[GR74]

Wow, loads of info. Thanks again BigMac!