Vancouver Island North

ROAD CONDITIONS TO SAN JOSEF BAY August 1, 2024

CAPE SCOTT PARKING LOT

“Bone Jarring!”

HWY 19 to NE 60

Road conditions are “Bone Jarring!”

(On the Holberg scale!!) today heading to San Josef Bay.  The Mainline Grader will be working this week on a couple sections of the holberg road, but the roads have been pretty bad!

There is still logging activity between Holberg and Highway 19 so be sure to keep your eyes peeled and move over when you see a logging truck coming.  

NE 60 to Holberg

Bad…not really a nice way to say it…!  Okay, let’s use better words.  Bumpy, huge potholes, washboards!  So take it slow and make sure to stop in at the Ibis and stretch your back!!

Also, the Scarlet Ibis is working with Vancouver Island North #livethewildpledge.  There is a special going on to help our beaches.  Stop in and grab a bag and go explore!  While you’re out exploring, pick up debris and return it to the Ibis for a discount!

#livethewildpledge

Holberg to Cape Scott Parking Lot

From Holberg on San Jo Main and San Jo (Cape Scott Parking Lot)….well it’s not great, but they have been maintaining it because of the logging.  There are loaded logging trucks (Hwy trucks and FAT Trucks) on San Jo main between Holberg and Stranby forest service road, (KM 5-11).  The road is narrow there so you might have to back up to a pull out.   (We encountered a truck at KM 8 who did not call out on the radio and we had to back up to the closest turn out!)  

There are lots of potholes so remember to take your time…!  A flat tire is one thing (and easy to fix if you know how), but a blown oil pan without cell service will for sure ruin your day!!

Any car can make it out there but if you don’t have good tires (8-10 ply) there’s a good chance you won’t.  Make sure you have a full sized spare.   Remember that if you have to get towed it’s going to be expensive.

FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US @ COVE ADVENTURE TOURS IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, OUR WOULD PREFER TO HAVE A GUIDED EXPERIENCE!

HAPPY TRAILS & DRIVE SAFE!

Don’t get stuck, ride with us!!

www.coveadventuretours.com

(250) 230 - 4575

Road and Trail Report... Wheelchairs, Wagons, and Walkers!

Road Report

The Holberg road has been in pretty good shape, however we have seen traffic driving really fast. It’s dusty, loose, and the ditches are just as unforgiving! This unlucky character was driving too fast and lost control on a corner and ended up in the ditch! Drive safe out there!

NE 60 is also in decent shape. Watch for loaded logging trucks as the road narrows. Be sure to stop for a coffee at the General Store on your way in! They also have off sales if you need supplies for the beach. Stop for for food and clean bathrooms on your way out at The Scarlet Ibis!

San Jo main is pretty rough! Do not be in a hurry through this section! It’s 20km to the trailhead, just plan on 30-40 minutes and look for wildlife instead of potholes!

Parking at the Trailhead is very busy on long weekends! Pay attention to signs. The correct parking is at a 45 degree. Trucks should not park close to the trailhead. They end up blocking traffic trying to make the turn around the lot. Please park large vehicles near the back or in the lower parking lot. YES, THERE IS ANOTHER LOT DOWN BELOW!!

Open for Business!
Wheelchairs, Wagons, and Walkers

 SAN JO TRAIL UPDATE:

Wheelchairs, Wagons, and Walkers

Heading into the long weekend, here are some updates on the San Jo and Cape Scott trail.

• BC Parks has done a great job clearing the trail this spring. There are still a couple bumps and mud, however it’s ready for the wagon trains coming in for the long weekend!.

• 43K staff are in the park and checking permits.  Pay your camp fees online or at the trailhead! 

•  Commercial use permits are also being checked so make sure you have them handy

• Be sure to take a minute and look for bears when the trail goes alongside the river.  We have consistently been seeing bears almost every trip.  As of Jun 21, 2024 there have been multiple sightings of a mom and two cubs on the San Jo part of the trail.  Make noise and keep a safe distance.

• Trash reminder:  PACK IT IN PACK IT OUT!  There are no garbage cans on the beach or at the parking lot.  Please pack it all the way back to town for proper disposal.

• Even Better… grab some extra plastic or garbage on your way out!  Because SJ is West facing, it naturally doesn’t get as much driftwood or random plastic on the beach.  Help us keep it that way! 

New Sheriff in town…

We would like to welcome the newest San Jo summer Ranger,  Mary (she’s French Canadian and it’s a lot longer than that;  So we’ll stick with Mary)!

Mary will be staying in the yurt at the trailhead until September.  She is in charge of all things Cape Scott / San Jo.  She will be checking permits and giving trail updates at the trailhead as well as providing assistance at the beach and Eric Lake.   

Beach Rentals at San Jo…

We, Cove adventure tours will be offering beach rentals on Sunday, Jun 30, 2024 and July 1, 2024 CANADA DAY!

You can reserve a Kayak or SUP on our website https://www.coveadventuretours.com/rentals

Reserve online until Saturday, June 29th.  After that it will be first come, first serve at the beach starting at 11am.  We accept cash or Credit at the beach.

Adventure’s Calling

May 17, 2024

ROAD CONDITIONS TO SAN JOSEF BAY MAY 17, 2024

CAPE SCOTT PARKING LOT

HWY 19 to NE 60

Road conditions were pretty good (On the Holberg scale!!) today heading to San Josef Bay.  The Mainline Grader has been working the Holberg road from KM 3, in 3-5 KM sections all week. There is logging activity between Holberg and Highway 19 so be sure to keep your eyes peeled and move over when you see a logging truck coming.  

NE 60 to Holberg

The grader has been working NE 60 hard between the windfarm turnoff to Holberg. The road is quite good but watch out for those shot rocks, they are hard on your tires, especially if you don’t have 8 ply tires or higher.  

Holberg to Cape Scott Parking Lot

From Holberg on San Jo Main and San Jo….well it’s not great!  And there is active logging!  There are loaded logging trucks (Hwy trucks and FAT Trucks) on San Jo main between Holberg and Stranby forest service road, (KM 5-11).  The road is narrow there so you might have to back up to a pull out.   (We encountered a truck at KM 8 who did not call out on the radio and we had to back up to the closest turn out!)
There are lots of potholes so going is fairly slow unless you want to beat your vehicle up.  Any car can make it out there but if you don’t have good tires there’s a good chance you won’t.  Make sure you have a full sized spare.   Remember that if you have to get towed it’s going to be expensive.

FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US @ COVE ADVENTURE TOURS IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, OUR WOULD PREFER TO HAVE A GUIDED EXPERIENCE!

HAPPY TRAILS & DRIVE SAFE!

Don’t get stuck, ride with us!!

www.coveadventuretours.com

(250) 230 - 4575

ROAD CONDITIONS TO SAN JOSEF BAY MAY 4, 2024

We’re Back with our Cape Scott Road Report!

This week the road is in pretty decent condition, especially after a winter of rain and a lot of logging trucks!  From Highway 19 to the wind-farm turnoff the road is mostly in good condition, except for a few washboard sections mainly around km 2 - 10.

From the wind-farm turn-off (NE 60) to Holberg the road doesn’t seem that much different from last year. The road is considerably narrow so there’s less room to get by a logging truck so remember that they have the right of way and you may need to back up to the nearest pull out.  There doesn’t seem to be much in the way of grading in this section so there’s the same old pot holes in the same old places but there’s more “shot rock”.  If you don’t have 8 or 10 ply tires or higher you’re taking a chance of getting a flat tire and we heard of at least one person getting a flat today!

San Jo Main from Holberg to the San Jo parking lot…

…this route is about the worst of the whole road, lots of potholes and shot rock. So take your time and don’t beat up your vehicle!
IMPORTANT to remember that there is no cell service and if you get in trouble, you’ll hope to rely on the help of strangers, and if you have to get towed…..it’s going to be expensive…

Feel free to contact us @ Cove Adventure Tours if you have any questions, our would prefer to have a guided experience!

HAPPY TRAILS & DRIVE SAFE!

www.coveadventuretours.com

(250) 230 - 4575 

Long Weekends are for exploring with family and friends!

Good weather brings good vibes! Ride those great vibes to the great outdoors this weekend and explore your backyard! The “Holberg Highway” is in wonderful condition with a few rutty, washboard sections. Crews have been out grading the road intensely for long weekend travellers who are sure to kick up some dust! In saying that we’d like to note that adventure cyclists and backpackers have been seen using the shoulders to travel so keep an eye peeled for them and traffic of any kind while driving the shared winding roads that take you to the West Coast forests and beaches. It’s easy to let excitement get the better of you so keep in mind that travelling the remote wilderness requires attention and consideration - we love seeing safe, happy campers make it to the stunning areas of our backyard and return again to post for all to see! Be considerate, be polite and be kind folks! See you soon!

Happy Trails!

Road Report May 30 2022

We’re noticing an increase in leisure travel around the north end of the island and in our neck of the woods. Passenger cars, minivans, trucks with campers and enduro motorbikes. They all have two things in common; excitement and the distinct “Holberg Paint Job” - a lower body smeared with dirt and mud! It warms our hearts. We’d like to take an opportunity and provide a refresher on what to expect when travelling around the active logging roads that are the gateways for many of Vancouver Islands West Coast beaches and playgrounds. As you proceed off Highway 19 and onto the Holberg road take a moment to stop and walk around your vehicle. Do a quick safety check of your tires, wipers, lights and smiles. Being visible on the roadways is encouraged - so flick those headlights on and buckle up! Maintenance work is being completed at the Cape Scott Windfarm which will increase field work vehicle traffic to some extent over the summer. A quick reminder of the road ahead occurs right at the 1KM mark by way of a large dip in the road that’s sure to clack your jaws together if you hit it with too much speed. It can be a rather fair warning of the road to come and not to carry too much speed through the blind turns and loose gravel. Prepare to disconnect as cellular service becomes absent at KM6 so let your people know when to expect you back. If you’re carrying a VHF radio you’ll want to be on Channel 5 for this section of road. Keep your ears perked for any incoming transmission and don’t be shy to call out your location! This gives any traffic on the sometimes narrow road advanced notice of your position while travelling the road. Sharing is caring. As you come up to KM13 the majestic shoe tree appears on the right. Stop and have a gander at the 100s of shoes that have become an iconic shrine on the Holberg Road. The road here and further along have been graded down to deadpan rock which translates to a rough, bumpy ride for a couple of KMS but nothing too dramatic if a reasonable speed is maintained. The Nahwitti Lake Recreation site is up ahead at KM26. You’ll notice a pull in parking area that has a bathroom and nature trail through some old growth Spruce trees. There is also a Campground and Recreation Site a little further along Nahwitti Lake. Continuing on to KM28 merge left onto North East 60RD and switch to Channel 36. Call out your location and prepare for another photo op!! Just up the hill there is a late model Meteor Rideau car that has been squashed by a GIANT log. It’s a nod to safety and warns to “expect the unexpected” while travelling remotely in active logging areas. NE60 is generally maintained 24/7 by grader so prepare to act accordingly if you come across the workers. As a side note it’s important to remember that any logging trucks, rock trucks, low beds or graders maintain the right of way in any instance on these roads. So pull over, smile and give a wave. Proceed when safe to do so. North East 60 can be unpredictable. There are pot holes, washboard sections and field workers around any corner. Drive cautiously but with confidence. This section of road carries you into Holberg - home to The Scarlet Ibis. Dare I say Vancouver Islands most remote pub? I do. The road is paved through Holberg but this luxury ends again as you leave town past the WFP camp and onto San Josef Main. After crossing the Goodspeed River a section of road is prone to washout. If it has been raining heavily there may be a detour which has adequate signage otherwise carry on to the Elephant Crossing and hang right. Logging is being completed along this portion of SJ Main be advised and pay attention to your radio. We noted that the innumerable amount of small bridges can suffer from deep potholes where they meet the gravel hard pack on either side. Further along SJ Main is Ronnings Garden and the Cape Scott Provincial Park parking lot. The final 4KM of road here is quite rugged and jittery but don’t worry, it’s worth it. Take a sigh of accomplishment! You made it and are in for a spectacular outing! Turn your lights off and shut the radio down, it’s time for solitude.

Road Report Dec 1, 2021

With the heavy travel behind us, and we do mean heavy, the road to Holberg off of Highway 19 is in moderate condition now that a landslide on KM5 has been resolved. Events like this solidify the caution travellers should take while navigating these roads. Unexpected potholes/washboard/flowing water and grade change conditions can sneak up on you so take caution and check your speed regularly to avoid any potential incidents! All of the tremendous rainfall we’ve had and continue to experience certainly contributes to the size/depth of potholes and water flow unpredictability so again, exercise safe driving habits and remain in control and aware. During the rainy season you can expect visibility to be a luxury not often available so flick your headlights on to add to your own vehicles visibility. December 4-12 the Wanokana Mainline road that connects Coal Harbour and Holberg at 54KM will be closed for bridge installation work. This means there is NO THROUGH ACCESS to Holberg FROM Coal Harbour on these dates. There will be warning signage posted on either side of the work sites. In Holberg just past the Scarlet Ibis you will note a road closure/detour sign due to a road washout. The detour is clearly marked through the Western Forestry Products camp yard but be aware of any active logging traffic or other travellers while continuing to your destination. Logging traffic is at a minimal for the time being but we have noticed new roads being formed for cut block access around the 10km road marker on San Josef Main. Keep in mind the logging traffic has the right of way and trust us - when you come head to head with a Fat Truck you’ll see why!! Best course of action in this situation is to simply reverse to the nearest pull out or wider section of road and allow an easy pass for our friends on these roads. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife in and around the woods edge - you never know when you’ll lock eyes with a Black Bear or Roosevelt Elk! The Fall rains have increased the height of the rivers and creeks dramatically but all bridges are passable. Ample parking is available at the Cape Scott trail head parking lot - with the exception of the lower portion being used as a drop zone for the helicopters assisting in an ongoing effort to clean up after shipping containers and their contents washed up back in October. It proves to be a slow process but is looking great up to this point. San Josef Bay beach is free and clear of any debris. Thanks for reviewing these beneficial notes and practices - have fun and be safe exploring our breathtaking beaches!

ROAD CONDITIONS TO SAN JOSEF BAY August 1, 2019

With the ongoing strike of Western Forest Products employees and the consistently rainy days recently, the road conditions have been degrading rapidly and changing fast. Subcontracted companies are still logging and hauling out of areas around Holberg, so be aware that while it is quieter than usual, there are trucks still working. Some fat trucks have been hauling from the Grant Bay / Winter Harbour Road to Rupert Arm, so you may encounter them on North East 60 until KM 10 at the fossil beds turn off, where they have been turning toward Coal Harbour.

The first two kilometers of provincial highway have been recently graded, so be aware of any large or sharp rock pulled in from the edges. The remaining sections continue to be graded regularly, although rain has increased the potholes and washboards.

North East 60 is in rough shape due to the lack of maintenance. The section between KM 11 and KM 13 is the smoothest of the road. Remember to slow down since all traffic will likely be trying to avoiding potholes and soft shoulders, even around corners. The radio channel for this section is RR 36 until the WFP shop in Holberg

From Holberg to San Josef Main is in pretty good shape.  The stretch of road along the river is pretty rough as it was washed out this winter, and recent work on this section has caused it to be a surprisingly bumpy ride. The grader was on site Sunday July 28th, and we hope that will smooth out this section. San Jo Main is very bumpy in the first 6kms, but is in good shape between KM7 and KM10. Be aware that the recently added bridges have large bumps getting on and off the ends, increasing in roughness with the rains. The radio channel between Holberg and San Jo/Raft Cove area is RR 21. 

If you should encounter a logging truck, be prepared to back up to the last pullout.  The shoulders are very steep and soft. Do not attempt to move to the side of the road, you will get stuck.

 Drive Safe!