Extension Ridge and Caves (Nanaimo) - Retreads
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 3.71 mi
- Elevation gain
- 312 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Difficult
- Elevation loss
- 312 ft
- Max elevation
- 750 ft
- TrailRank
- 59
- Min elevation
- 416 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Moving time
- one hour 46 minutes
- Time
- 2 hours 44 minutes
- Coordinates
- 1035
- Uploaded
- August 24, 2023
- Recorded
- August 2023
near Extension, British Columbia (Canada)
Viewed 69 times, downloaded 0 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
This hike follows along the top of Extension Ridge and then loops back along the bottom of the Ridge. Extension Ridge gets its name from coal mining operations in the area in the 1890's. The mine located on the ridge was an extension of the Wellington coal field. Hence the name.
The outbound leg of the hike travels up and along the top of Extension Ridge through a forest rich in arbutus trees. It offers some fine valley views. The inbound leg is the jewel of the hike, descending to the valley floor and following along the base of the ridge. The Ridge drops off steeply to the valley floor and its face is fascinating with its towering cliffs, huge boulders and caves. Near the end, there is a very large cavern to explore.
The upper section is over well groomed trails while the lower segment is more challenging. But, some kind folks have taken the trouble to create many small bridges along the lower trail to ease the way.
The Retreads Hiking Club gives this hike an American Volksports Association rating of 2C.
Looking for a hike in the Cowichan Valley? Or, looking for hiking companions? Google "Retreads Hiking Club CVRD"
The outbound leg of the hike travels up and along the top of Extension Ridge through a forest rich in arbutus trees. It offers some fine valley views. The inbound leg is the jewel of the hike, descending to the valley floor and following along the base of the ridge. The Ridge drops off steeply to the valley floor and its face is fascinating with its towering cliffs, huge boulders and caves. Near the end, there is a very large cavern to explore.
The upper section is over well groomed trails while the lower segment is more challenging. But, some kind folks have taken the trouble to create many small bridges along the lower trail to ease the way.
The Retreads Hiking Club gives this hike an American Volksports Association rating of 2C.
Looking for a hike in the Cowichan Valley? Or, looking for hiking companions? Google "Retreads Hiking Club CVRD"
Waypoints
Intersection
Panorama
Photo
Cave
Geocache
Information point
476 ft
Typical trail conditions. Passing through a section of young forest.
It was clear cut and then replanted
Information point
463 ft
Typical trail conditions
Along the lower section of the trail someone has created a number of small bridges which make the going easier.
You can add a comment or review this trail
Comments