September 6, 2011 Roche Cove to Matheson Lake

This was a really good day for a hike, and we were happy to welcome a new member to the Tuesday Ad Hoc Hikers. The hike pretty well went as outlined in the instructions.  The Matheson Creek summer use trail was fairly easy with a little bit of rough trail towards the link to the Matheson Lake loop trail.  It was about 15 mins to cover the Creek trail.  We decided to do the whole Matheson Lake loop clockwise this time.  Our new member fitted right in and managed this quite challenging hike with no problem.  When one of our party (not Chris this time) got stung by a wasp, our new member was well equipped with after-sting - that apparently helped quite a bit.

The Matheson lake loop takes about 90 mins and was easier and just as scenic going clockwise. We had several breaks for water and trail snacks, and the whole morning's activity took about 3 hours. At  other times we can try using the Galloping Goose in conjunction with the loop trail, particularly in the winter.

We took a couple of photos

of scenery

and one of an interestingly coloured fungus of some type.

Overall, this is a great, challenging, but doable hike for the dry season.  In winter, we would have to keep to the Galloping Goose in conjunction with the Matheson Lake loop trail.

Directions
Journey to park is about 30 mins. Car poolers should leave the centre at 9:15. Those meeting at the car park should be there at 9:45.

We'll use the same car park as for our previous trip to Roche Cove (picture below).



This time we'll take the Galloping Goose for about 700m until we hit the seasonal trail to Matheson Lake. on the right. We'll hike this trail until we hit the Matheson lake loop trail.  We'll take the loop trail to the right and then decide whether to do the full loop or turn back.  It's about 1.5k to the loop trail, and the loop trail takes about 1.5 hours so we could probably do the full loop if we felt energetic.

Click for map of the trail.


Getting there from Victoria


Follow the Trans-Canada Highway from Victoria, and take Exit
14 south to Langford. Follow Veterans Memorial Parkway, then
turn right on Sooke Road. From Sooke Road, turn left on Gillespie
Road, which leads to the park entrance on the left. Allow
approximately 45 minutes driving time from Victoria.



Directions Map

Google Map



View Larger Map

Journey to park is about 30 mins. Car poolers should leave the centre at 9:15. Those meeting at the car park should be there at 9:45.