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Swiming Holes Everywhere!
We’ve had some record breaking hot temperatures in the Alberni Valley lately. Yesterday it hit 34 C (93F). We’re often the hottest place on Vancouver Island in the summer.
And so it’s not surprising that there are lots of places around to beat the heat!
Here’s a quick run down on places I know about.
Well, for the kids there is a hidden little spot in Roger Creek about a block and a half from our home. It’s deep enough for a kid to swim in. It’s on a bend in the creek along a 100 meters path from the custodian’s home through some very tall trees.
There are also three places along the Somass River on highway 4 before you come to the bridge. One is at the foot of Josephine Road where it meets River Road (Doesn’t every town have a river road?). It’s still tidal so sometimes you can literally wade across the river. It’s on the edge of the Hupacasath Indian Reserve, so it’s popular with the natives. Better wear water sandals here because the bottom is gravel, and covered in slippery algae. Sometimes you see salmon swimming by. And usually you see salmon smolt.
The next place is across from Naesgaard’s Farm Market. The last time I was there, it was almost full with a crowd of 8 or so adults sitting in the grass watching a similar number of kids playing in the water and on a small raft anchored to the bottom. The current here isn’t nearly as strong as the spot at Josephine.
The last spot is at and just below the bridge where highway 4 to Tofino goes over the Somass River. As it is right across the river from the Tseshaht Indian Reserve, it is popular with the native kids. It is the only place where there is a little sandy beach and a rock where you can jump into a deep pool just above the bridge. I’ve seen kids spend entire afternoons there enjoying it.
If you choose to turn right just before the bridge and go up the hill, it leads to Paper Mill Dam Park. This is the most popular spot yet. There are change rooms and a bathroom attached to the custodian’s house. There is a sandy beach. And there are rocks to climb on just below a very small falls. Across the river is a popular wooded grassy picnicking area for the Tseshaht people.
Sproat Lake Provincial Park is also a wonderful spot for a swim with lots of picnic tables, grassy lawns to spread out on and a sandy/gravelly beach that has a safety barrier around it so the boats don’t intrude. There is also a nice change room there and toilets.
Two other spots further west along Sproat Lake are known to locals. The first is at the Taylor Arm Provincial Park. It’s basically a gravel beach by a creek. It’s kind of cool because you park above the highway and the walk under it along a path to the beach. It is so popular that the parking lot overflows and people are parked along the highway on a hot weekend afternoon. It’s popular partly because it isn’t affected by an annoying condition called swimmer’s itch. The other spot is much wilder in that more goes on there. It is still very popular.
So that’s eight spots. And of course, there are many others. Sproat Lake is a very big lake with home and cottages along a lot of the shore. There are other quieter spots on the lake, and on other lakes in the area. It’s a great valley to explore for new swimming holes!