DirectionsFROM the Trans Canada Highway turn west onto Highway18. Drive 0.7 kilometres, then turn north onto SomenosRd., drive another 0.7 kilometres then turn northwest ontoMt. Prevost Rd. which turns into gravel after 0.5kilometres. To reach the Mt. Prevost summit drive for 8kilometres (20 minutes) along this road and the PrevostMainline. The roads are passable in good weather by 2WDvehicle, but high clearance isrecommended.

Welcome to Mount PrevostMOUNT Prevost is the mountain to the northwest ofDuncan that has the distinctive skyline with the two rockbluffs. On top of the highest north bluff is a war memorialthat can be seen from far away.

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Code of EthicsSHARE the mountain. The Municipal Forest is used bywalkers, hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders.RESPECT the rights of other trail users and the adjoiningland owners.USE designated public access points. Never leave vehiclesblocking adjacent properties or trail routes.FLOWERS, trees, plants and even rocks are part of thenatural environment. Please leave natural resources whereyou find them.

The Forest PageHistoryTHE Municipal Forest was established in 1946 by an act ofMunicipal Council. Since then it has grown to 5,000hectares, and covers one quarter of the area of NorthCowichan. As well as providing jobs and income to themunicipality, the forest also provides public informationand education through news releases, tours and displays.

Key FeaturesTHE views from the twinpeaks of the Mt. Prevostsummit are well worth thedrive and hike. Visitors cansee the entire Cowichan Valleyand the Gulf Islands. Inspring there are manywildflowers in the 45 hectarewilderness park at the summit.ON the summit’s southernbluff is a windsock and ashort concrete path leadinginto nowhere. This is a launchsite for hang gliders whoswoop around the mountainthen land in the fields below.

Safety FirstENJOY your visit, but remember forestry activities areongoing and heavy equipment can be on the roads at anytime. Drive with your lights on. Give way to heavyequipment. Do not enter the forest when the fire hazardrating is extreme. Check with the municipality for woodsclosures. Open fires are not allowed in the MunicipalForest. Parking is limited. Avoid leaving valuables in yourvehicle.USE of roads, trails, parking lots, structures and otherfacilities in the Municipal Forest and surroundingareas may result in personal injury, loss or damage toproperty. By using them you assume all risks ofpersonal injury, loss or damage to property. Thesetrails are recommended forexperienced hikers only.THE summit bluffs on Mt.Prevost are not marked and aredangerous. Keep well backfrom the edge and never allowchildren to explore the bluffsunattended.USE common sense, go with afriend, let someone responsibleknow where you are going.

For More InformationIF you have any questions or need more information,please contact the Municipality of North Cowichan.

250-746-3100 www.northcowichan.bc.ca

Cowichan First Nation LegendsMOUNT Prevost plays a part in the story of the beginningof the Cowichan First Nations. During the Great Floodone man took refuge on top of Swuqus or Swukas(Prevost) while all the others died. In Sooke there were twowomen who also stayed on high ground to escape thewaters. When the waters receded they moved up island andfound the lone Cowichan man. These three people are theancestors of the Cowichan tribe.

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ManagementTHE Municipal Forest has been managed intensively since1982. By 2003, a total of 1,140 hectares had been loggedand reforested with 1.35 million tree seedlings. About 70%of the trees planted are Douglas-fir and the remaining 30%is evenly divided between western red cedar, grand fir andwestern white pine.

Left, a school group learnsabout tree planting.

A healthy forest plantation. These trees are thirdgrowth.

to report a forest fire 1-800-663-5555 or 911

Above, a plantedand prunedWestern WhitePine seedling.

The war memorial on Mt.Prevost, dedicated in 1929.Originally there was a gasbeacon on the top of the column.

Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylosuvaursi) on the summit bluffs.

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Legend

Guide to:

MountPrevost

Municipality of North Cowichan

MainlineMinor Forest Road

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A small or “gyppo” loggingoperation on Mt. Prevost.small operators like these werecommon in the 1920s to1940s. This crew worked forthe Evans family. The truckran on wooden tracks so thatthey could haul logs even whenthe roads were muddy.

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Visitor InformationTHE mountain is open all year except during periods ofhigh fire hazard. Some of the roads have gates and thesemay be closed at certain times. There are many trails on themountain, but none were built or are maintained by NorthCowichan. Use these trails at your own risk.

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