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!

 

ROAD CONDITIONS TO SAN JOSEF BAY June 27, 2019

The Holberg road is in decent shape, and today there was a grader on the middle portion of the road.  Otherwise it is bumpy as usual!

WFP and Lamare are currently logging in Holberg.  If you are headed to Winter Harbour or Grant Bay we recommend avoiding South Main near the log dump.  WFP and Lamar are logging very actively in this area. The back way through Holberg is a better option, but expect to meet a logging truck at some point until Friday afternoon.  WFP is not logging this weekend, but we were unable to find out about Lamare’s planned activity. The radio channel for that area is RR 36. The logging companies have not been logging on the long weekends thus far, and it is expected that this coming weekend should be relatively quiet.  Be on the lookout for other companies moving heavy equipment.  

North East 60 has been recently graded from KM 10-15 and is pretty rough with big rocks in the road.  The rest of the roads into Holberg are in pretty good shape.

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.  All the bridge repairs appear to have gone well and the roads are in good shape in that area. Slow down for some drops off the new bridge edges.  The radio channel is RR 21. 

Ronnings garden is in full bloom and worth the stop!  Look for the hidden Monkey Puzzle tree as you enter the property.  Don’t forget to bring a donation as it is a labor of love and they are providing maps of the property.  On your way out of the property you can see the old wagon road where it would have continued on to the last homestead, look for it just past the old tractor to the left. 

If you 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.  The radio channel for this section is RR 36 until the WFP shop in Holberg. From the shop on to San Jo, Ronning main and Raft Cove, the channel is RR 21.

 Drive Safe!


ROAD CONDITIONS TO SAN JOSEF BAY - May 17, 2019

WFP has resumed logging in Holberg, in addition to Lamar.   They are hauling out of Strandby at km 11 on San Jo Main. The logging companies have not been logging on the long weekends, this coming weekend should be relatively quiet.  Be on the lookout for other companies moving heavy equipment.

The Holberg road from KM 8-20 has recently been graded, the beginning of the road is pretty rough but not as bad as last year!    From km 20 - NE 60 it is pretty bumpy but not too uncomfortable. The radio channel for the Holberg road is RR 5. Not all of the trucks have been calling out their positions and they have been driving in the middle of the road.  Watch out around blind corners.

NE 60 from the turn off all the way to NE Main has been graded, yet there are very sharp rocks exposed.  We have seen multiple small vehicles with flats in this section the past few days. Drive slow and avoid the bigger rocks.  Other sections are still very rough with sharp rock exposed. Fat trucks have been hauling from Holberg to Port McNeill, so you may encounter a fat truck from Holberg to KM 10 near the fossil beds.  From there they turn off to Coal Harbour.

If you 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.   The radio channel for this section is RR 36 until the WFP shop in Holberg. From the shop on to San Jo, Ronning main and Raft Cove, the channel is RR 21.

San Josef Main is rough but in pretty good shape overall.  Watch for unexpected potholes along this stretch as well as towards Raft Cove.   

The road to Raft Cove and Cape Palmerston is very rough and getting grown in.  Watch out for potholes. Some of the potholes are deeper than they appear and can harm lower clearance vehicles.  The radio channel for this section of roads is RR 21 from the WFP shop on.

Drive Safe!

Road Conditions to San Josef Bay - August 31, 2018

WFP has resumed logging in Holberg.  Expect heavy logging traffic headed into the weekend.  They are hauling from km 16.5 and km 18,5 on San Jo Main.  The logging companies have not been logging on the long weekends, this coming weekend should be relatively quiet. The south end of Nahwitti lake has been logged.  If you haven’t seen logging up close, pull over at the pullout at the south end of the lake and take a look. The San Jo road will be closed at the 15 km bridge from Tuesday September 4-7 and September 11-14.  Raft cove and Palmerston are not affected by the closure.

The Holberg road from KM 2-10 has recently been graded, but the rest of the Holberg road is the roughest it has been all season!  From km 10-30 expect a very bumpy ride and secure any items tied down. We have been slowing down to 10 km/h in some sections! The radio channel for the Holberg road is RR 5.  Not all of the trucks have been calling out their positions and have been driving in the middle of the road. Watch out around blind corners.

NE 60 from the turn off all the way to NE Main has been graded and and there are very sharp rocks exposed.  We have seen multiple small vehicles with flats in this section the past few days. Drive slow and avoid the bigger rocks.  Other sections are still very rough with sharp rock exposed. WFP has recently added some new information signs at the top of the hill.  Stop on your way and take a look. We have been driving at very low speeds through this section.

If you 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. The radio channel for this section is RR 36 until the WFP shop in Holberg. From the shop on to San Jo and Ronning main, the channel is RR 21.

San Josef Main is rough but in pretty good shape overall.  Watch for unexpected potholes along this stretch as well as Raft Cove.  We have seen three vehicles blow their oil pans and had to abandon their vehicles this season!  We have been seeing a mom and two cubs from KM 6-8 pretty regularly so keep a close eye out!   

The road to Raft Cove and Cape Palmerston is very rough and getting grown in.  Watch out for potholes, some of the potholes are deeper than they appear and can harm lower clearance vehicles.  The radio channel for this section of roads is RR 21 from the WFP shop on.

Drive Safe!

Road Conditions to San Josef Bay - July 10, 2018

During the week the roads have been VERY busy with logging trucks.  WFP is not logging on the weekends. There is active logging and hauling out of San Josef Bay road, Strandy and the south end of Nahwitti lake.  If you haven’t seen logging up close, pull over at the pullout at the south end of the lake and take a look.

The Holberg road from KM 6-16 has some new rock on the roads but it is very wash-boarded and loose. KM 16 - 30 is pretty rough with large potholes.  The radio channel for the Holberg road is RR 5. The trucks have not been calling out their positions and have been driving in the middle of the road.  Watch out for some blind corners.

NE 60 from the turn off all the way to NE Main has been graded and packed down pretty good in some sections.  Other sections are still very rough with sharp rock exposed. WFP has recently added some new information signs at the top of the hill.  Stop on your way and take a look. Be aware driving low clearance vehicles. The rocks are extremely sharp. We have been driving at very low speeds through this section.  Loaded fat trucks have been travelling to the Holberg sort and loaded trucks are hauling to Port Hardy. Be prepared to back up to the last pullout.

NE Main has been in pretty good condition except for a few corners that are rough and wash-boarded.  From KM 10 to the cutoff at KM 4 Be mindful of where pullouts are as this part of the road is very narrow.  If you 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. The radio channel for this section is RR 36 until the WFP shop in Holberg.

San Josef Main is rough and muddy in some parts.  Watch for Fat trucks and Highway trucks hauling. We have been seeing a mom and two cubs from KM 6-8 pretty regularly so keep a close eye out!   

The road to Raft Cove and Cape Palmerston is very rough and getting grown in.  Watch out for potholes, some of the potholes are deeper than they appear and can harm lower clearance vehicles.  The radio channel for this section of roads is RR 21 from the WFP shop on.

Drive Safe!