HWY 19 to NE 60 (HOLBERG ROAD)
The Holberg Road has been in decent shape before the recent rains. This provincial highway/ dirt road; is maintained by Main Road, the company responsible for North Island highways. Pavement ends at KM 3, and the section from KM 3 to KM 30 is typically where maintenance transitions. When the road is dry, even during grading, vehicles can handle as if they are driving on snow due to loose gravel and wash boarding. With off-camber turns and narrow stretches, slower speeds are significantly safer; fast driving on smooth or bumpy surfaces frequently results in vehicles ending up in the ditch. All roads in this area feature very steep and loose shoulders, so it is advised to drive closer to the middle unless encountering oncoming traffic. Notable landmarks include the Shoe Tree at KM 13, Cains Lake at KM 14, and Nawhitti Lake between KM 20 and 28. The Nawhitti Rec Site is temporarily closed. Check out our camping information in our blog later in June. The radio channel for this section is RR 5.
NE 60 to Holberg
NE 60 is always the section that produces the most flat tires! This stretch, extending from the wind farm turnoff toward Holberg, often features extremely sharp shot rock that is notoriously hard on tires, especially for vehicles without 8-ply or higher ratings. The rocks are sharp, the road is narrow, and help is a long way in either direction! We have seen multiple small vehicles with flats in this section recently, so it is vital to drive slowly and avoid the larger exposed rocks.
Western Forest Products (WFP) maintains this section, and while it is sometimes graded, the road can still be quite rough with sharp rock exposed. If you encounter a logging truck, be prepared to back up to the last pullout; the shoulders are very steep and soft, and attempting to move to the side of the road will likely result in getting stuck. Calling out your position and monitoring other traffic on the radio is critical for safety. Carry a GOOD full-sized spare tire, as even 10-ply tires have been known to meet their match against the shot rock here.
Holberg to Cape Scott Parking Lot
The Scarlet Ibis does not open until 12pm, but it’s always worth a quick stop to stretch the legs and take pictures of the inlet! Check their website for current hours, and consider participating in the #livethewildpledge by grabbing a debris bag to help clean local beaches in exchange for a discount at the pub.
When leaving Holberg on the way to Cape Scott, be sure to drive slowly through the Western Forest Products shop / yard. Once you go over the Goodspeed river, the road narrows and the potholes are everywhere! This section, often referred to as San Josef Main, can be in varying states of repair. If you encounter loaded highway or FAT trucks, be prepared to back up to a pullout as the road is narrow and the shoulders are dangerously soft.
Take it slow—we usually plan on 45 minutes from Holberg to the trailhead. Watch for unexpected potholes and dust, which can reduce visibility to near zero when following other vehicles. While most cars can manage the trip, vehicles with low clearance should be extra cautious of deep potholes and the low, swampy area before Ronning Garden which is subject to flooding. The radio channel for this section is RR 21 from the WFP shop through to San Josef and Ronning Main.
Important Reminders
Logging: There is not currently any logging off of San Jo Main. WFP is logging on the southern parts out of Holberg, so expect truck traffic from Holberg to Hwy 19.
- June can be buggy, don’t forget to bring bug spray
- Tides: Most of the tides in June are not high enough to block the Sea Stacks. With the current sand levels, a higher tide may make some parts of the sea stacks hard to access
- Second Beach - The easiest way to access 2nd beach is when the tide is low. If the tide is high, there is an overland trail, but it is not recommended and can be difficult depending on the weather.
- Bear Bins and Toilet Paper; Use the bins and bring extra TP! The park is not maintained by a ranger until later in June so be prepared for the outhouses to be out of TP.
PACK OUT YOUR OWN GARBAGE AND HELP US OUT BY BRINGING SOME EXTRA. WHETHER IT’S GARBAGE OR BEACH PLASTIC, IT ALL NEEDS TO MAKE IT TO A GARBAGE BIN IN TOWN!
