Veitch and Ayum Creek

Summary

Distance: ~70km

Elevation: ~900m

Summary: A counter-clockwise loop leaving from Uptown Shopping Centre, heading out to the Veitch Creek and Ayum Creek trails, and returning via Eleanor Mann Park, Lisandra trail and the Galloping Goose.

Caution: This is a mixed surfaces ride. Most of the ride is quite rideable but sections of the Veitch Creek Trail and Ayum Creek Trail are overgrown singletrack that require good technical skills and patience when encountering dead fall and large rocks (i.e. seasonal creek).

Route: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/1979482?units=km

The Pitch

Get away from the city and deep into the woods without committing to a full day ride. Veitch Creek and Ayum Creek Trail take you deep into the Sooke Hills Wilderness without taking you too far from home.

Details

The entire route can be divided into 3 different segments: Uptown to the Veitch Creek Trailhead, Veitch Creek Trail and Ayum Creek Trail, and Sooke Rd to Victoria.

1) Uptown Shopping Centre to Veitch Creek Trailhead

A straightforward route that heads along the Galloping Goose regional trail, connects to the E&N Connector to bring you into Langford and eventually Irwin Park and the Humpback Reservoir. However, instead of the customary Great Trail grind, you'll pedal along the surprisingly fun (and paved) Humpback Rd to get to Sooke Rd and the Veitch Creek Trailhead.

The parking lot is a major improvement in providing access to the Veitch Creek trail system. Previously, cars simply parked along Sooke Rd and users clambered over the aging Sooke flowline to the access the trails.

Sign post marking the intersection of Veitch Creek, Shepard Creek, and the Sea to Sea Connector.

2) Veitch Creek Trail and Ayum Creek Trail

The ride takes on a decidedly different flavour at this point. Gone is the busy road as you head up steep (but short) climbs on premium gravel into the Sooke Wilderness. The bear warning signs along the trail are not exaggerations. Travelling in a group and making noise is a good idea in this area.

Much of Veitch Creek Trail is described as a carriage way, and, as such, the trail flows nicely through the forest. There are some tempting trails to turn off onto, but stay along Veitch as this is best for climbing. Eventually, you'll arrive at a creek crossing with a newly built bridge (expressly not designed for horses). This marks the end of the trail improvements, and single track ensues, much of it rideable, some hop-on-hop-off to get around features, and a few sections of baby heads to contend with.

As you can see on TrailForks, you've transitioned from the well-maintained Veitch Creek Lower to the less-maintained Veitch Creek Upper and you have the option to loop back along Shepards Creek Trail to return to the Trailhead. However, if you push on a little further you'll find the Ayum Creek Trail (Not shown on TrailForks).

Ayum Creek Trail flows gently downhill towards Glintz Lake. Save for all the downfall lying across the trail, it would be fun, loamy singletrack. If you can, earn some trail karma and try to move half a dozen or so of the deadfall. The next rider will thank you.

The trail gradually becomes more and more rideable as signs of humans appear: bridges here and there and some fresh log cuts. As you approach Glintz Lake (and Camp Thunderbird) the feeling of civilization is palpable.

Camp Thunderbird is private property (owned and operated by the YMCA) and you require permission to access the land. According to the AllTrails - Mount Ragged, Thunderbird Mountain Loop, hikers can access the trails by calling or emailing in advance and checking in with the office once on site. Be respectful and mindful that you are a guest.

Once you exit Camp Thunderbird and zip down the delightful Glintz Lake access road, you'll arrive once again at Sooke Rd.

Along Ayum Creek Trail

Some of the dead fall to contend with.

Ayum Opens Up

Getting close to civilization.

3) Sooke Rd to Victoria

Now back in rural Sooke and out of the wilderness, it's a quick 3km ride along Sooke Rd (welcome to Metchosin), before you turn off onto Kangaroo Rd and work your way toward Eleanor Mann Park. Eleanor Mann Park is a small community forest with a fun and rideable trail network (watch for horses!).

After exiting the park you'll come back to a few more community roads before arriving at the tricky to find Lisandra Trailhead (if you can't find it, be patient and search for a trail that parallels a private driveway). Lisandra Trail is mostly downhill and quickly brings you to Tiswilde Rd, which is a short ride to the Galloping Goose Regional Trail and ultimately Victoria.

And there you have it! Exploring the Sooks Hills and enough time for brunch (I hope you left early).

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