It's never a bad time of the year for a hike around Sooke, but with fewer hours of daylight it's important to get some regular time outside to avoid those winter blues, and chasing waterfalls is a great excuse to get out in the Fall. Listed below are my five favourite waterfall spots close to my hometown of Sooke.
#5- Sitting Lady Falls - Wittys Lagoon Park
From the parking lot on Metchosin Rd, walk the trail past the nature house and turn left at the fork just before the creek. You're nearly right over the waterfall at this point, but walk the trail to the other side of the creek for a much better view. This trail continues along the edge of the estuary which attracts many migratory birds.
#5- Sitting Lady Falls - Wittys Lagoon Park
From the parking lot on Metchosin Rd, walk the trail past the nature house and turn left at the fork just before the creek. You're nearly right over the waterfall at this point, but walk the trail to the other side of the creek for a much better view. This trail continues along the edge of the estuary which attracts many migratory birds.
#4- Sandcut Creek - Sandcut Beach
The short downhill hike to the beach is only 10 minutes, and well worth the stop just to break up the drive on West Coast Rd. Turn left when the trail gets to the beach and walk another 10-15 minutes down the beach to reach the waterfall. This spot is unique because it looks different after every storm, the waves toss the rocks about and the creek flow moves them as well. You can walk behind the waterfall if you don't mind getting a little wet.
#3- Mary Vine Falls - Sooke Potholes
The 20 minute hike from Parking Lot #2 is challenging in some places, but well worth the effort. A heavy mist hangs in the air around this tall & wide waterfall, with space to view from the base of the falls. Continue on this trail to Peden Lake and the Sooke Hills. Lots of other waterfall and riverside viewing throughout The Potholes Park, so be sure to explore a little bit more, this is just one of MANY waterfalls in this park. Consider bringing a bike you'll be able to cover a lot of ground along the Galloping Goose Trail and explore more of the river. Maybe you'll find the old bread oven hidden in the park!
The short downhill hike to the beach is only 10 minutes, and well worth the stop just to break up the drive on West Coast Rd. Turn left when the trail gets to the beach and walk another 10-15 minutes down the beach to reach the waterfall. This spot is unique because it looks different after every storm, the waves toss the rocks about and the creek flow moves them as well. You can walk behind the waterfall if you don't mind getting a little wet.
#3- Mary Vine Falls - Sooke Potholes
The 20 minute hike from Parking Lot #2 is challenging in some places, but well worth the effort. A heavy mist hangs in the air around this tall & wide waterfall, with space to view from the base of the falls. Continue on this trail to Peden Lake and the Sooke Hills. Lots of other waterfall and riverside viewing throughout The Potholes Park, so be sure to explore a little bit more, this is just one of MANY waterfalls in this park. Consider bringing a bike you'll be able to cover a lot of ground along the Galloping Goose Trail and explore more of the river. Maybe you'll find the old bread oven hidden in the park!
#2- Mystic Beach - Juan de Fuca Park
This waterfall is fed mostly by the groundwater leaking from the edge of a sheer cliff on the edge of the ocean. So it's less of a waterfall, and more like the edge of the world. Best viewed after a few days of heavy rain, at low tide. High tide and winter storms make viewing the falls from up close unsafe, but do offer you the sight of this waterfall cascading directly into the Salish Sea.
#1- Sombrio Beach - Juan de Fuca Park
My choice for top of the list is at Sombrio Beach, the midway point of the Juan de Fuca trail. Hike the trail from the parking lot to the beach, turn left and walk almost all the way to the end of the beach. You'll see a pretty unassuming stream crossing the beach, follow it into the forest through a thin sandstone canyon to a thin, but powerful 50' tall waterfall. Resist the urge to carve your name in the walls.
This waterfall is fed mostly by the groundwater leaking from the edge of a sheer cliff on the edge of the ocean. So it's less of a waterfall, and more like the edge of the world. Best viewed after a few days of heavy rain, at low tide. High tide and winter storms make viewing the falls from up close unsafe, but do offer you the sight of this waterfall cascading directly into the Salish Sea.
#1- Sombrio Beach - Juan de Fuca Park
My choice for top of the list is at Sombrio Beach, the midway point of the Juan de Fuca trail. Hike the trail from the parking lot to the beach, turn left and walk almost all the way to the end of the beach. You'll see a pretty unassuming stream crossing the beach, follow it into the forest through a thin sandstone canyon to a thin, but powerful 50' tall waterfall. Resist the urge to carve your name in the walls.
These local places are timeless and deserve our respect. Practice "Leave No Trace" principles when out in nature, always Pack it in & Pack it out. Maybe eve take some garbage out that wasn't even yours! Hero move right there.