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Sooke
Potholes
Sooke
Potholes is a set of naturally formed pools and unique rock formations
carved into the sandstone bedrock along Sooke River. The water in
the potholes has a beautiful aqua-green colour and cascades through
sets of waterfalls into deep clear pools offering just an excellent
array of swimming holes.
T'Sou'ke
First Nation
This part of the Sooke River is considered very sacred by the T'Sou'ke
First Nation - the area's native community.
5
km of Pools
The pools and swimming areas that are available for you span a length
of 5 km (3 miles) or so. The potholes start at the Sooke Potholes
Provincial Park located at the end of Sooke River Rd. and stop at
Leechtown that is situated at the end of the Galloping Goose Regional
Trail
Getting
here from Victoria
From downtown Victoria. take Douglas St. and travel west on Trans-Canada
Hwy 1 towards the West Shore Communities. You take the Colwood exit
10 and travel approximately for 30 minutes on Sooke Rd-Hwy 14 to
Sooke River Road. Watch for the Edward Milne High School. Sooke
River Road is just beyond the school on the right. Turn here and
travel 5 km (3 miles) up to the end of Sooke River Rd. that eventually
reaches a parking lot.
If
You're Coming From Nanaimo
If you happen to be traveling south on the Trans-Canada Hwy 1 from
Duncan or Nanaimo, you need to turn off at the Millstream Rd. exit
14. This is located just past the Shell Station at the Spencer Rd.
traffic light on Hwy 1. After you turn off here, take the Veterans'
Memorial Parkway through Langford then, just past the lights at
Kelly Rd., to Sooke Rd.-Hwy 14. Travel to Sooke River Rd.
Sooke
Potholes Provincial Park
The first section of potholes is located in Sooke Potholes Provincial
Park right by the parking lot. The pools are smaller and not as
deep but if you have small children or need to be close to the parking
lot or pit toilets they are handy. Located here is a gravel beach
plus some nice smooth rocks for you to lie on.
TLC
- The Land Conservancy of British Columbia
The majority of the potholes are located outside of the Sooke Potholes
Provincial Park. These pools were, at one time, the property of
Deertrail - a development strategy that was in the making. Since
2005 TLC, The Land Conservancy of British Columbia, took over the
land holdings of Deertrail. The TLC has since formed the Sooke Potholes
Regional Park. Today this natural treasure, thanks to generous donations
of various people and organizations, is available for everyone to
enjoy. Thank you!
1st
Beach
Once you're at the parking lot, walk for around 15 minutes or so
and you'll come to an area that has been traditionally called '1st
Beach.' This is an excellent place to get introduced to the Potholes.
There is a beach area plus some nice private areas along the rocks
to relax on. If you enjoy diving there are a few areas that can
be accessed. Please remember the rocks can be slippery so be cautious
and always check for the depth and clearances in the water.
Deertrail
Resort
The pools continue for a while past 1st Beach with access through
the various trails branching off from the main access road. Parking
is limited or nonexistent so walking is the only way into the potholes.
Eventually you'll come to the site of the failed Deertrail Chateau,
a myriad of timbers and stone fireplaces abandoned years ago. This
part of the Sooke River flows through a gorge with a series of cascading
waterfalls and pools throughout. Look for the trail heading off
towards the river.
Sooke
Potholes Campground
After the Deertrail pools, more potholes continue either by access
through the trails or by swimming up the river. There are fewer
people around with a greater amount of privacy along secluded beaches.
Eventually, you'll come to the old Deertrail campsite now operated
by The Land Conservancy. There are some pools here along with a
good beach area. If you enjoy camping, try this one especially during
the weekdays when there are not so many people.
Leechtown
Leechtown is an area of past historical significance for gold mining
and logging in the Sooke region. Once a thriving community larger
than Victoria during the gold rush era, it is now all abandoned
except for the odd piece of rusted machinery in the bush. The pools
here have one small rock to jump off into a nice secluded swimming
area. Expect to see few or no people here as it is quite some distance
from the parking lot.
Very
popular with the locals
Just remember that during the summer days the Sooke Potholes is
a very popular area with the local people. Sometimes the parking
area is a somewhat full and quite busy representing slight mayhem.
Remember because of this you might end up parking a little ways
from the parking lot on Sooke River Rd. Please obey the signs about
parking on the pavement in order to avoid having your car towed.
Galloping
Goose Trail
The Sooke Potholes Regional Park is along the corridor of the Galloping
Goose Regional Trail. If you enjoy cycling or walking make a point
during your visit to combine both visiting the Sooke Potholes and
experiencing the Galloping Goose Trail.
Cycle
From Victoria
You can cycle from Victoria along the 55 km (34 miles) trail right
to the campsite located near the 51 km post. The Sooke Potholes
campground has set aside a number of unique campsites high on the
bluff overlooking the river for people biking or hiking the trail.
Westshore
Town Centre
If you plan on coming to the Sooke Potholes and require some supplies,
the Westshore Town Centre formerly the Can-West Mall shopping zone
is conveniently located in Langford. If you are coming from Victoria,
turn at Kelly Rd. just off Sooke Rd-Hwy 14 pass Royal Roads University
or travel down Veterans' Memorial Parkway off Trans-Canada Hwy 1
exit.
Starbucks
The Westshore Town Centre contains a Canadian Tire, Wal-Mart, Superstore,
Fairways, Shoppers Drug Mart and a Starbucks.
If you're on the Galloping Goose Trail, it goes right past the shopping
area as well.
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