DODD NARROWS

Dodd Narrows can be reached easily once you reached the end of the Cable Bay Trail. You simply continue to follow the path leading to your right and eventually you will see a narrow seaside pathway along the Northumberland Channel to Dodd Narrows. It is approximately 1.5 kms. away from the footbridge. You will be rewarded with a spectacular view of the very narrow channel that is has a very fast current that probably runs between 8 to 9 knots. These currents attract a large assortment of marine lives such as king crab, sea stars, rockfish, cod, California and Stellar's sea lions that feast on a large population of salmon. A large number of yachts, fishing boats and other types of seafaring vessels ply this channel especially during the summer season. You can spend several hours just watching the various activities happening in front of you. There's hardly anyone along the rocky beaches at any given time, except the waterfowls, various birds and the beautiful oceanviews in front of you.

CABLE BAY TRAIL

From this signage in the parking lot, it only takes half an hour to hike most of the trail.

The small parking lot is located at the end of Nichola Road . Watch for the Cable Bay Trail Sign.

A bird's eye-view of downtown Nanaimo .

                                                A cedar-bark mulch covered most of the trail.

The author couldn't resist the temptation of a dangling rope and tried in vain to copy the famous Ape Man ...

A resident squirrel munching on a pine cone .

The end of a very easy and relaxing half-an-hour hike from the parking lot to the end of the trail...

 Cable Bay Trail is located just in the South East of Nanaimo in Cedar. From Nanaimo, take Highway 1 ( Trans Canada Hwy) South to the first Cedar Road Exit. Drive along Cedar Road until you come to MacMillan Road. You will find a small parking lot at the end of Nichola Road which is East on Barnes Road which is actually a continuation of the Holden-Corso Road. Just follow the signage along the well-travelled path beneath the power lines and into the forest. Just stay on the main trail and after about an easy half an hour hike, you will reach the end of the Cable Bay trail. There are a few old-growth Douglas fir trees inside this temperate rain forest. Occasionally, one might see sea lions, pods of orcas and eagles. It is about 3.5 kilometers in length. There is a 440 hectare park inside with wooden steps, gravel and stone paths. The best time to explore this park is between June to around September when there is less rain, The trails tends to be real muddy during the winter months.