Mt. Benton
CN88bv
(Courtesy of VE7DXG)
Last update October 06, 2003
General. This is the VE7DXG Contest QTH. Per VE7DXG, this is the BEST location on Vancouver Island, covering Most of Washington state and beyond. It is located 1.5 hours from Nanaimo Ferry and is gated at the bottom. Members of the Cowichan Valley Amateur Radio Club are permitted to pass through the gate and also have keys.
Driving Instructions.
Turn West from the Trans Canada Highway in Chemainus at the Shell gas station onto "McMillen-Blodel Hauling Road" at the traffic lights. Follow gravel road about 500m to four-way stop. Go straight about 100m, to the gate.
The gate is manned year-round and locked overnight. The local radio club has keys. If you just want to stay for the day tell the gatekeeper that you are going to the "Repeater" and you don't even have to pay the toonie ($2) to get in. Just make sure you are out by closing time (6PM in winter, 9PM in summer). The repeater on top is on 146.680 and 442.600.
After the gate follow the Copper Canyon Main (also called Chemainus River Road) to the missing 10 mile marker. (don't worry, 6,8 and 9 miles are marked. The 10 mile signs fell down a few years ago) Very nice and wide gravel road.
10 Mile Road (also called "12 mile" for unknown reasons) is right after a very prominent bridge, can't miss it. Turn right (the only way) to 10 Mile Road and follow it. It's a long drive, after about 15 minutes you cross another bridge. Keep going and after about another 15 minutes on the plateau the road turns sandy and makes a fairly sharp right turn. There is a very rocky road going to the left to Hollyoak Lake, marked by bunches of flagging tape. After about 500m you will see the tower and a white building on the summit. Just keep going towards it. Cross the earthen dam and keep going straight. You can get to here with 2 wheel drive.
Put it in 4 low and follow the road to the summit. Very rough road. There are usually people around that can guide you to Hollyoak Lake. The site overlooks the lake.