May 10, 2025
~ submitted by Matthew Lettington
Our Marmot Mountain adventure turned out quite different from what we expected.
In past visits, I’ve always approached the summit from the Nanaimo Lakes side — a route that plunges into steep, brush-choked terrain. That was our original plan again this time, but when fewer than five people expressed interest, I reconsidered. It didn’t seem worth dragging a group through that notoriously rough route unless it was absolutely necessary.
In the days leading up to the trip, one of the participants suggested trying an approach from the Cowichan Lake side instead. I mean, why not? Recent logging along K-Branch opened up access into the Shaw River Valley, and after digging around online, I found several GPS tracks from backroad explorers that suggested the roads were probably drivable. That was all the convincing I needed — we changed plans and came in from the south.
We drove up West Shaw Main and followed a deactivated spur road that switchbacks up toward the southeast ridge. Satellite imagery suggested we could get as high as 850 metres, and sure enough, we parked at the snow on the road around 900 metres.
From there, we hiked the rest of the way on foot, following the road to its end. A faint game trail led us into some open old-growth forest. After one steep, brushy scramble, we picked up another trail — this time with flagging tape, axe blazes, and even a game camera — which led us neatly along the ridge.
When we hit the deeper snow, we were surprised to find snowshoe tracks and recent footprints. Who else had been up here? We followed the tracks toward the summit block. They veered left just below the final push, but we were determined to stand on top.
It was breezy and cool on the summit. We paused for water and a snack, but since it had only taken two hours to reach the top, none of us were quite ready for a full lunch. We surveyed the surrounding terrain and picked out a possible second objective — but first, curiosity got the better of me.
You know me — I’m stubborn. I figured those snowshoe tracks had to be heading toward a cabin. Why else would they be way up here? We made a deal to follow them for five minutes and then turn around. We didn’t even need that long. The trail led down a gentle slope below the summit, and from a small outcrop, we spotted something glinting near a large boulder.
Binoculars out. Was it a box of beer? A cooler? Nope — I figured it was another game camera, and I think I was right. But even better: just above it, perched on the rock, was a shaggy, mottled marmot, lording over his mountain domain.
We turned back, returned to the vehicle, and descended slowly. From there, we rounded the toe of the ridge and turned north onto East Shaw Main. That road gets narrow and loose in places, but we made it all the way to Shaw Lake. It’s probably a beautiful lake on a good day, but under cloudy skies, it looked dark and uninviting. Definitely not a swim day.
Our original plan included a second summit — an unnamed peak with a road that climbs nearly to the top. But just as we left Shaw Lake, the rain rolled in. It came down hard, and between the wet bush and my dwindling gas tank (a measly quarter left), I decided it wasn’t worth pushing on. Naturally, five minutes after we turned around, the sun came blazing back out.
All told, it was a great day in the mountains. The new route was efficient, scenic, and surprisingly pleasant. The rest of the group was thankful for a beautiful hike, if slightly annoyed that an 8-hour mountain mission turned into a 4-hour stroll. I’ll definitely be back again soon — next time, with my son.
See more images in this photo album https://photos.app.goo.gl/wL7gWdeez26grNc38