Mount Finlayson Trail in Goldstream Park closed due to wildfire risk

BC Parks has announced the closure of the Mount Finlayson Trail in Goldstream Park due to wildfire risk in the area. 

The trail is closed from the Finlayson Arm Road trailhead to the southern base of Mount Finlayson until further notice. 

BC Parks and the Conservation Officer Service will continue to monitor the situation, and will update the public via the park’s webpage as needed. 

While the trail is closed, a temporary barricade has been erected at the trailhead indicating the area is closed to the public for the time being. 

The Mount Finlayson Trail loop is around six kilometres and covers an elevation gain of approximately 439 metres. 

The hike is known to offer good views of Mount Baker, Bear Mountain area, Greater Victoria and the Olympic Peninsula in Washington at the summit. 

It is one of the most popular hikes in the capital region. 

According to BC Parks, while the trail is closed indefinitely, the rest of Goldstream Park is open to the public. 

While there have been no wildfires in the area of Goldstream Park this week to prompt this closure, the trail was closed as a proactive measure to protect the park as temperatures have been high and conditions have been dry. 

Over the weekend three wildfires were discovered on Vancouver Island: one just south of Duncan, one near Port Alberni and another outside of Port McNeill. All have since been deemed under control by the BC Wildfire Service.