Start (0.0 km) to Sheilds Lake Aid Station #1 (15.7 km) [yes, this is the correct spelling of Sheilds Lake]

 

The start is located near Sooke Potholes Parking Lot 2 in Sooke Potholes Regional Park. Run north on the Galloping Goose Regional Trail toward the campground for 2 km. Turn left, leave the Galloping Goose and follow access trails down to the Riverside Trail. Enjoy the Riverside Trail for 2 km before rejoining the Goose (now heading south). At 4.8 km turn left onto the Peden Lake Trail.

 

Climb the Peden Lake Trail past Mary Vine Falls (5.3 km) and over the Sooke Flowline to Peden Lake (7 km). Continue alongside Peden Lake until you reach the information sign and turn left onto the Lakes Connector Trail (7.7 km). In 400 meters turn left onto the Empress Mountain Trail (8.1 km).

 

Follow the Empress Mountain Trail up until you reach the Empress Mountain Summit Trail (11 km). Turn left and ascend Empress Mountain Summit Trail to the summit and the highest point on the course. Enjoy views of the Sooke Hills, Sooke Lake Reservoir, and across the Salish Sea to the Olympic Mountains in Washington, USA!

 

Follow the flagging and back down the Empress Mountain Summit Trail to the Empress Mountain Trail. Descend until you reach the junction with Sheilds Lake Trail (13.7). Turn right and follow Sheilds Lake Trail for 2 km until you see signs for a short out-and-back to the Sheilds Lake Aid Station. Turn left to reach the Aid Station!

 

Sheilds Lake Aid Station #1 (15.7 km) to Fish Hatchery Aid Station #1 (23.1 km)

 

Return to the Sheilds Lake trail and turn left. Continue until 17 km, where you turn left onto Grass Lake Trail. After running 500 meters alongside Grass Lake, turn right onto Harrison Trail (17.5 km) and get your downhill legs moving.

 

Descend the Harrison trail for 4 km until you reach the Galloping Goose Regional Trail (21.5 km). Turn left onto the Galloping Goose Regional Trail. Follow the Goose until you reach the Fish Hatchery Aid Station at 23.1 km.

 

Fish Hatchery Aid Station (23.1 km) to Sheilds Lake Aid Station #2 (30.6 km)

 

Climb the Grass Lake Trail out of the aid station and past the Charters Reservoir. At 26 km, turn left onto Monument Mountain Trail. This is the steepest climb of the course - you’ve got this! Pass the summit at 28.2 km and enjoy the short descent to Grass Lake Trail at 28.8 km. Turn left and follow Grass Lake Trail until the junction with Sheilds Lake Trail (29.3 km). Turn right and continue on Sheilds Lake Trail until you reach the aid station out-and-back. Enjoy your second visit to the Sheilds Lake Aid Station (30.6 km)!

 

Sheilds Lake Aid Station #2 (30.6 km) to Quimper Aid Station (35.8 km)

 

Return to Sheilds Lake Trail and turn right. Follow the trail to the Sooke Mountain Park Road at 32.4 km. Enjoy following this wide trail to the Quimper Aid Station (35.8 km).

 

Quimper Aid Station (35.8 km) to Harbourview Aid Station (41 km)

 

Climb the Quimper Summit bike push-up trail to the top of Mount Manuel Quimper (37 km) – the second-highest point on the course and more fantastic views! Pass the old fire lookout and descend the Quimper Summit Trail to reach the Harbourview Aid Station at the parking lot (41 km).

 

Harbourview Aid Station (41 km) to Fish Hatchery Aid Station #2 (47.9 km)

 

Follow the Sooke Mountain Trail up from the aid station to the information board and intersection with Charters Trail (43.4 km). Turn left onto Charters Trail and head downhill. After crossing the bridge over Charters River, turn left onto the Grass Lake Trail (45 km). Descend the Grass Lake Trail to the Fish Hatchery Aid Station for the second time (47.9 km).

 

Fish Hatchery Aid Station #2 (47.9 km) to the Finish (51 km).

 

Follow the Galloping Goose Regional Trail north to the Finish. Congratulations!