A Marina in Logging Country?

During our stay at Maple Bay Marina, we learned about the extensive trail system in the forest reserve that leads hikers to the top of Maple Mountain above Maple Bay Marina; and about another trail system that takes hikers to Mount Tzouhalem overlooking Cowichan Bay. Hikers can actually traverse the entire area from Genoa Bay, circling the head of Cowichan Bay, and arrive at Maple Bay Marina. This 12,355-acre (5,000 hectares) forest reserve is managed by forestry staff, who collaborate with parks, trail, and recreation staff to ensure sustainable harvesting, while accommodating recreational uses of the forest reserve. Boaters can ask for trail maps at Maple Bay Marina or at Genoa Bay Marina.

Departing Maple Bay, we motored northward up Stuart Channel destined for the community of Ladysmith. Ladysmith is a prosperous logging town, with several log-booms in the area.

Logs rafted together, ready for the mill

Log-booming area, Ladysmith Harbour

As we neared Ladysmith Harbour, we came upon a barge that had just dumped its load of logs for the tugs to hall to the mill.

Logging barge pumps out ballast water to right itself

To dump their enormous load of logs, the barge tips 30 degrees using water as ballast, the logs slide off into the water, where awaiting tugs raft the logs together. Water is pumped back out of the ballast area to right the barge again.

Logging equipment is found on street corners in Ladysmith

The town of Ladysmith proudly displays its logging heritage in local museums. Painted logging equipment is displayed on the street corners, serving as an outdoor museum and provides a unique character for the town. It was James Dunsmir who started the company town in 1904 for miners to work his Extension mine 12 miles north of town. Many different businesses and services sprang up in Ladysmith to support the industry. By the 1920’s the demand for coal had dwindled; and in 1931, during the Great Depression, the mines closed. In 1935, the Comox Logging and Railroad Company purchased a tract of Douglas Fir forests to the west of Ladysmith and logging began the following year. By the late 1940’s, Ladysmith was the center of major logging operations, which continues today.

Ladysmith Community Marina Welcome Centre

Recreational boaters are attracted to Ladysmith for its scenery, history and the hospitality found at Ladysmith Community Marina.

Ladysmith Community Marina Docks

The docks are well maintained, flower pots adorn the docks, an on-site Oyster Bar Café and fireside lounge are inviting, and a covered party barge is available for rendezvous. The Sea Life Center, with interpretive displays, is adjacent to the café. The Ladysmith Community Marina is run by the Ladysmith Maritime Society; it’s a true community marina run by hundreds of volunteers and is one of the most successful marinas in British Columbia. Who would have thought that such a lovely marina could be found at a logging town? It just goes to show that with the right amenities, activities, and quality facilities, boaters will return each year to enjoy the town and the marina’s “welcome Centre.”

Historic Ladysmith has lots of shops to choose from; the Old Town Bakery is a favorite

A set of stairs leads up the hillside into town, where visitors find a variety of shops including a great bakery. We found a line out the door at Ladysmith’s “Old Town Bakery.” Too bad, Leonard will have to try again in the morning for more fresh baked goods.