Glinz Lake Camp Thunderbird is in the seaside community of Sooke and Metchosin, two of the thirteen communities that form the Capital Regional District of British Columbia. Ayum Creek drains the lake to Cooper Cove in Sooke Basin and Harbour. The ocean waters of Sooke Basin and Harbour connect to the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Pacific Ocean. This lake is surrounded by the Camp Thunderbird, a YMCA-YWCA Vancouver Island outdoor center. The private property with its four hundred and eighty-five hectares hosts a common dining hall, eighteen cabins, along the shore of Glinz Lake. This lake is nearly three hectares in size and hosts a perimeter hiking trail. Numerous nature activities like rock climbing, archery, swimming and canoeing or kayaking as well as climbing and hiking trails to viewpoints are available to campers. The lake is named for two brothers, Arnold and Leonard, who built a hunting cabin on its shore in nineteen eleven. These enterprising Swiss men also built the three kilometer roadway up to the lake. They eventually settled and built Woodside Farm and develop that into a business. The YMCA, acquiring the lands in nineteen thirty nine, allows hikers on the Camp Thunderbird trails with consent. The namesake hike to Thunderbird Mountain is about a ten kilometer round trip. The viewpoint from the summit at five hundred and fifty meters is to the south. A second peak, on Ragged Mountain, has summit of five hundred and seventy eight meters, lies to the north of Thunderbird Mountain. It can be nice loop to include both in one hike. Give yourself plenty of time to hike into this area and be prepared with your own supplies for your hike.
Geographical location N48º 25’ W123º 38’ 14”
Glinz Lake Camp Thunderbird can be reached from the Trans-Canada Highway. Take the Langford Parkway exit and follow along to reach Sooke Road (Hwy 14). Follow Sooke Road and as the road descends around the Sooke Basin turn right onto Glinz Lake Road. There will be signs for the Camp Thunderbird. The road is steep and windy. There is a gate at the access to the camp. Permission is needed to hike here. The hikers should phone ahead to obtain permission and arrive with to sign the waiver. There is a parking near the cabins in this private property. This is about a forty minute drive from Victoria. There is a city bus stop along Sooke Road.
Excellent information for hiking to Thunderbird Mountain can be found at https://www.summitpost.org/capital-regional-district-victoria-bc/225767#chapter_16
Walks in Your Backyard 