Goat Lake Main to Windsor Lake

Crisp winter days often bring crystal blue skies. They also make great days to get out on the quad and take a ride. One easy destination follows Goat Lake Main along the chain of lakes that make up the Powell River Forest Canoe Route.

Head south of Powell River on Highway 101. A left turn at Dixon Road takes you off the pavement and onto Goat Lake Main. This main is a busy logging road on weekdays, but is safe to travel on weekends and holidays. Several logging companies use this major backcountry artery, so keep eyes and ears open!

There are several turnouts to park and offload along the way. Just be careful at corners. Many of the loads are long and swing wide.

This easy ride takes you along the west shores of Nanton, Dodd, and Windsor Lakes. You can reach all three lakes easily. Nanton and Dodd both have forest campsites accessible by car or truck. Windsor can be reached from the main, but has no official campsite except at the Canoe Route portage.

Portage dock at the head of Windsor Lake.

One thing we like to do while quadding is stop and hike farther into the bush. You don't have to go far to find some spectacular places.  We stopped between Dodd and Windsor Lakes and followed the portage trail to the head Windsor.

It's a little hike, but the vistas are huge. Be sure to look both up and down. Some of the most beautiful things are right there at your feet. This particular location can be accessed on weekends by truck, or even a car if care is taken while driving on the logging roads.

You don't have to wait until summer to enjoy this ride. A sunny winter day, even a cloudy or foggy one, brings beautiful things to see. 

Want to read more about my recovery and quadding in this beautiful country? Go to PowellRiverBooks.com and take a look at Up the Main.

It's available in print and Kindle formats from Amazon.com.  Or check with your e-book vendor for other formats. -- Margy