Goat Main Quad Ride to Windsor Lake

Summer is a good time to ride Goat Main and stop at some of the beautiful lakes in the Powell River backcountry for a picnic or refreshing swim. The many camping options along this route make it perfect to stay and ride for multiple days.

Goat Main is a well maintained major logging road that can be reached by exiting Highway 101 south of Powell River at Dixon Road. Access is on weekends or after 6:00 pm. But always be watchful for logging trucks and other vehicles.

This location can be accessed by truck, or even a car if care is taken while driving on the dirt road.

Starting at the south end of Lois Lake, the Main follows a chain of lakes that comprise the majority of the Powell River Forest Canoe Route.

Canoe dock at Windsor portage.

We like to break up our quad rides by stopping to hike farther into the bush. And around Powell River, you don't have to go far to find some pretty spectacular places.

On a recent ride we took the side road off Goat Main that runs between Dodd and Windsor Lakes.

We left our bikes at the trailhead and walked the short canoe portage route to the head of Windsor.



It may be 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.

After a lunch break, we headed back to Goat Main and proceeded a short distance north to the far end of Windsor Lake.

Lake access at the north end of Windsor.

On the northwest side there's another access spot with a wide gravel area, rough small boat launch, and an unofficial picnic and camping spot. But with well maintained lakeside forestry campsites available at nearby Dodd and Nanton Lakes, this spot is more for day use.

Summer isn't the only time to enjoy a ride on Goat Main. A sunny winter day, even a foggy one, brings beautiful things to see.


Want to read more about quad riding in this beautiful country? Go to PowellRiverBooks.com and take a look at Up the Main, Farther Up the Main, and Wayne's newest book Beyond the Main. All are available in print and Kindle formats from Amazon.com.  Or check with your e-book vendor for other formats. -- Margy