Koksilah Ridge

Koksilah Ridge ("Hwsalu'utsum" [http://www.hulquminum.bc.ca/hulquminum_people] )is an elevated area located south of the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. It is centered at 48^o42' N, 123^o47' W. Its summit lies about 892 meters (2,927 feet) above sea level. It is visible in most of the Cowichan Valley and on the Saanich Peninsula north of Brentwood Bay. As seen from North Saanich or Sidney, it is plough-shaped, with long gentle slopes.

From north to south, the bedrock lithology begins with Cretaceous-era sedimentary rock, chiefly shale, sandstone and conglomerate. These sediments extend up to about 250-500 meters (820-1640 feet). Above them lies a pluton of Jurassic-age granodiorite, which underlies the summit. Around the eastern, southern and western edges of this pluton is a complex association of Pennsylvanian-era argillite, greywacke, chert and diabase.

The forest industry has been active on Koksilah Ridge for many years and the native coniferous forest is interrupted by logged-off areas of varying size. These clear cuts are prominent when a snow cover is present. Snow may lie on the higher parts for up to six months over a severe winter, but is seen on only a few days through a mild winter.

Reference

Muller, J.E. (1980). Geology Victoria Map 1553A. Ottawa: Geological Survey of Canada.