The recent heavy rainfall has washed out a portion of the Cowichan Valley Trail between the Holt Creek Trestle and 64.4 Mile Trestle. (Flickr.com)

The recent heavy rainfall has washed out a portion of the Cowichan Valley Trail between the Holt Creek Trestle and 64.4 Mile Trestle. (Flickr.com)

Cowichan Valley Trail section closed due to washout

Stay clear of the Cowichan Valley Trail between the Holt Creek Trestle and 64.4 Mile Trestle warns the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. It's not safe.

Stay clear of the Cowichan Valley Trail between the Holt Creek Trestle and 64.4 Mile Trestle warns the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. It’s not safe.

Ministry staffers note that the recent heavy rainfall has washed out a portion of the trail.

“The impacted area will be fenced off shortly, with appropriate signage posted at major access points to alert trail users,” said a media release issued Friday afternoon. “Ministry staff will carry out an assessment of the area to determine the extent of the damage. They will make the necessary repairs to reopen the trail section as soon as it is safe to do so.”

Just how much rain fell?

According to the ministry, the Cowichan region saw more than 440 millimetres of rain in January. That’s more than 225 per cent more than normal.

“A significant portion of that rainfall occurred within a 36-hour period,” said the release.

Cowichan Valley Citizen