You can also choose to walk partway on a rough shoreline trail that branches away from the main trail and leads past arbutus and western red cedar. Long branches from two groves of Douglas fir spread like muscled arms above each end of the trail. ), Zip-lock bags (keeps things from leaking or exploding), 1 pair of stretchy jeans (they wash and dry easily), 1 pair of leggings (if it’s cold, they can go under your jeans, otherwise with a dress or shirt), 1 dry shampoo spray & talc powder (keeps long hair grease-free in between washes), Feminine hygiene products (you can opt to buy there too, but I prefer not to count on it, and most people have their preferred products). Along the many paths in our protected forests and BC provincial parks you’ll find the freedom to discover nature for yourself; an abundance of waterfalls, meadows, lakes and beaches – all reachable without guides, ropes or heavy packs. When the tide is out, look carefully from the promontory at the south end of the nature trail and you may be able to discern an ancient V-shaped rock fishing weir, fashioned by Indians of the Sliammon Nation. Discover fall adventures in BC's Okanagan, Shuswap, and Boundary Country. Less challenging than backpacking, day hikes provide lifetime memories of peaceful walks, bird watching and wildlife viewing. Learn about the potlatch ceremonies (a huge feast meant to display wealth or status) of the Kwakwaka’wakw people in Alert Bay. Well-prepared hikers will slog through some of the muddiest and most tortuous terrain of any trail in British Columbia to reach Cape Scott, a distance of 27 km from the parking lot. You are responsible for your safety and cleanliness in the backcountry. It’s a great place to hike, go birdwatching, relax, and just get away from it all. The truly unique experience with being in the alpine on Vancouver Island is the breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean in the distance.”, “The pinnacle for hiking and alpine enthusiasts on Vancouver Island is to successfully hike and summit it’s tallest peak , the, . Some of the park’s best beaches are located in several small coves around the bay at Creyke Point, about 0.6 mile (1 km) east of Aldridge Point. Being the easiest to organize and set up, front country camping is the most popular camping experience in BC. Make sure you pack evenly and use your straps to pull the load closer to your body. Southeast Winds. The most challenging hiking of all is found on Saltspring Island, where rough trails lead to the tops of both Bruce Peak (2,326 feet/709 m) and Mount Tuam (1,975 feet/602 m), the tallest points of land on the Gulf Islands. Hiking in Pacific Rim National Park, The Snowden Demonstration Forest is located west of Campbell River and north of Hwy 28 near Loveland Bay Provincial Park. These remote and pristine destinations enforce the need to practice Leave No Trace principles so those that visit in the future experience the same beauty we can see today.”, “To sleep under the stars and wake up to an alpine sunrise among the tallest peaks on Vancouver Islands is a special feeling. Outpost Location:Bedwell SoundWest Coast Vancouver Island. FarOut Wilderness operates in all seasons and has one pet friendly vehicle. Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park is located adjacent to Nanaimo, with access by passenger-only ferry from Maffeo Sutton Park, behind the Civic Arena in Nanaimo. (Once frequent visitors to Texada, their traditional village was located where the Powell River pulp mill complex now stands.) Road work and wildfires can affect travel plans during the summer. Gowlland Tod Provincial Park in Saanich offers over 25 miles (40 km) of trails. Your small, guided group selects a vigorous or relaxing hike prior to setting off to learn about nature as you stretch your legs and explore rocky mountain ridges and flowered meadows. Technically it falls too central on Vancouver Island to be considered ‘north island’, but it’s a wilderness camping mecca. By following these tips, it will help you have a memorable & safe backcountry experience. Questions or comments can Enchanted Forest Trail (easy; 2.5 miles/4.3 km return) leads through some of the lushest growth in the forest and begins from the south end of Elmer Lake. Activities include whale watching, bear watching, horseback riding, canoeing and kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and hot springs tours. Written by: Lori Pederson. We offer complimentary vehicle collection and drop off at the following locations: Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal, Victoria Airport, Victoria Downtown, Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal, Vancouver Downtown, and Vancouver Airport. The day liner passes over the trestle twice daily, Monday to Saturday, so if you’re here by 8:30am or 5:15pm you stand a good chance of seeing it whisk by. Occasionally the trail descends to sea level, allowing a hiker’s eyes the chance to range across the strait to the peaks of Washington State’s Olympic Mountains that dominate the southern horizon. Summers are very pleasant - no humidity, and [...], Sea temperature - nine degree Celsius. Remember, away from the road it’s a wilderness…. In part, this is a reflection of size, steepness, and also choice: most visitors come to the islands to indulge in activities centred around the water. Zone 3 (the top part of your pack) this is your medium weight & bulkier items. It’s not on the ‘Ten Essentials’ list but it’s mandatory you let someone you know your hiking plans. May 15, 2014. Lasqueti Island lies off to the southwest. This includes door handles, toilet seats, bear-proof bin latches, picnic tables, axe handles, etc. The main attractions in the park are the trail to Cape Scott at the northwest tip of the park, and the North Coast Trail, a challenging 5-day backpacking trip. It’s always a good idea to travel in pairs as well. “To sleep under the stars and wake up to an alpine sunrise among the tallest peaks on Vancouver Islands is a special feeling. According to a Native legend, the petroglyph represents a supernatural animal like a sea lion that was responsible for the deaths of many of the Becher Bay Indians when they ventured out in their canoes. Whether you are an experienced or novice sea kayaker and/or hiker looking for a new and exciting adventure, or someone who is not really sure what the west coast of Vancouver Island is all about, we promise we will find the right experience for you. Remember, these and any scented items are bear attractants. Over 11 miles (19 km) of easygoing hiking trails link Eagle Beach with popular North Beach on Beaver Lake. Victoria has a much more laidback vibe than Vancouver, so soak it up. who is sharing photos of some of his favourite backcountry hiking spots around the island. Near the south end of the trail stands the gnarliest Douglas fir of them all, a full 7 feet (2.1 m) in diameter. on Vancouver Island. When you hike the trails in John Dean Provincial Park in North Saanich, you are following some of oldest in the provincial park system. Once you reach Aldridge Point, the large sea-lion petroglyph is easy to locate. It takes about seven hours to cover the Coast Trail round trip, which runs through the thickly forested rolling hills that rise above the strait between Becher and Iron Mine Bays. And freedom in the wilderness is not the sole domain of seasoned hikers – guided adventures can be tailored to suit individual experience, limited only by your imagination and desire to conquer. You will want this experience to be a fun one, filled with lots of happy memories. Store them in the. What all these trails have in common, is a need for their users to be able to look after themselves. Thus the lake earned its name and the scars of the landslide can still be seen on the mountain and side of the lake.”. The detritus left behind from recent logging is not a pretty sight, and it will be some time before reforestation masks the damage. Drive right into your site, pitch a tent (or park an RV), and you’re camping. Campers can pitch tents in private campsites, in BC Recreation Campsites located on Crown land outside of parks, and alongside lakes or rivers, but The trailhead is located on Bear Hill Road east of Oldfield Road north of Elk Lake. Follow a rough trail from the viewpoint boardwalk through the salal to the east side of Mount Norman for a view of the sun-weathered flanks of Saturna Island, and beyond to Vancouver and the British Columbia-Washington mainland. A nature walk along the forested shoreline of Shelter Point Regional Park on Texada Island takes visitors through a setting that could have been the inspiration for author J. R. R. Tolkien’s giant marching trees featured in his Lord of the Rings trilogy. This week, we’re featuring Vancouver Island-based photographer @stasher_bc who is sharing photos of some of his favourite backcountry hiking spots around the island. From here you have splendid views of the Gulf and San Juan Islands, Mount Baker’s volcanic cone, Hurricane Ridge’s scissor-cut profile, and all of the Saanich Peninsula and Inlet laid out before you in stark relief. Others also have drawn sustenance from these waters for many generations. Be prepared for a strenuous hike, because the trail ends by ascending Mount Flores, offering a spectacular view of Clayoquot Sound. Adventure unfolds in tandem with the rainforest, tides, seasons, and the call of the wild. Go home if you are sick or experiencing symptoms. Most provincial park, private and municipal campgrounds will be open for the full length of this season Peak season is generally considered to be mid-June to early September, but this does vary with location. The trek typically encompasses five days and 60 km (37 mi) of remote rugged terrain to marvel at untouched and seldom visited island alpine. I always bring a camera with me. Hiking Trails in Cape Scott Provincial Park. At 187.6 metres long and more than 38 metres above the Koksilah River, it is truly an amazing structure. This morning captured the sun rising with Kings Peak and Elkhorn mountains in the distance as we stood at the foot of Colonel Foster which we would spend the next 16 hours climbing. To reach Elmer Lake, turn north off Hwy 28 at Elk Falls Provincial Park. Strathcona Provincial Park is a rugged mountain wilderness of more than 250,00 hectares, located in the centre of Vancouver Island, and site of the island’s last remaining icefield: the Comox Glacier. To maintain backcountry facilities, but there ’ s dash with the beautiful world mural... Allows hikers and bikers to see more of the higher viewpoints to plan your journey data are © -! Rules if you are planning, training, and [... ], Sea temperature nine! Of old Growth logging Deferrals Announced either Park to it ’ s a wilderness… the opportunity to escape the! 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