Cape Scott Provincial Park is located about 563 kilometres from Victoria. Eric Lake Camp is a reasonably large forest site with 11 tent pads and boardwalk connections. The Cape Scott Marine Trail adds to the adventurous nature of the landscape by adding a designated water route that snakes the coastline, then turns back inland at Quatsino Sound. Increased prices for the 2020 season. We met John at the San Josef Trailhead (47 km), charismatic Port Hardy Councillor, driver of the North Coast Trail Shuttle, and passionate north islander. Look for remnants of the Danish settlers along the entire route. Stellar’s jays squawked at us as we travelled through their homes. Her descriptions of each trail section are very accurate and the fascinating history of the area is well-researched. 0:25 [Download] Cape Scott and the North Coast Trail: Hiking Vancouver Island s Wildest Coast Kindle. KyongColby. Distance: 8.9 kmDuration: 7 h 59 minPeak: 245 mGain: 359 m. The trail section from Shushartie Bay to Skinner Creek was 100% inland and 100% hard. The Holberg Road, off Hwy 19, just south of the Town of Port Hardy, is the access point for the Cape Scott Trail. Our route comprised an endless series of small, gorgeous crescent beaches and short forest sections. The total hiking distance is approximately 59.5km. Shakedown trips allow Mike to focus on gear testing, sharpen-up physically, and prepare mentally for the full guiding season ahead. Tweet. The mix of sand, pebbles, cobbles, and sloped angles drained our energy. North Coast Trail – Cape Scott Provincial Park. On our last day we finally woke to real rain! Our first welcome sight was John Tidbury and the famous North Coast Trail Shuttle. We made sure to drink lots of water at camp when while resting. Excellent weather, an awesome team, lots of physical challenges, and beautiful scenery. When not working to advance sustainability at Camosun College she can be found riding her bike, gardening or walking in the woods with her family. • the North Coast Trail is a 43.1km extension to the original Cape Scott Trail. The North Coast Trail and Cape Scott Trails took us through a rugged and remote coastal wilderness. sitting on the rocks nearby. A flight of stairs made the ascent much easier. Skinner Creek Camp was busy in the core zone, but our group set up camp east of the creek. We had a nice snack break in the hot sun at Eric Lake and chatted with some day-hikers. The Holberg Road, off Hwy 19, just south of the Town of Port Hardy, is the access point for the Cape Scott Trail. The grip of mental focus released as we transitioned into recovery mode. Creek levels were decent and water was easy to find in all locations. From here there is a well-cut hiking trail, it is approximately 14 miles (23 kilometres) to the Cape Scott Point. Each year, thousands of backpackers and nature lovers head to the northern limits of Vancouver Island, bound for the jewel of the region: Cape Scott Provincial Park and the recently completed North Coast Trail. All fresh water should be treated before consumption. We send our ongoing appreciation to BC Parks, Cape Scott Park & the North Coast Trail, and the North Coast Trail Shuttle & Cape Scott Water Taxi. The best wildlife experience of the day was listening to a pack of howling wolves near camp! Part trail map, part field guide, part regional history, Cape Scott and the North Coast Trail is the first comprehensive guidebook about one of Vancouver Island's most iconic destinations. We probably scared a bear, said the Parks Facility Operators that were camping there too. When trips start at this marine trailhead, the water taxi engine noise temporarily pushes them into the forest. I made it all the way to the Stranby River, noticing a huge quantity of sand and seaweed far upstream. Shushartie Bay, Nahwitti Beach, Cape Sutil & More… LEARN MORE Our group performed bravely during the soaking 15 km exit. However, like no other account on the market today, it also explores the human history and culture of the area - from First Peoples through to colonization and conservation. Mike passed two day hikers, 19 backpackers, and six kayak campers during his week in Cape Scott Provincial Park. NORTH COAST TRAIL , JUN 2015 - Located on the northern tip of Vancouver Island, this epic trail entails complete solitude and wildlife sightings along its remote coastal journey. KyongColby. Who could feel lonely in the company of so many creatures: whales, wolves, bears, eagles, ravens. The only parking lot is located in the southeast corner of the park, providing easy access to Cape Scott and San Josef Bay trailheads. The sand and pebble beach is an excellent campsite with a great water source. Base: Port HardyWebsite: www.capescottwatertaxi.caPhone: 1-250-949-6541 (Toll free: 1-800-246-0093)Email: [email protected]. Forest entrances and campsites are marked with hanging floats. How about the North Coast Trail in Cape Scott Provincial Park? This trail is a step back in time about 25 years to what the West Coast Trail used to be. BC Parks charges each person $10 per night to hike the North Coast Trail. The air was warm and humid and we ditched jackets. Our favourite paper map for navigation is John Baldwin’s North Coast Trail 1:50,000. The VI Trail is currently more t… [Download] Cape Scott and the North Coast Trail: Hiking Vancouver Island s Wildest Coast Paperback. Here are a few extra tips to make your shuttle van experience better: North Coast Trail Shuttle will not be running between the Cape Scott Parking Lot and Port Hardy in 2020. Our tired legs and feet were relieved to finally arrive at the expansive Laura Creek Camp (25 km). Hiking later in the summer season meant that some of the creeks were now dry. Rehydrate fully at camp. After 7.8 km we arrived at Irony Creek Camp. If your looking for adventure or freedom backpacking is the answer!!! Part trail map, part field guide, part regional history, Cape Scott and the North Coast Trail is the first comprehensive guidebook about one of Vancouver Island's most iconic destinations. Wolf tracks and bear tracks were frequent marks along the sandy shore. The North Coast Trail is a 43.1km extension to the original Cape Scott trail. HD Video of the North Coast Trail. The beach camping is excellent. Leadem T. Hiking the West Coast of Vancouver Island: An updated and comprehensive guide to all major trails. Cape Scott and the North Coast Trail is the first comprehensive guidebook about one of Vancouver Island's most iconic destinations. It meant that harder hiking was behind us and we could enjoy more open and scenic sections. In a quiet moment doing a camp chore, crunching along the pebbles, we felt a connection with that lovely ocean being. Christensen Point was an important and scenic landmark. We can get you to/from the North Coast Trail and Cape Scott trailhead(s) & drop-off spots by water or land. John Baldwin’s map is so accurate that we saw whales exactly where he indicated! We liked Irony Creek Camp (13 km), with tent pads among pretty Sitka spruce trees and a good water source. Nahwitti River Camp has forest tent pads, or you can camp on the beach. The fascinating history of the area is well-researched. We arrived at Dakota Creek at 1050 h and stopped to fill our bottles with clear fresh water. Cape Scott North Coast Trail Progress Report November. Michaela French. There are many boardwalk sections, but still expect to get your feet muddy. Less hikers on water taxi for each trip due to social distancing. There was more rope work today as we hiked between pocket beaches. Cape Scott Park and the North Coast Trail Canada's most remote backcountry experience. The North Coast Trail is just one backpacking trip I've done. Sometimes they foraged in the same areas at the same time. Distance: 83.6 kmDuration: 7 daysPeak: 245 mGain: 1289 mMap: CalTopo. Before I start a backpacking trip, I always wonder what the adventure will feel like. Maria Bremner has been an avid hiker, nature enthusiast and writer all her life. We collect as far upstream as possible. Plan accordingly by carrying tide tables and know how to use them. Most hikers take the water taxi to the Shushartie Bay trailhead and hike westbound. 29 photos North Coast Trail day 3. A chapter on the plants and animals of the North Coast will also help hikers appreciate the incredibly rich wildlife of the area. Views from the Cape Scott Light Station on June 9 showed the full fury of crashing waves at the cape. broccoli trees) and Nahwitti Cone above the ocean below. A BC Parks Facility Officer and his team were camping at Laura Creek in between their trail maintenance work. The Cape Scott Trails were in excellent condition and the North Coast Trail was in better shape than Mike anticipated. After setting up, Mike and I hiked the kilometre back to the water source near the eastern camp, collecting eight litres for our group. The official camp - with pit toilet and food cache - is 1 km down the beach. Tidal sea water mixed with the river at the mouth, so we hiked upstream for fresh water. Welcome to the website for the Cape Scott and the North Coast Trail: Hiking Vancouver Island's Wildest Coast! The trail section went on for hours, with obstacles such as slippery logs, staircases, thick bushes, slick roots, broken boardwalks, and deep mud to keep things interesting. The total hiking distance Shushartie Bay (from water taxi) to San Josef Bay & Cape Scott Trail parking lot is a minimum of 59.5km (37mi). Our group spent most of the day in the forest, bumping up and down over logs, single-track, and muddy roots. Each year, thousands of backpackers and nature lovers head to the northern limits of Vancouver Island, bound for the jewel of the region: Cape Scott Provincial Park and the recently completed North Coast Trail. The Cape Scott Water Taxi provides seasonal service to hikers at the Shushartie Bay Trailhead (east). Here is a fantastic HD video of The North Coast Trail in Cape Scott Provincial Park: Posted by CapeScottPark at 9:38 AM No comments: Wednesday, August 15, 2012. We did the North Coast Trail reverse of most- start at Cape Scott Trail head and only went as far as Cape Sutil, leaving the last 16km overland mud stog off. A must do for the avid backcountry explorer! There are three ways to pay: The North Coast Trail has two official trailheads: Shushartie Bay and Cape Scott Trailhead. All designated sites have food lockers and outhouses. The usual keepers were on holidays, so there was no pop for sale. We arrived at our destination, exhausted from hours of slogging along the coastal route. They would be the only other humans we would see for three days! Past storms shaped the coastal trees around us. The weather was clear and calm, making for an excellent sunset dinner by the sea. It is always easier to hike any beach section on low tide. 0:06. Our group was a team of horses back to the barn…excited for pub food at the Scarlet Ibis and hot showers back in Port Hardy. Baldwin J. Essential trip planning information and detailed trail descriptions are at the core of the book. The maps also show roads that access the Trail (including gated roads) and campsites. She became our expert spotter for the rest of the trip. The tent pads at the North Coast Trail were large enough to accommodate our tent. A special marine mammal sighting from aboard the Cape Scott Water Taxi was two sea otters. Recommended number of days: for average parties 5.5-7, for fast and very fit parties 3.5-5. The silver colour of the water blended with the sky, eliminating the horizon. Here you will find out more about the book, as well as some basic background information about the park. Pads, or you may have to walk a little, everything calm... From aboard the Cape Scott and the North Coast Trial Shuttle drives hikers back Port. Can get you to/from the North Coast Trail involving a rocky cliff.... Again soon on our next trip includes information and tips to help plan your adventure in Scott... The adventure will feel in new terrain and the outhouse and leaves ) side trips in water... It’S a mixture of the whole trip time for photos and relaxing sources between camps may be sparse during summers... Texture, with blue-green water that night in various states of decay the colour. Today’S overland track was a pleasure to have camp already set up and hike.... 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