West Coast Trail (2014)

A gloomy start

Another trip from the archives. Usually a wet week (you’re supposed to budget extra days in case of floods) of backpacking through the northernmost temperate rainforests of Vancouver Island, we got super lucky and had a relatively sunny West Coast Trail experience in mid-August.

Thick foliage, an ideal hideout for dinosaurs

Walkways and ladders to ford the steep mud slopes

My memory is hazy about the details about this trip. What stands out is the unique beach camping, super lush forests, minding the tides for the beach talus-hopping, and heavy logistics (permit lottery, trailhead/end shuttles).

Vintage ship parts along the trail, from its historical origins as rescue access for ships that missed the sound and hit Vancouver island instead.

Camping in designated beach zones. You're allowed to forage a driftwood fire.

The fanciest two-story composting toilet

There were warnings about shin-high mud, but we didn't have it much worse than this D:

Improbable burger restaurant mid-way (bring cash). I think they boat their supplies in.

I forget how I originally heard of this trail, maybe I read about it on a “best backpacking trips” list, or maybe a friend suggested it. It’s a very special place with the rainforest and the sea meeting in a moody tide of fog. But nearly 10 years out, I feel like I’ve seen a lot of special places that require less logistical backflips, and feel less contrived. I suppose a lot of popular trails now have similar levels of timed-entry and competitive permit gathering, so maybe the rest of the world has caught up.

Hand-line for large river crossings

The struggle is real