Hiking
The North Coast Trail and Cape Scott Park
9 days-Strenuous
Day 1-Travel Day: Guides and clients meet in Nanaimo at one of our pickup points (point of origin). The journey up island to Port Hardy takes 5 hours. The first night will be spent in Port hardy, where guides will assist clients with packing, backpack adjustment, ensuring necessary items have not been forgotten.
Day 2-Shushartie to Skinner Creek Distance 8.7 km
The group will be transported by water taxi to Shushartie Bay, where they will don their packs and begin hiking. The trail climbs up a steep hillside in a wet cedar forest. The trail continues over boardwalk and muddy sections, ascending to 252m before a muddy plateau followed by a descent to the beach at skinner creek. The campsite in the forest here is our destination for the day. Boots off and wash your feet or swim in one of the best swimming locations along the west end of the trail.
Day 3-Skinner Creek to Cape Sutil Distance 7.3 km
The day begins either on the beach along the base of cliffs or inland skirting around the top of them. At high tide the inland trail must be taken. The route passes old trapper cabins before reaching the Nahwitti River. Here the river can be forged at low tide or further up the trail a cable car can be used to cross. Travel continues through forested region before descending stairs to Weser Point. The views of white sand beaches around the bight lure us on to the our campsite in one of these pocket beaches or in the forested site at Sutil Beach.
Day 4-Cape Sutil to Shuttleworth Bight Distance 7.8 km
The route continues round the very northern tip of Vancouver Island, initially along the beach then leading inland and across clifftops on a sidehill before breaking out onto the beach again. The views and scenery are stunning! The camp site at Shuttleworth Bight is reached just after crossing Irony Creek.
Day 5-Shuttleworth Bight to Laura Creek Distance 11.8 km
This days hike begins westward along the beach to the cable crossing at Strandby River. Some boggy forest hiking followed by pebble beach and some easily negotiated tidal obstacles. Much of the trail is along the various pocket beaches before reaching the campsite at Laura Creek, where the marine life in the tidal in vibrantly colouful.
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Day 6-Laura Creek to Nissen Bight Distance 7.5 km
This is the last leg of the ‘Nahwitti’ trail and begins with an up hill climb over Nahwitti Cone. It joins the old pioneer road which climbs up through a boggy forest to a plateau. Eventually the trail descends and an elaborate staircase leads to the beach at Nissen Bight.
Day 7-Nissen Bight is a great place to take a well earned rest day, explore the magnificent beach and a one of the easy Cape Scott trails. *
Day 8-Nissen Bight Cape Scott Trailhead Distance 15.5 km
It is time to head back to civilization. The hike is along the established Cape Scott trail ending at the Cape Scott trailhead is the easiest section of the trip, however it is 15.4 km and takes 5 - 7 hr to hike. Here the group will be met by a shuttle bus to take us to Port Hardy.
We will spend the night here.
Day 9-Travel Day: The drive back to BC Ferries Duke Point terminal, and journey to Vancouver, where everyone will say their 'good byes’.
*A rest day has been built into the trip to allow for the unexpected without having to rush clients after time loss on route. Nissen Bight is the obvious place to spend this extra night, however other situations may take precedence or other options decided upon.
Details
Included: Transportation from the point of origin and return, park user fees, camping fees, cooking gear, camp stoves, tents, meal preparations, tarps, major first aid supplies, meals/snacks/beverages on the expedition, emergency radio or satellite phone, and professional guides.
Excluded: Transportation to point of origin, transfers, accommodation and food other than included in the itinerary, gratuities, and personal equipment.
Meals: All meals on the camping portion of the trip are prepared by our guides, who are experienced in providing nutritious and balanced meals suited to the level of activity you will be undertaking on your trip. Our guides have experience catering for a variety of dietary requirements. If you have any questions regarding food please contact us. When completing your registration information clearly state any dietary needs.
Note: Meals while travelling during travel days are not included in trip costs. Participants should ensure they have some money to cover these meals.
