Hiking
The Magnificent West Coast Trail
9 days-Moderately difficult
This trip begins in Vancouver or Victoria, where we will arrange your pickup to drive to the beginning of the trail.
Day 1-Travel Day: Pick up and drive to Port Renfrew. Set up camp, attend the WCT orientation, dinner.
Day 2-up by about 6:00 to be ready to walk to the ferry across Port San Juan to the trailhead. Hike 6 km to Thrasher Cove, lunch on the way. Camp and dine on the beach.
Day 3-after breakfast, pack up and begin the day by crossing the boulders toward Owen Point. Round the bend for lunch on the sea shelf. Continue after lunch on the trail to Camper Bay for the night's camp.
Day 4-up early for breakfast to make the long day to Walbran Creek. If the tides are right, we cross surge channels on the shelf and hike up Sandstone Creek to the inland trail. After lunch somewhere around Logan Creek, we continue to Walbran, arriving late in the day. Dinner this day is well earned.
Day 5-the shelf walking of this day goes fast as we travel to Carmanah Creek, set up camp, lunch, rest and head to Chez Moniques for a special dinner. After dinner, back to Carmanah Creek to bed for the night.
Day 6- Day 6 sees us pass Carnanah Lighthouse early in the day. As we carry on, we travel the magnificent Cribbs Creek area with its long surf beach. This is a truly incredible place. After a lunch, we carry on to our next beach campsight for dinner and sleep.
Day 7- A little later morning to catch the ferry across Nitinat Narrows, with a brief crab interlude at the ferry, leaves us with the rest of the day to get to Tsusiat Falls or Klanawa Creek to camp, depending on the group.
Day 8- The hiking gets progressivley easier at this end of the trail and we alternate between inland trail and beach/sea shelf walking for the day as we travel to Michigan Creek for the last night. Lunch is usually somewhere around Tsocowis Creek. The evening at Michigan usually involves a lot of reminiscing and good conversation around the fire. Packs are lighter and spirits are high.
Day 9- Off after breakfast by about 7:30, we travel the last 12 km of easy trail to the Pachena Trailhead to catch our bus back to the populated world of lattes and showers. Drop off is usually between 5:00 and 9:00 pm (depending on final destination).
Details
Included: Transportation from the point of origin and return, national 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.
