Hiking
The North Coast Trail and Cape Scott Park (EB)
BC's New Coastal Gem
9 days-Strenuous -CDN$1,599 + 12% HST
| Dates | Availability |
|---|---|
| July 14-22, 2010 | Available |
| July 26-August 3, 2010 | Available |
| September 4-12, 2010 | 5 spaces left |
The North Coast Trail is the new crowning jewel coastal hike in BC. Travelling through ancient, coastal, temperate rainforest and on sand and cobblestone beaches, enjoy this new, rugged addition to the glorious Cape Scott Provincial Park at the northwestern tip of Vancouver Island.
The North Coast Trail is a scenic tour through a number of coastal ecosystems. Dominated by hemlock, cedar, and sitka spruce, the trail passes through large stands of each tree species. The upland trail areas travel through coastal marsh and bog ecosystems full of small, but intricately beautiful plant species. At the shore, the trail winds through and around many pocket beaches adorned with sea stacks and caves, watched over by eagles from their aeries.
Cape Scott is full of its own trails leading to a number of incredible historical and geographical features. There is time on this trip to explore the beauty of Cape Scott Park, with side trips to Nels Bight, Hansen Lagoon, and Guise Bay.
Just outside the park, past Guise Bay, is the Cape Scott Lightstation, one of the few remaining attended lighthouses in Canada. Exploring the trails gives the chance to imagine how a group of Danish pioneers tried to survive here before vacating the area after 10 hard years, leaving only the names of the areas we will visit. The history of this area is fascinating, and the views are unbeatable. Come see for yourself!
The colors of the evening sky are incredible on the North Coast Trail. The night sky is even more amazing with virtually no light pollution. Day or night, this trail gives awesome views.
Between light and shadow, Cape Scott is at the boundary of land and open ocean, between muted dark sky and bright day sun, between open light and covered shadow. The contrasts here make the trip.
If you are interested in this trip, you might also want to look at the classic coastal hike, theWest Coast Trail. Or if you want a similar coastal experience, close to the open Pacific, but in a kayak, try the Nuchatlitz Inlet Endangered Species Tour.
Images from the North Coast Trail
