West Coast Trail books and maps

Blisters and Bliss will give you most if not all the info you need.

Glorious times.

You will have a great trip.

Blisters and Bliss is probably the best one, although much of what you need you can find online. What exactly are you looking for? Feel free to PM me and I can spill the beans.

Thanks David and Dave.

I understand there are some options along the way to either hike the beach or inland. Just want to make the best choice when I have the option to make sure I get the best views and experience.

Also, my plan is to hike north to south. From reading one of the trip reports here, Diana states:

"We chose to begin at the southern trailhead (rather than at the north, near Bamfield) because taking the coastal route around Owen Point was one of our “must do's.” We’d heard that the sea caves there are spectacular, and that the whole point is well worth the extra effort required to take that route (which is only passable at tides below 6.0 feet or 1.8 meters). The low tide predicted for our second day on the trail was well below that."

Is there some reason I can't hike this section if I'm hiking southbound instead of northbound?

I'm budgeting five days for this trip as it sounds like during a rainy week, the mud can reduce the pace to < 1 mph in sections and I have to plan certain sections around the tide charts. Figure I'll probably finish it in fewer days but best to plan for the worst. Is this a fair assessment?

Ian,

the idea is to time the tides effectively and make haste on the tidal shelf. Having said that, you are stuck to the high trail (muddy, ladders, cable cars) for part of the trek regardless and it cannot be avoided in some areas.

Regarding Own Point – you can hike this going either North or South but you have to be aware of tides. Very little tide and it becomes impassable. But yes, you can do it either North or Southbound.

5 days is plenty given you are a member here..; ) Light load but aware of the potential for a lot of rain is the way to approach this. Temps generally no lower than 7C but if you are wet that can be an issue. Tarp / bivy, Tarptent type shelter just fine. Synthetic gear is ideal but down works well if you can dry it out at some point during the day. One trip rained non stop for 4 days which included 'waterfalls' off the ladder systems. At that point, I removed by rain jacket and just took it all in. No point in trying to stay dry then; keep on hiking.

The most difficult area for most is the first 26 KM or so from the South end (Gordon River Trailhead). It is muddy because it rarely sees direct sun. Copious root systems and slippery sections. Then the majority of the ladder systems. Past Walbran (about 30K from the South end) things open up and you start to make some very good time on the tidal shelf. About 2KM an hour in the muddy sections if you pack light. <1KM an hour for the heavyweights (and you will see a lot of them).

My preference is South to North because I like to get the harder section completed first. After 6 KM in, you can then trek down to Thrasher Cove and start Owen Point. I am not sure if I actually like Own Point, but it definitely breaks up the muddy sections nicely.

Owen Point

I really want to hike this….

Yeah I'm planning on staying wet and muddy for the duration and will be pleasantly surprised if anything to the contrary happens.

I'm tentatively planning on bringing the BD Megalight since it's the roomiest of my options. I've had good luck with my down sleeping bag on rainy/humid trips but I may have to rethink that option and bring my synthetic bag.

Thanks for all the insight. I really enjoy beach combing and it looks like there are a few spots along the way where I will want to do some exploring and will keep the daily mileage low to allow for that.

I'm sure I'll hit you up with a PM before September as I sort all this out.

Edit: and before this thread goes full BPL, when beachcombing, I realize that I have to leave all items/artifacts where I find them.

"I realize that I have to leave all items/artifacts where I find them."

In some situations, you have no choice! These were massive.

I am out with a group again late this September so maybe we will cross paths.

If you want to travel fast, stay out of the trees and walk the beaches whenever you can. This means that you should time your trip around the best (lowest) tides possible.

Owen Point is OK but I wouldn't plan a trip around it (don't worry if you don't see it), you'll spend 10 minutes at the point enjoying a cool place but you will have a hellishly slow walk through the boulders (see David's picture of the boulders). More people are hurt on that walk than any other part of the trail. If you go the boulder route, wear gloves (think barnacles).

Photo at Owen Point:

Which ever way you travel (north or south), I'd try to work out a trail time that allows you to arrive at Chez Monique’s and Nit Nat Narrows at lunch or dinner time. Particularly important if you like drinking beer! (bring lots of cash!).

If you bring a car, park it at the secure lot in Port Renfrew and take the West Coast Trail Bus to/from where ever needed. It's a cheap parking fee and your car will be safe (car damage is a big concern at both ends of the trail).

Thanks for all the pictures Dave. I'm very much looking forward to this trip.

"More people are hurt on that walk than any other part of the trail."

In the mid '80s, I broke my foot on the 49th mile of a 50 mile hike while hopping through a driftwood obstacle course on the Washington coast. I can assure you that you have my undivided attention when you say this.

Mike is very right. I slipped going through Owen Point a couple of years back and landed on my left elbow. Fractured it. It 'over healed' and now I have to have surgery on a bone spur!

Blisters and Bliss has a more folksy and personal approach to the trail. Make sure you get a newer copy so you don't end up thinking the ferry is $5.

The trail itself is really no harder than any WA coastal hike (read: Rialto beach to Cape Alava) except with more fun obstacles added. Camping sites are regularly spaced and spaceous.

You can likely glean all you really need to know from people's websites.

Keys:

Bring at least $80-100 bucks cash for trail money. Burgers ($20), ferries, deli at the end of the trail etc. Accept that you will be passed around like an ATM.

Make sure your raingear is bomb proof.

Don't do this one without a hiking pole.

Enjoy!

Edit: if you are at all interested in nautical history, this will be a treat for you because certain beaches are littered with clipper ship remains.
Look for heavy deck fittings such as capstains, cleats, mooring bits, a bow sprit, the boiler and massive anchors.

Thank you Alexander!

"The trail itself is really no harder than any WA coastal hike"

Try Yo Yo'ing the trail in the rain.

I was going to make my reservation for the West Coast trail today and found that I experienced heart palpitations when it rang up to $478 Canadian dollars/$388 US.

Wow. I heard it was spendy but I wasn't expecting that.

Should be about $180. Why so much?

Three of us

Which I should have mentioned when I posted the price tag. I saw a large number and the blood left my brain.

Yes, the charge is high for Parks Canada. On the other hand, the evacuation fees are free.

At least the beer is cheap and strong.

There are two aboriginal reserves you travel through and that adds to the cost.

After recovering from the sticker shock, and reminiscing about all the stupid crap I've spent money on in my life, I'm at peace with the price tag and feel that $130ish USD per person is a fair exchange for having the opportunity to hike this trail.

Came home from the PNW GGG to find Blisters and Bliss waiting for me. I've some reading to do.

Any ideas of when you might be out there?

Tentatively looking at September 14-18 but haven't locked it in yet.

You should delay it until mid-January and poach the trail in the winter.

Dan,

be careful as Parks Canada is cracking down on this. Should you get caught, you will be charged and fined.

"NATIONAL PARKS GENERAL REGULATION

Closing of Areas and Ways
36. (1) Where the superintendent deems it necessary for the prevention of any seasonal or temporary danger to persons, flora, fauna or natural objects in a Park, he may by notice in writing close to public use or traffic any area in the Park for the period he considers the danger will continue.

(2) A notice referred to in subsection (1) shall be displayed on each approach road, trail or other way of access to the area in the Park closed to public use or traffic.

(3) No person shall enter any area in a Park during the period that it is closed to public use or traffic pursuant to subsection (1) except with the permission of the superintendent.

CANADA NATIONAL PARKS ACT
Offence
24 (2) Every person who contravenes any provision of the regulations, other than a provision designated by regulations made under paragraph 16(1)(y), any condition of a permit, licence or other authorizing instrument issued under the regulations or under subsection 41.1(3) and (4), or any order or direction given by a superintendent, park warden or enforcement officer under subsection 41.1(3) or (4), is guilty of an offence and liable

(a) on conviction on indictment,

(i) in the case of an individual,

(A) for a first offence, to a fine of not more than $100,000, and

(B) for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not more than $200,000,

[…]

(b) on summary conviction,

(i) in the case of an individual,

(A) for a first offence, to a fine of not more than $25,000, and

(B) for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not more than $50,000"