Cape Scott Provincial Park lies at the northwestern tip of Vancouver Island. Having been a Swedish settlement and a national defense site, alongside its presence as a set alight station warding off ships from the dangers of the point, the park is a testament of human determination. The terrain of the park is moderately flat, with a central lake, and a long lagoon and wetland. The long sandy beaches are punctuated by smaller coves and pocket beaches. Quite challenging as kayaking destination, it is a tremendously diverse hiking area, with trails criss-crossing the park linking the best beaches, the lake, and the lighthouse.

At the eastern end, the new, more rugged North Coast Trail heads off headed for Shushartie Bay, just around the confront of the island from Port Hardy. Hiking this trail is an intimate experience of boardwalk, beach, and mud. About five days of hard slogging takes a backpacker through an experience of self like few other experiences. The difficulty is rewarded with the scenery. The vistas from the beaches on this north end of the island are spectacular.

The wildlife here is also part of the trip. Black bears live in this area, and can be a nuisance in the parking lot, but tend to keep to themselves for the most part. Hikers can guess to wake up to original wolf tracks around their tents every night without ever laying eyes on an actual wolf. Sighting one is unusual because of their shy natures. Seals, sea lions, and whales are frequent visitors to the waters around Cape Scott although not permanently visible, even from the beaches, when the surf is up.

Although it is in a park, the trail is not monitored like the West Coast Trail. No matter where a backpacker is along the coastal areas of Cape Scott or the North Coast Trail, that backpacker is committed. This is real wilderness. Even experienced hikers need to be on top of their game to make this trip.

Guided tours take all the factors into account and provide a safety envelope for hikers, so it is recommended that hikers take a guide or take an organized tour. When Parks Canada is putting out warning information about the West Coast Trail, this needs to be taken as an extra caution for the North Coast Trail.

The North Coast Trail is incredibly gorgeous, but it needs to be respected for its right wilderness location. With the proper plotting, experience, and training it is an experience well value having for anyone who is wanting an adventure and an experience of real, natural nature.

Gary Ward has been leading trips and teaching in wilderness areas for 20 years. Having travelled from desert to sea, he spends most of his time now in coastal areas, exploring the boundary linking land and sea, land and sky, and sea and sky.

Gary can be found somewhere on one of these boundaries, running Coastal Bliss Adventures with his partner, Georgia Newsome, and writing about visiting and experiencing wild places in BC.


Article from articlesbase.com

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