35km Nootka Trail follows the outer coast of Nootka Island. The Island is located off the West Coast of Vancouver Island in BC Canada.
Why not… So I signed up with MB Guiding for a 5 day Coastal hike along the rugged shores of Nootka Island. With 3 other women ( we didn’t know each other) and our guide, we set out for an amazing backpacking adventure.
Day 1 -With all our gear loaded on board our float plane off we flew for a 25 minute flight up the coast line and into Starfish Lagoon. The flight was spectacular with the beauty of the forest and the shoreline. Circled around to drop height and landed. After unloading our packs, dried off our feet ..headed into the forest and to the trail head. Well the trails are not maintained or marked the first 2 km were a eye opener as there was a lot of scrambling under fallen trees and sliding on your butt . Its now you wished that your backpack was lighter. My pack including my camera gear was 38lbs.. It was mine to carry for 5 days…Something to be said about carry everything you need on your back…
Third Beach
Day 2 – Bright and early rise to pack up our gear , eat breaky , watch the Coastal Wolf trot along the beach and head up into the forest. Our destination is Calvin Falls 12km hike through forest and the shoreline and tidal shelves.
Stunning hike along a variety of “trails” …. The weather was warm and sunny , lots of working our way through the maze of fallen trees, up, down and around the cliff faces to and from the shoreline. Enjoyable stops for snacks and wildlife bear viewing. Nearly rear ended him or her as he was hidden among the enormous kelp beds looking for food. Truly amazing.. Pea gravel is hard hiking.. enough said… Break at Skuna Bay by the river then onto Calvin Falls. Beautiful !!!!
Day 3 – Getting used to packing up, its quicker than day 1… Breakfast and meeting on today’s destination. Beano Creek 11km.
Lots of boulder hopping, endless Pea Gravel hiking today. Weather was amazing , though when we reach camp we can see the 80% chance of rain heading our way. Beano creek was lovely, it is road accessed so more people are here than our other camp spots. Also cabins and a wedding party.. Set up camp in the forest .
Day 4 – Pitter Patter of rain… Packing up in the wet.. and off to Sunrise Beach. We are pre warned of the hike today, 8.9km of work. It sure was. I so love forest hiking and this was amazing. A stop at Maquinna Point , lots of fishing boats. Not many photo’s today as it rained non stop and the salal was head high ( my head ).. It was an 8 hour hike, with lunch and breaks – good luck trying to find a dry patch. Our camp – Sunrise beach was deserted.. So beautiful. Tired, wet and happy !
Day 5 – Short hike out today of 3.4km to finish off this amazing journey. Destination – Friendly Cove to board the Uchuck back to Gold River. Spent the day wondering around the Yuquot, carving gallery, Light House, eating the amazing blackberries and visiting with the locals. All aboard , yummy tuna sandwich and coffee.. Nootka Island has been one of my favorite Backpacking trips, so happy I said yes to going it alone and meeting some incredible people. If your’e ever looking for a guided trip MB Guiding is the best! https://mbguiding.ca/
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