West Coast Trail, Port Renfrew, Bamfield, BC, Canada ...

The West Coast Trail is a 74 kilometre (47 mile) backpack through thick lush, wet rainforests of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. The West Coast Trail takes you through many weather systems and eco-systems exploring along sandstone cliffs, navigating across rivers, sinking treks over sandy beaches, navigating tide tables, jumping surge channels, walking boardwalk, crossing in cable cars, balancing over log bridges, climbing ladders straight up and down, crossing rope bridges and of course... slogging through mud. It is a trail for the strong willed, healthy bodied, experienced, well prepared backpacker only who adheres to low impact wilderness camping rules.

Before Captain James Cook arrived on the West Coast of Canada in 1778 there were the thriving villages inhabited by the First Nations people of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribe. They were the original inhabitants of the West Coast Trail area. Being self-sufficient, deep in culture and art the Nuu-chah-nulth people were accustomed to and thrived on the surrounding rainforests, surviving comfortably in the changing seasons, tides and West Coast Storms. The Europeans at times were not as fortunate.The West Coast Trail is a historic route stemming from survival instincts. As the story goes about the West Coast Trail, it was born because of the many lost battles between man and nature when nature was at it's fiercest.

Traveling to the West Coast was by sea in large steamers and sailing ships. Often under very hazardous conditions because of the unpredictability of the stormy weather and changing tides many vessels were lost to the rocks and shoals of the rugged West Coast. The ocean waters off the West Coast soon became known as "The Graveyard of the Pacific".

In 1906 , the steamer "Valencia" went down off the coast and 133 lives were lost. Soon Later the Pachena Lighthouse was built. The few survivors of these shipwrecks swam ashore and attempted to bush whack through the dense rainforests back to civilization. This prompted the government at the time to construct the West Coast Trail, first known as "The Dominion Life Saving Trail" with a telegraph line, some patrol cabins for survivors to use. The trail today is considered one of toughest backpacking trails in the world. In 1973 the West Coast Trail became part of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.

The West Coast Trail is a challenging journey were weather is unpredictable and hard on the trail, hence maintenance is always ongoing. Conditions of the West Coast Trail are not always rosy and many times boardwalk is washed out, cable cars are not functioning, trails are flooded or heavy winds slow down progress. Typically the rainforest climate of the West Coast Trail receives over 120 inches of rain a year with storms and heavy rainfall surprising many backpackers, even in May and June. Expect ocean mists and morning fog in July and August keeping equipment moist and if ill prepared, very uncomfortable.

The recommended time allotted for the West Coast Trail is 5-7 days. Myself have completed the West Coast Trail 6 times... once in 4 days ( to quick in my opinion, no time to enjoy the scenery and outdoors) and once in 10 days (enjoyed favorite areas and shorter day hikes). During our adventures we have seen pain in the faces of many backpackers who had bitten off more then they can chew. On a few of our own backpacking trips of the West Coast Trail we have experienced injury. Being well prepared with first aid while backpacking in large groups has minimized the impact of those injuries, But please note ... an experienced backpacking leader DOES NOT make up for inexperienced backpackers.

The West Coast Trail is open from May 1st to September 30th and requires a WCT Park Permit. The shoulder seasons is between May 1 to June 14th and September 16th to 30th does not require a reservation. The peak season is between June 15th to September 15th and does require a reservation. In the peak season on the West Coast Trail one can show up without reservation, but should expect a 2-3 day wait. If this is the case enjoy a few days at camping before you get down and dirty.

Some of the highlights of the trip to take in is the Pachena Lighthouse just before the Michigan Campground and after the Headlands Campground on the Bamfield end of the West Coast Trail. Tsocowis Creek waterfall and swinging bridge (good camping in the middle). Tsusiat Falls and Carmanah Point are also some of the high points closer to the Port Renfrew side of the West Coast Trail. Not withstanding that completing the West Coast Trail will be, no doubt, the biggest high.

You will be living with the wildlife on the West Coast Trail which includes black bears, wolves, cougars and many different varieties of marine birds. Drinking water is available at most streams and rivers on the trail. Always collect water upstream and it is recommended to boil it.

To participate in the West Coast Trail be prepared for some fees accumulating to just over $120 (CDN). The southern West Coast Trail trailhead starting point is 5 kilometres north of Port Renfrew at Gordon River.The northern West Coast Trail trailhead starting point is at Pachena Bay, just 5 kilometres south of Bamfield. The starting point from Bamfield is an easier start as it leads into the more difficult Port Renfrew end of the West Coast Trail.