On August 6, 1999, Nick, Victoria, Ian, and Jeff take the Juan de Fuca water taxi from Port Renfrew to Bamfield. After a six day hike on the West Coast Trail, we all arrived back in Port Renfrew.
You may view a map of the West Coast Trail that shows our daily progress.
If you are interested in hiking the West Coast Trail, please review the Preparation Guide.
More background information about the West Coast Trail can be obtained from the TourCanada website.
HINT: During our trip (August 1999), there was an interesting fellow named John who lives on a tiny plot of private land right on the 37 kilometer mark of the West Coast Trail. The maps of the West Coast Trail distributed by the British Columbia government show that there is a campground at the 37km mark, but they do not show any water availability. THIS IS NOT TRUE! John has an outhouse and water well that all hikers are welcome to use at no charge. The British Columbia government does not like John to be there. John runs "The 37k Club" - he sells burgers, fries, pancakes, etc. He also has a dry-out room, hot shower, hiker first aid center, hiker exchange box, etc, etc. If you are travelling from Bamfield to Port Renfrew, I highly recommend stopping for the night at the 37k club. We were fortunate enough to purchase fresh seafood at the Nitinat Narrows river crossing, which is approximately a two hour hike from the 37k club. Stop by and take advantage of the $5 hot showers - they are worth every penny. We stayed there and enjoyed his fine cuisine. The prices are high, but everything (propane, food, stove, etc) has to be carried by hand from the Nitinat Narrows river. WARNING: The 37k club is easy to miss - ask other hikers as you get close to the 37km mark on the trail.
ANOTHER HINT: Just a bit beyond the Carmanah lighthouse is "Chez Monique" - another burger stand. The prices here are better, as the supplies can be brought in via boat. If you are so inclined, you can even purchase liquor. Monique has a fresh water filtration system, and will fill your water bottles for you.
Photos from the West Coast Trail (best viewed at 800x600x65536 or better)
Seasickness on the Juan de Fuca water taxi from Port Renfrew to Bamfield
Grey whale covered in barnacles - viewed from Juan de Fuca water taxi
Smelly sea lions - viewed from Juan de Fuca water taxi
Sea lions - viewed from Juan de Fuca water taxi
Beginning of the trail near Bamfield - this is where we leave civilization behind
Trail vanishing into the mist
Mist
Tsusiat Falls
Tsusiat Falls
Tsusiat Falls
Crossing at Nitinat narrows (You may be able to purchase food and drink here)
37k Club - a welcome dose of civilization
The $7 burgers were worth every penny. Run by balding John and his sherpa Paul.
Carmanah lighthouse
Bridge crossing
Jeff and Nick in a cable car
Gorge
Long way down
Tiny crab - too small for dinner
More crabs - still too small for dinner
Nick bathing in the icy ocean
Jeff with a donkey engine
Victoria and Nick on the trail
Bald eagle
Heron
Hull from a shipwreck
Nick recording the daily events
Ian and Nick recording the daily events
Ladders
Ladders
Mist
Nick napping
Nick checking map
Victoria and Nick checking the map
The seagulls don't suspect a thing
Now the seagulls panic
The seagulls are all airborne now
Victoria - the seagull tormentor
Tidal shelves
Tidal shelves
Interracial banana slug sex romp
Purple starfish
Stretch break
On the trail
Leaning tree
Trees
Jeff at the Gordon River crossing
Nick at the Gordon River crossing
