Ken Vande Burgt contacted us by email:
I am a sea kayaker and am concerned about campsites and access after losing recreation sites at Spring Island, Fair Harbour, and Toquart Bay in the Maa Nulth treaty settlement. So far it looks like Nootka Trail is not on the table for other treaties under negotiation, however, it will only stay that way if enough of us make it known that losing the trail won’t be tolerated. Get the word out.
Incredibly, the British Columbia Provincial Government is still sitting on their hands regarding a the popular, unofficial Nootka Trail on Vancouver Island.
source – flickr – Andre Charland
It’s a world class tourist attraction, yet inaction is standard policy for the famously inefficient BC government when it comes to dealing with aboriginal land claims.
Unfortunately, I’m not sure what we can do about it. Petition the Provincial government if you live in that part of the world.
besthike.com 
Backpacked the trail last year – loved it. But if I did it again I would double back to Beano Creek before hitting Friendly Cove and come back out to Gold River via ferry or water taxi from a different inlet. $40 to walk over a small portion of land to get to the ferry is a bit much – its the principle of the unreasonable charge that gets me.