Category: coastal

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West Coast Trail YOYO Attempt

BestHike editor Rick McCharles.

UPDATE – I fell and suffered a bad thigh bruise on day 5 of my first week. Limped out. And had to reschedule my second week to start July 3rd out of Nitinat.

Here’s my original post from June 8th:

I’ll be mostly offline for the next couple of weeks.

After being closed for all of 2020, our #1 hike in the world opened to reservations on April 30, 2021 — for Canadians only.

The online reservations system worked well — but my credit card was twice declined for no reason. I repeated the process and was finally able to pay.

Since there is less demand this year than normal, I was able to book myself for:

June 10 starting SE from Bamfield.

June 15 starting NW from Port Renfrew.

I’ll make haste on the first 75 km (47 mi) hike.

Pick up my resupply in Port Renfrew. Have a hot shower. Some wine.

Then take it more leisurely on my YOYO return to Bamfield.

Click PLAY or check out my hiking gear on YouTube.

I’ve done the WCT four times in the past. It doesn’t intimidate me at all. I LOVE climbing ladders with a HEAVY pack. 😀

Wish me luck!

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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Mt Quimper circuit, Sooke B.C.

Trip report by BestHike editor Rick McCharles

Mount Manuel Quimper is a great hike close to Sooke on Vancouver Island.

I looped back via Mount Brule, an easy 10km circuit using AllTrails for navigation.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

There are many other hiking and mountain biking trails to choose from.

It’s just off the Galloping Goose Regional Trail, a 55-kilometre (34 mi) non-motorized path to Victoria. Ideal for me as I cycled to the trailhead.

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Neck Point Park, Nanaimo

AllTrails calls it Neck Point Park Loop.

Right in the city of Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, the small park is popular with runners, walkers, dogs, and scuba divers.

A great day hike any day of the year.

Nearby is the Pipers Lagoon hike. Do both on the same visit.

Click PLAY or get a 2-minute glimpse of Neck Point on YouTube.

Read more on Outdoor Vancouver – Neck Point Hike in Nanaimo.

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Pipers Lagoon, Nanaimo at LOW TIDE

Pipers Lagoon Park is a 1.8 kilometer loop trail in Nanaimo, British Columbia.

It’s good year round. But BEST at low tide.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Built on an isthmus that extends out to a rocky headland, this 8 hectare park features twisting trails that lead to a number of seaside lookouts.

From the headland you’ll have a great view of historic Shack Island and the southern point of Neck Point Park.

Beware Spurge-Laurel (Daphne laureola) which can cause skin rash on contact.

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Pyramid Point Trail, Michigan

Pyramid Point Loop is a 4.5 kilometer heavily trafficked loop trail located near Maple City, Michigan that features a lake and is rated as moderate.

The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, running, and nature trips and is best used from September until November.

AllTrails

If you have never visited the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore — add it to your list.

GREAT dunes. Bring shoes for both hiking and the sand.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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West Coast Trail OPEN 2021

After a year closed, our hike in the world is reopening to hikers June 4, 2021.

Reservations open April 30th. However … only Canadians will be eligible and no standby spaces will be available for walk-on hikers.

Click PLAY or watch a 1-minute preview on YouTube.

To learn more, check our WCT information page.