Category: coastal

I was thinking of walking the Lost Coast Trail in California in February. This week!

Expert in all things “California is the center of the Outdoor Universe” Tom Mangan advises against.

Might have to return in warmer weather, though.

Two-Heel Drive linked to an interesting trip report:

“A writer for Forbes hiked in nine miles with five days’ gear — and a surfboard — to catch some of the finest waves in the West at a place called Big Flat.”

… We’d come equipped not just for camping and surfing but for fishing. This section of coast swarms with halibut and king salmon; if we could get our poles in the right place, surely we could hook ourselves a dinner or two, we figured. The problem with so much gear, however, was that our packs had grown comically large. To get mine on my back I needed the assistance of my two friends. I might as well have been an armor-laden knight being winched onto a horse. Hip-bruising would be inevitable. But visions of perfect surf and an empty lineup urged us on.

Paradise Lost – Forbes.com

Combining multi-day hiking trips with other activities (paddle, cycle, scramble) is a growning trend.

But a fishing surf trek? That’s a new one on me.

more Lost Coast Trail photos – flickr – Zach

The Lost Coast Trail in California is one of our best hikes in North America.

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.

We complained May 2006: North Coast Trail, Canada ??

And again in December 2006: North Coast Trail, Vancouver Island – stalled

Now … Joan tipped me off that the NCT will open for the 2008 season. Or most of it, we think. The official announcement is still weeks away.

My Saskatoon hiking friends are looking at their calendars.

From the organizing group on Vancouver Island:

Inaugural Hike: Dave Trebett, Ron Quilter, Shaun Korman, Jacob Blanchard, Ben McGibbon, Ben Pawlett and Dave Parker hiked the North Coast Trail November 4-8, 2007.

A few photos from their report to the Northern Vancouver Island Trails Society:

The full document, called Cape Scott North Coast Trail – Progress Report, is available as a PDF linked from the Northern Vancouver Island Trail Society.

Similar best hikes nearby:

West Coast Trail

Nootka Trail

Juan de Fuca Marine Trail

David Beattie of the Gillespie House Inn in Nova Scotia recommends Cape Chignecto:

The Bay of Fundy Experience: come and walk on the ocean floor.

Though I live in Canada, I’ve never heard of Chignecto. (It’s a big country.)

map source – brochure PDF – linked from official Provincial Park website

Hmm. The “challenging 51 km long Cape Chignecto Coastal Trail.”

Looks great. We love coastal hikes at besthike.

At Cape Chignecto Provincial Park, towering 180 m (600 ft.) sea cliffs rise from the Bay of Fundy, while the world’s highest tides lap at their base. Best described as a wilderness park, it has … of pristine coastline, deep valleys, sheltered coves, rare plants, and remnant old-growth forests. …

Nova Scotia government Cape Chignecto Provincial Park

There are other good shorter options including the moderately challenging 5km (3.1mi) Fundy Ridge Trail.

And there’s much to do there aside from hiking.