If you look carefully, you can still see the drainage ditches on either side. If you purchase through these links I make a small commission at no cost to you. If you use a filter, consider straining the water through a clean bandana or coffee filter first to get some of the silt and tannins out. Build your campfire in an existing fire ring or make one below the high tide line. 10 passenger Chevy van will pick you up from the Cape Scott Parking lot when your hike is complete. The trail runs along the northern end of Vancouver Island spanning Cape Scott Provincial Park. 63km on gravel road, that got very narrow, has soft shoulders and the last 2 to 4 km, very rough. We see several 8-14 year olds taking on the long (17 km), but relatively easy route with their parents each year. Watch for old telegraph wires strung along the trail. Part trail map, part field guide, part regional history, Cape Scott and the North Coast Trail is the first comprehensive guidebook about one of Vancouver Island's most iconic destinations. The trail ends at Nissen Bight, and from there, hikers follow the Cape Scott trail out to the trailhead. Watch for hanging buoys and follow them back into the forest. The Cape Scott Trail systems and North Coast Trails are remote and require solid trip planning. The North Coast Trail is a 43.1 km extension to the original Cape Scott trail. You can also spot lots of other wildlife at Cape Scott. Your filter may also get clogged, so make sure you know how to clean it. If I need to cancel my hotel reservation in Cape Scott, will I receive a refund? There is an info board with a map. To arrive at the trailhead, hikers must first drive along 67 kilometres of rubber-piercing logging roads. Hiking to Cape Scott is straightforward, with signs at all junctions. Cape Scott Provincial Park is located on the extreme north western tip of Vancouver Island. See the trail description above for more details: Unlike the West Coast Trail and most other coastal trails in BC, tides are not a problem on the main trail to Cape Scott. The vegetation changes from lush old-growth forest to spindly trees in a more open and boggy forest. We can get you to/from the North Coast Trail and Cape Scott trailhead(s) & drop-off spots by water or land. Logging road with lots of pot holes and big rocks to avoid. Nissen Bight to Cape Scott Trailhead: 15.4km – 5 to 7 hours. Courtesy Harbour Publishing. If a wolf attacks, fight back. Cross the creek where it flows out onto the sand and follow the shoreline for a minute or so. Less adventurous hikers can leave the backpack at home and still get a taste of Cape Scott’s unique terrain and spectacular Pacific O… You do need to buy a backcountry camping permit if you hike between May 1 and September 30. In the early 1900s, several hundred Danish settlers tried to homesteads and farms in the area. Hike to Cape Scott from Nels takes about 2 hours and is a great hike and well worth it. Mud along the Cape Scott trail – and lots of it Beauty in variety on the Cape Scott Trail. The trail also changes into a long straight section of old settler corduroy road. Marine Services. It is mostly flat, but is often very muddy. 6 hours later upon arriving home I realized I had left my GoPro at the picnic shelter. Hopefully, this section of trail will be repaired or a bypass trail will be built soon. This campsite is set in dense forest 9.3km from the trailhead and isn’t too appealing. Most people camp near the forest on the far side. The bridge here is made of a huge fallen log, with some railings for safety. Each year, thousands of backpackers and nature lovers head to the northern limits of Vancouver Island, bound for the jewel of the region: Cape Scott Provincial Park and the recently completed North Coast Trail. About 1 minute before the junction, an unmarked trail heads slightly uphill into the forest on the east (right) side of the trail. … The bear was feeding on the beach, blocking our route back to the trail, and walking towards us. Unfortunately, it can also attract partiers. However, the North Coast Trail and the trail to Lowrie Bay do have tidal obstacles. To get to the Cape Scott Trailhead, start by driving the Island Highway (Highway 19) north. Cape Scott is in the Coastal Region.). The muddy and slippery trail over the old corduroy road in between the trailhead and Eric Lake. If you don’t have your own car, you can also book a spot on the North Coast Trail Shuttle. The Cape Scott Trail – Let’s See Why? Yet, when combined with a round trip to/from the Cape Scott Ligthouse, and the trip south to the San Josef staging area, the trip totals nearly 80 km. Go left at a major fork, and arrive at the Cape Scott Lighthouse a few minutes later. Make a small fire and don’t burn big driftwood logs so that there is lots of wood left for everyone. Continue on this road, following signs for Cape Scott at all forks for another 19km. Hi, I’m Taryn! Here are the main places to find water along the trail and at the campgrounds. Cape Scott Cost: $10/person/night for camping. At just 2.5km from the trailhead, San Josef Bay is a popular spot for families and beginners. North Coast Trail: This trail is an extension of the original Cape Scott Trail, stretching 43.1 kilometres, with a total hiking distance of about 59.5 kilometres. Two lighthouse keepers live here full time, so respect their privacy. Soon after the wettest and worst is over, the trail starts winding through old growth forest. IMG_3973. No smoking, vaping, or cannabis. Go to Wild Coast Magazine or John Baldwin.ca online for a great map and description of the Cape Scott North Coast Trail. Walk along the old corduroy road until you emerge onto the white sand of Guise Bay. A long line of tents along the beach at Nel’s Bight. For most hikers, the basic Cape Scott Provincial Park map is all you’ll need. There are three levels of beautiful hiking trails at this British Columbia park. IMG_3973. If you see a wolf, scare it off by gathering your group together, making yourself look big by raising your arms or opening your coat, and yelling. Hiker, adventure traveller, Leave No Trace trainer and connoisseur of alpine meadows. It is an intense wilderness hike. Thanks, we’re heading out there Aug 9 so it’s great to get your feedback. The trail is level and well maintained. Pack warm close and be prepared for wet weather, but either way go. From the trailhead, follow the trail nearly 1km to a junction. These are all up-dated as of July, 2020. (Kids are $5/night.) This is the end of the trail. Illustrated with accurate, full-page maps and vivid photographs, and loaded with details about biology and human history, the guide is perfect for the day tripper, serious backpacker or anyone wanted to learn more about the culture and wildlife of the region. The marker! To continue towards the Cape Scott Lighthouse from Nel’s Bight, head to the west end of the beach. We took a lunch break at Lawrie Bay, a BCMTNA site with an easy landing behind a rocky islet. If you must build a fire, do it in the metal fire pit instead of building your own. At coastal campsites, collect driftwood from the beach. About 2km from Nel’s Bight, the trail emerges from the forest onto Bowen Beach. Less than 2k from here to San Josef Bay (I had to hike farther to get water which made it about 3k). The first beach is right where the trail hits the sand. The best water is at the lighthouse and the two keepers are super friendly. What to Bring to Cape Scott: Everything you need to be self-sufficient. Cape Scott has been on my list of places to hike for a long time. I share advice, info and inspiration about my happy place: The Great Outdoors. Rain 10 °C. In most areas of Cape Scott Provincial Park, dogs are prohibited. The maps also show roads that access the Trail (including gated roads) and campsites. Cape Scott has held a special place in her heart since her first visit in 1998. Emerge on the beach at San Josef Bay. You can sometimes see it and hear it down the bank to your left, but you never get close to it. This is the most popular campground on the Cape Scott Trail, and arguably the most beautiful. To avoid attracting wolves, keep a clean camp, and always store your food properly. Trail Distance: 23.6km (one way from the trailhead to Cape Scott Lighthouse), How long does it take to hike to Cape Scott: 2-5 days, Best Time to Hike to Cape Scott: June to September. Don’t smother your fire with sand. A few steps down the trail, a yurt hidden behind some trees serves as a ranger station. So you may want to skip the campfire entirely. The trail parallels Eric Lake, but you can’t really see it through the trees. Length 29.8 miElevation gain 3438 ftRoute type Out & back Both trails wind through the woods for a minute before dead-ending in boggy areas. After about 1km, reach a T-junction. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, and backpacking and is best used from May until September. Hikers will venture into the rainforests, marshlands, and along wide stretches of abandoned beaches to experience the remote beauty of the park. You can see old Danish settler fenceposts in the dunes. After the bridge, continue on boardwalk for a few more minutes to the Eric Lake campground. The remaining 60+km is on gravel logging roads. All of the main junctions on the logging roads have signs with info about how to get to Cape Scott, so navigation is pretty easy. There are also two trails to Hansen Lagoon on the south side of the trail just before Nel’s Bight. Use my simple backpacking checklist to get your gear prepped for the hike. I just came back from my fourth backpacking trip in the park, so I’ve put together a full guide to the Cape Scott area for you. Much of the trail consists of wooden boardwalk. Print out a copy of your permit or save a screenshot on your phone as the rangers will ask to see it. Follow it for a few minutes to a beautiful marble memorial. From Guise Bay, it’s a short and easy hike to Cape Scott or to explore the nearby dunes and Experiment Bight. The Christensen grave just off the main trail near the Nel’s/Nissen junction, Distance: 3.7km | Elevation Loss: 60m | Time: 1.5 hours. The trail continues down the other side of the mountain to Sea Otter Cove (5.6km from San Josef) and Lowrie Bay (7.5km from San Josef). The Kwakwaka’wakw call this beach Kechegwis, which means “wood drifted on beach”. There are so many little rocks and logs and things to trip over. There are wolves and bears. Recently I learned that burning driftwood can create toxic smoke from the salt build up in the logs. It makes for a tiring hike. I’ve got some Cape Scott specific tips below, but for general advice, head on over to my coastal hiking tips post. Cross the fancy new bridge (built on top of a massive log). They are usually fine for 2WD vehicles but they can be bumpy, dusty, and muddy. From the Nel’s/Nissen Junction, it’s an easy downhill hike to Nissen Bight. The famous shoe tree near Nahwitti Lake on the drive to Cape Scott. Before you get to Por… Thanks for supporting my website. After 16.8km in the forest, the trail emerges on the sandy beach of Nel’s Bight, where there is wonderful camping. If I need to cancel my hotel reservation in Cape Scott, will I receive a refund? The next section of trail follows the banks of St. Mary Creek. A popular backpacking trip is to hike the 16.8 km (10.4 mi) Cape Scott Trail to Nels Bight, which typically requires 4–7 hours each way and is rated as easy/moderate in difficulty. My home is in Vancouver but my heart is in the mountains. For more information about the park, either purchase the guidebook, or visit the links provided here. Cape Scott is a Mecca for hiking enthusiasts, and hikers should be prepared and knowledgeable for coastal hiking. Cape Scott, Cape Scott Trail, Regional District of Mount Waddington, British Columbia, Canada (50.78656-128.43062). Looking across the dunes towards Experiment Bight. You’ve finally made it to the beach campground at Nel’s Bight! Soon, you’ll arrive at an info sign and dozens of fisherman’s buoys hanging in the trees. . Get in touch. It’s a good place to stay if you got a late start on the trail. When we hiked the North Coast Trail, we stayed at the Glen Lyon Inn in Port Hardy first. The food lockers closest to where the trail hits the beach were pretty full, but the ones further out were about 2/3 full or less, depending on the day. You can camp here too. As you get closer to the beach, the forest opens up and thick salal bushes line the trail. They are your one-stop land and water logistics between Port Hardy and the North Coast Trail. It was the first motorized machine used at the Cape Scott settlement. 18 KM hike in to ranger station which we were lucky enough to get to make use of. You get to see the tip of the island. However, I’m not sure if it was busier because the West Coast Trail is closed or just because it’s gotten more popular over the years. If you want to check out some history, there are several graves near here. At the trailhead, you will find an outhouse and a covered area with picnic tables. Find the most current and reliable 7 day weather forecasts, storm alerts, reports and information for [city] with The Weather Network. At about 2.7km from the trailhead, descend some stairs and cross a creek. It’s totally secluded and heart stoppingly gorgeous. It’s a remote but beautiful place: old-growth rainforest, coastal bog, gorgeous white sand beaches, and lots of historical sites. It’s a great place to base yourself for a day hike to the cape. It’s approximately 18 kilometers, or 5 to 6 hours, from the trailhead to Nels Bight. It is an intense wilderness hike. A huge collection of buoys mark the trail at Nel’s Bight. A good method is to hike to Nels Bight to camp there the first night, hike to Cape Scott in the second day and return the third. Wolves are very territorial and will attack dogs since they see them as a threat. | Food Storage: Food lockers at both beaches. Visitors to the 21 849-hectare park can expect to find little development except trails. The beach at Guise Bay. Cape Scott Provincial Park is a wilderness area, preserving a truly magnificent area of coastal British Columbia. just some of the services we can offer. It can be traversed east to west from Shushartie Bay to the eastern end of Nissen Bight or in reverse from west to east. It’s a 23.6km hike from the trailhead to the lighthouse at Cape Scott, so most visitors do it as a backpacking trip, staying at one of the campsites along the way. Cape Scott Provincial Park is a truly magnificent area of rugged coastal wilderness that is located at the north-western tip of Vancouver Island, 563 kilometers from Victoria. The Cape Scott trail begins at the main parking lot, west of Port Hardy via Holberg. The North Coast Trail is billed as an alternative to the West Coast Trail. Immediately after the junction, the trail becomes much rougher. Most hikers take the water taxi to the Shushartie Bay trailhead and hike westbound. I suspect they are very overgrown and boggy. You will be sharing the road with industrial traffic including fully loaded logging trucks, so use caution. However, it can be a good place to stay if you need to break up the long hike to Nel’s Bight or Nissen Bight into two days.
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