August 05, 2012 | Tips from Us >
Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands, Hiking
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The new sea walk was installed during the time I was off in university...and I've just been too busy to walk the new route to work!
The other day I managed to spare an extra 10 minutes to take the sea walk to work and now I've fallen in love! It wraps around the Queen Charlotte Community Hall, childrens park, and baseball diamond, and on the opposite side is just a great view of the ocean! Sometimes there will be boats passing by, even some friendly kayakers.
I passed by some mother's pushing strollers, families finished playing in the park, and locals walking their dogs. This new route allows for the quick discovery of the 2012 Haida Gwaii Mural, painted by a graffitti artist, with the assistance of other local artists! Check out the video attached - I did a quick video of it for everyone to see! It's painted on the concrete slabs right outside the public library - they have wifi internet access there if you need it!
Along this route, you'll also find 2 of the signs that are a part of the QC Heritage Walking Tour. One provides information about the old Sawmill equipment you can see on the beach during the walk, and the other provides information on the street that extends further and what it looked like years ago! For more info on the walking tour, you can buy the supplemental book at the Visitor Centre for $3.95 plus tax - I have one, it's super helpful. It shows exactly where each post is located so I don't have to run around looking for them!
So if you're just going on a stroll through town during the day, or evening, the sea walk is a great addition! Much nicer views than walking adjacent to the grocery store, and lots to explore as well!
May 23, 2012 | Tips from Us >
Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands, Hiking
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The Pesuta, a shipwrecked log carrier, washed ashore on the East Coast of Haida Gwaii in 1928. The weathered bow remains today, jutting from the sand, and can be seen if one hikes out there....
...I decided to join with two of my friends to hike to the Pesuta. It was a sunny day, but the exposure on the East Coast means the wind gives quite a chill! The hike takes about four hours to complete, and that includes having lunch when you get there. We choose to hike further about twenty minutes to Gold Creek, where we travelled back towards the Pesuta through the sandy dunes. In one area there are moss beds in the dunes, where we stopped to sit and have lunch.
Some debris from the Japanese Tsunami can be found on East Beach as well. Some of the things you can find are so neat! This is the same beach that the Harley Davidson motorcycle washed up on!
The Pesuta is less than I remember from when I was a child. Pieces of it have fallen off and have been swept away by the ocean. All over it are carved in signatures of people who have visited it over the years. It really is a piece to be treasured, and the hike to it is always fun, so long as you ensure that the tide remains low enough to walk the beach!
June 14, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands, Hiking
Find more information about Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands - Hiking
View a larger image on flickr.com
The Yakoun River, the largest river on Haida Gwaii, is well known for it's abundance of salmon and trout, as well as the giant Sitka's that forest the area around it.
Hiking into Yakoun Lake, about forty minutes outside of Queen Charlotte City by Forest Service Road, is very popular. However, hiking along the river uncovers more difficult trails. As with any hike, it's always best to go in a group and watch out for black bears!
Last month a group of us ventured along the river. It was wet and the hike was challenging. It did rain for a bit, but we were prepared with rain jackets and were sheltered by the trees. We saw remnants of logging practices, and of course, large Sitka's all along the waters edge.
During the summer months, we expect it to be a much dryer hike, but there are no promises! It's best to always bring your rain gear, just in case!