September 13, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Port Alberni, Hiking
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I love a good west coast beach, so visiting three Vancouver Island beaches seemed like an obvious long weekend trip for me and three friends.
After a bumpy drive on a gravel road from Port Alberni to the tiny town of Bamfield, we settled in a campground on Pachena Bay. Wandering the sweeping crescent of sand, we examined mussels and invertebrates hiding in rocky nooks and crannies.
The next morning we braved a very muddy and challenging hike to Keeha Bay. Our reward was a pristine and nearly deserted beach with rich tide pools and plenty of rocks and hidden mini-beaches to explore. We set up camp amongst the driftwood and searched the horizon for whales (none that trip unfortunately!). After some time around the beach fire, we fell asleep in our tents to the sound of crashing waves.
Luckily our hike back was much drier. After a picnic lunch at the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre (which can be toured!) we took a water taxi across Bamfield Inlet and a short walk down rural roads brought us to Brady’s Beach. Although private properties border on sections, the beach still feels as secluded and wild as Keeha Bay. Amongst rugged rock islands, we saw river otters and bald eagles and a spectacular sunset that turned islands on the horizon into pastel silhouettes. A final beach fire and an attempt at photographing star trails in the clear night sky ended the last leg of our West Coast beach tour.
March 08, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Port Alberni, Hiking
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In May 2006 I visited Vancouver Island for the first time. I was a couple of years short of my 60th birthday; and, not well travelled...except in my own backyard. I was with a group of about 5 people on business. Cathedral Grove in MacMillan Provincial Park on Vancouver Island wasn't on the itinerary. Our guide said he couldn't pass up the opportunity to show us the Old Growth Forest due to fabulous weather. 25 km west of Qualicum Beach & 16 km east of Port Alberni on hwy #4. Enter from both sides of the highway. 800-year-old Douglas-fir. Moss-covered tree-trunks. Nooks and crannies to delight...so bring a camera. Air so clean immediately upon stepping into the forest that you want to stay in this Alice-in-Wonderland place always. Stay for even five minutes and you will be forever a different person living on this planet.
P.S. i forgive the guy who put the phony snake in my jacket sleeve. I was so calm at the end of the tour the BIG SNAKE didn't bother me one bit. Besides, i was old enough to be his mother. And i remember a little boy with blonde hair....
April 12, 2007 | Tips from Travellers >
Port Alberni, Hiking
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The West Coast Trail is world-famous, and very popular in summer. But what is not as well known is the fact that between September 15 and 30,
1. There is no need to book: you'll have the trail pretty much to yourself.
2. The weather is often excellent, making for for an amazing trek, without the rain and mud the trail is infamous for.
And 2007 is the 100th anniversary of the trail, with a number of planned celebrations.
February 26, 2007 | Tips from Travellers >
Port Alberni, Hiking
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This is a trail near Port Alberni