Last Impressions - Of the West Coast Trail of Vancouver Island

This trail is very weather dependent! If it rained hard or for a few days this would be a total mud hole! no questions! Walking sticks helped, and gaiters kept my boots clean and free of sand etc. Chez Monique's and the place at the Nitanat Narrows are both worth eating at, Monique has quite a story to tell. If you have time you should sit and listen. South to North is the key!! Get the hard part done first! The trip was in mid to late August and most rivers could be crossed on stepping stones etc. I did take the cable car across the Klanawa for the experience. The ladders are just fine, good and solid and predictable. All the roots and mess on the trail tended to provide you with many challenges, always stepping up and down and walking along logs.

End Of Trail

Got to the end, probably should have taken the beach for the last kilometer. There is a private campground at the end. It is fairly nice with showers etc. Stayed there the night and then caught the shuttle back to Victoria, it all worked really well!! Just a side note, as you are coming along the trail and cross a bridge near the end there is a sign that this is the last water and you should filter it. If you are headed to the campground, don't worry, there is plenty of piped water there. If you are expecting water at the WCT check-in shack.........then yes, there is none.