Salish Sea Marine Trail : Horseshoe Bay to Texada Island

While we officially began our trek across Canada on July 1^st, 2019 the fact is that we had completed small parts of the Trans Canada Trail before we ever set out on our venture from coast to coast to coast.  And so we have been fortunate not just to have hiked almost 13,500 km from Cape Spear Newfoundland to Horseshoe Bay British Columbia but we have also trekked the amazing East Coast Trail in 2018, cycled sections of the nation’s Great Trail from Simcoe to Hamilton, we have hiked the Niagara Recreation Trail from Fort Erie to DeCew Heritage House in St. Cathrines Ontario, and we have gone birding along the national pathway in Windsor, Point Pelee, and Rondeau Provincial Park.

 
Recently our intended plans to go from Vancouver via BC Ferries to Nanaimo to Vancouver Island met with cancellation after cancellation upon our arrival to Horseshoe Bay a few days ago.  This meant that we instead returned to the Sunshine Coast which we have enjoyed with family for more than 20 years. It is here from Horseshoe Bay to Gibsons to Sechelt onward to Halfmoon Bay and beyond to Texada Island that over the last two decades that we have had the privilege to have hiked, explored, kayaked, paddle boarded, and sailed approximately 75 km of the Salish Sea Marine Trail’s 257 km – the local section of the Trans Canada Trail.

 
Given the wintery season that we are now in with much cooler temperatures we must admit that neither of us are either talented enough nor brave enough to venture back into the Salish Sea and Pacific Ocean with a kayak.  Instead we will take a day or so off the Trail and prepare for our final 7 days on the Trans Canada Trail from Nanaimo to Victoria, B.C..  Yet I would feel remiss if I did not include some of the natural wonders and beauty of the Sunshine Coast that can be seen on the Salish Sea Marine Trail and which we have enjoyed over the years.  

 

The Salish Sea Marine Trail

  

The Salish Sea Marine Trail was created in 2017 and is a 257 km paddle and sailing route which connects Horseshoe Bay, Squamish, and the Sunshine Coast before weaving throughout the Gulf Islands of the Salish Sea linking Texada, Salt Spring and tracing the coast of Vancouver Island to Clover Point in Victoria British Columbia.  It is a marine route – similar to the Bras d’Or Lake Water Route in Cape Breton, the Lake Superior Water Trail in Northern Ontario, and the Mackenzie River Trail in the North West Territories.  The pathway incorporates access to coastal towns, navigates provincial parks, and has a number of campsites along the shoreline.  In terms of marine life the waters here support up to 253 fish species, migratory birds, and marine mammals including orcas, sea lions, seals, otters, starfish, jellyfish and various whale species.

 

According to the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea, the name Salish Sea was officially adopted in 2009 in both the US and Canada to encompass the shared geographic and ecological traits of the major waterways of the Strait of Georgia, Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The naming of these waterways as a sea embodies several ideals, a major one being to raise consciousness of the overall health and inter-connectedness of the waters and ecosystems within the Salish Sea basin.  This 110,000 sq km sea and coastal watershed region is one of the west coast’s most diverse ecosystems. The Salish Sea Marine Trail name also reflects the native heritage of the area, which is populated by the Coast Salish, the indigenous peoples of southwest British Columbia and northwest Washington who traditionally inhabited the shoreline of the Salish Sea and who share a common linguistic and cultural origin.  It is a region of significant heritage and traditional territory incorporating over 70 Coast Salish First Nations who used the waters for trade, hunting and fishing. 
 

Unique Challenges in Kayaking the Pacific Coast

 
As those who have followed our adventures since Cape Spear Newfoundland know, we have not previously paddled the larger water routes on the Trans Canada Trail.  Instead we have navigated our way along nearby roadways or local trails.  While in other stretches we have used available water transport such as ferry systems on the stretches between Newfoundland and Cape Breton, across the St. Lawrence Seaway in Quebec, over both the North and South Saskatchewan Rivers in the Prairies, and across Kootney Lake in British Columbia.  More simply put, we have yet to venture the water ways of the Trans Canada Trail under our own power.  Mostly this is because of the logistical difficulties of locating a kayak or canoe while trekking the last 13,500 km on the national pathway but it is also because – in stretches such as Lake Superior and the Pacific Ocean – that we doubt our ability to deal with the unique challenges involved in such undertakings.

 
Even while the Salish Sea Marine Trail the coastlines of are relative easy to venture along (given good weather conditions), there are (at least for us) greater difficulties in navigating the long exposed stretches from Horseshoe Bay across Howe Sound to the Langdale Ferry terminal on the Sunshine Coast and from Halfmoon Bay across the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver Island.  In both of these areas winds, currents, rip tides, and unexpected swells can make for very difficult paddling – even for advanced kayakers.  In addition these open stretches cross busy shipping lanes which lead paddlers to have to deal with massive cargo ships, cruise ships, and of course BC Ferries which regularly navigating them.
 

Exploration of the Salish Sea Marine Trail

 
For these reasons, and because neither of us are confident enough in our skills as sea paddlers to attempt the Salish Sea Marine trail in November we are not going to attempt this section of the TCT in a single push in 2022.  Instead, given our years living in Sechelt and visiting the Sunshine Coast, we have enjoyed the opportunity to explore, kayak, paddle board, and sail large sections of the Marine pathway.  What follows then is the culmination of several trips taking us from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale on the western shores of Howe Sound, north along the Sunshine Coast, and partially across the Strait of Georgia to Texada Island.  The results of our explorations of the Salish Sea Marine Trail mean that we have navigated approximately 75 km of the 257 km route.

 
The key, for us, to venturing this stretch was acknowledging our own limits and skill barriers.  We have both paddled for decades in lakes through Ontario, along waterways in Quebec, in the sea in the harbours of Halifax in the Atlantic Ocean as well as along stretches of the Pacific Coast.  While we are both adept at being able to navigate between points, go on extended paddling and camping trips, and to do so safely the fact is that neither of us feels comfortable paddling through busy ferry corridors, against the strong tidal currents, or unpredictable weather conditions which can arise throughout the Salish Sea.  To handle the range of potential challenges which could emerge along the full Salish Sea Marine Trail requires one to be an extraordinarily adept paddler – in short you have to be someone more like the accomplished and talented Dianne Whelan (500 Days in the Wild).
 

Horseshoe Bay to the Sunshine Coast (Langdale Ferry Terminal)

 
The Salish Sea Marine Trail officially beings in Vancouver yet it can also be accessed from the shoreline at the Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal (the point at which the Trans Canada Trail concludes) near Vancouver.  From this point it parallels (or follows) the ferry route between Horseshoe Bay and Langdale terminal on the Sunshine coast as it crosses Howe Sound.

Given the ferry traffic, ocean currents and longer distances between Horseshoes Bay and Langdale we have only traversed this stretch on BC Ferries.  It is a 40 minute voyage which weaves between Gambier, Keats and Bowen Islands as it crosses Howe Sound.  On clear days with nice weather, travellers are able to enjoy incredible scenic views of the region, catch sight of harbor seals and bird watch for gulls en route.

 

Hiking the Sunshine Coast – Soames Hill

 
Once on the Sunshine Coast in Langdale our first point of exploration was the nearby Soames Hill Loop which is only a few kilometres away from the ferry terminal.  While the paths of Soames Hill are not technically part of either the Trans Canada Trail or the Salish Sea Marine Trail we have been fortunate to have the chance “summit” the local hill and explore the stunning second growth forest.

Soames is located on the shoreline of West Howe Sound and while it is not accessible from the ocean it gives people the opportunity to venture through regions of varied mosses and ferns, as well as dense forests of Douglas fir and coastal cedars.

 
The highlight of this short forest trek is that it provides hikers several possibilities to climb and get stunning views of the region – and the Salish Sea Marine Trail.  While the climb up a series of stairs (in excess of 400 steps) to the top of Soames Hill is not a tough one, it is nonetheless somewhat exhausting.  However, once one has ascended to the top of Soames Hill (given the right weather conditions) hikers are able to garner terrific views of Howe Sound, the North Shore Mountains and both Keats and Bowen Island.

 

Kayaking Gibsons to around Keats Island

 
Having explored the forests of Soames Hill near the Langdale Ferry Terminal we began our paddling of the traditional waters of the Coast Salish People.   Our first excursion would take us out from the town of Gibsons and around Keats Island (Lheḵ’tínes), one of the closest and smaller islands to the Sunshine Coast.  Having rented our Sea Kayaks for the day we put into the water at the Gibsons Landing Harbour and navigated the calm waters until clearing the breakwater.

 
Once beyond of the town marina we had almost 2 km of open water to paddle against as we crossed the channel to Keats Island.  Notably we undertook this adventure many years ago when we were much less experienced at sea paddling and gave little attention to winds or tide time tables.  As a result, while it was not a particularly windy day, the tides and waves (which we fought against most of the way) meant that our efforts were beyond any exhaustion I have ever endured before or since.

 
Our efforts were soon rewarded as we reached Keats, and thankfully once we were beyond the southern tip of the island the winds and currents were calmer which made things much easier.  As we paddled northward along the island we visited quiet inlets and began to both relax and enjoy the excursion. En route scattered rocky beaches and coves gave us the opportunity to take a break.   The route around Keats would see us cover a little more than 13 km before passing west beach and Plumber Cove Marine Provincial Park.  Beyond a few scattered homes and cottages, the majority of the rocky coastline is composed of dense conifer forests that are similar in appearance to the shores of Lake Superior in Northern Ontario.

 
Having circumnavigated Keats Island we made our return to the mainland.  Thankfully the paddle back to Gibsons was easier – as the wind was pushing us this time –  yet it was nonetheless still a challenging introduction to the demands of venture paddling in the Pacific Ocean.  In total it took us a little more than 3 hours to circumnavigate the island and 5 hours for the entire paddle including a break on the beach at Plumper Cover Marine Provincial Park.  By the time we had returned the kayaks we were sore from sitting for so long and from using dormant muscles that we didn’t know we had.

 

Kayaking Gibsons to Sechelt

 
Our next paddle would see us venture from Gibsons on the Sunshine Coast to Roberts Creek and onward to our long time home of Sechelt!  The town of Gibsons (Ch’kw’elhp) is situated on the traditional territory of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) Nation.  Located on West Howe Sound and situated on a hillside overlooking local islands and the marina below (Gibson’s Landing), it is the first large community one arrives to after getting off the ferry from Horseshoe Bay. Most Canadians are familiar with Gibson’s as the local dinner known as Molly’s Reach is the site where the famous Canadian show the The Beachcombers was filmed from 1972 to 1990.

 

Historically however the town site is the ancestral lands of the Skwxwú7mesh, and is the birthplace of the Squamish peoples.  More recently, the region was settled by Europeans in the late nineteenth century and the town was established in 1886 by George Gibson.  The early twentieth century saw Gibsons as a centre of both the fishing and forestry industries, while recent decades have transitioned it to a increasingly popular tourist destination.

 
Our day here began as we explored Lower Gibsons including the busy Gibson’s Marina, its pier, and stunning shoreline.  While I have long loved birding the shoreline here, Sean spends most of his time walking under the piers at low tide photographing the area.  During our exploration before our day’s paddle we watched as several Blue Herons fished the tide pools and glided past.

 
Ready to get going we rented sea kayaks  and set off up the coast.   Today’s paddle was a leisurely one with little wind and smooth waters.  Given these conditions we spent more time exploring the coast and enjoying the weather than struggling against the tides.

Vancouver Island across the Strait of Georgia

Setting out we spent the morning paddling the forested and lush shores of the Sunshine Coast and by noon we arrived at Roberts Creek (xwesam / Stelḵáya), an artistic community located in the traditional territories of both the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and shíshálh (Sechelt) nations.  The pier at Roberts Creek is a terrific place to bird and provides the possibility of seeing grebes, herons, ducks, and shorebirds such as American Dippers. Today we were fortunate to find two Kingfishers along the forested shoreline.

For us this community marked the half way point of our trip for the day between Gibsons and Sechelt.  Having arrived slightly ahead of schedule we took the opportunity to enjoy lunch at the Gumboot café and restaurant before setting back out for our final push to Sechelt.

 

Given the calm waters as we ventured the coastline we frequently strapped our paddles to the top of our kayaks and spent time floating while birding the rocky flats which are exposed during low tides here.    One of my favourite sites for birding on the Sunshine Coast is at Mission Point near Davis Bay which is located in the White Islets and Wilson Creek Important Bird Area.  In fact Davis Bay and Mission Point are two of the most important birding places on the Sunshine Coast and are easily accessible for those wishing to spot gulls, mallards, and migratory species.

Over the years here we have spotted Harlequin Ducks, Black Osytercatchers, Bald Eagles, Ravens, Dark-eyed Juncos, Buffleheads, Goldeneyes, Loons, American Wigeons, Red-breasted Mergansers’, Surf Scoters, and Great Blue Herons (just to name a few).  Just beyond the shore are the White Islets on which birds roost and frequently one can spot large seals and Sea lions basking. (As a birder I am fortunate to have lived only a few blocks from here for almost 20 years!)

 
Only shortly further on is the locally iconic Davis Bay Pier which is one of Sean’s favourite places to photograph, especially during the golden hours in the morning or amid the stunning sunsets that regularly light up the coast.  Rarely however have we had the opportunity to see the pier and shoreline from the perspective of the water.  As we paddled past Asian-Canadian fishermen stood at the edge of the long wooden pier casting their long lines, youth dove into the ocean squealing as they fell into the water, and couples sat talking on the wooden benches which dot the coast.

Our final few kilometres of kayaking for the day would see us venture further north along the forested coastline that in recent years has become increasingly patchy as more and more residential development occurs on the coast.  This region, in recent years has begun to expand rapidly and now faces deep questions about how to balance sustainability, livability, economic growth, and commercial development.  Areas that only 20 years ago were lush forests have been quickly transformed into manicured properties which in turn has created new pressures for wildlife, water systems, and busier roadways.  The answers are of course not easy and amid rapidly rising costs on the Sunshine Coast continual development is often heralded as the quick solution.

 
Continuing on our route would take us past many of these new waterfront mansions, refined subdivisions, and around the Sechelt Sand Terminal before enabling us to paddle to the rocky beach of town.  Sechelt (Ch’atlich) is the traditional territory of the shíshálh (Sechelt) Nation. In this area Sechelt is the name of the indigenous peoples, the town, the peninsula, and the nearby inlet.  Historically the shíshálh tribe was known as the Sechelts which means ‘the people’.  This site was developed by Europeans in the 1860s as a centre of fishing and logging.  As a result the emerging town soon had mills, sawmills, and wharves to facilitate moving materials in and out of the region.

 
We landed our kayaks in the late afternoon on the long pebble beach near the Driftwood Inn Restaurant and the downtown core of this beautiful community.  The town of Sechelt sits on a narrow piece of land that separates the Sechelt Inlet from the Salish Sea / Pacific Ocean.   Our landing point, a rocky beach and walkway, is a popular site for residents and visitors to stroll along and so we soon garnered some attention.

 

Yet it was as we pulled up our kayaks that we found our highlight for the day – finding both a lizard in the rocky erosion barriers of the coastline and a snake in the tidal pool waters!

 
According to iNaturalist our first spotted reptile was a Northwestern Alligator Lizard a reptile which is found in southern B.C., Vancouver Island and on the coastlines!    It is best identified by the fact that it has a light brown or grey body with spots along the length of its body and is about 20 cm long. A description which almost exactly fits the lizard we noticed.  Apparently they thrive in areas of abundant surface debris such as under bark and in the woods or on rocky shorelines.  They are active in late afternoon and typically eat larger insects such as beetles, caterpillars and grasshoppers.  If threatened they can inflate their bodies and drop, or autotomize, their tails!  Fascinating!

 
A few feet over was the Western Terrestrial Garter Snake enjoying the warm day in a tidal pool on the edge of the Salish Sea!

 
As the light of the day began to fade we were met by my father, who helped load up the kayaks to return them to Gibsons bringing our next adventure to a conclusion.
 

Paddleboarding Sechelt to Halfmoon Bay

 
Our next adventure on the Salish Sea Marine Trail would take us only a short 15 or 20 km north up the coast from Sechelt to Halfmoon Bay.  It would also be the first time that I ever tried paddle boarding while Sean proceeded in a sea kayak with our camping gear.  With glorious weather and with me being somewhat nervous, we rented a paddle board and sea kayak in the town of Sechelt.

As we set up to push off and resume our exploration of the Sunshine Coast I got sight of clear jelly fish – known as Greater Moon Jelly - in the water as well as a number of amazingly colourful Star Fish attached to the rocks which dot the tidal flats along the shoreline.
 
I was soon bounding from rock to rock trying to find more Star Fish!

 
I am always particularly excited to see Sea Stars, popularly known as Star Fish, because for the past decade their populations on the west coast from Mexico to British Columbia have been in rapid decline.  20 years ago when we moved to Sechelt the piers and rocks along the coast lines used to be covered in these stunningly colourful (purples, pinks, yellows, and reds) creatures.  Over the years they have unfortunately become increasingly rare to spot.   Scientists believe that they are suffering from a wasting disease (officially known as Sea Star Wasting Syndrome) arising from a virus in the water that thrives in higher temperatures.  This disease leaves Star Fish with white lesions, essentially leading them to melt away.

The impact of their decline has and is still fundamentally transforming the coastal and ocean ecosystems.  Now Sea Urchins, which Star Fish used to eat, have exploded in number and decimated coastal kelp forests which is leading to problems for other marine species.  Recent studies indicate that almost 6 billion Star Fish, or 90% of their population on the west coast have disappeared since 2013 and that the species are now very close to extinction.   Today people who find Sea Stars are asked to join in a Sea Star Citizen Science Project and report their observations.

 
Setting out from Sechelt our maritime path would soon lead us to paddle past Sergeants Bay Provincial Park as we followed the forested coast.  En route we navigated into small inlets and around rocky outcroppings and by midday had reached the community of Halfmoon Bay (xwilkway) which is located on the traditional territory of the shíshálh Nation.   This town is situated in a large bay which is sheltered by the nearby South Thormanby Island off the coast.  It was originally called Priestland Bay after Europeans settled in the area in 1899 but was later renamed Halfmoon Bay after the shape of the coastline.

 

Having now paddled for a few hours, we took a break at the pier in Halfmoon Bay were I traded off my paddle board for a sea kayak.  Here we also rested on the coast and enjoyed a few snacks before making our final push to our campsite at Smuggler Cove Marine Provincial Park about 4km or a little more than an hour up the coast. 

 

Smuggler Cove is a well protected stretch which has terrific wilderness campsites and great trails.  It is also a wonderful region to find a wide variety of bird species including Mallards, Turnstones, and Murres.  Yet to our surprise it was not birds but the four Pacific Harbour Seals which we saw today which made it terrific!  Our first meeting occurred as we cleared Halfmoon Bay when we found a large seal with a very cute pup!

 
Our second meeting was when we found a large seal basking in the sun on a rocky outcropping!

 
Our third encounter occurred when a seal popped his head of the water to take in a breath and watch us paddle past!

 
And our final meeting was when we found another large seal enjoying the day’s warmth on the shorelines of Smuggler Cove Provincial Park!

 
Canada has a number of subspecies of seals found off the coast lines of 9 provinces and territories and even has a unique freshwater species of seal in Lac des Loups Marins in Northern Quebec! Apparently depending on their gender, Harbour Seals can live between 20-30 years and it is estimated that while they are facing new challenges from the depletion of fish stocks, increasing ocean temperatures, and human activity there are between 5 and 6 million around the globe.  In addition, according to government research there are approximately 100,000 Pacific Harbour Seals in the waters around British Columbia – having increased since hunting was banned in 1967.  Harbour Seals are on average 5-6 feet in length and weigh between 150-200 lbs eating approximately 7 lbs of fish daily.

 
Having safely arrived to Smuggler Cove Provincial Park we pulled out and found a campsite were we relaxed as day turned to night.

Later as the sunset lit up the sky we went back down to the water and discovered huge jelly fish!  According to iNaturalist it was a huge Pacific Lion’s Mane Jelly Fish!

Fascinatingly Jellyfish are invertebrates that have existed since the Precambrian period, which makes their species approximately 300 million years older than dinosaurs.   There are approximately 75 different species of Jellyfish in the waters of British Columbia alone.  Apparently they typically exist on zooplankton, other jellyfish and small fish which they capture by either stinging them or entangling their prey in their tentacles.

Tonight we found the Lion’s Mane Jelly Fish far up on the coast and while it was unfortunately being picked at by birds.  As such I carefully picked it up and returned it to the ocean were we watched it pulse and move off into the dark waters of the Pacific.   Once again neither Canada nor the Trans Canada Trail has disappointed us for revealing the nation’s amazing natural diversity!

 

Sailing around Texada Island

 
While we have kayaked the coastline of the northern stretch of the Sunshine coast as far as Earl’s Cove our next venture along the Salish Sea Marine Trail would see us taking on yet another first on the Trans Canada Trail – sailing to and around Texada Island with my parents.
 
As with the crossing of the longer stretches of the ocean from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale, both of us were keenly aware that neither of us are talented or experienced enough paddlers for the long passes in open sea between the Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island.  Here once again, tides, winds, shipping vessels, cruise ships, and ferry traffic are beyond the scope of our abilities – whether on a paddleboard or in a kayak – to manage. And so we opted for sailing instead!

 
With lots of preparation we set out on a beautiful afternoon from Halfmoon Bay, and used the small engine of our vessel for the first few kilometers between Halfmoon Bay and South Thomanby Island.  Once however we had cleared the edge of Buccaneer Bay Provincial Park and headed into the waters of the Strait of Georgia the engine was turned off and the sails were raised! With the blessing of the sea we soon caught the wind and were pulled out away from the Sunshine Coast.  We were soon soaring across the calm seas and covered just over 10 kilometers on the open waters prior to arriving at the southern tip of Texada Island.

 
Texada Island (Sah yeh yeen) is located in the traditional territory of the Tla’amin, shíshálh, Komoks, and Wei Wai Kum Nations.   Texada was first visited by Europeans during the 1791 Spanish expedition of Francisco de Eliza lead by explorer Jose Maria Narvaez.  It is one of the largest of the Gulf Islands in the Strait of Georgia and is known locally as ‘the Rock’.  Historically Texada was a fishing port, and more recently was the site of fairly large copper mining and logging industries.  However since the 1950s it has transitioned to being a cottage and vacation destination known for its warm waters and great bird watching.

 
Upon Reaching the southern tip of Texada we trimmed our sails and tacked north between South Texada Island Provincial Park and the smaller Lasqueti Island to the west. Our route took us along the coast past Gilles Bay and to the northern reaches of the island and the community of Blubber Bay.  Along the way the coastal trees gave us the chance to spot a number of Bald Eagles majestically sitting in the top branches and studiously surveying the world around them.

As afternoon began to change to evening we completed our circumnavigation of Texada Island and enjoyed the glorious sunsets to the west.  With the sky lit up and the water turned golden we set back eastward and returned to Halfmoon Bay our point of departure.

 
Here I should note, that while we returned to the Sunshine Coast, the Salish Sea Marine Trail continues across the Strait of Georgia from the western edges of Texada Island to Parksville on Vancouver Island.  From here it then weaves along the shoreline navigating the smaller islands and inlets along the eastern shore of Vancouver Island venturing from Noose Bay, to Nanaimo, along the coast of Gabriola Island, to Ladysmith and around Salt Spring Island onward to Victoria where it meets back up with the dirt pathways of the Trans Canada Trail at Clover Point, Victoria – our eventual Pacific destination.

 

Reflecting on the Salish Sea Marine Trail

 
Regardless of being completed over a series of day trips our exploration of the Sunshine Coast along the Salish Sea Marine Trail over the last 20 years has been one of the most rewarding parts of venturing along the Trans Canada Trail.   Like so many other sections of the national pathway it has pushed us beyond our comfort zones, forced us try new things, and revealed to us natural wonders and marine life we would never have dreamed of seeing!  Indeed I must admit upon reflection, that the Salish Sea Marine Trail is one of the most challenging routes on the TCT that we have undertaken.  As always, it is those stretches that provide for the hardest moments, and deepest challenges that often give way to the greatest rewards.

 
Standing once more on the shore line of yet another of Canada’s vast oceans gives one the sense of just how vast our horizons are as a nation.  The size and scope of the landscapes and seascapes along water routes on the Atlantic, the Pacific, or the Great Lakes can only be matched by the vastest and subtle beauty of the prairies or the majesty of the Laurentian and Rocky Mountains.  The TCT and Canada have once again left me grateful to be able to explore this stunning nation and left me both awed and humbled by its natural beauty.

 

To Vancouver Island and returning to the TCT

 
Tomorrow, now a little more rested, and a full of homemade meals we set off to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, and to the dirt pathways of the Trans Canada Trail that we have followed since Newfoundland.  It means a return to venturing on two BC Ferries – first from Langdale back to Horseshoe Bay and then (hopefully) from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island.

 
And so, as we set out to Vancouver Island for our final 6 days between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans – we do so having hiked, cycled, and paddled more than 13,500 km of the Trans Canada Trail!

 

See you on the trail!

Remember to follow our entire adventure here : www.comewalkwithus.online