Raft Cove

Back in May I headed up island with a couple of friends to camp out at Raft Cove at the Northern tip of the island. We hiked in the 2km trail carrying way too much gear, including a couple of surf boards. We spent a couple of nights alone on this beautiful beach, soaking up the sun, surfing and exploring. The entire time we were there, a fog bank loomed off shore, and on our last day it finally moved ashore, making it easier for us to leave.

First view

A dramatic sunset

That just keeps getting more dramatic

A day of surfing for Jordan

We found a very large whale vertebra in the woods

The Velella Velella have been washing ashore by the billions all along the west coast, an event that is thought to coincide with rising ocean temperatures

The beginnings of another dramatic sunset

Late spring nights around the campfire

Exploring the sea stacks at low tide

Looking back at our private paradise as we explore the shoreline

Hawley's turn in the surf

Goldstream Trestles

My good friend Bethany is leaving our little island and moving to the dessert. We wanted to go for a hike before she left, so that she could soak up the rainforest. It was a fittingly rainy and foggy day for such a walk. We're truly going to miss you Bethany!

Scotch and Sesame Snaps on the trestle

Bravely checking out the view below

Beautiful arbutus peeking through

Tatchu Peninsula - Day 4

The morning of our final hiking day, I climbed out of the tent to change out of my pyjamas. About the time I had my pyjama pants half way down, I looked up and noticed to bears at the end of the beach. I alerted the girls, and we all stood and watched as, what appeared to be a Mumma bear and her yearling cub, made their way along the tide line looking for eats. We must have been up-wind as they did not seem to notice our presence. After a few minutes I asked the girls, "How close do we let them get?" and we communally decided to wish the bears a good morning. They looked a little startled and retreated back to the end of the beach where they sniffed around a while longer before meandering into the bushes. We had our breakfast of Logan Bread, and Hank the socially awkward deer showed up to see us off. We half wondered if he would follow us the rest of the way.
The day's hike involved a couple of bear trails (and more loud talk singing) and some beautiful coastal meadows.

As you reach Rugged Point Marine Provincial Park the coast opens up to long beautiful striped white sand beaches. It is worth noting that the first beach you reach as you enter the park boundaries, is also where the last fresh water source is located. You cross a rapid moving stream as you enter the beach, but it has a strong sulphur smell to it. I recommend walking this beach with your boots off, as the sand has a strange spongy way of melting away under your feet. If you walk to the far end of the beach, you will find a second stream, follow it up a ways until you stop seeing signs of salt water life, and then pump from this stream - the water is clear and fresh tasting.
Once you reach the point of Rugged Point, there is a bit of challenge in finding the trails that lead you up and over the point. They take you up, and then back down into multiple bays, before finally reaching the camp sight. We arrived to find two kayakers camping at the sight, our first human interaction since the day we left the Uchuck. We spent the afternoon swimming in the bay, and laying on the white sand beach. 

The next morning we were picked up by a lovely pilot from Air Nootka. I intended to get a shot of the girls walking out to the float plain in the bay, but the plane was slightly early and we had to load in a hurry due to the choppy water that morning. I did manage to grab one with my iPhone, so I've added that in. The pilot flew us back along the trek we had just taken so that we could see it from the air; He was very informative about the history of the area including the nearby Nootka Trail. It was a beautiful clear day, and the flight was so smooth; it was a fantastic way to end the trip.

Castilleja, growing in the shade of some driftwood

Demonstrating how burly intelligent women hike

"Taking it all in" is highly recommended

A beautiful bay for our final camp

Tatchu Peninsula - Day 1
Tatchu Peninsula - Day 2
Tatchu Peninsula - Day 3