Hiking the length of Vancouver Island (Episode 2)

Introduction

Welcome back to the Vancouver Island Trail series! After spending two well-deserved rest days in Port Hardy, we are ready to tackle our second segment of this exciting hike. In case you missed the first episode, my friend Brian and I reached the northern terminus of the trail. We completed the North Coast Trail, which took us five days and covered roughly 97 km (60 miles). Now, with 700 km (435 miles) remaining to reach the southern terminus in Victoria, we set out toward Woss.

Our route takes us inland, away from the stunning coastline and closer to the mountainous spine of the island. We've already hiked about 10 km today and are feeling slightly fatigued, but our spirits remain high. As we traverse through the Fort Rertqaku First Nation community, we admire the local art while walking through this beautiful landscape.

After some time, we reached the beach, where the sounds of whale breaths filled the air, though we didn't manage to spot any. Walking near the airport, we continued on the beach, enjoying the peaceful surroundings. During our hike, we encountered a mother bear with three cubs, which was both thrilling and a little scary!

As we progressed, the coastline proved to be alive with wildlife. We witnessed an extraordinary number of salmon jumping and even spotted a few bears around the river’s mouth. Due to bear activity, we decided to backtrack to find a safer route, illustrating the less-defined nature of this trail compared to the Pacific Crest Trail. Hiking in this region requires more navigation and adaptability, a true "Choose Your Own Adventure" experience.

On our way, we encountered dense brush and deadfall challenges but pushed through to finally make our way to the beach. Walking along the shore became much smoother as we aimed to complete another 10 km. By evening, we had spotted an impressive eight bears during the day.

The next morning started well; we enjoyed a restful night by the lake as the sound of the waves lulled us to sleep. Our day included eight kilometers on the beach before transitioning to logging roads. The abundance of bears still held our attention, as we witnessed more cubs during our hike.

As we seamlessly transitioned to the inland trail, we experienced an exhilaration upon spotting our first Vancouver Island Trail emblem, marking a significant milestone in our adventure. Reaching an impressive burl—an abnormal swelling on a spruce tree—was another highlight of the day as we learned about its history and the care taken to preserve it.

After a much-needed break, we continued through more logging roads, making mental adjustments that come with daily hikes, especially as we pushed to cover a full 25 km day. Our journey took us through a series of twists and turns until we reached a beautiful lake, prompting us to take refreshing breaks along the way.

Finally, after a demanding yet exhilarating day, we settled down at Nimkish Lake for the night. Tired but accomplished, we easily recuperated and prepared ourselves for the following day, when we’d embark on a rail grade hike.

Our rail grade hike, measuring about 30 km, was one of the easiest segments. However, crossing old railway trestle bridges provided a mix of thrill and caution as some areas felt precarious. It was a relief to finish the trek, covering 113 km (70 miles) across four days, with more to journey through in the coming episodes.

The experience thus far illustrated a wide array of scenery, from coastal views to beautiful lakes and the thrill of encountering wildlife, reinforcing the adventure spirit that comes with exploring Vancouver Island.

Keywords

Vancouver Island, hiking, bears, North Coast Trail, rail grade, Fort Rertqaku, burl, adventure, wildlife, lakes.

FAQ

Q: What segment of the Vancouver Island Trail did you hike in this episode?
A: In this episode, we hiked the second segment from Port Hardy towards Woss.

Q: How many kilometers did you cover in this segment?
A: We covered a total of 113 km (70 miles) over a span of four days.

Q: Did you see any wildlife during your hike?
A: Yes, we encountered numerous bears, including a mother bear with cubs and many salmon in the rivers.

Q: What were some of the challenges faced on the trail?
A: The trail was less defined than on the Pacific Crest Trail, requiring frequent navigation adjustments and dealing with dense brush and deadfall.

Q: What can I expect from the next episode in the series?
A: In the next episode, we will continue our hike further along the Vancouver Island Trail, revealing new landscapes and experiences.