West Coast Trail Advisory - August 2-9, 2002

Parks Canada West Coast Trail Advisory at portrenfrew.com

West Coast Trail Advisory - Parks Canada

Aug 23 - Aug 31, 2002

Respect Wildlife! Review provided materials on bear and cougar safety. Report any animal encounters to park staff. Be cautious of all wild animals as they can be very dangerous. If you see a cub or kitten that appears to be alone, remember that its mother is never far away. Never approach wildlife - leave the area immediately!

Bears:Bear sightings have recently been reported at Pachena Bay, Tsocowis Creek, Klanawa River, west of Nitinat Narrows (km 31), Cheewat Beach, Carmanah Creek, Beach Access one (km 66), Thrashers Cove, and Owen Point. Several sightings have involved sows with cubs. During this time of year the bears are busy feeding on the salmon berries and may not see you before you see them. Be aware while hiking!!

Cougars: On August 7th a cougar returned to a campsite within meters where hikers had earlier chased it off. As a result, Bonilla Point and Kulaht Creek Campsites are CLOSED. In June a cougar came within several meters of a campsite on Cheewat beach at dusk. In a separate incident in May, a bold adult cougar was sighted within three meters of hikers at Walbran River. Caution: Cougar in Area 148; signs are posted between Nitnat and the Gordon River.

If an encounter occurs - Remember! Be aggressive with cougars by throwing things at it, making lots of noise, and waving your arms.

The West Coast Trail is as dynamic as its surroundings and can change by the hour. If you encounter a section of the trail or a structure that seems impassable, please report the location to park staff.

Trail Conditions: Expect wet, muddy conditions all along the trail, especially between the Walbran and Gordon Rivers. Even small amounts of rain can make boardwalks and bridges very slippery.

Bridges, Boardwalks, Ladders and other structures along the trail may be in poor condition due to aging or recent storms. Avoid overloading structures with too many people and packs. Keep an eye out for structures marked with flagging tape and bypass any structure that seems unstable.

Bear-Proof Food Lockers: Use the Food Lockers provided at campsites along the trail to reduce the risk of bear encounters. Lockers are in place at Michigan, Darling, Tsocowis, Tsusiat, Thrasher Cove, Camper Bay and Walbran Beach. Hang food properly in all other areas.

Refer to the five day weather forecast:for a general outlook of the weather during your hike. Unfortunately, local weather and sea conditions can be unpredictable. Sea swells, tides, currents, rivers, wind, rain, and temperatures can all act independently of each other - respect each of them.

Flooding: All creeks and rivers (especially Darling, Michigan, Logan and Camper) can flood. Be prepared to wait if required. Rivers can rise as much as 2-3 meters in extreme cases. Take time to establish a safe campsite, well above the high water mark.

Tides: Rough seas can make beach camping hazardous, especially in late and early summer. Ensure tents and equipment are set well above the high tide line as incoming swell may catch you off guard! When in doubt, choose sites in the forest. This week high tides will range up to 11.2 feet (3.4 m)

Fires are only permitted on the beach, never in the trees, and well away from the forest or beach logs. Do not use large beach logs and never leave fires unattended. Fully extinguish your fire before leaving camp. DO NOT BURN GARBAGE IN THE FIRE RINGS - PACK IT OUT!

Closed Areas: It is prohibited by the National Parks Act of Canada to enter closed areas in a National Park.

Bonilla Point and Kulaht Creek are CLOSED for camping due to a cougar in the area.

There is an area adjacent to Camper Bay Campsite that is CLOSED until further notice due to unstable trees. However, the campsite is OPEN. Garbage: PACK IN - PACK OUT. Please do not leave your garbage in the park, in the outhouses, in fire rings, or with the ferry operators. GARBAGE KILLS WILDLIFE!

Composting Toilets: (Michigan Creek, Tsusiat Falls, Camper Creek, and Thrasher Cove) Putting garbage into these toilets interferes with the biological processes involved in composting. This includes sanitary napkins and tampons (please pack them out). These toilets have been installed at considerable expense, and we require your cooperation in order to ensure they can serve their purpose.

Private Property and Reservation Land: The Trail passes through reservation land and next to private land at various locations. Certain sites of cultural and historic significance are not indicated on your trail map due to their spiritual and or sensitive nature. Please obey signs and respect these culturally sensitive areas.

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