Port Renfrew is the southern terminus of the Pacific Rim National Park and the West Coast Trail and the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail. The south-western coast of Vancouver Island is famously know as the "Graveyard of the Pacific" due to over a hundred shipwrecked vessels along this rugged stretch of coast line. Although lighthouses were installed connected to the jutting rocky points along the way, a telegraph line linked these lighthouses from Victoria in the south to Bamfield in the north. This trail became know as the West Coast Marine Trail. West Coat Trail - Trailhead Access Pachena Bay Nitinaht Narrows Gordon River West Coast Trail (WCT) Since the disaster of the American steamship Valencia in 1906, survivors that reached the shores followed the telegraph line to and make there way to safety, still many days away. Often obtaining food and blankets from the native villages along the way. By the year 1911 the trail was known as the Dominion Lifesaving Trail or Shipwrecked Mariners Trail and with shelters built along the trail by the government to help shipwrecked survivors, the trail a permanent necessity. Eventually the federal funding came to a halt. The maintenance ran out and the area started getting attention from the locals, and activists and local groups to repair the trail again and draw visitors. This area was proposed as a park from the early days. As politics would have it eventually the province sold its timber rights to the area. Following many proposals by Sierra Club, provincial government and other local groups the BC Parks branch in 1967 placed it as a reserve. At this time through negotiation and with much outside support, the land was finally added to the Pacific Rim National Park in 1970. With specific boundaries to be determined over the next few years. Parks Canada did repairs and maintenance in 1973 and added more bridges, cable cars, and stairways in the 1980's. Since then numerous groups have taken responsibility to help maintain the trail. People wishing to hike this world class trail require hiking permits long in advance and extreme preparatory readiness to hike this trail safely. Each year there are many rescues and sometimes loss of life due to accidents and unprepared circumstances. There have been many emergency air lifts over the years. There is no cell service in most areas along this coastline. Reservations in effect. West Coast Trail - portrenfrew.com LINKS updated April 2020 WCT FAQ https://portrenfrew.com/wctfaq.htm WCT Map https://portrenfrew.com/wctmap.htm WCT Now https://portrenfrew.com/wctnow.htm WTC Preperation guide pdf https://www.westcoasttrailbc.com/WCT- Prep-2007%20En.pdf WCT Pacific Rim Bulletins https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn- np/bc/pacificrim/bulletins WCT Reservations https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn- np/bc/pacificrim/activ/activ6a/iii WCT Photos https://portrenfrew.com/wctpics.htm WCT Construction https://portrenfrew.com/wcttrailconst.htm WCT News Stories https://portrenfrew.com/WCTnoPregnant.htm WCT Wrecks https://portrenfrew.com/wrecks.htm WCT Storm 2007 - News https://portrenfrew.com/wctstormblocked.htm WCT Links https://portrenfrew.com/wctlinks.htm WCT Advisory Archives https://www.portrenfrew.com/advisory/wctarchives.htm Kludahk Trail Little known and heavily protected, the Kludahk Trail runs 48 km along the San Juan Ridge starting near Parkinson Creek. It is a difficult trail as it climbs 6,591 feet to the top and then crosses the ridge into Sooke, BC. Access is at the bottom of the hill. This is semi- alpine country and has a very sensitive ecosystem underfoot. It is public but is is run by The Kludahk Outdoors Club. This trail is very popular in the winter months and is used by local club cross-country skiers on a regular bases. Juan de Fuca Marine Trail Botanical Beach, Sombrio Beach, Parkinson Creek and China Beach east, are all major trail- heads, and they all have beaches. Loss Creek is not accessible by vehicle. This is a 47km four day backpacking trip from one end to the other with possible day trips between trail-heads. Bear-proof food caches are available at the Mystic Beach, Chin Beach, Bear Beach, Sombrio Beach, Little Kuitsche Creek and Payzant Creek campsites Large orange balls mark exits from the beach to the trail-heads. If you contact West Coast Trailbus for reservations, they will pick you up at designated times at either ends of the trail-heads. Camping Fees Tide Beach Cut-offs Trail Map Botanical Beach is the trail-head access (mile 0) for the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail. Hiking the trail from Botanical Beach to Payzant campgrounds is 2.5 hrs, 7 km. Payzant to Parkinson trailhead: 1 hr, 3 km Parkinson Creek Trailhead Once was Parkinson Creek Provincial Park is now a trailhead for the Juan de Fuca Provincial Park. Day access to this beach trail is fifteen minutes from the parking lot. This is also a great beach to comb during low tides amidst tidal pools and sea life. If your hiking the trail south, Parkinson to Little Kuitshie: 1 hr, 4 km. Sombrio Beach Trailhead A few more miles down the road headed south east, you will come to Sombrio Beach. The road down to the beach is gravel with many switch backs before the parking lot. Do not leave valuables in the car. This is a remote area. This beach has a history of families that live back when it was not part of the Juan de Fuca Provincial Park. This was for a long time before Surfer Magazine advertised Rivermouth’s shack and surf board on one of Canada’s best kept secrets surfing spots. It was going to happen anyway. Many surfer families already had made their residences a part of the beach landscape many years before it was taken by government appropriation. This is a great hike to get to the beach. Access trail to the beach that takes about ten to fifteen minutes. Along the way is a suspension bridge crossing the river. If you hike to the left and follow along the beach to the next creek, follow the creek up to the end for a great surprise. This is also the entrances to the Juan de Fuca Marine trail. Sombrio Point to Loss Creek Bridge: 1 hr, 2 km Loss Creek Is now part of the Jaun de Fuca Marine Trail The access to this beach is from either trail heads on both sides of the creek. This once was a Provincial Park. There is no vehicle access to Loss Creek. The next trailhead is Sombrio Beach. See Parks links for more info on Loss Creek, BC, Canada. Loss Creek Bridge to Chin Beach: 1 hr, 3 km Chin Beach cannot be hiked at high tide. Chin Beach to Bear Creek: 3.5 hrs, 12 km Bear Beach Campsite to Mystic Beach: 2.5 hrs, 7 km Mystic Beach Trail From the China Beach parking lot is a 2 km trail 30 minute walk to the beach. Hiking the Marine Trail south from Mystic Beach to China Beach: 0.5 hr, 2 km China Beach Trailhead China Beach in the south is the trailhead mile 0 for the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail. This is the beginning of a multi-day hiking trail headed North. Trailhead for the 2 km day trip to beautiful Mystic Beach. Check out our Beaches link Jordon River A great place to camp in the summer time. Campgrounds at the river-mouth. One of the west coast surfers secrets. Not anymore since Surfer Magazine advertised it back in the 80s. Surfers Club shack on the point. Still being used by the Club. If your a member, I mean of facebook, then you can visit them at Facebooks Jordon River Surf Club here. Sandcut Beach About a 10 minute walk down to the beach from parking. French Beach See Beaches for more on French Beach Fishboat Bay Community Park Located in Shirley and a short drive past the entrance to French Beach Provincial Park is Fishboat Road cul-de-sac a 7.7 acre Nature Park featuring a long sandy beach accessed by a short trail. Sooke Chamber of Commerce Beaches East Sooke Provincial Park and the 10 km Coast Trail To the NORTH of Port Renfrew Nitinaht Lake pronounced “Nit-Nat” World famous wind-surfing lake. Nitinat Kiteboarding Guide (Nitinaht) Nitinaht Lake Ecological Reserve Nitinaht Triangle Hitchie Creek Provincial Park Bamfield Nitinaht Narrows - Entrance to the West Coast Trail Home to the Ditidaht People and the new Parks Canada third entrance to the West Coast Trail. For shorter hikes and 'weekend warrior' overnight camping. Nitinat Lake. 150 kilometres (93 mi) northwest by road from Victoria, BC, Canada. Mostly dangerous logging roads active during weekdays and some places weekends as well. They do not stop! Stay out of their way. Major world windsurfing lake, famous for it's 10- 4 steady 20km winds. In the summer this is the best place for windsurfing & kite-surfing. The camp-sites in the evening are packed with friendly campers excited after a day of fun! Nitinat Triangle Northwest of Nitinat Lake, (famous 34km canoe/portage/trail) was added to the Pacific Rim National Park in 1973. The final boundaries were not agreed upon until 1988 due to re-evaluation of the land. Canoeists must get Park Permits from the Nitinat Lake Visitor Center operated by the Ditidaht First Nation before entering onto this trail. The Tsusiat Falls campsite requires a National Park Permit as well. Official Web Site for Pacific Rim National Park https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/bc/pacificrim Reservation Service https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/voyage-travel/reserve Sierra Club Kite Boarding Nitinaht Campsite Inquiries at Nitinaht Visitor Centre/General Store 250-745-3999 (May 1-Sept 30) This year there will be as of April 16, 2020 a restriction in BC on all fire burning. Please check with your local fire halls and municipality offices for official fire regulations.