Juan de Fuca Part 2

Pics along the trail

We arrived at the southend trail head around 10:30 and off we went hiking through the forest full of lovely cedar trees down towards the beach. The trail was well marked with orange markers.




Peacefulness along the trail

Our first stop was Mystic Beach that had a lovely waterfall. After a quick break and adjustment of packs back up the trail we went.




Beautiful Mystic Beach



Some of the bridges and staircases

After four hours of hiking and doing more climbing that we had thought this part would have we arrived at Bear Beach, a lovely beach with three camping sites. We spent another 30 minutes hiking the beach so that we could stay in the farthest one to be close to the trail head come morning. It was a beautiful little spot and we lucked out and were close to the cache and other facilities.
 


Hiking along Bear Beach

We met up with a young couple from the states that we had seen at the trail head and chatted. I also walked down and talked to two young men from Germany who had come from the other direction. They warned me that tomorrow was a lot of up and down and up and down and loads of mud. I felt strong and knew we could do this, although I admit I was a little concerned.




Our first campsite

Amy and our favourite rock

In the morning we found a mouse had chewed through Amy’s pack and chewed our one towel. My water bottle also had a hole in it, the water flooded the bottom of my pack and part of my shoes. It wasn’t a great start to the morning and when I tried to walk on water well things really needed to improve.

Coming down one of the many cut out log staircases

The hike from Bear Beach to Chin beach was indeed many ups and downs. We would hike up one side of the hill or mountain and then go back down the other side to cross the next creek bed.



Up on top before heading back down

 It took us 6.5 hours to hike the 12 kms and we were quite exhausted by the time we reached the beach. This was another nice beach and we arrived before 3pm so had our pick of sites and grabbed one under some lovely trees with a huge fire pit area. We had a nice fire to keep us warm while we tried to dry out our wet shoes and socks and packs in the sunshine. The weather was great although the wind was chilly. The campsite quickly filled up especially once a group of students arrived. Although we didn’t sleep much from the sound of the waves we awoke in the morning to find all of our belongings intact and after yesterdays fiasco, I sent Amy to wash the dishes so that my feet would stay dry ;)

The view from our tent

Laundry drying after a muddy muddy day

Beautiful little creek where we got our water for the next day

In the morning we headed off around 8 am knowing we had 12kms to hike to Little Kutchie Creek campground. It was marked difficult so we expected it to easier than the day before. However, it really was not. Although we didn’t have to go up and down as often there was more mud on this part and more climbing around tree roots.

One of the many suspension bridges, this one the highest and longest

It's a long way down

Once we found ourselves walking along a lovely ridge deep in the forest. It was so quiet and the ground so soft and red from all the cedar trees.



Up on the ridge with the huge cedars



Waterfall before Sombrio Beach

Heading down to Sombrio Beach

We had lunch on Sombrio beach which was very beautiful.
After walking the beach we once again got back on the trail and headed off. At one point we had to climb up this cliff by pulling ourselves up on a rope. I managed quite well, it wasn’t all that difficult but I could not stand there and watch Amy climb up. The thought of watching her fall was more than I could bare. 

Amy climbing up the cliff

After coming down the other side we found ourselves forced out onto the beach once again. This time I was quite nervous about finding the trail head as in no way did I want to have to back track and go down the cliff on the rope. My fear of heights had kicked in. Thankfully Amy was very wise and kept us going and sure enough there was the trail and we were once again on the right path with only 4 kms now to go. It was our longest day and took us over 8 hours to hike the 12 kms. We were very tired and needed some sleep.  This campsite was in the trees and very dark even though it was only late afternoon. The young couple once again showed up along with another couple going the other direction so there were six of us camped for the night. I hardly slept, but thankfully Amy did.

Camping in amongst the dark forest at Little Kutchie Creek

Our last morning on the trail was great. We were up early and on the trail before 8 am. 14 kms to go! This part of the trail was wonderful. It started off with a few patches of mud but thankfully it was mostly level. We walked along trails through the salal, across boardwalks and bridges and down and up many “staircases”. We each took one tumble that day which gave us some “war wounds” to show our friends.  We also saw a few bits of bear scat so we were ringing our bells as we hiked along. We met people on the trail this day more than any other especially as we neared Botanical Beach.

On the "easy" trail heading for home

It was high tide when we arrived so we headed straight up to the parking lot where Matt our trusting driver met us....it was such a good feeling to have completed all 47 kms, over 24 hours of hiking. I must say I felt a little emotional.


YES we did it!

It was a great four day hike. I had said I would never do it again, but maybe someday I will....or find another trail to hike and camp along. There is such a deep sense of peace out in the wilderness and in the silence, a deep connection with God. It was really amazing and I can’t put into words the sense of belonging to, and awe over all of creation. It gave me a sense of wholeness and an immense feeling of gratitude for life.