Escape to the Cape

This past week I joined my friends on a four day hike on the Cape Scott trail, the northern most point on Vancouver Island. It is a land filled with magnificent trees, beautiful beaches and absolutely no cell service. It was a week where work and life was left behind, a week spent living in the moment and forgetting the stresses of life. 

We made the 8 hour drive up on Monday and arrived at the parking lot in good time. The trail started off with a bit of a hill and the trail was made up of old wooden logs with packed mud, boardwalk and then just pathway. 

We hiked the 3.5 kms to Eric Lake where we set up camp and spent the night. I was amazed at how large Eric Lake was and the water was very tempting, however the thought of packing wet clothes kept me on the shore.

With a 6am wake up we were packed up and on the trail by 8 am. We had 14 kms to hike to Nels Blight where we would spend the next two nights. The first section of trail was dry packed mud and then loads of boardwalk

Most of it was dry and fairly new but the further we went the older the boardwalk became with lots of holes and rot. 

Still the trail was easy compared to the Juan de Fuca trail I had done three years ago. My pack was a heavy 35 pounds and took some adjusting to but after awhile I could almost pretend it wasn't there. 

There were massive trees along the hike and it was hard not to stop and continually take pictures. My pals back home had lovingly sent me off with a note with a wonderful mantra on it that kept me going. When I felt tired I repeated the words "Peace is every step" from Thich Nhat Hanh. It kept me trucking along being mindful of every moment and allowed me to just be in the moment and take it all the beauty of this amazing island trail. After five hours of hiking we came to the settlement area of the Danes in the early 1900's. 

It was interesting to read about the history of the area and picture them living there so far away from any civilization. There were left over bits from their life there which people had found in the bush and brought out near the trail. 

After crossing this wonderful meadow we entered a dark forest that reminded me of Little Red Ridinghood as not only was there bear scat along the pathway but wolf as well. 

At the six hour mark we came out into the light as we reached our campsite for the night at Nels Bight. It was a beautiful long beach and we quickly set up camp so we could relax and rest our weary bodies!

We sat and watched the sun set for most of the evening. 

Watching as the seagulls took flight as an eagle or people got to near their resting spot. The sun set was amazing and was a beautiful way to end the long day. 

 The next morning, Wednesday we woke a little later and headed out on a day hike to the lighthouse at Cape Scott.

It was wonderful having the lighter pack and I found the 7km's out to the cape was the most beautiful part of the hike. 

There were beautiful beaches, 

forested trails, 

wooded wagon roads from the war time and 

massive, massive trees. Some had been cut down and yet they still greeted us with smiles. 

On arrival at the lighthouse I was amazed to find many buildings and a light "post" and not a true light house but it was still great to be there. 

We climbed up the light tower and were welcomed with wonderful views. We didn't stay long due to a fear of heights and a shaky see through floor. 

The hike back was a little slower as we had filled all of our water containers at the lighthouse tap. The beaches of Guise Bay greeted us once again 

and then the forested trail back across to Nels Bight. Where we enjoyed another sunset. 

In the morning we packed up nice and early and were on the trail by 9 am. It was a very long day hiking back towards Eric Lake where we took a little break to filter some water for the next part of our journey. We hiked 19 kms that day and went down to San Josef Bay. 

The trail past the car park to the bay was flat and graveled making the journey easier on our very tired bodies. 

 There were magnificent trees down there with huge roots and the beach itself of a lovely site. 

The water where the river joined the ocean was crystal clear and a beautiful greenish blue colour. 

The view from our campsite was nature at its finest and it brought the sense of peace. That evening we walked around the bend at low tide and found the sea stacks that people have spoken about. It was fun to check them all out and explore the area.

 It was the perfect way to end a great hike. I was so thankful that we had chose to stay the extra night and enjoy this beach.  

Mary, my hiking partner at the age of 12 was amazing and hiked along with us never complaining about being tired nor about having to wait for us older folks. 

We all need these respite times in our lives. Time to get away from it all and into the forests. For those of us who are always "connected" being away from cell service is one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves. Instead we can connect with nature. As we hiked (just over 50 kms in the 3.5 days) I found that I didn't think about work, I didn't worry about the future, I just enjoyed the moment. 

Thank you Walker family for inviting me come along on what was a most amazing hike and vacation. There's nothing better in life than exercise, friends, laughter and being outdoors!