What is the best direction to hike the West Coast Trail?
Some say doing it north to south will ensure your pack is lighter once you get to the ladders and elevation down south however we opted to do it south to north and were happy to have gotten through the most challenging parts while our energy levels were at their highest.
How do I get in shape for the West Coast Trail?
Preparing for the West Coast Trail
- Pack smart. Try to limit your total pack weight to 30% of your body weight or less.
- Break in your gear. Although your hiking shoes should be comfortable right out of the box, it is imperative to wear them in.
- Practice hikes.
- Core and leg strengthening.
How difficult is the West Coast Trail?
Hiking the West Coast Trail is difficult, even for experienced hikers.” Most people will spend between 6 and 8 days in the backcountry, when travelling from end-to-end. There’s also a mid-way entry point at Nitinaht Village, which can shorten your journey by a few days.
How big of a backpack should you bring on the West Coast Trail?
PURPOSE: A 50 to 75 litre backpack is needed for the West Coast Trail. If you get expensive, ultralight and ultra-compact gear to put in it a 50 litre pack should work for you. For most hikers a 65 litre pack is ideal.
Where do you poop on West Coast Trail?
You can find toilets on the West Coast Trail at every campsite except Orange Juice Creek. There are also toilets at the Pachena Bay trailhead, Gordon River Parks Canada Office, Ditidaht luxury tents and Nitinaht Narrows. There are no public toilets at the Carmanah and Pachena lighthouses.
Which is harder Juan de Fuca or West Coast Trail?
In general, I think the Juan de Fuca Trail is much easier than the North Coast Trail. It about the same difficulty the West Coast Trail. Some hikers find in harder than the WCT due to the elevation gain and the broken infrastructure.
Can you camp anywhere on the West Coast Trail?
Other Places to Camp on the West Coast Trail. You are allowed to camp anywhere you like on the West Coast Trail. You don’t have to camp in an official campground. The only exception is that no camping is allowed between KM 34 and KM 38 due to high wildlife activity.
Can you hike the West Coast Trail alone?
Getting Started on the West Coast Trail I went up a few and down a few. Some sections had a few shorter ladders in rapid succession. Others had one or two much longer ones. I was really happy to be travelling solo and with an ultralight pack as I went through the ladder sections.
Where do you poop on the West Coast Trail?
Are there bears on the West Coast Trail?
It rains — a lot — on the West Coast Trail, and if hikers don’t take care to keep their clothes and sleeping bag dry, or if they get stranded in bad weather by high tide, they’re in for a world of brrrrr. There’s also the occasional run-in with bears, wolves and cougars: 40 or so each year on the trail, on average.
Are Gaiters necessary for West Coast Trail?
Gaiters (Optional) They are helpful to keep mud, sand, and water out of your boots. A few people in my group didn’t wear gaiters. Some wore pants to help things out of their boots, and others just stepped carefully. They all said they were fine without gaiters – but they definitely got muddy at times.
How much water should I bring on the West Coast Trail?
There are many water sources along the way and carrying one water bottle per person should be sufficient. Every camp on the west coast trail had a river or at least little creek with running water close to the camping area.
What to do if you have to poop while hiking?
Rinse it if possible, and carry it in a plastic bag. On a day hike, you can carry a couple wads of toilet paper or tissue and a small zip-top plastic bag. Put the used toilet paper in the bag and dump the paper in your toilet when you get home.
What do you do if you need to poop on a hike?
Dig, poop and pack it out If you don’t have a trowel, a sturdy stick makes a great substitute. Dig a hole at least 6”-8” in the ground then squat and drop. If you use toilet paper, store it in the zip lock bag and toss that in the trash bag to carry with you until you can properly dispose of it.
Is the Juan de Fuca Trail the same as the West Coast Trail?
The Juan de Fuca sits on the southwestern coast of Vancouver Island, between Botanical Beach in Port Renfrew and China Beach, which is just up the coast from Sooke. The trail lies just south of the popular West Coast Trail and is often hiked as a more-accessible alternative.
How do you prepare for the Juan de Fuca Trail?
13 (+1) Tips for hiking the Juan de Fuca trail
- Prepare for the mud. The west coast of Vancouver Island can be a very wet place.
- Know your distances. Every time I hike the Juan de Fuca our plans change slightly.
- Lock your car.
- Bring camp shoes.
- Tarp it.
- Sombrio Beach can be busy.
- The south end is harder.
- Check the tide.
Are there outhouses on the West Coast Trail?
There are thirteen designated West Coast Trail campgrounds. All but one have outhouses and food storage facilities. Technically, you can camp almost anywhere on the West Coast Trail.
Do I need bear spray on the West Coast Trail?
Firearms. Firearms are illegal to have on the trail. If you are really worried about bears, bring bear spray. If you are worried about people, I can assure you that everyone is super friendly and out to enjoy this beautiful trail just like you!
Are there mosquitoes on the West Coast Trail?
In general, the bugs aren’t bad on the West Coast Trail. There can be some mosquitos on the forested trails early in the season or in some of the forested campsites. However, it’s usually too breezy on the beach for most insects.
Is it possible to hike the West Coast Trail?
It is possible to hike a shorter version of the West Coast Trail. A mid-point entrance at Nitinaht Narrows that is only accessible by water from Nitinaht Village, allows you to hike a shorter portion of the West Coast Trail.
Do you need a reservation for the West Coast Trail?
Reservations are a must for the West Coast Trail. There are 70 permits to start the WCT each day: 25 from Pachena Bay, 25 from Gordon River, and 20 from Nitinaht Narrows. You can book online at reservation.pc.gc.ca or call 1-877-RESERVE (1-877-737-3783).
What is the best tent for the West Coast Trail?
The MSR Hubba Hubba tent is extremely light, waterproof and durable tent, it was perfect for the West Coast trail. Good quality, easy to pitch and breakdown and it stayed dry in the rain.
How long is the West Coast Trail to Pachena Bay?
Travelling north from Nitinaht Narrows to Pachena Bay is the shortest option available to hike the West Coast Trail at 33 km in total. Another shorter, cheaper and easier option is to hike the Juan de Fuca trail also starting outside Port Renfrew, I compare the trails later in the article.