Kault316
Paddler
I have been paddling on the West Coast of Vancouver Island since 1997 and have, over various trips paddled from Port Hardy to Tofino as well as the Broken and Deer Groups, Johnson Strait and the Gulf and San Juan Islands. For the summer of 2021, I would like to paddle from Tofino south and around to White Rock in mid August to complete the entire west coast. This plan assumes that the West Coast Trail will once again be open and that I can land on some San Juan Islands by then. (I have also paddled from Bellingham to Victoria). Here's one of our favourite trips from 2012 - you need 40 minutes for this.
I know that several of you have done all or part of this route so I am once again laying out my plan for input, sage wisdom, suggestions, do's and don'ts's, etc. My partner over the years has been an adventurous anesthesiologist from Mission, BC who craves the wilderness experience and is less enthusiastic about paddling in populated areas so he hasn't quite signed on the dotted line. Thus I may, by March, be soliciting potential paddling partners for this trip, but not quite yet!
Richard and I both carry VHF radios and Garmin In reach Satellite messengers.
Here's the bones of the trip so far
Tofino to White Rock Paddling Adventure
Logistics - Approximately August 15
My wife Judy, will take us to Tofino and abandon us. She may meet us south of the WCT to provide sundries or we could just take an Uber to Costco in Victoria
We paddle home (to White Rock or thereabouts)
Kevin’s recommended Route Also see Google Earth all stops
Distances/destinations
Allow 4-7 days extra for weather/resupply 17-21 days time away or much shorter if we take the ferry from Victoria
Total Distance 357 km
Input From Peter Gibbs
So, as I mention in that trip report, I'd never done surf landings prior to that trip. I was terrified for months ahead of time of paddling Juan de Fuca Strait. The fact that there are no all-weather haulouts I found very intimidating. I ended up having quite good weather and low swell, and while I did have to do surf landings at Keeha Bay, Clo-oose, and China Beach, they were all mild enough to be very manageable. When I landed at Clo-oose, I got out of my boat and said out loud "Was that it!? I've been worried about this landing for months!" That said, the conditions can be really heavy and the surf landings/launches much more dangerous. I just didn't experience that on this stretch so don't have a lot to offer there.
From Tofino, I camped at
1) Francis Island (spitting distance to Uclulet)
2) Gilbert Island (Broken Group)
3) Keeha Bay
4) Clo-ose
5) Thrasher Cove
6) Some random beach in Sooke
Input From Brian Loyd the paddler:
Have paddled the trail in both June and September, and section in winter (the later not recommended). Long days in June help but had a couple of days of big surf and landing were more difficult as beaches often fore fronted by a lot of rocky shelf. Camping was more pristine. September is known for the post season camper detritus, but seas in early September can be extremely calm and allow for good exploration without the white knuckling. Lots of boomers, so keep a wary eye, especially sleepers in early fall. I have a detailed route commentary marked down on the old long, rectangular top maps the government use to produce; so, any specific questions let me know. Paddlers who have done August stayed off the water until the fog lifted but then in gets windy really fast. You need open water experience preferably out here. There is a lodge near Bamfield running trips by kayak down the coast now (at least they were last year) with boat support. I used to love pulling up to a beach, pulling out a dozen beer, chips, etc., that easily fit in a kayak with the poor hikers looking on jealously as they downed their freeze dried potatoes and drank their insipid tang...ah the good old days you know.
Thanks in advance for your input.
I know that several of you have done all or part of this route so I am once again laying out my plan for input, sage wisdom, suggestions, do's and don'ts's, etc. My partner over the years has been an adventurous anesthesiologist from Mission, BC who craves the wilderness experience and is less enthusiastic about paddling in populated areas so he hasn't quite signed on the dotted line. Thus I may, by March, be soliciting potential paddling partners for this trip, but not quite yet!
Richard and I both carry VHF radios and Garmin In reach Satellite messengers.
Here's the bones of the trip so far
Tofino to White Rock Paddling Adventure
Logistics - Approximately August 15
My wife Judy, will take us to Tofino and abandon us. She may meet us south of the WCT to provide sundries or we could just take an Uber to Costco in Victoria
We paddle home (to White Rock or thereabouts)
Kevin’s recommended Route Also see Google Earth all stops
Distances/destinations
- Drive to Tofino and spend the night
- Tofino to Wya Point 33 km
- Wya Point to Gilbert Island 16 km
- Gilbert to to Keeha Beach 17 km
- Keeha Beach to Cl-oose Beach 31 km
- Clo-oose Beach to Yau Creek 35 km
- Yau Creek to French Beach 37 km
- French Beach to Long Neck Island 30 km
- Long Neck to Discovery Island 30 km We can have rest days and I will ask Mark Kean to provide some support in Victoria. A ride for resupply, possibly a night at their house. We can leave our wheels at his house if we need to take the ferry home.
- Discovery Islands - Portland Island - 34km
- Portland Island to Tumbo Island 31 km
- Tumbo Island to Matia 19 km
- Matia to White Rock 36 km https://www.tripadvisor.ca/ShowTopi...-Victoria_Victoria_Capital_Regional_Dist.html
Allow 4-7 days extra for weather/resupply 17-21 days time away or much shorter if we take the ferry from Victoria
Total Distance 357 km
Input From Peter Gibbs
So, as I mention in that trip report, I'd never done surf landings prior to that trip. I was terrified for months ahead of time of paddling Juan de Fuca Strait. The fact that there are no all-weather haulouts I found very intimidating. I ended up having quite good weather and low swell, and while I did have to do surf landings at Keeha Bay, Clo-oose, and China Beach, they were all mild enough to be very manageable. When I landed at Clo-oose, I got out of my boat and said out loud "Was that it!? I've been worried about this landing for months!" That said, the conditions can be really heavy and the surf landings/launches much more dangerous. I just didn't experience that on this stretch so don't have a lot to offer there.
From Tofino, I camped at
1) Francis Island (spitting distance to Uclulet)
2) Gilbert Island (Broken Group)
3) Keeha Bay
4) Clo-ose
5) Thrasher Cove
6) Some random beach in Sooke
Input From Brian Loyd the paddler:
Have paddled the trail in both June and September, and section in winter (the later not recommended). Long days in June help but had a couple of days of big surf and landing were more difficult as beaches often fore fronted by a lot of rocky shelf. Camping was more pristine. September is known for the post season camper detritus, but seas in early September can be extremely calm and allow for good exploration without the white knuckling. Lots of boomers, so keep a wary eye, especially sleepers in early fall. I have a detailed route commentary marked down on the old long, rectangular top maps the government use to produce; so, any specific questions let me know. Paddlers who have done August stayed off the water until the fog lifted but then in gets windy really fast. You need open water experience preferably out here. There is a lodge near Bamfield running trips by kayak down the coast now (at least they were last year) with boat support. I used to love pulling up to a beach, pulling out a dozen beer, chips, etc., that easily fit in a kayak with the poor hikers looking on jealously as they downed their freeze dried potatoes and drank their insipid tang...ah the good old days you know.
Thanks in advance for your input.