Where does the West Coast Trail start and finish?
The trail starts at Bamfield near Barkley Sound and runs south to Port Renfrew on Port San Juan Bay.
How many days do you need for West Coast Trail?
between 6 and 8 days
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.
What is the hardest part of the West Coast Trail?
Some people find the West Coast Trail section between Walbran and Camper to be the hardest part of the trail due to all the ladders. The trail from Walbran starts with a section of ladders. At the top, you’ll go through a bog on boardwalks. When the boardwalk ends, the mud, roots, and logs begin.
Whats harder West Coast Trail or Juan de Fuca?
The Juan de Fuca Marine Trail is a great shorter less difficult alternative to the West Coast Trail. You still get to see amazing vistas and shoreline and yea bears but without the difficult rope and ladder challenges on the WCT. There are also many on and off options so you can do shorter hikes if you like.
Can you do a day hike on the West Coast Trail?
In general, to hike the WCT you will need to be able to walk about 12km a day or more on uneven and difficult terrain while carrying 30-40lbs in your backpack. You will need to make sure you are prepared with the right gear to keep you warm and dry.
How many campsites are on the West Coast Trail?
13
The majority of WCT hikers spend 6-8 days on this challenging 75km long trail, camping at their choice of 13 designated campgrounds along the way. Not just a place to rest overnight, these camping areas heighten the coastal wilderness experience.
Do you have to book the West Coast Trail?
You MUST make advance reservations to hike the West Coast Trail. In the past, there were some first-come, first-served spots each day. However, since 2018 all permits for the entire season are reservable; there are no stand-by spots.
How do I prepare 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.
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.
Can you camp anywhere 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?
There are hundreds of moments spent evaluating risk in the outdoors: bears, cougars, rising tides, slippery ladders, kelp-covered rocks, hand-pulled cable cars, strangers, nights alone, inclement weather. As a soloist, there are no second opinions. Your choices are yours, alone, to own.
Are there bears on West Coast Trail?
How much food should I take on the West Coast Trail?
A reasonable goal is 1.5 to 2.5 lbs. of food (or 2,500 to 4,500 calories) per person each day depending on size, weight and exertion levels. At the same time, a common mistake is to pack too much food, forcing you to carry unwanted bulk and weight. Experience will teach you what amount of food works for you.
Why is West Coast Trail so popular?
Famous for its ruggedness, hundreds of man-made ladders and bridges, lush rainforests, and beautiful beach campsites, the West Coast Trail offers an experience as rich as the island’s flora and fauna itself. It’s an epic walk into the history of the Pacific Coast and Vancouver Island.
How many people are allowed on West Coast Trail per day?
Best Time of the Year to Hike the West Coast Trail
The West Coast trail is open from May 1st to September 30th, only 30 people are allowed to start hiking the trail each day.
Are there mountain lions on the PCT?
So, are there mountain lions on the Pacific Crest Trail? The answer is yes, with the largest populations in California and Oregon. Though interactions with these big cats are rare, they can be found in many of the areas the trail passes through.
How much money do you need to hike the PCT?
$4,000 to $6,000 per person
The average cost of a PCT thru-hike, including gear, food/resupply, and other end-to-end trail expenses, is $4,000 to $6,000 per person for an average thru-hike. That said, it’s not uncommon to hear stories of some people spending close to $10,000.
Are there bathrooms on the 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.
Do you need a bear canister on the West Coast Trail?
You must have a bear canister if you want to hike the Lost Coast Trail. Luckily there are some options if you don’t have one already. Gear for the Lost Coast Trail is pretty straightforward and luckily you don’t have to lug a lot of water around.
Do PCT have grizzly bears?
So, are there grizzly bears on the Pacific Crest Trail? Yes, there are still technically grizzly bears (also known as brown bears) on the PCT, your chances of coming across one are slim to none.
Do you need bear spray on the PCT?
Resident PCT bears are legendarily good at getting human food. In some of regions along the trail, all scented items MUST be in a bear canister. Where they’re required, these canisters must be on the list of allowed canisters published by that land management agency.
Are there bears on the PCT?
In California, the bear population has grown from about 10,000 in the 1980s to around 35,000 now. Their range has also expanded. In places where you didn’t use to worry about bears getting your food, there are now bears. Bears are at home in the mountains of the PCT from the southern deserts to the northern border.
What is the hardest part of the Pacific Crest Trail?
Section K – Stevens Pass to Rainy Pass
Hiking Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Section K – Stevens Pass to Rainy Pass. By far the most difficult stretch of PCT in Washington, Section K puts hikers through a grueling 127-mile trek over harsh terrain and treacherous conditions.
How do you physically prepare for the West Coast Trail?
Are there grizzly bears on the West Coast Trail?
There are over 100 ladders and bridges, miles of slippery boardwalks, surge channels to be crossed, and countless mud holes. There are also bears, cougars and wolves. On the bright side, there are no grizzlies, relatively few mosquitoes (at least in May), and no poison oak or venomous snakes.