Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

Entrance Anchorage LEGEND

H
The story behind the trail:

ob
Sachsa TSL 60
TSUNAMI HAZARD ZONE

S
i to
Ferry to

qua
WEST COAST TRAIL

n
0
Port Alberni highway

57
14

ak L
30

lic
Sachawil Self Pt paved road

60
The Huu-ay-aht, Ditidaht and Pacheedaht First Nations However, after the wreck The West Coast Trail (WCT) is one of the three units

e
0
0
The Valencia

um
42

12
30
TSL

21
Aguilar Pt logging road of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve (PRNPR),

30
Port Désiré have always lived along Vancouver Island's west coast. of the Valencia in 1906,

30
Helby Is

West Coast
West Coast Trail forest route

L
administered by Parks Canada. PRNPR protects and

Pac
IN CASE OF EARTHQUAKE, GO
km These nations used trails and paddling routes for trade with the loss of 133 lives,

ake
distance in km from Pachena Access

Ts
Calamity 24 TO HIGH GROUND OR INLAND Ho
300 bit presents the coastal temperate rainforest, near shore

hen

usi
and travel long before foreign sailing ships reached this the public demanded
Mackenzie
Bamfield Cape Beale/Keeha Trail route on
Lake m waters and cultural heritage of Vancouver Island’s
2k distance in km from parking lot

at
Anchorage region over 200 the government do

Bam

Cr
Trail Map
Ri west coast as part of Canada’s national park system.

ee
ve West Coast Trail - beach route outhouse

k
years ago. Over the more to help mariners

Riv
Channel

120
field
r
access

er
century following along this coastline. WEST COAST TRAIL POLICY AND PROCEDURES

la
IR 12 Indian Reserve

Inle
Dianna

su
Brady beach access contact sailors In response the

90
The WCT is open from May 1 to September 30.

30
TSL

t
Penin
Island Beach Treaty Settlement Lands
Bamfield to Port Renfrew, brought the government built

30
parking The trail is closed October 1 to April 30 due to frequent
Vancouver Island Hamilton
Burlo swampy area beginning of a Pachena Lighthouse, and prolonged periods of heavy rain, strong winds, high

90
Is cable car
Point extensive mud
60 buildings changing world to established lifesaving tides, large waves and short days. The national park
TSL flats at low tide

Mills
passable at sand, foreshore flats impassable headland the First Nations. stations and improved 150 Lit t le superintendent may close the WCT at any time to address
tides 6ft/1.8m Burts Is Squalic um
Voss Pt WCT Information Trade increased, and the telegraph route to become a life saving trail for public safety, environmental or operational concerns.
rocky ledge, rocky reef difficult surge channel Lak e

150
Centre - register on
Haines many sailing ships met a tragic fate navigating in these shipwreck victims and their rescuers. With improvements Due to the popularity of the West Coast Trail we suggest

90
and off the trail here. shipwreck, general location only

Tr ev or
Is May 01 – Sept 30 viewpoint, point of interest 60 that you make your reservation as early as possible.
unfamiliar and hazardous waters. Sailors soon referred to technology the frequency of shipwrecks decreased and k

12
(Bamfield = 5km) campsite - all campsites are located ee Reservations are typically made available through our
Cr

0
on the beaches GC Guardian cabin
Taylor Is to this coastline as the “Graveyard of the Pacific”. the life saving trail was gradually abandoned. In 1973 the 40 reservation system in early January.
Creek 2
Anacla West Coast Trail Information Centre Ditidaht luxury tent trail became part of the newly established Pacific Rim 15
0
d um
TSL ar - register on and off lic Reservations can be made:
lon Food locker Between 1888 and 1890 the government erected a National Park Reserve. Today, hiking the West Coast Trail qu
a

90
C S
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve Online: reservation.pc.gc.ca
telegraph line along the coastline. The line was an attempt is about exploring Vancouver Island’s temperate rainforest

Ts u

24
90
na Beach Pachena Access
Pache

0
(HFN) Huu-ay-aht Place Name to establish communications between the west coast and wild coastline, experiencing a fabled land recounted Phone: 1-877-737-3783 (Canada and USA)
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
passable Ditidaht Place Name

s
(DFN) 15
Marine Zone

15
60
at tides below villages, the newly established Cape Beale and Carmanah in traditional histories, walking in the steps of shipwreck 0 1-519-826-5391 (International)

iat
(PFN) Pacheedaht Place Name 90
Whittlestone Pt

2k
8ft/2.4m IR 1

m
2 km
contour interval - 30m lighthouses, and larger communities in hopes of saving victims, and appreciating the beauty of territories that Standby: The WCT is 100% reservable and there is no

Bl
Pachena

ac
30

90
Tapaltos mariner lives. First Nation people continue to call home. standby list at the trailheads. All visitors to Pacific Rim

k
Tide heights quoted on the face of the map are approximate and photographs courtesy

La
Bay assume calm seas; use tide tables for Tofino, B.C. Add one hour Parks Canada Ts u q u a d r a National Park Reserve are required to have a valid national

Kichha
30 during summer months for Pacific Daylight Saving Time. 2019 edition Lake

ke
park entry pass while visiting the national park reserve.
Lawton Pt IR 7
2 km Hikers on the WCT are required to have a valid WCT

Lak
Bay 300 60

La

90
18
Overnight Use Permit in addition to a valid national park

ke

e
0

Klanawa
4 km 390
entry pass.

0
30

15
300

0
0

12
21
"NEREUS" 0 0
36 24
3.5 km Entrance and exit points: Pachena Bay, Nitinaht Village,

Ni arro
N
4070-ton Kicha TSL 0

tin ws
18

Darling
Mic
and Gordon River. Entrance or exit at any other point is not

ah
Tsocowis
Greek freighter 60
eh a B e a ch 90

240
Ke

t
Aug. 1937, out 270
Clutus 240 Little 30
permitted unless an evacuation is required.
of Kobe for
Keeha

hig

Bi
0 150 Tsusiat
15

lly
30

Point Alberni, 210

TSL m Lake
Ferry crossings are operated throughout the hiking
Bay 4k

River
no loss IR 2

an

0
Go
Riv
60

Ora

12

Trestle
30
of life.
ve
6 km season at Gordon River and Nitinaht Narrows (fees apply).

30 km
0

at
12
Clutus Pt

er
o

nge
270
Mud C Tsusiat If applicable, the water taxi on Nitinaht Lake can take you

Cr

Cre
150

Blac
210 Falls GC

22 km

28 km
Cr

km
Cape Beale from Nitinaht Village to Nitinaht Narrows (fees apply).

Jui
ee

km
e
150 dere

ek

24
ek

Creek
li
dere ct donke

ce
k
headlands between

26
se 120
e Lighthou

k
Cape Beal 7 km Pachena Access 90 lict g
rade
y eng Maximum group size: 10 hikers
r 60 ine ladders

Ck

20 km
and Michigan Creek Tsuquadra
ve n

to main
Co ma

"BRUCE 1", are impassable trail from Darling

90
River east to this passable trail Pt Pets and firearms are prohibited on the WCT
ad

seiner Feb. 1976,

River

16 km

Tsusiat Pt
point passable at

18 km
120 at tides below
De

crew of four, two passable at

crew lost. American barque
Malsit tides below 9ft/2.7m
anchor 9ft/2.7m 3 masted tides below
3 masted schooner Contacting a commercial operator: please visit
extensive mud Wooden steamer "ALASKAN" "VESTA" 286 tons,
TSL on rocks barkentine 7ft/2.1 m http://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/bc/pacificrim/activ/activ13

14 km
flats at low tide "CHARLES B. KINNEY" 150 tons, Jan. 1923 out of 50 December 1897,

6 km
Nov. 1886, with lumber "UNCLE JOHN",

Valencia
passable at Victoria loaded with salt no loss of life.

Bluffs
24o Motor
tides 6ft/1.8m out of Port Townsend for the salteries in Barkley GC
314 tons, For essential planning information access our
for Australia, no fishing vessel Oct. 1899,

12
magnetic north
Sound, entire crew lost. 60 Barque preparation guide at:
survivors. "VARSITY", 90 tons, Steamship "WOODSIDE" in ballast from During dry weather fresh water can be scarce between

km
tru

Seabird Rocks "JANET

4 masted
en

"UZBEKISTAN" February 1940,

COWAN"
built in Sooke, provided Honolulu for Tsuquadra (KM 30) and Dare Beach (KM 40). http://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/bc/pacificrim/visit/brochures
ort

7 crew, 3 survivors. schooner regular service between Port Townsend

h

3 masted barque a Russian freighter,

Regional Setting
2497 ton
"ROBERT Victoria, Port Renfrew, or call 1-250-726-3500 all year long.

8 km
Va "SARAH", 1206 tons, April 1943, loaded to load lumber,
n 767 ton wooden schooner "MICHIGAN" a wooden windjammer,
co
uv Port Parksville St
"SEQUEL", Jan. 1909, out Nov. 1891, a British 30 with lend-lease cargo, Jan. 1896,
LEWERS" Barkley Sound and no loss of life. During the hiking season call 1-250-647-5434 to reach
r steamship, Jan. 1893,

10
er Alberni o ait ship from Manila no loss of life "VALENCIA", 1600 ton, 732 tons, Alberni Canal, March 1888,
ana
im of Callao in ballast, captain's out of Cape the Gordon River trailhead or 1-250-728-3234 to reach
N no loss of life.Steamer

km
4 of April 1923, no lives lost
Isl 19 N in ballast for Puget 253 foot iron steamer, Town in
an G wife and 3 year old daughter
eo 3 masted ship "MASCOTTE" to salvage Jan. 1906, out of San inbound in the Pachena Bay trailhead.
o

d Sound, 2 crew lost.

fin

rg lost, all others survived. ballast for

sea lion t rock

"MICHIGAN" destroyed by ballast from

haul ou
To

ia "BECHERDASS- Francisco for Victoria Hastings

fire Aug. 1893, no loss of life. Honolulu for
J U AN D E F U C A ST R AIT

Lighth ouse
AMBIADASS" and Vancouver, out of a For information on how to make a reservation for

Pache na
let

Lo Mill, from

Pach ena Pt
Remnant boiler still on-shore. Bellingham,
lue

ng
The West Coast Trail is recommended 1386 tons, July 1879, total of 160 passengers
d

a contingent
l

Be
a school, non-profit group or commercial operator
fie
Uc

ac in ballast from Shanghai and crew, more than 125 no loss of life.
m

h Duncan of 27, 7 died

Ba

Lake
for experienced backpackers only. Br
ok
en
Cowichan 1 Sidney
to Moodyville to load
lumber, no loss of life.
lives were lost. waiting for please call 1-250-726-3500.
We rescue.
Gr Port
ou
p
s t C
o as Renfrew Email: pacriminfo@pc.gc.ca
Isl t T 0 1 2 3 kilometres
an
ds rai Website: www.pc.gc.ca/pacificrim
P A C I FI C O C E A N
l 14 Sooke
Pac i fi c Jua Victoria Please note, national park reserve boundaries are approximate.
n d 0 0.5 1 2 miles
Oc ean Cape Flattery e Fuc
a St
Park Emergencies: 1-250-726-3604
ra it
 e
BACKCOUNTRY ETIQUETTE The West Coast Trail should not be considered by: TIPS FOR A SAFE AND ENJOYABLE HIKE Fairy
Lak PROTECTING, PRESENTING AND PRESERVING Lake

Doobah Lake
• children under twelve. • Leave a written trip plan with a responsible person 600
• Respect other hikers and protect the quality of 90
um
60 45
0
Oyees
their experience. • backpackers with little experience in multi-day (e.g. family or friend). Detail who you are going with, where,

Bro
300
Nitinaht Village L.
Vancouver Island’s west coast has provided abundant
a lic

backpacking trips. and your expected date of return. A WCT Overnight Use Fairy

120
Entrance 300 Cree

w se
Sprise • Use outhouses when possible: human wastes outside 540 k
Permit does not fulfill this role.

300
Squ

resources to the Huu-ay-aht, Ditidaht and Pacheedaht • those with little stamina or recurring knee, back or 450

C re
420
Lake outhouses must be buried in a 20 cm (7 inch) hole a 210
• Use good quality, lightweight equipment and be familiar with

Nitinaht
360
ankle injuries. 300
First Nations, which supports and sustains their social,

ek
minimum of 30 m (100 feet) from waterways and trails. 30

90

er
it before your hike.
IR 9

30
0
Deposit toilet paper in the next outhouse or burn it. Pack out More than 100 hikers are evacuated every season due to 15

Ri v
cultural and economic livelihood. For these three First • Take your time: 6-8 days is the average duration on the trail. Creek
hygiene products. injuries. Prolonged wet periods increase the incidents of Grierson 90 0
15
Nations the West Coast Trail is home, an area they • Hike at the speed of your slowest hiker.
90
• Use a stove: minimize fires.
hypothermia and injury. Hypothermia lowers the core body Go Ri
60
rdo

an
West Coast Trail 30
temperature and, if not stopped, can lead to death. Symptoms • Do not hike when you are tired, it is late, or dark. ve
n

60
have occupied since time r Information Centre — register

Ju
120
• Small driftwood fires are permitted below the include slurred speech, lack of coordination, uncontrolled • Hike with a partner: avoid hiking alone. on and off the WCT here.
immemorial. These nations n
Sa
high tide-line on beaches: fires are not permitted May 01 – Sept 30
shivering, loss of consciousness and heart failure. Ensure your • Assume all surfaces are slippery.

Lake
(Port Renfrew = 5km)
collaborate with Parks in the forest. party is warm, dry, and well fed. • Maximum two people on a bridge, ladder, or cable car

30
Gordon River impassable

0
600
• Camp on the beach at designated campsites: the forest at one time.

45
0
Canada illustrating the Many sprains, fractures, and dislocations happen because of a 15 except by boat – ferry service
300

• When crossing creeks, always undo pack hip-belt: wait for

0
environment is sensitive to damage. slip or trip. Progressive ankle and knee injuries are also common available for a fee during
IR 2

30
tidal
Cheewhat philosophy of "Hish uk tsa summer season only. 75 k
Lake swollen rivers to diminish. m 14

0
and, over a period of days, may become so sore that hikers

21
• Wash dishes and bathe in the ocean: never contaminate 8:45am – 3:30pm

450
wak" meaning "all is one" cannot carry their pack. Factors that contribute to injuries: • Study the map, tides, waves and weather before choosing sC r e e k
s k
fresh water sources. Wigg cces Cree

180
iver A ton

300
along with "Iisaak" meaning inadequate gear or footwear, excessively heavy packs, poor a route. nR Brig "CYRUS" Mur
• Pack it in: pack it out (orange peels, food packaging, tarp G ordo 74 Pacheena
0

• In a wildlife encounter, stay calm: follow guidelines outlined Dec. 1858, out or Port
physical condition, inexperience, poor judgement, and bad km
24

90
"respect". The First Nations ropes, wet clothes etc).
weather. during WCT orientation.
Townsend laden with
IR 1
lumber for San Francisco,
0

180
15

Guardians encourage • Indian Reserves and private property: stay on the main trail no loss of life. Harris
• Use bear caches or hang your food according to orientation
ffs

30 If an injury occurs, follow the Evacuation Information Form issued Cove

and obey signs.
lu

protocols. Keep garbage and toiletries away from tents:

90
visitors to understand this

240
300

with the WCT Overnight Use Permit. Call 1-250-726-3604

e b

N
240 0
Parks Canada 36
Under the Canada National Park Act, it is illegal to collect, never cook or eat food in or near your tent.
ton

(monitored 24 hours/day) or send written message for help. Operations

A
Wooden steamer
philosophy by sharing their

Log Jam
420 Centre
es

JU
remove, or damage, any natural and cultural resource within • Keep, and leave, your campsite and the trail clean: bears, tug "ST. CLAIR"
90 Detail location, name, age, date, time, number in evacuation derelict
Port
lim

Nov. 1948, 3 crew

300
nation’s culture and history. the national park (e.g. marine life, shells, fossils, artifacts, and party and specifics of accident and injury. Evacuation points are cougars, wolves, and other wildlife are attracted to food donkey
Nitinaht 390
engine lost.
Renfrew
plants). Thrasher Cove, Camper Bay, Cullite Cove, Walbran, Carmanah scraps and packaging.

Ck
30 Cone 72 km Snuggery

300
N
90 Parks Canada and the First Nations Guardians Light Station, Nitinaht Narrows, Tsocowis Creek, or Pachena • Collect drinking water upstream then purify, boil, or filter it. highest point on Cove

A
West Coast Trail
No camping area due to an
Ch Light Station. Wait in a visible location. Parks Canada staff patrol • Consider exiting the trail if forecast calls for prolonged

S
IR 5 work towards a common goal of protecting and (213m)
IR 7
abundance of wildlife activity SAFETY the trail by boat. Be prepared to signal. Never leave an injured periods of rain.
Adze Head
e

0
30 in this area

24
presenting the natural and cultural history of the region.
ew

The West Coast Trail is for hikers who are: party member by themselves. It may take more than 24 hours for

T
• Tsunamis: rare but dangerous. If you feel the ground shake

Payzant Cree
R
assistance to arrive. If injured and you choose to exit at Nitinaht
h

We need you to help us achieve this goal. Respectful immediately move to higher ground. Follow marked tsunami

70
• able to walk long distances through rough terrain with a 210

O
at

Clo-oose

km
Nitinaht Narrows impassable
heavy pack; be aware that there are no medical facilities at Nitinaht Village. evacuation routes. 300 trail to

P
except by boat – ferry service Lake behavior by hikers will lead to a safe and rewarding beach

21
TSUNAMI HAZARD ZONE
Ri

From May to October, the WCT is closed to harvesting and 1km

0
available for a fee. Thrasher Cove
experience and contribute to a healthy ecosystem for • prepared to have an isolated wilderness experience and 240
Woods

150
9:30am – 4:30pm

k
ve

ladders to
Ni

0
consumption of all bivalves (clams, mussels, oysters) due to

15
adhere to low impact back country camping policies.
tin

main trail Nose 150

ah

12
present and future generations to appreciate and enjoy. regular occurrences of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP).

Yauh C
0
tN

l Hobbs Cr.
30 tida
ar

IR 4 km PSP can result in serious illness or death. IN CASE OF EARTHQUAKE, GO

ro

ek
36 TO HIGH GROUND OR INLAND
Quartertide
ws

Cre

reek
0
IR 4a Rocks

12
IR 3
Clo-oose

reek
00

150 Yard Cr
Sa

Soule
32 km 300 3 300 68 km

Tri

90
90
Whyac km 90

nds
34 anchor

sle
Kulaht C

aird C
240 3 masted barque

Ca
0
on 240 15
"REVERE" Sept. 1883,

C a rm a n a

C
ton

mp
rocks 240

ree
0
in ballast from Honolulu
C ri b s C

24

Tom B
er
e
30
for Puget Sound,
Tsuquanah Pt

Whyac Pt

k
Wooden 15
15 30

eek
0
Hammond

Cr
Cr
m

120 no loss of life.

Pro
schooner

reek
90

Coa
38 k

Cullite

ee
3 masted

ee
"RAITA",
km
150 210 Rocks

vide
k
barkentine Kellet Rock

Walbr

k
0
re e k

15
309 tons
40 120

l Cr
30

h
"SKAGIT"

66 km
Jan. 1925,

nce
Logan
B
506 tons
A B Cerantes

onill
loaded with 120
e
Beach Access A to Thrasher

Ad
20

64 km
Oct. 1906, 1
62 km 30
ek

an

Cov
Rock

Cr
lumber, no
Cr Cove is passable at tides

re
120
inbound from anchor Dare Botanical Beach

na
ee

ee
loss of life. Owen below 8ft/2.4 m except at

San Juan Pt

e
on rocks Beach m 60

Owen Pt
San Francisco
42 k

lin
k

C re e k

k
Owen Pt where tides below
Dare Pt

Is

e
to Port Gamble

58 km
3 masted 90 60 GC

60 km
Cr
IR 6 6 ft/1.8 m are required. This

Creek
to load lumber, Multiple

90
600 tons, schooner

ee
is a difficult route with surge

Creek
no loss of life. steel Very dangerous surge
"DARE", between 38.6km and

Ca
channels and many boulders.

k
90

Kallder Cree
steamer, slope: follow signs, channels

56 km
60
259 tons, 41km passable at tides no water 3 masted ship

m
54 km
"SANTA travel BELOW slope.

pe
Dec. 1890, below 7ft/2.1m km available "WILLIAM TELL"

km

r
RITA" 1153 tons,

52 km
out of San C
44

Ba
ul

46
Feb, 1923, Francisco in Dec. 1865,
lit

50 km

y
k
During dry weather fresh water can be scarce between no loss Carmanah e inbound from
Tsuquadra (KM 30) and Dare Beach (KM 40). of life.
ballast for IR 3 30 C 3 masted ship
Tacoma to Lighthouse ov "JOHN MARSHALL" South Africa
passable at tides British iron barque e

48 km
load lumber, 321 tons, Nov. 1860, in ballast for
below 7ft/2.1m "DUCHESS OF Puget Sound,
no loss of life. between this point out of San Francisco
Carmanah Pt

sea lion ARGYLE", Nov. 1887, no loss of life.

and Bonilla Pt passable between here and dangerous surge channel in ballast bound for
haul out rock in ballast from San

Vancouver
JUAN DE FUCA STRAIT
at tides below 10ft/3.0m; Walbran Creek passable at waterfall, hikers stay on Seaback, Washington,
24o Francisco for
430 ton barque at tides below 9ft/2.7m; the trail between Logan and no loss of life.
beach is the usual route. Vancouver,

Pt
"LIZZIE
magnetic north

Point
and when Walbran Creek Walbran Creeks and do not

Bonilla
4 masted wooden no loss of life.
MARSHALL"
tru

4 masted schooner schooner "WEMPE is not in flood. attempt to cross Adrenaline

en

Feb. 1884, no "PURITAN", 614 tons, BROTHERS", 681 tons, surge channel.
ort

Please note, national park reserve boundaries are approximate.

h

loss of life. Nov. 1896, inbound Oct. 1901, inbound from

in ballast from San San Pedro to pick up
Francisco for Port lumber in Puget Sound.
Gamble, no loss of life.