Starting off my trip as I mean to go on we have just returned from a four day hike of the entire Juan De Fuca coastal trail. The hike was pretty technical, and very up and down at times covering 48km of stunning coast. With Richard and Karina as my guides we borrowed Taz, Richard’s parents dog and hike/camped for four days and three nights. Passing other hikers rarely it felt as though we had the trail to ourselves, until we arrived at one of the remote beach side campsites where we shared the beach with a few other hikers. Who like us, just wanted to make dinner, light a campfire and relax to the sound of the crashing waves.
I knew there were bears on the island but didn’t realise until I was at the park that the area has one of the highest concentrations of black bears and cougars in the world! A bear ran across the road in front of us on our drive to the park but that was the closest we came to coming face to face with a bear. Though I must admit finding fresh bear poo (an odd blue/purple colour – as they eat a lot of berries) on the trail on our last day did keep us on our toes!
^ The trees pictured here were size ‘medium’ as we hiked amongst the biggest trees I have ever seen.
^ A well deserved dinner after the hardest day of the hike, due to the endless ups and downs.
^ The trail has a few suspension bridges. This is the largest and highest which I had to carry Taz across as he completely freaked out!
^ The view from the bridge, you can see the US across the water
^ A welcome sight as we approached Sombrio beach where we had lunch and a nap in the sun on our third day.
I am now at the apartment in Comox with Richard and Karina, which will be my new home for the time being. It’s great to be here. Earlier I wandered down to downtown Comox, soaking up the sun while appreciating views of the ocean and snow capped mountains. It’s really great to be here.
morehawes
Thanks Gran, yes that is Taz the dog – though he gave a few people coming the other way a bit of a fright as he was running ahead and they thought he might be a bear! Cheers Charles, these were taken on my phone which means taking snaps is a bit of a guessing game – as I mostly just see my own reflection outdoors!
Nice post, Joe, and the trek sounds great. A touch of fill in flash for portraits shot into the light would do wonders!
What a wonderful trek! Super pics too. Were you feeding a BEAR or is it a large dog? love, Grandma’
Yeah it was stunning Helene! Shoe that isn’t a pool it’s a lake… and it’s called the Pacific Ocean. I keep forgetting we are on an island and keep commenting on the beautiful “lake”! š
So nice!
Looks stunning Joe! I hope you at least dipped your toes in that pool…