The Sunshine Coast Trail offers plenty of options
Jane
Mundy, Special to Postmedia News
Published:
The Sunshine Coast Trail
- which begins at the Saltery Bay ferry terminal near
Powell River, B.C. and winds north to Desolation Sound - is "99.9 per cent
mud-free and grandma-proof; accessible for all ages," said Eagle Walz.
Walz helped build the trail
(and still continues to improve and maintain it),
along with the BOMB squad (Bloody Old Men's Brigade, a group of retired loggers
and millworkers).
"We've got
switchbacks in steep areas to provide a good grade. It's not like the Grouse
Grind, but you can still challenge yourself," he adds. "There are 24
access points to trails and lakes and there's always something - a shelter, a
bench, a stellar view, even trolls on the trinket trail - just around the
corner."
Writer
Jane Mundy took a four-hour outdoor photography course at
Jane
Mundy
You can hike the trail
year-round. If you do get wet, there are eight shelters where you can dry out,
but the dense forest canopy keeps downpours at bay.
THE TRAILS
I'm a city gal who loves
the great outdoors, but when it comes to serious hiking - that is, more than an
hour in the rainforest - my interest was nil, until I discovered "have
camera, can hike" and saw nature through a new lens.
On my first visit to
"If you hike to
Fairview Bay - which should have been named Oyster Bay - all you'll need is an
oyster shucker and beverage of choice," said
Eagle Walz, laughing. The shelters also have barbecue
pits and (when I was there) firewood. Free!
You'll come across many
different environments, from ocean shore to mountain ridge, lake and creek, as
well as old-growth forest. "Because we are in a working forest, there is
logging, but we're working hard [for 17 years] to have buffers," Eagle
explained. "It's important that we linked the trail to old growth to
increase awareness and support."
GEOCACHING
Geocaching - like an electronic
treasure hunt - appeals to all age groups. Created by volunteer enthusiasts, it
has a dedicated following worldwide. "I know adults who base their entire
trips around these things," said Darren, and they apparently love coming
to
This is all you have to
do: Get a
"A clue may be,
'look under a rock that has a painted circle' or 'look up into the tree that
looks like the letter Y,' " Darren explained. "The
treasure could be a bottle cap, hockey card, T-shirt, button - you're welcome
to take a treasure, so long as you leave one behind."
And don't forget to sign
the log book, usually near the treasure in a Ziploc bag; it's a way to keep
connected with fellow geocachers.
GETTING THERE
The
If you take the ferry
from
WHERE TO STAY
If you're camping, don't
worry about critters sniffing around your tent - all you need is a sleeping bag
and provisions on the trail. Thanks mainly to the BOMB Squad and Eagle Walz, you can sleep in the lofts of eight open shelters and
two cabins along the trail, free of charge. For extra safety, shut the trap
door behind you.
There are also several
good camp sites around
For a wilderness
experience combined with luxury, drive 20 minutes north of
Desolation Sound Resort:
http://www.desolationresort.com/
Sunland-by-the-Sea: http://www.sunlund.ca/
Floating Cabins on
To learn more about the
Sunshine Coast Trail, visit www.sunshinecoast-trail.com. Hikers are advised to check
out the "trail conditions" link before setting out.
Sunshine Coast Tourism
(866941-3883); www.sunshinecoastcanada.com
IF YOU GO
If you time it right,
lunch in
If you plan far enough
ahead, book a room at the Savary Island Resort. Its
six cabins are perfect for families, and are beautifully built from Douglas fir
and red cedar milled from the property. Rooms for three start
at $135 per night. http://savaryislandresort.ca
©
Postmedia News 2011