Essential Gear To Hike The Nootka Trail

In July 2019 I backpacked the Nootka Trail which is a coastal hike located on Nootka Island. There were a lot of elements I was excited for - rainforest touring on a remote island off the West Coast of Vancouver Island, the chance to fly in a float plane, living out of a tent and getting to trek some of the most pristine coastal regions of British Columbia with a chance to spot coastal wolves, whales, bear and other wildlife -.all in my favorite part of Canada.

The Nootka Trail weaves through old growth rain forest, bogs and along beach sections for 36 kms of some of the most stunning scenery British Columbia has to offer and is located on the traditional land of the Mowachaht/Muchalat First Nations. Because the Nootka Trail is more remote than most, you will have fewer human encounters. Most of the hike took place along the beach and we enjoyed watching eagles, finding sand dollars and even witnessed a whale having a bath in the shallows. One of the most popular camp spots being Calvin Falls and it lived up to it’s reputation. We arrived on a hot day so it made sense to take advantage of swimming in the pool at the base of the falls. To make it better, a momma sea otter and 2 babies trundled up from the ocean, jumped into the pool and climbed the falls before disappearing from view.

West Coast weather can be tricky so take extra care to waterproof you pack. BCA Tours provided our guide/camp chef and optional rental gear for the hike which included pack protectors, tents, and bags. I chose to rent a tent since I flew from Saskatoon and I was very happy with my MSR Hubba Hubba 2 person. We spent 4 days and 4 nights on the trail, hiking south from Starfish Lagoon down to Yuquot (Friendly Cove). There are sections of heavy forest, beach and pea gravel, sandstone cliffs and sea stacks, thick grass seaweed, and rope climbs out of beach section and this adventure is worth all the planning. Although I saw wolf tracks at our first camp and a lot of bear scat along our hike, I didn’t have the opportunity to observe either of these beautiful animals.

There is a potential to encounter tide problems because of the cliff or tidal creeks and it really was nice to have a guide who was familiar with problematic areas and when we needed to cross.

Our camps were:

Third Beach - wolf tracks and eagle sightings

Calvin Creek/Falls - Sea Otters, Eagles, Sunset View

Beano Creek - on a tidal creek, early departure for tide crossing

Sunrise Beach - only 3.5 km to Yuquot and is southwest of Tsa’tsil Lagoon

More information on backpacking gear can be found in my kayaking guide, but here are some of my hiking tips:

-Wear gators - Trust me, they will go a long way to protect you from cuts, and bruises, and help keep your boots and socks dry. You don’t need to break the bank on these if you aren’t doing extreme activities but they will save you from wet feet and boots, painful scratches, and gravel and sand getting in your boots.

-Hydrate - whether you invest in a water filter, a bag, or tablets, stay hydrated when hiking. You may not feel dehydrated in the forest on a cloudy day, but you are still exerting energy and sweating. Keep drinking! Always pick rapidly moving clear water as your source . I use the MSR Mini Works which can be purchased here.

-Waterproof your gear - invest in a backpack cover and liner. If you don’t want to spend the money, zip lock your clothes in groups and make sure you put your sleeping bag and inflatable mattress in a garbage bag inside your pack. I always pack my socks in sandwich bags so I have a clean dry pair to start my hike. There is nothing worse than putting on wet dirty socks!!!

-Dry bags - the west coast of Vancouver Island has earned its nickname “the wet coast” for good reason. If I haven’t convinced you to waterproof your gear yet, add dry bags and sacks for your sanity! Since most of your hike takes place on the beach, you can’t avoid getting sand and dirt in your gear. It helps to have sacks to hang your clean items in so they dry and the sand can shake out. This is also handy if you have really dirty clothing or shoes that you want to air out keep separate from the rest of backpack items.

-Hiking Boots and sandals - Get yourself a good reliable boot that is comfortable and will last. If you plan on hiking frequently in wet terrain, look for a boot that has more waterproofing. I also carry a pair of sandals for around camp and strap them to my pack with a carabiner for quick access at creek crossings. I have hiked with Keen, Vasque, and Teva.

-Sunscreen - if you’re like me and have sensitive skin, it is important to protect your skin from the elements of wind and sun. Another good addition to your gear is a hat that had a broad brim for protection.

-First Aid Kit - If you don’t believe in having one, change your mindset now, you will thank me later! This is a must for any backcountry hike and should include essentials like moleskin, bandaids, polysporin, Tylenol/Advil, a whistle, an emergency blanket, gauze and tape. You can buy pre-packages FAK’s (haha) at most outdoor retail stores, but I also suggest going through it and adding a few extras.

-Camping towel and bathing suit (unless you like to fully enjoy nature!) - You can find quick drying towels at most adventure outdoor retail stores. Towels are so great to pack and don’t take up much room, same with your bathing suit!

-Snacks - I always try to make them fun and interesting like beef jerky, Real Fruit gummy treats, dried organic fruit, Planters dry roasted nuts (because they are THE BEST!!!), homemade cookies and a chocolate treat or 2 to share.

-STOP TO SMELL THE ROSES (or rain, or pine, or air, or dirt… you get my point) It is so easy to spend all day putting one foot in front of the other focusing on the little things making you uncomfortable or getting to camp and getting that heavy pack off your back. But the journey is what makes camp so great! So, take it in. This trail is an adventure photographer’s dream and an outdoor experience you will never forget!

-Lastly, be sure to visit Yuquot Village before leaving on the plane or ferry. Explore the village church, museum and the lighthouse. The people who live here are friendly and taking the time to learn a bit about their life and history is a great way to thank them for sharing the trail.