Pacific Rim National Park Reserve is the home of the West Coast Trail.
The hiking terrain on this trail moves over sandy beaches, rocky headlands, wide sandstone ledges, and boardwalk passing through salal covered wetlands.
Caves, arches, tidal pools, waterfalls, and lighthouses are some of the sights along the trail that will be seen along the hike.
The trail was originally a pathway for a telegraph wire connecting Bamfield and Port Renfrew.
It was turned into a more passable trail for the rescue of shipwrecked mariners that escaped disaster along the rocky shores of Vancouver Island.
This trail has become a major international destination for hiking enthusiasts, evolving into a well-managed, relatively safe hike.
The traffic through the area gives hikers ready access to communication up and down the trail.
Even though the trail is dominated by temperate coastal rain forest containing lots of old growth spruce, hemlock and cedar, there is also cell phone coverage from many of the beaches.
Hikers can enjoy some of the most majestic trees in Canada, and call friends and family to tell about them.
One of the most striking things about the trail now is the convergence of this wilderness past with modern expectations and technology.
The Carmanah Light Station, near Carmanah Creek, is neighbors with Chez Monique's beach stop for travelers.
The tradition of staffed light stations in remote areas is giving way to automation, but this lighthouse is managing to hold back that trend to remain staffed.
The lightkeepers depend on modern Coast Guard equipment to live.
Helicopters are regular visitors, dropping off people and equipment to the light station.
At Chez Monique's, a First Nation family has set up a home and business on reserve land there on the trail.
This rustic haven brings burgers, beer, soft drinks, and candy to hikers missing these heavy luxuries.
Annexing the trail into Pacific Rim National Park Reserve has increased the safety of the trail by having consistent maintenance, organized facilities, and a reservation system limiting the number of departures each day.
Altogether, somewhere between 5,000 and 8,000 visitors a year make the trail.
Increased safety, required orientation, and cell phone reception does not mean that hiking the trail is risk free.
There remain somewhere around 100 evacuation per year.
Anyone considering this destination needs to prepare for the physical demands, organize the transport, the food, and ensure that their equipment is up to par.
Having a guide or http://coastalbliss.
ca tour company removes much of the organization and may open the adventure up to more fun and a better experience.