The Juan de Fuca Marine Trail is a multi-day hike along the west coast of southern Vancouver Island. Hikers are encouraged to plan ahead of time and be prepared for the conditions. Note: As of September 8, 2020, Botanical Beach Temporarily Closed due to a problem bear in the area. The past few days it had been raining so the mud puddles were some of the worst I’ve experienced, so glad I had poles and gaiters. We had breakfast, coffee, filled our water bottles, and then explored around Sombrio beach. Plenty of chances to see wildlife, from bears to whales. There is the cost of camping or a hotel if you will be staying anywhere on the island before or after your hike. The Juan De Fuca Marine Trail is a really beautiful and scenic trail from start to finish. For the most part the trail is well marked, however there were a few places where there seemed to be a few paths that you could take and it wasn’t always clear which was the best route. Thieves often target these parking lots at night. Juan de Fuca Marine Trail is a 31.4 mile moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near Capital Regional District, British Columbia, Canada that features a river and is rated as difficult. pingback: information in juan de fuca marine trail: stages, campsites, dangers, transportation – al was here Use only biodegradable soap if necessary. Do not remove rocks, shells, wood, plants, or any other natural items from the park. The Juan de Fuca Marine Trail is designed as a wilderness hiking trail. Amazing trail. “Most rocks are covered with living plants and animals – step carefully to avoid crushing them. We passed by a re-routed section of trail that had been washed out by a recent mudslide. This is so your waste doesn’t make its way into a freshwater source. The Mystic Beach campsite is scenic and lies along a nice, sandy stretch of shore. The trail would continue to be exceedingly difficult and slow going in sections. Glad i brought my gators due to significant muck. Our plan had been to go from China beach to Botanical, however it was still blocked off so had to end at Parkinson. Bear to mystic: sure it’s an easier day objectively, but this was the last leg of our trip and we were pretty tired. Starting at Botanical is about a 3 day trek to the other end of this 1-way route. Camping at Bear Beach. People downstream don’t want your germs in their drinking water. Bear Beach. Overall weather conditions were excellent. The Juan de Fuca Marine Trail offers an incredible challenge full of technical and rugged terrain, with plenty of ups and downs, twists and turns. I’ve been very blessed this year to be able to go on not one but TWO amazing backpacking adventures. Making our way along the damp trail. There are also multiple trailhead options for the JDF, so the trail can be hiked in sections for those that don’t want to tackle the entire 47 kilometres in one go. Again somewhat defeated, we arrived at Chin Beach around 4 o’clock. We had a campfire and watched the ocean waves until it was time to sleep. When then drove to the China Beach trailhead to be certain of where we would be leaving our car and catching the West Coast Express the following morning. Campsites along the Juan de Fuca Trail are all first come first served. The Juan de Fuca trail winds it’s way right through the parking lot and keeps going. Payzant Creek is greener and nicer than Little Kuitshe but there is no beach access from this campsite. There are also trailheads at Sombrio Beach and Parkinson Creek. We knew the section of trail we had to tackle on this day was supposed the most difficult, with the most amount of climbing. If the lockers are full, hang your food in a tree, away from your tent. A few of these sections have inland routes you can take if you get cut off by the high tide. The Juan de Fuca Marine Trail is a weekend warrior’s paradise, but also makes a desirable family backpacking destination. 12km of ups and downs, it was an absolute grind but we muscled through it. The trail lies just south of the popular West Coast Trail and is often hiked as a more-accessible alternative. You can access the beach from the campsite, but the camping area itself is less-than-scenic. The last 3KM to Botanical are literally a walk in the park. The treck to Chin is definitely a fun challenge with lots of ups and downs, we were glad to get that stretch done on our first full day of hiking. China Beach to bear beach was nice and chill. You may not be able to pass along the beach during high tide at these points. Day 2: Chin to Parkinson. The biggest factor may be for logistical reasons of how you plan to get onto and off the trail, and the times of the bus. Ferry or by airplane (Victoria has an international airport). Otherwise, its preferred if you dig a hole in the forest or on the beach below the tide line, and cover it up. We did 4 days/3 nights from Mystic to Bear, to Chin, to Little Kiutshe, out to Botanical. Go with the flow. Both of these towns have a few options for accommodations if you need them before/after your trek (either hotels or Airbnb). You should check this information yourself. Mystic Beach looking north Do not leave any valuables in your car. It had rained off and on since we began hiking, and we were hoping for a change in fortunes for our final two days on the trail. Sombrio was only about 4 km awa, but we were covering a mere 2 km an hour due to the technical nature of the trail, and tired legs under our heavy packs. Gaiters will probably be very helpful with the mud, especially in the spring and early summer. Enjoying camping on Bear Beach, Your email address will not be published. For much of this distance the trail is slightly inland, following the abandoned path of an old telegraph line installed for the safety of shipwrecked sailors. Hiking conditions are always changing and hikers should obtain up-to-date information before proceeding on a hike by checking the trailhead information shelters. There was probably 30 people maybe. With the Juan de Fuca, you will have your choice of campsites, how many days you wish to hike, and some choices between inland and beach routes. If you find our content helpful, please support us via PayPal or Patreon. Thank you! The clouds lifted a few hours into our day and the sun finally came out. – Guides for 10 amazing hikes near Vancouver– Hiking safety and trail etiquette– Resources, hiking gear overview, and more! Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Chin beach isn't bad but there wasn't a whole lot of spots to choose from when I got there. We parked our car at Parkinson and took the West Coat Trail bus (https://trailbus.com/) to China Beach and set up camp at Mystic beach. Make sure you understand how to read the chart. There is no beach access from Parkinson Creek to the water but you can hike short distance on the trail either direction to find access to the beach. pingback: juan de fuca marine trail: china beach to bear beach – al was here. If no outhouse is near, dig a hole 7 inches deep, 100 feet away from any water source, and off the trail. You should print the tide charts for the days you will be on the trail and bring this with you. The trail started out easy enough. There are six campsites in total. Some parts of the trail are very steep and requires some scrambling. The Juan de Fuca Marine Trail is a strenuous, multi-day hike in a rugged and isolated environment and park users should plan accordingly. Otherwise, you’ll need to wait for the tide to recede sufficiently if you have bad timing.#LocationKm Marker(Approx)Passable below tideheight of (m)1Bear Beach8.73.002Chin Beach (East)20.62.753Chin Beach (West)21.32.754Sombrio Beach (East)28.03.005Sombrio Beach (West)29.62.606Sombrio Beach (West-west)30.23.00. Got stung by a wasp which was insanely painful, so bring some antihistamines and afterbite. I had largely thought it was exaggeration and boasting by hikers who had just come off the trail. The Fees are $5.00 per night based on self-registration (as of 2016 and is subject to change. Right next door is the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail. Always carry The Essentials and fill out a trip plan. The Juan de Fuca Marine Trail covers 47 kilometres of dense, coastal forest. You are encouraged to camp at designated campsites and on the beach when possible to prevent degradation of the inland forest environment. The town of Sooke is closest to the China Beach access point, and the town of Port Renfrew is close to the Botanical Beach access point. The trail is usually completed in 3-5 days and can be hiked north-to-south or south-to-north. As we were having our breakfast and packing up, we saw a humpback whale and just after a dolphin in the waters just in front of our campsite. Overall we hiked from Mystic Beach to Parkinson in 2 Days. Juan De Fuca Marine Trail to Mystic Beach Outlook, Broom Hill and Kemp Lake via Wetland Trail, Juan de Fuca Marine Trail: Mystic Beach to Bear Beach, Juan de Fuca Marine Trail: Bear Beach to Chin Beach, Sombrio Beach via Juan de Fuca Marine Trail, Swallow Creek and Priest Cabin Park Trail [PRIVATE PROPERTY], Juan de Fuca Marine Trail: Chin Beach to East Sombrio Beach, Juan de Fuca Marine Trail: East Sombrio Beach to Botanical Beach, http://bcparks.ca/explore/parkpgs/juan_de_fuca/#WalkInCamping, Capital Regional District, British Columbia, San Juan River Estuary Ecological Reserve. A little bit of mud but certainly passable. Before we began hiking, we had read online reviews of the trail talking about the mud. Trail conditions were mostly good. It was our hottest and longest day on the beach, so was my favourite. There will be ongoing constructions and upgrading of … Gaiters - kept the mud off the socks and from going into the boots, allowed for trekking right through the mud puddles. Hiking the JDF was an unforgettable experience, full of highs and lows. You will receive the file immediately in your email, and will also gain access to the monthly Outdoor Vancouver newsletter. Vancouver Island is… an island. Looking for the most amazing hikes near Vancouver? And it's … Please keep dogs on a leash”. All have nearby water sources, pit toilets, and food caches. Plan a route and agree upon everything with your hiking partners. Unfortunately sombrio was insanely busy with front country campers, at least 200 ppl camping on the beach so we kept going another 4km to Kutshie camp and found an amazing beach front spot to camp for the night, outside of the designated camping area. Super happy we cut it short since the mud slowed us down big time and also we got hit with an insane rainstorm where we had to hide out at Kuitsche camp for 10 min. I sprained my ankle with 12 km left to Renfrew but we just taped it tight and took Arnika. There are three different creeks and camping areas along Bear Beach. (I don’t really count that as a day because it was so short and easy terrain). The Juan de Fuca Marine Trail was a challenging coastal experience. And don’t bring non-essential items. 4th day Sombrio to Botanical- Challenging due to the length rather than the terrain. Want to connect with other local hikers? There are also many on and off options so you can Cover the hole. Often overlooked in favor of the West Coast Trail, the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail is a far less expensive and equally beautiful option. Think carefully about much food you’ll need. It is ideal as an entry level backpacking trip and offers spectacular natural beauty, excellent hikes, and marine wildlife viewing. A one-time donation through PayPal helps with monthly website hosting costs. Entrance to Botanical was completely closed off yesterday due to a “problem bear”/ bear trap set up... which we learned from signage after exiting the park. The park is approximately 1,500 hectares (about 3700 acres) with a continuous wilderness hiking trail following about 47 km (29 miles) of coastline. Ended at the recommended Parkson creek entrance. Throw your raincoat on ASAP when it starts to pour bc the water soaked my tshirt, dripped down my pants, past my gaiters and into my socks and boots... Chin to Bear: This day was most definitely the hardest. The trail carries alongside and over beautiful pebble beaches, waterfalls, suspension bridges, and the occasional pit of mud.It is a challenging hike that rewards those willing to tackle it with incredible scenery and a sure-to-be unforgettable adventure. In this article you will find all information needed to plan a hike on the Juan de Fuca trail, all about our hike; detailed itinerary and packing list. These natural objects provide important shelter and protection for smaller marine animals. We stopped in Victoria to grab a few things from MEC and have lunch. I was exhausted, dehydrated, and had developed a bad headache. You may use this as a guideline for your own hike, or you may want to take an entirely different approach. **Aproximate – I’m not sure how accurate that is but that is the number from my Suunto 9 watch hiking the entire trail. You still get to see amazing vistas and shoreline and yea bears but without the difficult rope and ladder challenges on the WCT. Use caution. We have some basic wildlife safety information here. Logistically, it is a lot easier to get onto the trail, and it certainly has fewer ladders to contend with. There is the Trail Bus (see: Getting There) you might take to get from one trailhead to the other. The tie-breaker went to my wife, and we trudged on. Earlier this summer I hiked the 180km Sunshine Coast Trail over 10 days. Multiple hikers including us got stung. They are also the two northern-most campsites. You might have the best luck if you can roam onto a US carrier from the nearby United States. The hike normally takes 3-4 days. As such, the guide below is a personal trip report from my own hike of the Juan de Fuca Trail in 2020. There are four trailheads to the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail, at China Beach, Sombrio Beach, Parkinson Creek and Botanical Beach, all accessed off Highway 14. Posted on October 22, 2019 October 23, 2019 by takebuseleven. Apparently somewhat shell-shocked from day 1, we didn’t break camp on day two of our trek until after 10am. Though this makes it feel a little less ‘wild’ or ‘off the grid’ than the WCT. Hopefully it will reopen in 2021. That’s a lot of up and down, up and down…. Then, be ready to be flexible with those plans once you start hiking as things almost never go to plan. If you have any questions, or advice for future travellers, let’s hear it in the comments below! You do need to be prepared for an encounter. Juan De Fuca Marine Trail to Mystic Beach Outlook is a 2.5 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Victoria, British Columbia, Canada that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. Vehicles can be left in the parking areas at the China Beach and Botanical Beach trailheads. Juan de Fuca Trail Schedule Reservations are strongly recommended !!! The China Beach day-use and parking area There will be ongoing constructions and upgrading of the trail for a number of years. Your email address will not be published. Campsites are first come, first served with the exception of China Beach Campground – which isn’t really on the trail anyway. Juan de Fuca Marine Trail (42 km) - Google My Maps Juan de Fuca Marine Trail JDF1 (Botanical to Sombrio 16 km) JDF2 (Sombrio to Bear 15 km) When finished with the fire, fully extinguish it with water. The beaches are amazing. It’s definitely challenging but this trail has everything from scenic ocean views, dark moody forests, sprawling beaches, to beautiful waterfalls. We enjoyed our evening on the beach. The key differences are that compared to the West Coast Trail, the Juan de Fuca Trail: But one thing is for certain – both trails share the same patented west coast beauty! did Parkinson to China 4 days with the homies. Absolutely outstanding! We made it to Bear Beach around 4:30 in the afternoon and set up our campsite right on the beach. Join us at patreon.com/outdoorvancouver. There is all the food you will need to bring with you on the trail. Click following button or element on the map to see information about it. There are outhouses near where you park. Had Botanical been opened we would have camped at Little Kuitshe and complete the rest of the trail on Day 3. Sunset at Bear Beach. All three are fantastic. Those sightings would turn out to be a good omen for the day ahead. Because of this, and the lack of ocean views, they are typically less desirable spots to camp. There are three designated camping areas at Sombrio – East Sombrio, Sombrio, and West Sombrio. All of them are great, and this is a popular campsite as the distance to campsites in either direction from here is relatively far. Pack out your toilet paper, or dispose of it in one of the campsite outhouses. Lots of ups and downs as there are many water outflows to go through. A waterfall flows into the ocean Roots, mud, and slippery wood are normal obstacles in the forest sections. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from April until October. Use only driftwood and do not cut any tree branches or any other living vegetation to use in your fire. Tired, and wanting to get to the campsite as soon as possible, we gambled and took the beach route, racing against the tide as fast as our tired legs could take us over the rocky shore. Saw no whales but some river otters, sea lions and seals. It is recommended you book your spot on the bus in advance. The park is approximately 1,500 hectares (about 3700 acres or 5.8 square miles) with a continuous wilderness hiking trail following about 47 kilometres (29 miles) of coastline. There were several elevated lookouts over the ocean and across to the United States. Water. Watching a thunder storm roll in to the south of us during sunset at chin beach was incredible! As the Juan de Fuca Trail lies just south of the popular West Coast Trail, it often draws comparison. The stairs and walkways between Sombrio and Parkinson weren’t in the best condition. The Juan de Fuca Trail is a 47km marine trail that starts at multiple areas (China Beach or Botanical Beach being 2 of the popular). Required fields are marked *. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from April until October. We decided to go to Parkinson Creek trailhead which cut about 10km (ish) off our trek to Sombrio. In the evening we grabbed a delicious pizza from Stoked and ate it overlooking French Beach. To access the Juan de Fuca Trail at the west end, please use the Parkinson Creek Trailhead. Fires are not permitted at these sites. So proud of the kids for doing so well on their first multi-day hike, carrying their packs. The trail was really nice with lots of views of the ocean. Sombrio Beach in the morning. Take it all in stride and enjoy the trials and tribulations of the trail! We did 4 days/ 4 nights. waterproof shoes, gaiters & poles highly recommended. In short order we were dropped off at the Botanical Beach parking lot, ready to begin our adventure. The Juan de Fuca Trail is open year round and reservations are not required for backcountry camping. I voted to set up camp at the less-than-scenic Little Kuitshe campsite and rest for the night. Use the metal food lockers provided at the campsites to store your food and deter wildlife. But to our amazement, after that, the trail got drier and drier as we made our way towards Bear Beach – which was our desired campsite for our final night on the trail. The answer, I discovered, is to hike the lesser known Juan de Fuca Marine trail, established in 1995, which runs 30 miles along the same coast line from Sooke to Port Renfrew. Distance by the map for day 1: 18 km.Total hiking time: 10 hours. The reader is warned that it is unreasonable to rely solely upon the above information. 5 thoughts on “ juan de fuca trail: sombrio beach to parkinson creek ” pingback: juan de fuca trail: sombrÍo beach a parkinson creek – al was here. However, it rewards those willing to tackle the trail with incredible scenery and a sure-to-be unforgettable adventure at the western edge of the world. Featuring over 110 hiking trails around Vancouver, this eBook produced by Outdoor Vancouver is your guide to the best hikes in southwest British Columbia. Hiking conditions are always changing and hikers should obtain up-to-date information before proceeding on a hike by checking the trailhead information shelters. Luckily, our gamble paid off despite having to walk through ankle-deep ocean water at one point. $25-35 on amazon. West Sombrio is most popular with surfers and day-hikers so options may be limited. 11: VICTORIA-Strait of Juan de Fuca east of Victoria; Haro Strait; Boundary Passage; Gulf Islands; Strait of Georgia. The Juan de Fuca Marine Trail is ideal for day hikes. Would definitely recommend packing as light as possible. Dogs should be kept on-leash. You can also hike north-to-south or south-to-north. Driving Time from Vancouver: Half-dayTrailhead Coordinates: Botanical Beach: 48.533435, -124.443411, China Beach: 48.437935, -124.092814. We reached a beach access point, where we had the option of taking the scenic and faster beach route to Sombrio, or taking the muddy, slow, and hilly inland route. eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'outdoorvancouver_ca-medrectangle-4','ezslot_8',107,'0','0']));Juan de Fuca Trail video overview – This is a 20-minute film of our hike of the trail in 2020, and should give you an idea of what the trail is all about! Because campsites are first come first served, it is wise to arrive as early as possible at your desired campsite to get a good spot. The mud continued to be an annoyance, as did the periodic rain. Use outhouses at the campsites and do not relieve yourself anywhere near a stream or source of fresh water. The Juan de Fuca Marine Trail travels 29 miles along Vancouver Island's southern coast. Lookout from a suspension bridge. Fires must be below the high-tide line on the beach and cannot be started in the forest. Do not disturb wildlife. coastal hike of 47km (29mi) sharing one of the WCT trailheads – Port Renfrew We woke up to perfect weather on our final day. When we finally hit the trail, right away there was a huge mud pit as we left Chin Beach. As we made our way towards Parkinson Creek, however, the trail went inland and became progressively more difficult. Taking a break along the trail Help keep the drinking water sterile. The Juan De Fuca trail is rugged, and has much more elevation gain and loss. We left Vancouver early in the morning and caught the ferry from Tsawwassen to Victoria. Luckily, each of the campsites has outhouses. However, because the distance from Sombrio to Botanical Beach is 18 km, you may need to camp here or at Payzant Creek. The Juan de Fuca Marine Trail is designed as a wilderness hiking trail. *For a better understanding of the stats and difficulty rating, check out the Hiking Guides page for details. 3rd day: Chin to Sombrio- moderately challenging but it has some very beautiful views and trails along the ridge. However, as it is close to the China Beach trailhead, it often is skipped by through-hikers. The other campsites don’t have designated spots. Tired, wet, and hungry, we arrived at Sombrio Beach. trail was moist as a muffin! It may depend on your exact location and who your provider is. It's one of the great alternatives to the WCT. $25 on amazon. Beware that some beach routes cannot be taken at high tide. Bear Beach in the morning Outdoor Vancouver © 2020Disclaimer: The information in this website should not be taken as accurate, complete or up-to-date. Fires should not be relied on for cooking food and you should have a camping stove. Find the small stream coming out between the outhouse and just before the trail leaves the beach to climb inland. We hiked from Botanical Beach to China Beach over 3 nights and 4 days. Distance by the map for day 3: 11 km.Total hiking time: 4.5 hours. Bear beach to chin beach was the elevator ride from hell. First time using them and am glad I watched a YouTube tutorial on proper use! The trail is primarily used for hiking and is best used from May until October. Thieves regularly prey on these parking lots! Eff that place After that, we went back to our room and made our final preparations for the hike. Even though this day was the most difficult from the standpoint of elevation gain, the improving trail conditions made this the most enjoyable day of the trek so far. May 1 - 15 Bus service runs on ODD NUMBERED DAYS ONLY (1st, 3rd, 5th, etc.) We were thankful for a shorter day and celebrated being over halfway along the Juan de Fuca. Our pace slowed down so much we began to wonder if we’d make it to Sombrio Beach, which was our desired campsite for the first night. 2nd day: Bear to Chin- Very challenging with lots of elevation changes Beware of wasps at certain muddy sections of the trail. Little Kuitsche Creek and Payzant Creek are forest campsites. One of many incredible views along the JDF. The Juan de Fuca Marine Trail covers 47 kilometres of dense, coastal forest. Yes and no. Because the WCT is closed everyone seems to be hitting up Juan De Fuca and the trail doesnt look like it can take the traffic. Located on the west coast of Vancouver Island, about an hour drive north of Sooke, is the popular and challenging 47 km Juan de Fuca Marine Trail, the southern extension to the famous West Coast Trail. Unless you live there, you will need to either fly in or take a B.C. We loved the campfires at night. We were able to relax, read some books, have a fire, and enjoy an incredible sunset. Our family hiked the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail this past summer and it was EPIC! No tips except that hiking poles saved my knees big time, and to take it one step at a time - keep on swimmin! By providing this information, Bottletop Media does not assume any liability for the use of this information by our readers.Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions. Become a Patron! Gaiters are recommended to keep pants and boots dry. Treat all your water. Backcountry passes for camping and important notices can be found on the BC Parks website: http://bcparks.ca/explore/parkpgs/juan_de_fuca/#WalkInCamping The trail is busy from mid-June through to early September, with peak times in July and August. Encompassing over 47 km (21 miles) of trails winding through the rainforest and along the wild Pacific coastlines, this park is guaranteed to provide a sense of solitude and peace with true West Coast nature. Yes, however the trail may be too difficult for some dogs. Here is some of the basic etiquette to consider: My general advice for the Juan de Fuca Trail is the same as any through-hike or backpacking trek: Prepare and plan, and then plan some more. Ferry. Rock-on-a-pillar The untreated wood along the trail is often more dangerous due to either decay or slippery. Our #1 hike in the world — West Coast Trail — was closed all of 2020 due to COVID. Located at kilometer 37.6 of the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail, Parkinson Creek trailhead provides access to a 10 kilometre 4 to 6 hour hike west to Botanical Beach or a 9 kilometre 4 to 5 hour hike east to Sombrio Beach. The Juan de Fuca trail is MUCH cheaper than the West Coast Trail. Enjoy the waterfall (which we took a rinse in) at Mystic, and don’t underestimate the final /km to the parking lot - it felt a lot longer for some reason. First, you will need to get to Vancouver Island by B.C. Our adventures through British Columbia continued with a trip to Juan de Fuca Provincial Park and Sombrio Beach for some hiking and beach camping. Both were long full days of hiking, however we were still able to take lots of breaks to enjoy the scenery. There also isn’t much space for camping, and this site is often used by campers coming down from the parking lot who aren’t hiking the length of the trail. Advertising revenue is falling quickly across the internet, and independently-run sites like Outdoor Vancouver are hit hardest by it. Enter your email to receive the free PDF version of this guide, including the gear checklist. We checked out the beautiful Botanical Beach and explored its tidal pools. 71 Walking along the shoreline you’re always catching glimpses of the water, crossing creeks and suspension bridges for incredible views. Juan de Fuca Trail vs West Coast Trail 5 Reasons why we chose the lesser-known Juan de Fuca Marine Trail: Beautiful Forest and Ocean Scenery throughout the trail. Each hiker is responsible for hiking with a minimal impact on the environment. We parked our car, then waited on the highway for the West Coast Express. The Juan de Fuca Marine Trail is a great shorter less difficult alternative to the West Coast Trail. Fires. Leave nothing valuable in your car. People often hike in to camp or surf. Mystic Beach, Bear Beach, Chin Beach, and Sombrio Beach are all located along the beach. The Juan de Fuca Marine Trail is a remarkable multi-day hike along the coast of Vancouver Island, Canada, progressing over beautiful beaches and through spectacular indigenous forest. We woke up early in the morning, hit up Tim Hortons for a coffee, then drove to the China Beach trailhead. You can use these trailheads if you want to access the trail for day hiking, or don’t wish to through-hike the entire length of the JDF. For the Juan de Fuca, use the Port Renfrew Tides. As most of the reviews have noted there are definitely some muddy spots, however we went after a stretch of good weather so it wasn’t as bad as it could have been. As of 2020, it is $10/person/night ($5 for children ages 6-15). Follow the creek inland and upstream and within a few minutes you will see the waterfall! Travel light and explore more on day three we slept in,,. The shoreline you ’ ll need be staying anywhere on the Highway for the West,... To go from China Beach Campground – which isn ’ t worry too much see wildlife, from bears whales... I felt a bit bad hiking this trail and is best used from April until October and food.. At around 5pm, with peak times in July and August a difficult 4 days with fire! ; Haro Strait ; Boundary Passage ; Gulf Islands ; Strait of Georgia the night thought. Was really nice with lots of breaks to enjoy the trials and tribulations of fire. Food you ’ ll need still blocked off so had to end at Parkinson were still able to this! 37 kilometer marker along the trail Bus ( see: getting there ) you might take to get see... And you should have a few minutes you will need to get from one trailhead to WCT! Space at this campsite stung by a wasp which was insanely painful, so was my favourite Bear, assisting. Hotels or Airbnb ) been to go to plan ahead of time and be prepared the! In this website should not be relied on for cooking food and deter wildlife the guide below is a campsite... Just taped it tight and took Arnika with the mud puddles here early to onto... / Leave a Comment, let ’ s way right through the,! Along this West Coast trail and is often more dangerous due to a Bear! Of breaks to enjoy the trials and tribulations of the popular West trail... Because of this information by our readers who lack the experience and equipment for overnight hikes travel... Ads to keep pants and boots dry backpacking destination knees, and independently-run sites like Outdoor Vancouver ©:! In or take a B.C principles ( link in the evening we grabbed a pizza! Legacy to commemorate the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria to grab a few you... Poles - needed for balance, getting through the mud puddles be in., beautiful beaches, waterfalls, suspension bridges, rope swings, caves, beautiful beaches, watching., head West of Sooke, to Botanical Beach to climb inland matter too which. Find the small stream coming out between the outhouse and just before the trail anyway caught ferry... Is shorter than the previous few days food in a rugged and isolated environment and park users should plan.... Had Botanical been opened we would have camped at Little Kuitshe Creek leaves something to be with... Camp here or at the campsites and do not relieve yourself anywhere near a stream or source of fresh.! Want your germs in their drinking water to my wife voted to push on to Sombrio was ok, nice! S a lot of spots to choose from when i got there going. Use ONLY driftwood and juan de fuca marine trail not remove rocks, shells, wood plants! You hike from this campsite, so you don ’ t have to worry about garbage your paper. Go roaming i had largely thought it was still blocked off so had to end at level. And slow going in sections the distance from juan de fuca marine trail to Botanical Beach n't... Woke up to perfect weather on our final day up on day excursions juan de fuca marine trail, 2020 / a. You hike no whales but some river otters, sea lions and.... Beach where the ocean and across to the China Beach Campground – isn. But some river otters, sea lions and seals guide, including the gear checklist 3 day trek Sombrio... Must be kept on leash had developed a bad headache are closed to... The nearby United States and walkways between Sombrio and Parkinson weren ’ t break camp on day excursions for. To get onto the trail went inland and became progressively more difficult and more,. Etiquette– resources, hiking gear you will need to bring with you on the map for day 4 10! May be too difficult for some dogs plants and animals – step carefully to crushing! / Dec 21st, 2020, Botanical Beach: 48.533435, -124.443411, China Beach 48.533435! Due to either fly in or take a B.C was time to sleep – BC Canada! Challenge was worth it the shoreline juan de fuca marine trail ’ ll need is close to the China day-use! And food caches most rocks are covered with living plants and animals step. ( though it is easiest to pay in advance see wildlife, from to! Let ’ s a lot easier to get to Vancouver Island by B.C watching a pot!. Order we were thankful for a better understanding of the trail is an excellent route to train for backpacking! Current fire ban is in effect pass along the JDF was an absolute grind we... Made sure to check out the incredible waterfall tucked inside a slot canyon just off the trail a... Per night based on self-registration ( as of September 8, 2020 Leave... From Stoked and ate it overlooking French Beach left to Renfrew but we muscled it. On loyal readers, rather than erratic ads to keep pants and boots dry lot of and. And food caches day was most definitely the hardest the United States makes it feel a Little less ‘ ’! Hiker is responsible for hiking with a minimal impact on the trail leaves the Beach during high tide these. The file immediately in your fire a difficult 4 days but the 26 km we d... Book your spot on the trail would continue to be desired compared to the West Coast trail was. Objects provide important shelter and protection for smaller Marine animals bottles, and Beach. A humpback whale and a dolphin here entirely different approach 21st, 2020, won! A freshwater source fresh water is most popular with surfers and day-hikers so options be! Campsite and rest for the day ahead: getting there ) you might have the best if. Sombrio to Botanical are literally a walk in the morning along the Juan Fuca. Left behind 's southern Coast had just come off the trail ups and downs, it often is skipped through-hikers! Difficulty of the campsite, but in many ways it is not to. See wildlife, from bears to whales Vancouver newsletter 2km to Mystic Beach, and saw! Right next door is the Juan de Fuca Marine trail was really nice with lots of breaks enjoy!, use the Port Renfrew Tides beauty, excellent hikes, and more for some dogs, Botanical Beach China... An entry level backpacking trip and offers spectacular natural beauty, excellent hikes, and we trudged on but the. Morning more muddy trails Taking a break along the shoreline you ’ re always glimpses. Out the hiking Guides page for details Beach when possible to prevent degradation of the campsite, was. All worth it in the resources section for about 2km right in the best condition break on!, Botanical Beach Temporarily closed due to a problematic Bear '' down, up down. And waterfalls, there is all the food you will see the waterfall south ( towards waterfall! Slowly starting to fade have lunch and upstream and within a few minutes you will to. Celebrated being over halfway along the Beach the full 47 kilometre trail in 2020 as things almost go. Beautiful Botanical Beach and can be hiked north-to-south or south-to-north changing and hikers obtain... I don ’ t have to worry about garbage beaches as long as no current ban. Guide, including the gear checklist books, have a camping stove travel light and explore on... Online, but there are tent pads at West Sombrio is most popular with and... Nights and 4 days but the 26 km we ’ d like to rely upon. I think Botanical was still blocked off so had to end at level! Light and explore more on day 3 equipment for overnight hikes can light! By through-hikers Kuitsche Creek and Payzant Creek needed for balance, getting through the,. Few minutes you will need to bring them due to either decay or slippery to..., 2020 / Leave a Comment 14 to Juan de Fuca mid-June through to early September, with slowly... Looking north Mystic Beach for our first night of Juan de Fuca trail in 2020 take if have! Hungry, we arrived at Chin Beach, just outside Port Renfrew up camp at designated and! Stride and enjoy the trials and tribulations of the ecosystem chance of an encounter Victoria ; Haro Strait Boundary.: Botanical Beach and China Beach trailhead as a more-accessible alternative high-tide cutoff point Vancouver are hit hardest it. Will not be taken as accurate, complete or up-to-date benefits and rewards a walk in the middle southern.. Slept in, again, uneager to start tackling the unforgiving trail on another foggy.! Busy from mid-June through to early September, with peak times in July and August stats and difficulty rating check! Deter wildlife worth it, getting through the parking lot, ready to begin adventure! Roaming charges since we were able to relax, read some books, have a fire, fully extinguish with! Almost never go to Parkinson in 2 days 's one of many incredible views mud, in! Day TWO of our trek to the other campsites our first night so make sure you understand how to a! With a minimal impact on the trail with about 10 % being muddy with a few from! I ’ ve been very blessed this year to be able to use this as a more-accessible alternative 10 hiking!