North Coast Trail

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The North Coast Trail is a 43.1 km wilderness hiking trail in Cape Scott Provincial Park on northern Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.

Contents

[edit] The Trail

The 43.1 km trail in Cape Scott Provincial Park will run along beaches and in forest around the northern tip of Vancouver Island from Shushartie Bay to Nissen Bight. At Nissen Bight it will link up with an existing 15 km trail in which leads to the trailhead at San Josef River[1]. The total distance for hikers between the trailheads will be 61 km. The trail is in a wilderness area and hikers may see deer, elk, black bears, cougars, wolves, sea birds, seals, sea lions, grey whales and sea otters. In two failed attempts, Danish pioneers tried to settle the area at the turn of the twentieth century and the trail incorporates some of their original routes.

[edit] Access

The parking lot for Cape Scott Provincial Park, located at San Josef River, can be accessed by car by driving 64 km over logging roads from Port Hardy. There is currently no road access to the other terminus at Shushartie Bay and hikers will have to use either a water taxi or seaplane to access the trail. The long-term management plan for the park includes a proposal for construction of a road to the bay and a vehicle-accessible campground.

[edit] Creation

In 1994, the Vancouver Island Land Use Plan recommended that the Nahwitti-Shushartie area be added to Cape Scott Provincial Park[2]. The creation of the North Coast Trail is largely due to the fundraising and lobbying efforts of the Northern Vancouver Island Trails Society. The trail is seen as way to diversify the economy of northern Vancouver Island by providing a major tourist attraction that will bring visitors to the area. Finalization of the route and construction of the trail began in September of 2004. The trail was expected to open in the fall of 2006. The trail was officially completed on May 8, 2008 and the grand opening was held on May 10, 2008. The trail is now open to the public[3]. The trail was surveyed and constructed by Strategic Forest Management Incorporated, who will continue to maintain and manage the trail.

[edit] References

  1. ^ BC Government's Ministry of Environment Website for Cape Scott Provincial Park Retrieved: April 13, 2007
  2. ^ Cape Scott Provincial Park Management Plan, 2003 Retrieved: April 13, 2007
  3. ^ Northern Vancouver Island Trails Society Retrieved: April 7, 2007

[edit] External links

Strategic Forest Management Incorporated


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Bruce Trail | Canol Heritage Trail | Chilkoot Trail | Confederation Trail | East Coast Trail | Galloping Goose Regional Trail | International Appalachian Trail | Iron Horse Trail | Mantario Trail | North Coast Trail | Oak Ridges Trail | Rideau Trail | Trans Canada Trail | Waterfront Trail | West Coast Trail | Wildside


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