WCT Day 5 and finale: Let’s bring it in

We’re told during orientation to allot 5 hours to go from Thrasher Cove to the ferry at Gordon River…steep up and down, slippery, ladders…and the last ferry is at 4:30. Took me 3.5 hours at a steady pace, and I definitely needed to take my time. Very easy to twist an ankle or fall.
 
Sunrise at Thrasher Cove
Sunrise at Thrasher Cove
 
Back at the main trail junction
It’s a 1 KM climb from Thrasher back up to the main trail junction…ladders, steep rock, roots.
 
Donkey engine
Derelict donkey engine at 72 km
 
ferry approach   ferry load
Ferry at Gordon River
 
Craig and the final ladder
Craig and the final ladder. And it’s the first ladder for those going northbound.
 
Waiting line at Victoria
Time to wrap up…I scooted over to Victoria to get in the waiting line for the ferry
 
house boats
We pass by house boats…
 
leaving the harbor
…before exiting Victoria Harbor and head for home.
 

WCT Day 4: Go low

This day was timed to take the beach route at low tide vs. taking the inland forest path.
 

logs and more logs   
Love these log crossings
 
More mud
And this was typical even after a stretch of dry days
 
go straight up the middle
Go straight up the middle
 
old old planks   planks and mud
Watch your feet
 
surge channel on the coastal route
Surge channel on the coastal route at low tide
 
stay high when traversing at low tide
Stay high when traversing the coast at low tide.
 
sandstone moon craters
Sandstone moon craters
 
low tide around Owen Point
Low tide at Owen Point
 

Quick video vignettes: two panoramas, approach to a surge channel. I fell on slippery algae by the sea cave…small head bump, nothing serious.
 
tree stand at the strait
Tree stand at the Strait of de Juan Fuca…that’s the United States on the horizon.
 
zodiac rescue boat
Close-up of a Zodiac Rescue Boat used by CA Parks. About 40 evacuations off the trail so far this year.
 
Thrasher Cove CG
Thrasher Cove CG
 

WCT Day 3: Life’s a beach. And many crossings.

Follow the trail
Follow the trail
 
Coastal trees above the surf
Coastal trees above the surf
 
Morning sun shines through coastal trees
Morning sun shines through
 
Old planks guide the trail path
Old planks guide the path
 
Chez Monique's place
Chez Monique’s place: everything on the menu from coffee to burgers to salmon
 
3 sketchy jumps
I took 3 sketchy jumps here. Made two of them.
 
wet boots
And had wet boots has a present. Tip: Just swap out to sandals for the river crossings.
 
Coastal trees around 51KM
Coastal trees at 51 KM
 
Coastal tree in the morning fog
Coastal tree in the fog
 
Panorama of Walbran Creek CG
Pano of Walbran Creek
 
Ladder system   Lots of climbing
Lots of climbing
 
Root system
Root system
 
log crossing   more log crossing
The trail ahead
 
planks   follow the planks
Follow the planks
 
Down, across, and up
Down, across, and up
 
trail tetris with the mud   mud
Trail tetris with mud
 
log crossing
Don’t pause…
 
log crossing
…or look down…
 
log crossing...just do it.
…just do it.
 
planks   tent protected by a root
Finally settled into…
 
Camper Bay CG
…Camper Bay CG for the night.