Day 4… (August 29th)
West Coast Trail Map - Day 4
We left Cribs Creek in the customary fog. The tide table and map information indicated that we would have to use the forest trail, so we bush-whacked on a path less than 30ft from the beach. The salal bushes crowded us ever closer, grabbing at Sarah’s Stix and making progress painfully slow.
Overgrown Trail.
After a kilometre we had had enough and scrambled through to the beach, where a wide open expanse welcomed us!
Once again the tidal pools kept us entertained. We watched duelling hermit crabs and played tug-of-war with sea anemones.
Tidal Pool Anemone.
The sea-worn sculptures were amazing.
Sarah in a Sandstone Sculpture.
We had to leave the beach at Carmanah Point, and ascended the ladders & staircases to the lighthouse.
Carmanah Lighthouse.
After walking around and admiring the facility, (including the beach-rock labyrinth) we headed back to the trail… and were greeted by the only 4-legged wild-life we saw on the whole hike… Bambi!
Bambi!
It was a short hike back down to the beach, and there a few hundred metres away was the highlight of the day… “Chez Monique”… a Beach Burger Shack!
Chez Monique.
This little island of culinary paradise is on First Nations land, however the owners were away for a while and the stand was being run by some (German?) volunteers. Their pay was food and a place to pitch their tent, however they seemed content and they made FABULOUS burgers.
We sat with our German & Edmontonian friends and had a feast!
Friends around a table.
Yum & Yum!
Satiated, we buckled on our packs, (easy on the waist strap!) and moved out into the fog.
At Km-46 Sarah, Abi & I forded Carmanah Creek. Josh & Kelly decided to use the cable car – just because.
As we approached Bonilla Point we waded through a sea of sea gulls, which Abi took great delight in stirring up!
Abi dances with gulls.
At the Point, the kids did some blister maintenance.
Blister Maintenance.
We spent the rest of the afternoon meandering the remaining 5Kms to Walbran Creek, which was our destination for the day.
We found an excellent tent-site in a natural amphitheatre of logs, and used our tarp for the first time – to keep off some of the fog-dew.
Camp Walbran!
Firemaking, washing, cooking and socialising brought to a close, this wonderful day.
Marshmallows around the campfire.
Walbran Creek Sunset.
