Showing posts with label Wild Pacific Trail. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wild Pacific Trail. Show all posts

Monday, July 10, 2017

Are you sick of the Travelogue yet?

If not, read on haha........Hiking the Wild Pacific Trail!
I've been on a bit of a hiatus as it was Sunfest weekend here in London, ON. That's when bands from all over the world vie for space in Victoria Park with 100+ food booths and craft/clothing/etc booths to make a hot, spicy blend of wonderfulness! More on that later.

First let's go to Ucluelet B.C. As you saw from the photos of my trek TO Ucluelet it was a warm sunny day. When I was a few kms away from Ucluelet the sun disappeared and I was enveloped in a foggy mist that took the edges off the trees and rocks.

The hike started - here - at the sturdy Amphitrite lighthouse built in 1915 to withstand hurricane force winds. Then the trail wound along the clifftops in a big loop with dozens of places created for photo ops. I had drops of moisture on my eyelashes and skin and I needed my hoodie for the first couple of hours.

It was a bit ghost walky for awhile looking out at trees and rocks shrouded in mist. I didn't find it slippery at all - the trails are obviously well-looked after. There were many signs posted to stay off the rocks but of course there were always a few (much younger and foolish) folks who took the risk.
This lookout spot is called The Crow's Nest! (this photo was taken a little later in the day hence the blue skies)

I had not the slightest inclination to go clambering around off trail on the rock formations - it's times like these I feel my age! Thankfully! At least there's two of them - if one falls and kills himself/herself at least the other person can locate the body!

Back to the foggy morning...

 I like the "atmosphere" that great billowing waves of fog gives to the landscape.

Gradually it cleared up and it became sunny and warm. Perfect for the day's activity.

I was disappointed that I didn't see any whales or other marine life though I was lucky to see eagles soaring over the cliffs but you know me and birds - just can't get them to sit still for photos!

In one spot there were stairs down to the beach. I found a couple of rocks (looked like fossils) that I added to to pile collected by many previous hikers.

Everywhere I go I find tree/log/driftwood sculptures - fantastic!

*Teaching moment* - below is the "selfie" you get when you forget to zoom out after a closeup of said tree sculpture!  OOPS!



There's one of my little rocks (above) that I donated to the pile. Isn't it cute?

Then I found a bench and sat to contemplate life for awhile (and eat trail mix and smarties! :) Contemplating life can make a girl hungry!

It's still a bit misty here though beyond the closer trees you can see another beach way below with a trail that I briefly hiked.

So many little islands.
 
 The day is clearing up - I'm glad I didn't let the fog scare me away.

Some baby ferns - so cute! I half-expected to see a dinosaur - just a little baby one of course!


Once section of the trail went through an "old growth" forest where the trees were immense. And beautiful. And regal. And invincible (I wish - the fierce winds over the centuries have taken taken their toll!)


Ending off with my favourite misty photo.



Tuesday, July 4, 2017

On the Way to Ucluelet B.C.

I was going to do an "Ucluelet" post highlighted by my hike there on the Wild Pacific Trail but as I was scrolling through my photos I realized that some of the most beautiful scenes were the ones I snapped from the side of the road while travelling to and from Ucluelet. They are so incredible I thought they deserved their own post. At this rate I ought to be done posting about my B.C. adventure by the end of 2017!! 
 These photos are even more amazing when you consider I risked my life and limbs trying to find places to pull over my car without driving off a cliff or getting hit while getting out of said car! There are not a lot of places to pull over or turn around in after driving past a scenic spot. So I didn't get them all but I got a few. And I saw two cars in the ditch while travelling  that day so keeping my eyes on the road was a major priority!

If you look at these reflection photos sideways they look like Rorschach inkblot photos - what do you see??

                                                Gravelly Jane with tiny head and hand :)
                                                     but, oh, look at those long legs!!

One of the lovelier waterfalls along the way and one close enough that I could get a decent photo.

 The weather was brilliant!

                                         I didn't bring a lock - I didn't know that was a thing!

                                       A winding river...will be seen again on my return trip!

 I zoomed by a sign that said "Kennedy Lake" so wanting to explore I turned around (eventually) and went down a little gravel road. I parked, walked a hundred metres or so along a trail and then, suddenly, this is what I saw!! This gorgeous spot was one of the highlights of my day.

 Kennedy Lake

Kennedy Lake

Kennedy Lake
Below - the path from my car to the lake.

There were a few people out on boats... 

 Low lying clouds make for great photos!

Some people had a fire going and the combination of the wood smoke
and the glorious lake was indescribable. If I'd had a tent and more food I
would have stayed for a few days!

The next two photos were taken on my way back from Ucluelet - I was looking for a spot where I could eat the remains of my lunch. I was feeling famished after all the hiking at Ucluelet (next post). I found a place where I could safely pull over, sat on a rock and absorbed the beautiful scene in front of me. What a fantastic day!