Hiking the West Coast Trail (3)
Friday August 13
Eight hours hiking, lots of ladders, less vertical elevation change than first day and no terrible boulders to negotiate. Feeling stronger due to conditioning. Most of the time in the woods. Boardwalks in rough shape. We’re thankful it’s not muddy and slimy as it must be most of the time here in the rainforest. Lots of conversation, especially between Steve and me who hang back. Hemlock needles falling like snow; sunlight in patches.
Arrive at Walbran Creek campsite, grateful to be back on the shoreline. A large lagoon and expanse of beach. Many people here, but no crowding. Cloudless skies. Swim in big lagoon under an outcrop gripped by a large spruce growing vertically from under its overhang.
The sea here warmer than at Thrasher Cove. Peter swims in it and rests.
Fog and cloud gone. Wide ocean vistas, Cape Flattery in Washington to the South. A constant parade of container ships entering Juan de Fuca Straight bound for Vancouver and Seattle and China. Here’s where our camping gear enters the country on its way to REI and MEC. Steve says they carry Treasury Bills back. Paul and Peter work with neighboring Swiss couple to string our bear caches up in a tree.
Steve cooks excellent Pad Thai, complemented by Chanterelles found on the trail.
Sleep under the stars. Sunset and moonlight on water.
