Cape Scott

Park: Cape Scott Provincial Park

Map

Topo Series No. 102 Sheets 1/9 & 1/16

16.8 km one way.

Terrain: Intermediate
Elevations (in meters)
Start: 29End: 0
Minimum: 0Maximum: 
Net Gain: Cumulative Gain: 
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Cape Scott Trailhead: (567 km from Saanich Hall, 67 km on logging roads, 4wd recommended). Drive north from Victoria to Port Hardy (500 km) on highways #1 & BC#19. Just before arriving at Port Hardy take a logging road to your left and drive 67 km to the parking lot.

Note: It is 63 km on ACTIVE logging roads to the trailhead. Extreme caution should be exercised on these roads at all times.
Bus access:While there is no public bus to the trailhead there is the North Coast Trail Shuttle. In 2011 the one way cost was $75 per person.

Facilities available at the trailhead include:

Note that rental car insurance does not cover you on the road to Cape Scott, you would be liable for any damages to the vehicle. BCAA does not cover towing from Cape Scott, this can be extremely expensive (over $500) should you need to be towed.

Uses

BackpackEasy to moderate.6 hours one way.Best from mid April thru mid October.

Description

Distance given is to Nels Bight. Total distance to Cape Scott itself is 23.6km.

Access to this area requires a long hike through rainforest before reaching the abandonde Cape Scott Settlement. To reach Nels Bight take the west trail (left fork) at the junction and the north fork just beyond the settlement. Cross Hansen Lagoon via the bridge at the eastern edge of the meadow and then take the high tide trail along the northern edge of the laggon to Nels Bight.

You can also go to Nissan Bight by taking the right fork at the junction. This is 2km shorter but leaves a much longer day hike (23km return) to Cape Scott.

Trail conditions depend very much on the weather, the listed rating is for after a spell of good weather. After rains the conditions deteriorate rapidly and you can find yourself contending with knee deep mud obscured by standing water.

Features

This trail features animals (American Mink at San Josef Bay, Black bear, Coastal black-tailed deer, Cougar, Elk, Grey wolf, River otter at San Josef Bay, Sea otter), beaches, birds (Bald Eagle, Canada Geese at Hansen Lagoon, Common Merganser, Trumpeter Swan in winter), forests (Sitka spruce and Western red cedar), marine mammals (California sea lion, Grey whale, Harbour seal, Humpback whale, Orca), natural wonders (Sea stacks) and rivers.

Hazards

This area is subject to severe west coast weather at any time of the year. You must be prepared for sustained periods of extremely heavy rainfall, wind and fog. Mud is also a problem. When exploring the area exercise caution around the old settlements. Be on the watch for abandoned wells, broken glass and rusty nails. Regard any standing structure as unstable.

Comments

CAUTION: Many sections of the trails are primitive and VERY muddy. Boardwalks have been built in a number of areas but these can be extremely slippery when wet.

Visitors should be equipped for wet weather. High topped leather or rubber boots should be carried and proper hiking boots should be worn.

The need to be prepared for ADVERSE weather conditions cannot be over-emphasized. Torrential rain can be expected at any time of the year and may last for days on end.

Exercise bear precautions while camping in and visiting this park. Use bear caches where provided.

Campsites along the trail

Eric Lake3.0 km 0 meters
  • Bear cache/wire
  • Pit toilet
Water is plentiful.
Fisherman River9.3 km 0 meters
  • Shelter
  • Pit toilet
Water is available.
Nissen Bight15.0 km 0 meters
  • Bear cache/wire
  • Pit toilet
Water is available.
 Reached via a side trail heading north from the Cape Scott Settlement.
Nels Bight16.8 km 0 meters
  • Bear cache/wire
  • Ranger station
  • Pit toilet
Water is available.
Guise Bay20.7 km 0 meters
         		Water is available.

    For additional information see:

    Coastal Hikes by Philip Stone.

    Other trails in Cape Scott Provincial Park

    Trail-conditions

    View trail condition reports for this trail.