Vancouver Island

Aug 5-8, 2016
AC8103 IAH-YYC, AC8595 YYC-YYJ, AC8594 YYJ-YYC, UA1607 YYC-IAH

Although we’ve spent a lot of time on the west coast, we haven’t covered much of Vancouver Island.  Our primary plan was to check out Tofino and Pacific Rim National Park.  Tofino is very much known for its rain and it lived up to its reputation.  However, there were long breaks in the rain and we enjoyed visiting the national park and exploring more of the east coast.  Will definitely plan another trip to fly to the northern part of the island.

Aug 5

As we got in mid-day on Friday after picking up the rental car we decided to take the scenic route to Nanaimo and went along the south west coast.  On the way we had views across the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Olympic NP, unfortunately it was quite hazy so nothing worth capturing on the phone, but as we got closer to the West Coast Trail there was a little less haze.  

Juan De Fuca National Park close to the start of the West Coast Trail

Looking across Port San Juan at Port Renfrew

Scenery along the way as we make our way north across the island on Pacific Marine Rd.

Sunset at Nanaimo harbour

After the full day of travel, we had a lovely dinner in downtown Nanaimo, before turning in for the night.

Aug 6

After breakfast at the hotel, we headed back across the island to Tofino and Pacific Rim National Park.  With the very busy weekend, all the hotels in Tofino were full so we stayed in Ucleulet, further up the coast.  

Upriver from Little Qualicum Falls on our short hike

Little Qualicum Falls is the payoff for the early morning hike

Cathedral Grove Douglas Fir trees in MacMillan Provincial Park

Wet climate covers the trees with moss

Looking into the cloud-covered Clayoquot Plateau Park from the Pacific Rim highway

Float plane in cloudy and wet Tofino harbour

Well watered flowers

Road cuts through the dense rain forest in the National Park

Willowbrae Trail hike leads down to the beach

Driftwood on Florencia Bay beach

Slugs thriving with the wet weather

The custom of relationship locks appears to know no bounds

On the Wild Pacific Trail hike in Ucluelet we were accompanied by bald eagles

Local fisherman coming in for the evening

Photographer trying to catch a bald eagle photo at the Amphitrite Point Lighthouse

More of the rocky coastline on the Wild Pacific Trail

Looking across Ucluelet Inlet from the town

Very low tide makes it almost possible to walk to town for dinner from our hotel, but we have to take the long way around

Beautiful end to the day at the Ucluelet Harbour

Although it wasn't as touristy as Tofino, we did find a lovely seafood dinner in quaint small restaurant on the main street, before checking in for the evening.

Aug 7

Hoping to get in front of the rain, we head back to Tofino to see some of the sights that were a little soggy on Saturday.

The slugs out enjoying the wet weather

Float plain landing in Tofino

Logging truck in Museum at Campbell River

Hydro electric project redirects Elk Falls in large wooden penstocks

Elk River leading to Elk Falls

Despite the hydro project, the wet weather still fuels Elk Falls

Happy to have made it to the other side of the suspension bridge over the falls

After driving as north as Campbell River, we headed back to Nanaimo for a nice dinner and relaxing evening.

Aug 8

After staying overnight in Nanaimo, we drive to Victoria for our flights home.  Tom heads to Toronto via Vancouver and I head to Houston via Calgary.