The Northwest Coast

The Northwest Coast is wild and rugged. In early summer, three of us (Cory, Mike and Kevin) took a road trip and spent two weeks exploring, hiking, surfing and camping the wild coast. Leaving the city on a crowded Friday, it was so nice to get out on the open road. We ended up going for hours and then a series of dirt roads and trails. It was a rough ride off-road. Arriving at the roadside campsite in the early hours, it was a sleepy rush to set up the tent.

In the morning we woke to fresh air, a slight breeze and the sound of thundering waves. That first day consisted of surfing, laying around on the beach, making a fire and cooking food. So did the next three days. And the day after that. On the fifth day we took off from our campsite and hiked the mountains, cliffs and valleys. We found a secret waterfall and numerous streams and swimming holes.

On the fifth day we took off from our campsite and hiked the mountains, cliffs and valleys. We found a secret waterfall and numerous streams and swimming holes. The waves were perfect and the water refreshing.

Before coming here we didn’t know too much about this stretch of coast. Perhaps due to the ruggedness, it doesn’t seem like a lot of people come through here. Maybe it’s the dirt roads, maybe it’s the harsh weather, although we did luck out with a week of sunshine and warm weather.

Stories we had heard at the general store back on the highway were weeks upon weeks of gale force winds, pouring rain, rough seas and even snow. And then there were the bears. We saw a couple from a distance but evidence of them were everywhere. We heard mountain lions were around but we didn’t experience any. Oh yeah, there are a huge population of sharks here too.

A few days in, Mike decided it would be a good idea to move campsites. We packed up all of our stuff for a three-mile hike over the mountains to a secluded beach. There we were able to use the driftwood for a shack and set up our tents next to that.

There was a little stream that came from the mountain and dropped off a cliff as a thin waterfall and the camp. We caught our own fish, made a campfire and lived well. 

Time’s up, we have to go back to the city. The good time is just a blur now. But, we will remember one thing mostly, that we didn’t see another person the whole time we were out there.