- Date Completed: Sunday 2018 July 22
- Distance (According to GPS): 7.44 km
- Time: 2 hr 57 min
- Elevation Gain: + 447m – 395m
- West Coast Trail KM’s: KM 53 to KM 46
- Map of the Route & GPS data: Yes!! Click here for Route
- Best Description of this Day: Sunday Funday Beach Boogie!
I’m a bit old school with tracking our adventures in my Moleskin Notebook.
Day 4: Walbran Creek to Carmanah Creek + Side Trip to Chez Monique’s – 2018 July 22
6:30ish Up, Pack, Take in the Ocean View, Coffee, End Destination in Mind
We woke up early to a beautiful sunrise and clear blue skies. We took our time to make coffee and eat breakfast this morning as we knew we were in no rush today.
We strategically planned out today to be Sunday Funday on the West Coast Trail. Slow team start – we ate breakfast on the edge of a massive piece of drift wood. Then we packed up and made our way off just after 8:00ish. Today was a good ol’ fashion beach walk of a day.
8:22 Walbran Creek and Off We Go
Along the beach we go. Heading north to cross Walbran Creek. Slight pause to take the shoes off to cross the creek. The creek was high and fast enough that the time to remove and then put back on shoes was totally worth the time.
Boots on. We continued with the beach boogie as we traversed across the tide pools and rock formations. The ground was fairly sturdy and easy to walk along.
That was short lived. We then met the notorious fine sinking sand around 8:51 / KM = 1.05 for the day. So of course, our approach was to head out to where the tide had gone out and walk across some more tide pools.
9:22 we passed around Vancouver Point and took a look back to take in the view of the beautiful rock formations. The best description of this day resides in the photos which describe the ever changing beach views and we made our short trek.
10:35 we passed by Bonnila Creek Campsite. We filled up our bottles and sacks from the beautiful waterfall at KM= 5.80 of the day.
11:20 we reached Carmanah Creek. Boots came off as we crossed the creek. Crossing the water, our feet received a well deserved foot massage from the small pebbles and cooling water. If you’re not keen on crossing the Creek, there is a cable car crossing upstream just off the forest route.
We looked passed the main campsite and found a beautiful spot a few hundred meters down to set up camp. We also convinced ourselves we were that much closer to Chez Monique’s.
12:30 Camp Spot Found and Set Up Complete
We strategically planned to be early at camp on Day 4, so we could head over to Chez Monique’s early to enjoy some delicious burgers and beers. The beach off of Carmanah Creek was one of our favourite beaches. It was like a scene out of a destination resort advertisement. Sandy, beautiful large waves crashing into the shore, and incredible view for the sunset. We completed laundry and hung it all our to dry out in the sun.
Tip – Always do laundry at camp as quickly as you can. Campsuds allows you to wash clothes in both fresh and salt water. The time it takes to dry is quite long and having to wear damp clothes the next day is not enjoyable. Also look to bring quick dry pieces where possible.
13:05 The meander over to Chez Monique’s
20 minute walk from our camp site, we reached Chez Monique’s at 13:20 and happiness was felt by our entire group. We may have spent an unusually long time there. It was an enjoyable Sunday Funday.
The Slow Meander back to Camp
Many many beers later and 5 hours later, we walked back to our camped in a very happy state and with multiple beers in hand. It was a day that we had planned to be easy and chill, which made for an incredible break on the trail.
The guys wanted to cool the beers in the ocean. The contraption, as we learned the tough way, did not really work.
Fire of Glory and Sunset Magic
Photos describe the beauty of this scenery. We were treated to an epic sunset and epic beach fire in our Day 4 living room.
Day 4 – TIPS/ KEYNOTES
- Post Chez Monique’s, we opted to tie up some beers in an extra bag we had to try and cool them in the ocean. There were 4 beers. Beer 1 exploded. Beer 2 was heavily shaken but drinkable. Beer 3 and Beer 4 were lost to see. [Side note – we learned 2 days later than another hiker along the WCT saw one of the lost beers washed a shore and happily enjoyed the beer. Learning this was a highlight to hear]
- Chez Monique’s – hopefully will be open in 2019 – takes cash and credit.
- Warm beer is better than no beer.
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