WCT: Day 8 Michigan Creek to Pachena Bay

• Date Completed: Thursday 2018 July 26
• Distance (According to GPS): 12.1 km 
• Time: 3 hr 23 min
• Elevation Gain: + 699m – 869m 
  
• West Coast Trail KM’s: KM 12 to KM 00
• Map of the Route & GPS data: Yes!! Click here for Route
• Best Description of the Day: Up Down Up Down BEER!

Day 8: Michigan Creek to Pachena Bay – 2018 July 26

06:00ish I think….wake up, pack up and LAST DAY ON THE TRAIL

Up early, as we planned to get to Pachena Bay in time to go to Bamfield to enjoy a meal and a beer before we did the bus ride back to where we started a week ago. We woke up in the fog yet again, however we knew that soon enough we would be out of the fog zone so we happily packed up our gear for the last time and got ready to hit the last stretch. 

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As we left the beach for the last time, we kicked off into the forest right away. Passing WCT KM 12 at 6:47. The first section is a brief incline up through the mud to elevate ourself away from the beach. 

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Walking through the muddy trenches. We crossed mud, boardwalks bridges and then WCT KM 11 at 7:01. My tracking of KM’s was on point at this time. The fresh air of the forest was euphoric. 

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One bridge, another bridge, the push to being completed was driving us all forward. At 7:31 we passed WCT KM 9. Then KM 8 at 7:42. We crossed bridge 13 at 8:08 which passed over Malset Creek. The day was damp, however as we walked away from the beach the forest route was starting to become much more dry and the paths became much wider as we continued on. 

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At KM = 5.17 we believed we heard a bear in bush between bridge 13 and 12. We passed WCT KM 6 at 8:17. The momentum of knowing the end is near really drives you to want to finish. Forest up, forest down, a bridge here, a boardwalk there. WCT KM 4 at 8:40. Looking up the sky become a bit more clearer and the fog dissipates away. 

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WCT KM 2 at 9:08. Another bridge. Sneak peak out to the ocean view. Crossed over bridge 5 at 9:27.

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Then we ready the final stretch of ladders at 9:36. (and we thought we were done with ladders… ha!) First ladder warms you up. The second one has 62 rungs. Third one…just think beer at the end. Then at 9:46 3 long ladders back down to the beach. And when you think you are done with ladders, there is one more long on to go down just to mess with you. Standing on the bridge at KM=11.9 of the day, we waited for the rest of our crew to finish descending down the ladders. With the sound of the waves crashing to shore just on the other side of the trees. 

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We walked over to the Pachena Bay West Coast Trail hut to check ourselves out, weigh our bags and call a cab to take us over to Bamfield for a real meal. [We arrived at the check out at 10:05]

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Once we checked ourselves off the trail. We called for a taxi to come pick us up and take us over to Bamfield. We had 3 + hours to spare before the bus would be picking us up. We did the bag weighing to see what they were at in comparison to when we started. 

Note – taxi pick up is right beside the Parks Canada West Coast Trail Check In. Literally to the left when you stare at the Lodge’s front entrance. Do not walk towards the Pachena Bay campsite to wait for the taxi. We unnecessarily did this extra walking unbeknownst to us ….. The taxi is a flat rate of $55. Expensive for the distance yes, but the reward of food and a beer or caesar makes it worth it. Plus having snacks and beverages on the WCT Bus back to Gordon River. 13:15 the bus picked us up and we were on the bumpy bumpy road back to where we left our vehicles a week ago. 

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We left our vehicles in Gordon River, which is were we went back to pick them up. Instead of heading back home right away, our group opted to enjoy a few days of relaxation at an Airbnb in Sooke that had a hot tub. 

Day 8 – Keynotes

• The last day on the trail goes quick. For us, it took ~3 hours and change to complete the last 12 KM. This gave us quick some time before the WCT bus picks you up. The bus does the route once a day, so you really want to plan you day to make it there in time. Otherwise, you are stuck waiting for the next day. Bus at Bamfield picks you up at 13:15. 
• There is a taxi you can take that takes you from Pachena Bay over to Bamfield. There’s no service in Pachena Bay so ask the Parks Canada staff if you can use their phone to call the Taxi to take you over to Bamfield. We had a lot of time, so we were able to enjoy lunch and beer before the bus pick up. 
• Bus ride = long, very bumpy and bumpy. So if you can get snacks and a beverage for the trip, it makes it much more