Hiking the Sunshine Coast
Guided Hikes
Which berries are safe to eat? What local plant was in a James Bond film? What did the Coast Salish people use for raincoats? Get answers to all the important questions. Enjoy a naturalist-led hike and learn about the flora and fauna of the forest and shoreline, stories of local Native history and European exploration. Visit the legendary Skookumchuck Rapids, or other beautiful trails in the area. Add on a gourmet picnic for a complete afternoon’s outing.
Available from June 1 to September 13 2009
| Naturalist led hiking trips for groups. Minimum 1 guest - maximum 7 guests. | Rate |
| 2 Hours |
$85
|
| 3 Hours | $110 |
| 4 Hours |
$130
|
| 5 Hours |
$150
|
GPS Treasure Hunts
Go treasure hunting the modern way! Look for prize boxes stashed at different coordinates along local trails, with a hand-held GPS to guide you. Perfect for groups to play in teams, or hunt on your own as a couple or family. Price includes use of hand-held GPS units, GPS tutorial, walkie-talkies and on-site guide. Prizes waiting to be found include toys, post-cards, resort coupons for food and drink, some mystery prizes, and raffle tickets for your own hand-held GPS (to be awarded at the end of the season.)
| GPS Treasure Hunt * Group sizes 1 to 10 guests |
Group Rate
|
| 2 Hours |
$150
|
| 3 Hours |
$175
|
| 4 Hours |
$225
|
GPS Treasure Hunt For Larger Groups
Modern treasure hunting with more people means more teams, more competition, and more fun. Like for smaller groups, but larger groups will have more GPS units, more walkie-talkies, and two on-site guides. Prizes can be tailored to suit individual groups, if you wish to arrange something special for the winning team who finds the most hidden boxes.
| GPS Treasure Hunt * Group size 11 to 20 guests |
Group Rate
|
| 2 Hours |
$150
|
| 3 Hours |
$299
|
| 4 Hours |
$349
|
Naturalist-Facilitated Scavenger Hunt For Groups
A perfect activity for groups to get out and have fun, compete and co-operate, and learn something about the local area. A shorter version can be played right at the resort, or a longer version can take place in nearby hiking trails.
| Scavenger Hunt for Groups |
Group Rate
|
| 1 Hour |
$100
|
| 3 Hours |
$150
|
Team-Building “Plant-Clues” Challenge
This is an advanced version of a scavenger hunt where teams will have to make careful nature observations, use logic to solve difficult clues, and strategically collaborate with other teams to complete the activity.
| Team Building Challenge |
Group Rate
|
| 1 Hour |
$100
|
| 3 Hours |
$150
|
Local Self Guided Hikes
Most of these areas are environmentally sensitive including the beaches so any disturbance of moss, lichen or tide pools can disrupt fragile ecosystems.
Skookumchuck Narrows
The Skookumchuck Narrows Provincial Park was established in 1957 and provides trails and viewing areas for people who want to experience the awesome power of incredibly turbulent tidal rapids, spectacular whirlpools and raging whitewater. On a 3 metre tide current speeds can exceed 30 km (18.6 miles) an hour and approximately 200 billion gallons of water flow through the narrows connecting the Sechelt and Jervis Inlets. That's the same amount of water that falls on the Earth each year!You may also get to watch the most experienced “trick” kayakers from around the world who come here to “ride the tide”. The rapids and whirlpools can be very dangerous and only those with this level of expertise should attempt to navigate these waters. Crossing the Narrows should only be done at a slack or high tide.
Enjoy the well groomed trails through old growth forest. Wet weather will mean some muddy sections so be prepared and wear some good shoes or boots. The trail runs adjacent to private property, please respect the land and the privacy of the owners.
During the tourist season, you may find your way up to The Green Rosette. This quaint little business, located near the beginning of the trail, is your last chance to get some tasty provisions before you reach the rapids. You can never go wrong with a Cinnamon Bun and a cup of coffee!
Heading North from the Resort on Highway 101, follow the signs to Egmont turning right off the Highway just before the end of the road at Earl’s Cove Ferry terminal. Follow the Provincial Parks signs to Skookumchuck Narrows and the marked parking area – about 45 minutes driving time. Allow 1 ½ hour to walk to the rapids and back.
Smuggler’s Cove Marine Park
This cove has earned its name with its nearly hidden entrance long providing a harbour for illegal marine traffic from “Pirate Kelly’s” secret headquarters in the late 1800’s to rum runners during prohibition. The trail is along bog and wetlands with bridges built in recent years by Parks Canada to protect the sensitive ecosystems created by the beavers building of dams. You may see a wide variety of marsh and coastal plants, animals and bird life here. Allow 45 minutes for return trip.Driving South from the Resort on Highway 101, turn right onto Brooks Road as indicated by Provincial Park signs directing to Smuggler’s Cove. There is a clearly marked parking area at the entrance to the trail.
Homesite Creek
Follow the marked trail along to some wonderful waterfalls perfect for a cool dip in summer. Some parts can be muddy in the winter months so wear proper shoes or boots. Allow 30 minutes for return trip.Heading south on Highway 101, there is a pull-out on the right side of the road just past (about 1.5 KM) Sans Souci Road.
Homesite Caves Trail:
The caves are self exploratory, so beware, as the floor of the caves can be slippery. The area is protected so be gentle to your surroundings and do not disturb any of the landscape. The route should take 30 min - 1 hour to complete.
Directions from Rockwater Secret Cove Resort
Heading south on Highway 101, Homesite Road is about 1.5 km past Sans Souci Road on the left hand side. Look for the white trailhead sign. The parking lot is located 100 m (328 ft.) past the powerlines. Look for an orange rock carin which is the trailhead. Start trekking down the trail.
Sargents Bay
The first is the Colvin Creek Trail and it is an easy, low elevation trail which features a waterfall. The Triangle Lake Trail starts where the Colvin Creek Trail ends and is a 2.5 KM hike starting at 45m elevation and climbs to a 210m elevation. Its destination Triangle Lake is not a lake but a true bog surrounded by rocky ridges.
Follow Highway 101, turn right on Red Rooffs Road in Halfmoon Bay. Follow Redrooffs approx 5 km.
Access to the hiking trails is on the left side of Redrooffs Road just before the right turn into the park. The Trail heads are marked.
Mount Daniel Lookout
Advanced hike. The upward part is unrelentingly upward! Sometimes requires scrambling over fallen trees. The return trip provides its own form of torture as you always have the feeling of putting on the brakes. Allow 1 1/2 hours to get to the top and another hour to get down and lots of recovery time to enjoy the view!
Some of the circles of rocks you will see on the eastern peak of Mount Daniel are remnants of the rights of passage practiced by the Sechelt First Nations. The payoff to this trail is all at the top. There is nothing to see on the way up, but once you’re there it’s amazing! From the top you can see Pender Harbour with its complex inlets and islands. Directly below you can see Garden Bay Lake, Katherine Lake and Mixal Lake.
Directions from Rockwater Secret Cove Resort
Pender Hill
Heading North from the Resort on Hwy 101 turn left onto Garden Bay Road at the Petro Canada Station, and continue onto Irvine’s Landing Road. Follow along until Lee Road on the right and park where you can. There is a sign on the right side of Lee Road marking the trail head. A bluish-green Hydro pole also helps identify the trail-head.
