Raft Cove on the north-west of Vancouver Island
On
the north-west coast of Vancouver Island is Cape Scott Park. At the
southern end of the park you will discover Raft Cove, a provincial park
consisting of an isolated, forested coastline at the mouth of the
meandering Macjack River.
Cutting through an unpaved, twisting trail, among ancient towering
hemlock, western red cedar and Sitka spruce, you will come upon the
rugged shoreline, notable for its unobstructed majestic views of the
pounding Pacific. From here you might be lucky enough to see migrating
whales.
At the end of the beach is a wild sandy bay, accessible at low tide,
which is home to the dilapidated trapper's cabin of Willie Hecht, an
early Cape Scott settler. Abandoned and crumbling, the remnants of
Hecht's home lie on the southern bank, opposite the tip of the wooded
peninsula. The best fresh water is available from the nearby stream.
Camping on the beach, or in wilderness campsites amongst the canopy of
trees, is popular as are surfing, swimming, fishing and hiking. Black
bears, cougars and wolves live in the park so caution should be exercised
when staying overnight.
This is the land of pioneers, virtually untouched by man. Hiking here,
you will feel as though you are discovering your own secret wilderness.
Dress warmly and bring good rain gear at any time of the year, as Raft
Cove is very exposed to the Pacific weather systems that pound this
rugged coastline.
