June 1st Hike Along the Maple/Wombat Trails
Come and join Gambier Island Conservancy on June 1 for a hike beginning on the Mountain road trail, along the Maple trail to the headwaters of Whispering Creek to view Old Growth forest and the adjacent clear cut. Then back down the Wombat trail through a reforested clear cut from 1995. View pristine wilderness, the beauty of Whispering Creek's pools and waterfalls, and giant trees in an area not previously logged.
When: June 1, 2024, starting at 0900 (rain or shine)
Where: The start of the Mountain Road trail, near 1005 West Bay Rd.
Distance: about 3 km each way (6 km total)
Difficulty: Moderate – gradual elevation gain of 300 metres. Not suitable for young children
What to bring: Appropriate hiking gear, lunch, water. No dogs please
How to get there:
From Vancouver area: 3 choices
A) By Ferry
- Catch the 7:30 Ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale
- Within the Langdale terminal, you’ll be able to find the Stormaway Passenger only ferry that will take you to New Brighton on Gambier Harbour. Departure from Langdale at 8:20, or if you miss that, the next ferry is at 8:40.
- Once you’ve reached New Brighton, it’s a 30-minute walk (about 1.5 KM) along West Bay Road to the meeting place. Follow new Brighton Road, staying to the right as you move past the parking area. New Brighton Road makes a gradual turn to the left and becomes West Bay road.
- The meeting spot is at the point where West Bay Rd. makes a sharp turn down to the West Bay Government dock, about 1.5km from New Brighton. There's a sign at the corner identifying the start of the Mountain Rd. trail.
- To return to Horseshoe Bay, there are scheduled water taxi runs by both Mercury water taxi, and Cormorant water taxi, that leave from West Bay in the afternoon.
Cormorant Water taxi schedule : https://www.cormorantwatertaxi.com/gambier-book-online
Mercury Water Taxi schedule: https://mercurytransport.ca/services/schedule-runs/#early
B) By Water taxi – you can hire a water taxi (Mercury or Cormorant water taxi) from Horseshoe Bay to the West Bay Government Dock. From there it’s a short walk up the hill to the meeting place. This is a good option if you have a group of people travelling to the island.
Cormorant Water taxi schedule : https://www.cormorantwatertaxi.com/gambier-book-online
Mercury Water Taxi schedule: https://mercurytransport.ca/services/schedule-runs/#early
C) By personal boat – Possible, but there are limited options for dock space both at West Bay, and New Brighton. Your best bet is New Brighton dock, and then it’s a 30-minute walk (about 1.5 KM) along West Bay Road to the meeting place. Follow new Brighton Road, staying to the right as you move past the parking area. New Brighton Road makes a gradual turn to the left and becomes West Bay road.
The meeting spot is at the point where West Bay Rd. makes a sharp turn down to the West Bay Government dock, about 1.5km from New Brighton. There's a sign at the corner identifying the start of the Mountain Rd. trail.
Everyone is welcome!
This hike will traverse the unceded traditional territory of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Nation.
Organized by the Gambier Island Conservancy