Picking Season

October 2024

HIKING & PICKING 

SEASON

Photo by June Hale

Winter is almost upon us but that doesn’t mean outdoor activities need to end.  There’s plenty to do rain or shine, just make sure you are prepared! Here are some suggestions:

• Backroads Map or another App that works offline

• Weather report

• Satellite Messenger

• Rain Gear (Gore-Tex is the best)

• Dry Clothes

• Extra Spare Tire

• Always have a check in time with someone in cell service

Photo by June Hale

There are many small and beautiful hikes around the North Island.  Good ways to find these hikes is through the Backroads Map Book, you can download it to your phone or go the old fashioned route and buy a paper copy at most gas stations.  All Trails is also a good resource.  

Photo by June Hale

Road conditions change very quickly especially in the winter and roads can become blocked by fallen trees, slides and washouts.  Trails can also become treacherous in high winds so avoid going out on days with big winds. 

See the latest road report HERE.

Make sure you dress for the weather, dress in layers,  have good rain gear, and have a spare change of clothes in your vehicle.  A satellite communication device is a great idea and there’s many to choose from.  

Photo by June Hale

Another great activity in the fall is foraging. The berries were very abundant this year with Salmon Berries (a spring berry), Salal, Black berries, Huckleberries and in the alpine blue Huckleberries to name a few.  

This year is also a bumper crop for mushrooms, there are so many Chantelles, Lobster and Bolete (Porcini) mushrooms and they are still multiplying!  Everyone has their “secret” picking spots so just poke your head in the forest and see what you can find! 

My favorite picking guide is “All that Rain Promises and More” by David Arora.  It’s small enough to take with you and full of great information.

“And they say, Life is an adventure

   Full of mystery,   So let’s go”

Athey Thompson

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram @coveadventuretours

May...Here and Gone!

SAN JO MAY 2024

Adventures’ Calling

We wrapped up another month of tours and were fortunate to experience perfect weather! Throughout our excursions, we had 10 bear sightings, mostly along the logging roads. However, a few were spotted feeding across the river, and we even found some tracks on the beach. Remember to use the bear caches located at the trailhead of the beach for everyone's safety.

Additionally, three new washrooms have been installed at the beach, each constructed from 100% recyclable materials that can be recycled again at the end of their lifespan. These eco-friendly toilets operate on a unique conveyor system: to ensure the "waste" moves down into the holding tank, you need to pump the pedal ten times—yes, ten times! Remember, please do not leave any garbage in the washrooms. Cape Scott Park does not have garbage collection services, so be sure to pack out everything you pack in.

Don't miss the ever-changing and blooming wonders along the trail. One such rare gem is the Coralroot Orchid, a true marvel. In our seven years of conducting tours, we've only encountered it three times.

Road conditions remain largely unchanged since our last Cape Scott Road Report, so be sure to review it before your trip. The beach continues to be spectacular, whether rain or shine, and there are some excellent low tides coming up in June. For the best views of sea creatures, explore around the rocks on the ocean side of the sea stacks.

Don't forget to stop by the Scarlet Ibis in Holberg for a beverage and a meal—they're now open seven days a week, and Thursday night is Steak Night!

BEACH RENTALS COMING SOON!!

Welcome to The Most Remote Pub on Vancouver Island!

The Scarlet Ibis (est. 1973) is a little piece of history located in beautiful Holberg, which is the gateway to some of the most incredible beaches on Vancouver Island, BC, Canada…

Not only is The Scarlet Ibis a great place to stop to refuel after a long hike, but they’ve now added a place to stay the night. Recently added 6 cozy red cedar ‘Adventure Huts’ which are complete with bunkbeds from Single to Queen, access to on-site amenities such as showers, washrooms, even wifi, and of course the pub’s great menu, beverages, atmosphere and views of Holberg Inlet.

Getting to the Ibis requires driving 40 kms on a logging road so be sure to check out our Cape Scott Road Report for the current road conditions. (BACK ROAD TIP: Logging trucks have the right of way - so move on over!)
We hope you’ll explore The Scarlet Ibis next time you stop by this end of the Island.

P.S. If you’re unfamiliar with the area, or not comfortable to take your vehicle along the dirt roads, don’t worry, Cove Adventure Tours offers custom tours, and we can do the driving for you!

Learn More about Cove Adventure Custom Tours Here.

The cure for anything is saltwater.

A wavy welcome to 2022! We ‘re missing barefoot walks on the beach and counting down the days until we can dip our toes in the wild Pacific Ocean. Imagine this - you just emerged from an old growth forest and stand on what appears to be the great beyond. You smile, and smell the salt air while the breeze tickles your nose. Trees tower around you as your eyes search the horizon. You pull up your camera and capture a Bald Eagle whilst it glides lazily through the air scanning the river. The magnificence of San Josef Bay in Cape Scott Provincial Park is yours to discover.

April 15, 2022 is our projected season jump off. Using our Book Now option you can lock in your hiking date and start stretching! If you would prefer something earlier, pass on a message and follow our Instagram page.

North Island Beach Adventures

My Top Three Beach Adventures on Vancouver Island North

Northern Vancouver Island is a treasure trove for off-the-beaten path adventures and outdoor excursions. Packing a lunch, some beach towels and heading to one of the many beaches is a favourite of locals and travellers alike. In this blog post I am going to describe my top three favourite beaches that are accessible from Port Hardy, BC.

Storey’s Beach

Let’s start with the easiest to access, but also my all-time favourite spot in town, Storey’s Beach. Located 10 minutes outside of downtown Port Hardy, 3 minutes from the airport and at one end of the very popular, Commuter Trail, Storey’s Beach has something for everyone. The low tides (which happen twice each day) provide a huge, sandy beach that is perfect for all kinds of activities. At the far end of the beach there is a large rock bluff and beyond that there are amazing tidal pools that are accessible at low tide.

Sunrise at Storey's Beach.

On calm days the bay is perfect for kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding and launching small boats. I personally live at Storey’s Beach and go there almost everyday in all types of weather & love it no matter what. Build a sandcastle, pack a picnic or roast some smores over a campfire- Storey’s Beach offers something for everyone!

San Josef Bay

Ok, so this is by far my second favourite beach on Vancouver Island North. This beach trip requires a bit more prep and planning, but is so worth it! From Port Hardy the drive to the San Josef Bay & Cape Scott Provincial Park trail head is about 1.5 hours long. Once you turn off the highway the road is gravel (with varying conditions) and has active logging traffic at most times. There is also no cellular service once you hit the gravel road, so it is good practice to always be prepared with plenty of food, water, emergency supplies and at least one, full-sized spare tire. I know many people who have had one, two and even someone who has had three flat tires on this road, so it is always good to be prepared.

An oversize 'fat truck' on the road to Holberg.

One hour into the drive you will travel through the small, logging town of Holberg, BC. You must make sure to stop at the iconic, Scarlet Ibis Pub, for a snack, coffee or lunch and say hi to the always fun and knowledgeable owner, Pat. From here it will be another 30 minute drive to the trailhead. The roads are clearly marked, so just keep your eyes peeled for logging trucks, black bears, black-tailed deer and direction signs.

The sea stacks at San Josef Bay in Cape Scott Provincial Park.

The trail into San Josef Bay is an easy 45 minute hike on a well-maintained and flat trail. This hike is amazing and feels like something out of a Jurassic Park movie. Be prepared to see some old-growth Western Red Cedar trees that are somewhere around 800 years old. There are also huge old Sitka Spruce trees and Hemlock trees that intertwine with their cedar friends in hug-like embraces. This landscape shows the full life-cycle of our coastal rain forest and has many nurse logs nourishing and providing homes for their younger counterparts.

A sea cave at San Josef Bay.

At the beach be prepared to be impressed! On the far right side there are sea stacks, sea caves, amazing tidal pools and access to ‘Second Beach’ at low tide (make sure to know the tides before you head over there). On the far left of the beach check out the San Josef River and estuary. Plan on spending at least 2-3 hours at the beach to truly experience all it has to offer. There is also beach camping available at San Josef Bay.

Raft Cove

Raft Cove is a bit more challenging to access, but is so worth it! The trailhead for Raft Cove is about an hour past Holberg, making it around a two hour drive from Port Hardy. This road is also well-marked and and has active logging traffic on it. The hike into the beach takes about 45-60 minutes and is moderate to strenuous at times. During the winter it can also be very muddy and the occasional blown-down tree may be blocking the marked trail.

Beautiful Raft Cove beach.

Arriving at this beach is like walking into a fairytale. The sandy beach is so smooth and pristine and lined with beautiful trees that cover great camping sites. To the far left of the beach is the Mackjack River and beyond that are amazing tidal pools (accessible at low tide) and many more rocky alcoves to explore. In the spring there is also a good chance of spotting Humpback and Grey whales migrating north for the summer.

Colourful tidal pool finds at Raft Cove.

Well, there you have it. My tips (and suggestions) for exploring some of the best beaches around. Feel free to contact me with any questions about these places or other North Island adventures!

Stand Up Paddle Boarding at Storey's Beach

We went for an awesome paddle yesterday morning for the ultra low tide. The sky was foggy and the water was glass calm. The .07 ft tide allowed us to see sea cucumbers, anemones, sea stars, moon snails, geoduck clams, dungeness crab, scallops, chiton, bait fish and a sea lion. Contact us to plan a customized stand up paddle board tour of Storey's Beach. 

driving conditions from port hardy to the west coast beaches

Don't get stuck, ride with us! 

The 60 kilometer drive from Port Hardy to the San Josef Bay & Cape Scott trail head poses many possible risks and frustrations to travelers. The road is a VERY ACTIVE logging road, and you will likely see multiple oversize and off road "fat trucks" that you are responsible for getting out of the way of. The conditions of the road are always changing, and it is usually riddled with pot holes and large, sharp rocks that are perfect for shredding tires.  Locals know that it is always key to carry two or even three spare tires while travelling on these roads.

“Those logging trucks literally fill the road. Hubby used to have the trucking contract there, had to carry chains to pull tourists out of the ditch on a regular basis. Take this guided tour, much better idea! ”

— longtime local resident, Verna Carlson

There is also NO cellular or internet reception once you turn onto the gravel road outside of Port Hardy. This poses a huge problem for people who need a tow truck or help. They truck drivers all carry VHF radios in order to warn other vehicles where they are at, and it is recommended for all travelers to carry them and be on the correct channel.

Our tour guides are able to alleviate all of these stressful situations for you. We carry a satellite radio, VHF radio, and a two-way GPS messaging device. We have appropriate tires on our van and always travel with multiple spares. We want to show you the amazing & remote locations on northern Vancouver Island without any hassle, stress, or danger. Come with us to enjoy and 'chillax' instead! 

A typical 'fat truck' beside the Cove Adventure Tours van. 

Hiking Tours in Port Hardy

Our van and staff are ready to show you the rugged & remote beauty of the north island. Contact us for details or book a trip online!