Recently, while entering Ahous Bay for remote island surfing and camping drop-off on the West Side on Vargas Island, we encountered 4 Gray Whales feeding.  On the return cruise back to Tofino there were 8 whales in Ahous Bay, it is always great to see larger numbers of whales and wildlife in Clayoquot Sound. 

The Remote Surfing and Camping drop-off is at a very protected smaller cove just West of Ahous Bay, with a 5 minute hike through the forest to a beautiful prestine beach with a great surfing break on Vargas Island.  That beach with some sand dunes is known locally as Little BaJa; it is a great place to Camp, Surf, and Beachcomb.  I should mention there is a food cache and a toilet at the drop-off cove.  Few people go there and with plenty of beach you should be able to find your solitude if that's what you're looking for. 

Info from BC Parks is 1st `Comment`, I was unable to post the article directly.

Over this past week BC Parks has received numerous reports of close wolf encounters on Vargas Island.
A number of these reports indicate that one or more animal(s) is habituated and is looking for human food.

BC Parks is asking all park users to, "Report any human-wildlife interaction where public safety is at risk."  This includes any activities like leaving food for wolves and/or 'baiting' animals to increase photo opportunities.  Any activity that habituates wild predatory animals to human contact most often leads to their demise and I'm sure none of us want to be responsible for the death of bears or wolves; or for that matter an animal attack on another person, particularly a child.

Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations has just established a new trail-head at their village of Opitsat, however,at this time it is only open for hikers supervised by First Nations guides.  I'll get you more information including a contact number for the guides as the situation develops.  Return boat transport to and from the new closer landing has been reduced by $5fromthe below prices. The old landing at Kakawis is no longer open; so at this time if you want to hike Lone Cone, you must do it with a guide.

BC Parks is strongly recommending that DOGS not be brought to the island.  There was an attack recently in the Flores Island Prov. Park were a dog was killed.

Someone wrote about their concerns with regard to soil erosion and root damage on the Big Tree Trail 3km. Loop; unfortunately I somehow deleted that comment.  The person was advising not to hike beyond the boardwalk.  I should add that First Nations has been maintaining and upgrading the trail including the loop with funds from your trail access fee and hopefully their efforts will minimize the damage. 

 

Note to the concerned person who wrote the 'deleted comment':  Please post it again and I will keep it on my Blog.

 Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations is relocating the Lone Cone Trail drop-off location closer to Tofino.  That is expected to be ready by the Queen Victoria Day long weekend on May 18, when the new trail-head is open rates will be dropped be $5.

Lots of activity has been occurring in Tofino's harbour so far this year.  Just 3 days ago a pod of 5 Orcas (Killer Whales) passed right through the harbour mid-day.  And there have been a lot more sighting of Sea Otters and Harbour Porpoises near the native village of Opitsat on Meares Island than in previous years to my memory  I've been so busy that I haven't been able to post that about a month ago there were several Humpback Whales in the Harbour coming and going for a couple of days; I've never seen that before in my 23 years of living in Tofino, that's incredible!  Also a couple of weeks ago while cruising through a narrow passage on the way to pick-up some quests that were island camping there was a black Wolf was swimming over to Vargas Island and only about 25 meters from the boat; got some great video.