Trails are an important teaching tool for the Central Westcoast Forest Society. Trails provide residents and visitors with increased access to various rainforest ecosystems, help foster a love for the environment, and a sense of stewardship.
Current Projects
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Project Name: Walk in the Forest Trail (phase 2)
- Project Partners: Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ First Nation, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, and the Clayoquot Biosphere Trust
The "Walk in the Forest Trail" is a 500 meter stretch of boardwalk and bark mulch located one kilometre before the junction on Highway 4.
In February 2012, CWFS will be building an interpretive boardwalk trail through the forest and along a salmon bearing stream with an outpost centre to host out-door educational programs for schools. This trail will connect to the 500 m stretch of boardwalk trail that was refurbished in Phase 1 of this project during the 2010 restoration season.
The trail is an excellent opportunity for CWFS to showcase the valuable ecological restoration work that is carried out both in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and throughout the Kennedy Flats Watershed.
Past Projects
- Project Name: Walk in the Forest Trail (Phase 1), 2010
- Project Partners: Project Partners: Clayoquot Biosphere Trust, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and Iisaak Forest Resources Ltd.
The Walk in the Forest trail was built in 1997, it is an interpretive trail that runs past Lost Shoe Creek and is located one kilometer before the junction on Highway 4. It was designed to display and educate on the effectiveness of riparian restoration and silviculture treatments at accelerating old growth forest characteristics.
Unfortunately, the trail was neglected for several years, in some places the boardwalk was rotten with planks missing and in other areas it had become overgrown with salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis) and hardhack (Spiraea douglasii ssp. douglasii). The viewing platform on Lost Shoe Creek was in a thicket of red alder (Alnus rubra), adding to the leaf litter and debris found on the trail. The original signs throughout the trail had been vandalized and garbage was abundant, even present in the salmon-bearing creek.
In 2010, the restoration crew will remove old signs, garbage and invasive Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius). Red alder (Alnus rubra) will be thinned along the creek bank and western red cedar (Thuja plicata) and Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) seedlings will be planted. Large sections of the board walk are going to be replaced with lumber provided by Iisaak. Two new signs will be designed and installed, one along the trail and the other in the parking lot. One will be a memorial sign dedicated to the memory of Harold Touchie; a well loved member of the Yu?lu?il?ath First Nation.
Wild Pacific Trail
Central Westcoast Forest Society was contracted to build Phases 3 and 4 of the Wild Pacific Trail - from the Big Beach Park to a point approximately one kilometre before the entrance to Ucluelet along the community's bicycle path. The section along the ocean is approximately four kilometres in length, with a 0.5-kilometre access road in the centre to return you to town.
The Wild Pacific Trail offers spectacular views of the open Pacific Ocean, access to beautiful beaches, and an unforgettable rainforest experience. More information can be found at: www.wildpacifictrail.com
Big Beach Trail and Picnic Park
The Big Beach Trail and picnic park area is situated along the Wild Pacific Trail, but a stop at Big Beach for its own sake is well worthwhile. At the foot of Matterson Drive in Ucluelet, Big Beach Park is a great place for a picnic, tide pool exploration, winter storm watching, and strolling the beach.
In 2000 the Central Westcoast Forest Society created a 300-metre trail, built a covered picnic area, and a toilet facility.
In 2002 the CWFS created an access trail from Big Beach to the Wild Pacific Trail
Norm Godfrey Nature Trail
The Norm Godfrey Nature Trail is a BC Ministry of Forests recreational site where the Central Westcoast Forest Society completed boardwalk repairs and upgrades (1999). The 1-kilometre trail is found approximately 12 kilometres along the West Main forestry road (which begins 1.6 kilometres east of the Tofino-Ucluelet junction on Highway #4.) The drive is well-worth the time as the trail offers spectacular examples of 1000-year old trees. The trail also extends to a secluded sandy beach on Kennedy Lake.
Hot Springs Trail
Hot Springs Cove is a popular destination in Clayoquot Sound. The trail and hot springs are maintained by BC Parks. In 1997 the Central Westcoast Forest Society completed needed repairs and upgrades to the 2.4-kilometre boardwalk through the rainforest that allows access to the natural springs. Hot Springs Cove is only accessible by air (15 minute floatplane charter) or by boat (one and one-half hour water taxi) from Tofino.