Thanks to a lot of Tipps of Stephanie and Mike we had a full schedule for the next days. First we biked close to Nanaimo and Campbell River (unfortunately some trails were snow covered). Then we headed to Mohun Lake. Here would start a wonderful Canoe or Kajak-Loop through 7 lakes, but it would take 3 – 5 days and we didn’t have the time for that. But we still went out on the lake and enjoyed a day on the water.
Where I absolutely wanted to go was Telegraph Cove, where Orca sightings are almost guaranteed. We hiked up a muddy trail to a beautiful viewpoint and looked over the cove. We saw the Killer whales but they were really far away. Another highlight was the logging site. Here logs are sorted and bundled to big rafts which are gonna be dragged along the coast for further treatment.
Thanks to a hint in the visitor center we wanted to drive the 60km to the Cape Scott Trailhead, where we wanted to spend a nice evening, explore the area all friday and return to Port Hardy friday night. That’s what we planned.
We drove on rocky gravel road and made room for several trucks. After 40km we stopped in the only village along the way (Holberg) and there we heard the whizz. Flat tire number 1. Holberg is basically only a bar and a logging company and at Western Forest Products they even have their own tire man. He fixed our tire and we were off again.
The last 20km Nick drove really carefully, but as we reached the parking lot: flat tire number 2! But Nick reacted quickly and was able to plug the hole with something out of his bike tire fixing kit. It worked! Meantime it was raining and later in the day.
Despite all this we hiked to San Josef Bay next morning and explored the beach. We didn’t see any wildlife, only some brave tenters. Just to be sure we decided to drive back allready at noon. Again in Holberg we stopped to check the tires: flat tire number 3! And again the tire man could help (another one this time). Thank you Western Forest Products!
In Port Hardy we directly headed to the tire shop, where we let them fix the tire with the plug. Yes, we were loughed at for our flat tar road tires. Yes, the 120km for a 2 hour walk on a rainy beach were exorbitant. No, it wasn’t always the same tire, we flatened 3 different ones. And finally: Yes, we do have a spare wheel, but we safe that one for Alaska 😉
Written by Barbara