Day 5 Port Renfrew

We've been chatting with the locals today in Port Renfrew and gathering information to take home.
The little town offers hikers the start or finish ( depending which way you go) for the Juan de Fuca trail and the West coast trail.
The Port Renfrew end of the WCT is the hardest part while it is the easier end of the Juan de Fuca trail.
We've been informed that the JdeF trail is always muddy no matter what time of year you do it. The mid section from around 16km to 33km is in very poor condition and the terrain is very challenging.
As there are limited places to get off the trail, from bear beach to sombrio beach you are committed to staying on the trail. We came across some foreign hikers who had come with day packs and no map from Parkinson creek to chin beach and were keen to leave the trail. They carried on towards bear beach but they would need to continue to chin beach before being able to reach a trailhead ( a 37km hike)!


There are excellent camping options on the beach opposite port Renfrew. The land is owned by the Pacheenaht Indian band. A water taxi operates from Port Renfrew to Bamfield and further information can be obtained by contacting the Juan de Fuca express (E: juanfuca@island.net).


Evann at Port Renfrew offers an informal taxi service (tel: 250-647-0071) should you require a lift from the trailheads at sombrio beach, Parkinson creek or botanical bay.


The west coast trailbus stops off at the trailhead entrances twice each day ( in the morning and evening) so this is an ideal escape option and the bus can be flagged down if you have not reserved a place. It can accommodate up to 15 hikers and kit.
There is a choice of accommodation in Port Renfrew and we would recommend stopping here at one stage of your trip.
We stayed in the West coast trail motel, which we would highly recommend, especially Don's breakfasts! There is adequate space to fit an expedition team with a choice of cabins or shared rooms.
Directly in front of the motel is hikers parking for the west coast and JdeF trails.

Www.portrenfrewresorts.com
17310 Parkinson's road
Port renfrew
British Columbia
Tel 1-250 647 5541

The locals tell us that there are 56 eligible bachelors here out of a population of 190 and told us to please send some single ladies!!!