Vancouver Point - Logan Creek

Approximate Trekking Time: 2 1/2 to 3 hours
Distance: 5 km
This section has it all: steep ladders, endless mud holes and roots, boardwalks over bog, a dangerous surge channel, a cable car, a wonderful sandy beach, a fabulous swimming hole, a spectacular camp site and a heart-thumping bridge over Logan Creek. What a trek!

Walbran Creek

The stretch between Vancouver Point and Walbran Creek is passable by beach when tides are below 3.7 m. An overland route joins the cable car at Walbran to the beack at the north side of Vancouver Point.

Walbran itself must be waded when hiking the beach. The water at the mouth is only knee deep during the summer months. It may be much higher during other months. Take care when crossing.

Walbran Creek campsite is one of the best on the trail. A clear, deep and refreshingly cool (read: ice cold) pond greets weary trekkers. There is plenty of wood for fires and wind shelters.

Of the two routes between Walbran and Logan, the overland routes is safer and, for some, quicker. It crosses a swampy area via a series of boardwalks. There are long sections where you are scampering over roots and around mud holes.

This ain't no shoppin' mall.

The bog area has some interesting plants, trees and moss along the way. The route is recommended for the nature lover and safe trekker alike. Please stay on the boardwalk along this section to preserve the fragile environment and prevent wet feet.

We do not recommend taking the beach route. It is mainly over a wide sandstone shelf, broken by tide pools and surge channels. All of this route is passable only when tides are below 2.1 m., except at Adrenaline Creek. This nasty spot is passable only with tides below 1.7 m. Keep this in mind when planning your route.

Adrenaline Surge

"Adrenaline Surge" is quite likely the most dangerous point on the trail. We have seen many shaken trekkers with skinned knees and soaked packs who did not give this crossing the respect it deserved.

People have died here and we cannot over emphasize the need for caution. We have set out from Walbran to try our hand at this section. Occaisonally, we have decided it's too risky and have had to double back and take the land route. You definitely do not need to add this 1 1/2 hours to your trek.

There is a small waterfall on the south side of the channel that keeps the smooth rocks quite slippery. To compound the misery and danger, it is across this rock face that you must scurry while waves lap at your feet.

We suggest that ropes be used in the crossing to provide an extra margin of safety. Hip belts should be unfastened to allow a quick release should you fall in.

Give yourself a break and take the inland trail.

Remember, if you have to backtrack, you will require extra time, so watch your tide tables.

Logan Creek

The Logan Creek mouth is wide, but during the summer months the water level is low and the crossing is easy. There are some campsites near the mouth of the creek.

The Logan Creek suspension bridge is a masterpiece of engineering. It offers spectacular, if not heart thumping views from its centre. Access is by steep ladders leading down from either end of the trail, and up from the beach on the south side.

The walls of the creek basin are very steep. Extensive erosion has a nasty habit of knocking trees over the ladders and around the bridge heads. As a result, the trail is often hazardous, and the ladders are in less than perfect condition. Watch each step carefully through here.