Texada Trails

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Texada Hiking Brochure

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Welcome to Texada Island! There are a myriad of hiking and walking opportunities here, including up to mountaintops, through mossy old-growth forest, along shorelines, through wetlands, and along lakes and creeks. There is something for every age and ability. Most trails are only lightly used; you’ll often have the trail all to yourself. And there are usually no bears, cougars or wolves on Texada Island, so you can hike worry free.
The trails in this brochure are all on Crown land, with the exception of two trails which are on qathet Regional District property (Emily Lake Trail and Shelter Point Nature Trail), and the Sanderson Trail. All trails have been created and flagged by volunteers.
Trailheads are marked by a sign, a rock cairn, and/or flagging tape. The Emily Lake Trail and Shelter Point Nature Trail are regularly maintained, while all other trails are irregularly maintained only by hikers themselves. These latter trails may involve climbing over and under fallen trees, and avoiding tripping over roots, rock outcrops and fallen branches. Feel free to move a few branches off the trail as you pass by.
To update us on the condition of a specific trail, text Tom at 604- 308-5863.

1. Marble Bay / Eagle Cove Trails Network – This trail network allows access to the peaceful upper reaches of Marble Bay, as well as mossy second-growth forest, and sweeping views from Sturt Point and Eagle Cove. The more challenging Edge Trail closely follows the shoreline, and numerous connecting trails allow you to hike many different loops, beginning at either the Eagle Cove or Marble Bay trailhead. The “Gnome Village”, on a short closed loop trail, can be accessed via the Gnome Village or the Eagle Cove trails . A QR code posted near each trailhead may be scanned for a map, and all trail junctions have signs.
   Access: Both signed trailheads are located on Blubber Bay Road; Eagle Cove trailhead is 6 km from Blubber Bay (2.7 from Van Anda), and parking is available at the trailhead. Marble Bay trailhead is 6.7 km from Blubber Bay (2 km from Van Anda); park in a clearing on the opposite side of the road, just before you get to the trailhead, coming from Blubber Bay.
2. Emily Lake / Priest Lake Trails Network – This network of trails and old logging roads south of Van Anda provides several options for single trail or loop routes. It includes an easy walk along Van Anda Creek and Emily (Turtle) Lake, where you may spot the Western Painted Turtle, or one of Texada Island’s two endangered stickleback fish species that make up a species pair (think Darwin’s finches). This part of the trail occupies an old tramway bed, which was built from a mine at the far end of Emily Lake into Van Anda in 1902. Another historical remnant is the old, wooden water pipes which used to serve Van Anda; look for them alongside some of the old, alder-overgrown logging roads along the creek. Slightly more challenging trails lead you across a slope of old growth forest and through masses of sword ferns, along the shore of Priest Lake, or through woods where fairy slipper orchids can be found in April/May. The Priest Lake Trail crossing of Van Anda Creek, midway between Emily and Priest Lakes and just NW of the Priest Lake Trail/Sword Fern Trail junction, is via a log jamb. This crossing is not passable during winter or after heavy rains. Priest Lake provides Van Anda’s drinking water; please tread lightly in the watershed and keep dogs out of the lake. Access: There is parking available at the Emily Lake Park sign on Prospect St. in Van Anda, or along the side of Priest Lake Road, at the trail intersection spots.
3. Sanderson Trail is a pleasant, level, oceanside walk along the northwest shore of Gillies Bay, passing in front of the houses that follow the shore. Whales and dolphins can sometimes be spotted in the bay, and blackberries are plentiful in season. Access: The trail starts on the west side of the RCMP station in “downtown” Gillies Bay but can also be accessed by several marked “Beach Access” points along Sanderson Road (opposite Oak Street, Ash Street and Balsam Avenue). The trail ends at Balsam Avenue.
4. Shelter Point Nature Trail begins at the entrance to Shelter Point Campground. The “Short Trail” runs along the top of the bank above the beach, passing many old-growth trees that are sculpted by the wind. There is a “Long Loop” which branches off to the left to wind through the forest and ends on an old road that leads down to the end of the Short Trail, so the two trails can be hiked as a loop. Alternatively, you can walk either direction on the beach. There are several benches for ocean and sunset viewing. Watch for a special, gnarly Douglas fir (the “Trinity Tree”), just off the Short Trail near the far end. The trail is particularly magical just prior to sunset on a clear day.
5. Mouat Bay and Gillies Bay Beach Walks – It is fun and relaxing to stroll along the cobbled beaches of Mouat Bay (Shelter Point Park) and Gillies Bay, looking for interesting driftwood and flower rocks. At low tide, enjoy the sand flats and shallow pools in Gillies Bay You can walk the Mouat Bay beach as half a loop combined with the Shelter Point Nature Trail (#4), or access the Gillies Bay beach from Shelter Point Park, or at several, signed “Beach Access” points.
6. Mount Pocahontas – This trail climbs to a lookout with excellent 360-degree views of the mainland, and Texada and other Gulf islands. It follows an old logging road for most of the way, but does have a few steep sections. After initially climbing for about 40 minutes, the trail starts to descend. At this point, take a trail to the left until you arrive at a viewpoint. This is the site of the first forestry lookout in Canada, from the 1920’s to 1970’s. To reach a second viewpoint, return to the main trail and continue along it. Take the very next side road on the left, and then, after about 10 minutes, take the first trail on the right. At the point where this trail starts downhill, take the flagged trail on the left. A short climb along this trail will take you to a viewpoint looking out over Malaspina Strait. Access: Mount Pocahontas trailhead is accessed from Central (High) Rd; from Van Anda drive about 8.5 km, where you will see the flagged logging road to Pocahontas Bay (Shehtekwahn) on your left. Coming from Gillies Bay, drive 6.2 km from the junction of Shelter Point Road and Central Road; the same road to the bay will be on your right. The trailhead parking is about 800 m down the logging road, where an old logging road (the trail) leads uphill to the right.
7. Stromberg Falls Trail – The highlight of this short trail is Stromberg Falls. The falls are only impressive during rainy season; they slow to a trickle in dry periods (i.e. late spring to late fall). From the parking area, the trail leads across a creek and winds uphill, passing a cave entrance on the way. Access: To find the trailhead, travel SE from Shelter Point Park, away from Gillies Bay. At the first Y-intersection, stay to the right and travel down Mouat Bay Road, towards Shingle Beach. At the second Y- intersection, stay left. Stay on the main road, and after about 11 km, you will cross a bridge. Take the first left immediately after the bridge, drive about .6 km, and park in the clear area to the left, beside the creek. As this is a short hike, you might want to combine it with hike #8, and/or a visit to Shingle Beach.
8. Colossus Grove Trail at Shingle Beach – This trail is just behind the Shingle Beach Forestry Site campground. It winds through mossy forest, including a grove with many very large red cedar and Douglas fir trees. It is a difficult trail with log bridges, slippery sections and two small, rope-assisted sections. About .7 km from the start of the trail, you will reach a junction. For the short loop, turn left back up to a logging road, and then left back to your car. For a longer loop, turn right and after about another 1.1 km you will reach the upper campground. Walk downhill, then turn right and walk back up the road to your car. Shingle Beach itself is very picturesque, and well worth a visit! Access: To find Shingle Beach, travel SE from Shelter Point Park, away from Gillies Bay. At the first Y-intersection, stay to the right and travel down Mouat Bay Road. At the next Y- intersection keep left. Stay on the main road, and after about 13 km (from the first Y-intersection) you will see the road to Shingle Beach leading off to the right. Park in the lot at this intersection, to your right. Continue a short way on foot down Shingle Beach Rd until you see a bridge on your left; this is the start of the trail.
9. Mount Davies & Bloody Mountain – This is a favourite hike on Texada. Both routes are connected by a side trail which is signed at both junctions. This enables hikers to walk a scenic loop with the option of visiting both summits. The Mt Davies trail leads through mixed forest and then winds uphill through an open conifer forest, and along the base of mossy cliffs dripping with ferns and other vegetation. Near the top there is a short, steep trail up barren rock, leading to a spectacular, 360-degree viewpoint of Vancouver Island, Georgia Strait and several Gulf Islands, Malaspina Strait, and the mainland mountains. The second viewpoint on Bloody Mountain gives a different perspective than the Mount Davies viewpoint. Access: To find the trailheads, from the intersection of High (or Bell) and Shelter Point Roads, drive south towards Anderson Bay. At the first main intersection, stay to the right. At the second main intersection, keep left. At the third main intersection, turn right (on Forest Service Rd 5829, Branch 09). You will come to an intersection with Forest Service Rd 5829, Branch 02. The trailhead for Mt Davies is a short distance to the right. For parking and the Bloody Mt trailhead, turn left and after 50 m, park in the wide lot at the next intersection.

You use these trails at your own risk. Trails can be narrow, with uneven footing. With the exception of trails described as “Easy”, it is highly recommended that you wear hiking boots and carry one or two walking poles. Cell phone reception can be spotty. Remember to pack water with you, and always tell someone where you are going, and when to expect your return. Please carry out all garbage. Deer are abundant on Texada Island – keep your dog under control.

During deer-hunting season, it’s wise to wear bright colours when out in the bush.

Important numbers

Fire, police, ambulance	911
Texada Health Centre (Mon-Thurs & Fri morning)	604-486-7525
Health Centre Emergency Cellphone (24 hrs weekdays to 3 pm Friday)	604-414-9638
Weekend medical emergencies	911
Forest fires	1-800-663-5555

Texada Arts, Culture & Tourism
Thank you to John Wood, Alfred Muma, Elayne Boloten, Meghan Clark, Terry Hollo, John Dove and Tara Schumacher for their contributions to this brochure.
Photos by Candi Little