Feature Spots - Hike Haida Gwaii

Moss-covered trees covering the cemetery section
Watchmen on a grave
The entrance to the beach access
The beach gives you to Tow Hill from a distance

MASSET CEMETERY ROAD BEACH ACCESS TRAIL:
· Access to North Beach
· Masset Cemetery

ABOUT

The aptly named Masset Cemetery Road Beach Access Trail is exactly as it says: It is located adjacent to Masset Cemetery and provides straightforward access to South Beach. In this regard, it isn’t much of a hiking trail but serves a functional purpose. The trail is wide and flat, taking you through compacted sand and a few scattered spruce trees before hitting the beach. In brief, there’s nothing much of note along this short trail. It’s all in the destination. . .

In our experience, most people don’t access this trail on foot. Instead, because it is so wide (and resembles a road more than a trail), ATVs and trucks are far more common. The few times we’ve hiked this route, ATVs and other vehicles have always been present – riding up and down the pebbly beach at quite the pace. But the vehicle use isn’t just for recreational fun: At certain times of the year, the Haida will access the beach in this area to harvest traditional foods.

As noted, it is highly unlikely one would visit this trail for recreational hiking purposes. Instead, we recommend doing the practical thing: Use it to access the beach – which itself is part of the larger Tl’ellan to Old Massett Trail – and go for a nice stroll alongside the powerful Pacific Ocean. As you amble about, keep an eye out for sea life, agates, and beach glass. There’s no telling what you might find!

Finally, since you’re in the area, we would also recommend visiting the Masset Cemetery: This is a truly unique space, unlike any cemetery we’ve visited. Haida Watchmen figures keep a close eye on some resting sites while mounds of agates and scallop shells can be found at others. In a large city, some of these “precious” items would quickly grow legs, but in a small community like Haida Gwaii, the house of the dead is deeply respected. Thus, if you do choose to visit the cemetery before or after walking the nearby beach, step quietly and cautiously. Someone – or something – is always watching 😉

DIFFICULTY: Easy
TOTAL DISTANCE: 400 meters (return)
TIME: 10 minutes
TYPE: Out-and-back
ELEVATION GAIN: None

The Hans Creek showcases its clear waters
The Dover Falls describes itself as a “hard trail” on its trail marker.
The bridge across the Haans Creek was built on top of a natural log bridge tree.
Haans Creek on a calm waters

LOUISE DOVER TRAIL FEATURES:
·       Old Growth forest
·       Culturally Modified Trees
·       Dover Falls

ABOUT

The Louise Dover Trail is located adjacent to the Haans Creek bridge, just before entering Sandspit. Initially conceived in the mid-1990s, the trail is named after Louise Dover, an influential woman of Haida
ancestry who lived in the community of Sandspit. In many respects, the trail is an apt memorial and
tribute because it introduces hikers to key elements of Haida Gwaii: Important fish streams; unique flora
and fauna; ancient Haida culture; rare geology and fossils; and, a larger appreciation for how everything
depends upon everything else.

In 2008, the Dover Trail became part of the larger Damaxyaa Heritage Site and Conservancy.
Encompassing some 829 hectares, the conservancy plays host to important fish-bearing streams – one
of which is Haans Creek – and contains a high density of recorded culturally modified trees (CMTs), a
few of which can be spied along the Dover Trail. Both in pre-history and the current day, Damaxyaa is an important place for the Haida in terms of food gathering, medicine and culture. A seasonal Haida camp known as Kil was originally located at the mouth of Haans Creek, but no evidence of this remains today.

Most official documentation on the Dover Trail clocks it in at 3.5km in length, but 4km is much more
accurate. The first 200 meters are dubbed universal access, and bring you to a handsome viewing
gazebo, thanks to significant upgrades completed in the autumn of 2020. After this, the trail becomes
narrow and rough for most of the loop.

Expect a lot of “up, down, up down” for much of your hike. Once you hit the mid-way point of the Dover loop, you’ll see a marked side trail. This leads you to a lava bed and fossils – one of the trail’s key highlights. If you ignore this trail, though, and continue along the main Dover loop, the route climbs quite steeply away from Haans Creek. Near the end of your climb, a small stake in the ground indicates 400 meters of “hard” trail leads to a waterfall.

If you’re feeling ambitious, it’s certainly worth the effort; however, be advised that much of this side trail is steep and muddy with a couple of rope sections. Early in, you also have to get creative in getting over a fallen monumental cedar tree.

The final section of the Dover Trail loops back towards the road and trailhead, connecting with the trail
you started near the natural log bridge at Haans Creek. Much of this trail is muddy, but home to
many old-growth Sitka Spruce and Cedar trees. As you hike back towards the trailhead and Haans Creek, you’ll spy at least one CMT with a large “test hole” in it. You’ll also come across the “Skyline Trail,” which remains closed for whatever reason as of this writing.

Many who visit Haida Gwaii declare the Dover Trail to be their favourite overall hike. The terrain is
varied; there are a number of side trails to visit and explore; it offers a glimpse into the old-growth forest
and Haida culture; and, it represents a great way to reconnect with nature. Think of it as forest therapy.

DIFFICULTY: Moderate
TOTAL DISTANCE: 4km (longer if exploring side trails)
TIME: 3 hours
TYPE: Loop
ELEVATION GAIN: 106 meters

Category: Feature Spots

Masset Cemetery Road Beach Access Trail

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Exploring Damaxyaa Conservancy – Louise Dover Trail

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