Our Personal Introduction to Hike Haida Gwaii
Hike Haida Gwaii There can be little doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic turned the world upside down. Countries were closed off. Flights were indefinitely suspended. Businesses were forced to close. And a lot of us had to stay home except for “essential” reasons.
We also couldn’t visit with friends or family outside our immediate bubbles. For someone who liked to travel fairly regularly, these lockdowns and restrictions proved mentally taxing. What could one do, besides work, to keep stimulated and, indeed, active?
On an isolated archipelago like Haida Gwaii, the answer was pretty obvious: Explore the great outdoors! We aren’t really outdoorsy people but, in getting out on the trails, at least we could travel and explore new areas, even if it’s within our own backyard.
I guess, thinking back, it wasn’t just a single event that nudged us out the door; rather, it was a number of factors:
- We wanted to beat cabin fever. You know, one never wants to end up lack Jack Torrance 😉
- After exploring a couple of short trails early in 2020 – Onward Point and Sunset Park – we felt invigorated and curious to explore more of Haida Gwaii beyond the typical touristy trails.
- In mapping our own trail strategy, it became woefully apparent to us that, despite its reputation as a World Class destination, Haida Gwaii lacked any significant literature on its trails; in fact, the only thing we came across was a one-page pamphlet at the Daajing Giids Visitor Centre briefly highlighting some of its “village” trails.
- Besides that, books on the subject are long out of print. Fern Henderson’s Queen Charlotte Islands Trail Hikes and Beach Walks was last updated in 1996, and the Tlell Watershed Society’s booklet series – detailing trails within the Tlall Conservancy – have been out of print since the early 2000s. As such, an update is sorely needed.
- Each trail we find is ever-changing and different every time we return to its familiar paths. One would say Mother Nature always paints a unique experience for out little adventures.
Our final thoughts on Hike Haida Gwaii
Through this blog, we hope to fill an information gap all while having fun exploring this unique place.
There’s still much unfolding to be done, but it’s been a rich – and at times challenging – experience. We
hope you’ll join us on the hiking trails!
WanderBhyn & Rob