Around the Pond Trail Features:
· Forest therapy
· Connects to Onward Point
ABOUT
The “Around the Pond Trail” is easily missed. It isn’t mentioned in any of the sparse trail literature on
Haida Gwaii (published or online), nor is it mentioned on the popular Backroad Mapbooks. As such,
people find this trail by accident or learn about it from a helpful local. Where is this fabled trail?
If you’re coming from the Kwuna ferry terminal, the trailhead is approximately 6 kilometres down
Alliford Bay Road; if coming from Sandspit, it’s about 3.5 kilometres away. Once you get to the Onward
Point Trailhead and parking area, simply look across the road towards Hydro Pole 79. There you will see a large diamond-shaped marker. This represents the “Around the Pond” trailhead. If you look closely, you might be able to make out the trail’s name; however, most of it has been completely wiped away on account of being exposed to the elements.
Fading signage notwithstanding, the actual trail is quite nice. As you begin, the route takes you through
some dense salal bushes before opening up into a forest dominated by spruce and alders. Here, the
moss-covered ground takes center stage and almost makes you feel as though you’ve entered another
world. At about the mid-way point, the trail splits in two: Here, you have the option of going around the
pond (the trail’s namesake), or doing a “quarry loop.” Both routes eventually link back up with the main
trail, so it’s more a matter of preference.
Just before reaching the trail’s end point, you’ll notice more signage pointing towards a cell tower.
Taking this short route of about two minutes takes you, well, to the tower. From here, you can either
turn back towards the trail or exit out onto the highway and walk to Onward Point.
Once you reach the main trail’s terminus point, you will emerge along the highway a few hundred
meters from where you began. Once here, another option presents itself: 1) You can walk back along
the road towards Onward Point; or, 2) Cross the road and continue along the trail – which provides
some nice beach views – until it connects up with the more popular Onward Point Trail system.
All in all, Around the Pond, represents a nice 20-minute walk through the forest. The route is well-
marked and, we’d suggest, is family-friendly. During the spring, this area is also ideal for viewing the
endangered fairy slippers. For the best use of time, we’d recommend doing this trail as part of Onward
Point.
DIFFICULTY: Easy
TOTAL DISTANCE: 1 kilometer
TIME: 20 minutes
TYPE: Loop
ELEVATION GAIN: None