Tag: hike haida gwaii

  • Ancient Haida Canoe Trail

    Ancient Haida Canoe Trail

    • Haida Canoe Trail
    • Haida Canoe Trail
    • Haida Canoe Trail
    • Haida Canoe Trail

    ANCIENT HAIDA CANOE TRAIL FEATURE:
    160 year-old Haida canoe

    ABOUT

    Realistically one doesnโ€™t have to travel very far if one wishes to see a Haida canoe while visiting Haida Gwaii. There are a number of beautiful examples at the Haida Heritage Centre, for example, including Bill Reidโ€™s famous โ€œLootas.โ€ Reidโ€™s โ€œwave eaterโ€ was originally carved from a single red cedar for Expo โ€™86. But what if we desire to see something older, something that harkens back to an earlier time?

    It is possible to see a โ€œblankโ€ (unfinished) Haida canoe not far from the community of Port Clements. To get to it, you must hike the aptly named โ€œHaida Canoe Trail.โ€ How do you get to it?

    The Haida Canoe Trail is roughly 8km past the Golden Spruce Trail, along the Port Man Forest Service Road. You will notice a large sign that says โ€œHAIDA CANOEโ€ on the left side of the road, at the โ€œYโ€ before the Port Man turns into the QC Mainline. The sign is impossible to miss and it points you in the direction of the ancient Haida canoe. We would not recommend driving up the old road leading to the trailhead. It is not maintained and is full of deadfall โ€“ rather large branches โ€“ strewn across sections of the road. Instead, weโ€™d recommend simply parking on the side of the main road and walking towards the trailhead. If youโ€™re worried about traffic getting by your vehicle โ€“ donโ€™t be. The Forest Service Road in this area is sufficiently wide for traffic to pass safely.

    The Haida Canoe Trail is a brisk 400 meters in length from the signed trailhead, though itโ€™s probably closer to 700 meters if you include the section of old road outside the HAIDA CANOE sign. Regardless, it is an easy hike โ€“ less than 10 minutes one-way. Once you reach the โ€œCanoe Trailโ€ signage, the route is single-track but well-maintained. After a little over 5 minutes, the dense forest opens up to the unfinished ancient Haida canoe. This canoe, now surrounded by thick salal bushes, is estimated to be around 150 years old. Itโ€™s quite remarkable that, even after all this time, you can still make out the shaping of the canoeโ€™s bow and stern along with the flattening of the top in preparation for its hollowing out via steam.

    Beyond being able to view this fantastic artifact in real-time, we appreciate the story it tells. This canoe, and others like it (there are dozens in the forests around Haida Gwaii), is a powerful reminder of all that was lost when the smallpox epidemic hit the Islands in the early 1860s. Itโ€™s not hard to imagine the carvers of this canoe succumbing to the disease, resulting in its abandonment in the forest. In the contemporary period, one could also suggest that this canoe and the story behind it help to explain why the residents of Haida Gwaii fought so hard to keep visitors away during the early stages of the COVID pandemic. History can teach us much if we have but the eyes to see and ears to listen.

    DIFFICULTY: Easy
    TOTAL DISTANCE: 1.4 kilometers (return, to logging road)
    TIME: 20 minutes
    TYPE: Out-and-Back
    ELEVATION GAIN: None

  • Hidden Treasure – Boulton Lake Trail

    Hidden Treasure – Boulton Lake Trail

    • Boulton Lake Trail
    • Boulton Lake Trail
    • Boulton Lake Trail

    BOULTON LAKE TRAIL FEATURES:
    Bog environment
    Water activities

    ABOUT

    Boulton Lake Trail is located approximately 28 kilometres south of Masset and 14.6 kilometres north of Port Clements, along Highway 16. The trailhead is unmarked but is signified by a small dirt pullout directly across from hydro pole 330. The pullout has enough room for two small vehicles.

    After youโ€™ve parked your vehicle, you should be able to see the trailhead through some dense salal bushes. Once youโ€™ve pushed through these, the trail opens up very briefly before becoming overgrown with tall, thick salal bushes again. Youโ€™ll be pushing blindly through these for a few moments before entering much shorter stands of salal and a few skinny bog cedars.

    While youโ€™ll no longer be blinded by tall salal, the trail remains overgrown, but the path is easy enough to follow. After about two minutes or so, youโ€™ll come upon a very muddy/boggy section thatโ€™s often flooded. If youโ€™re not wearing boots, try your best to step on the roots or deadfall to minimize getting wet feet. After you clear this obstacle, youโ€™ll emerge onto the unique bog environment with its thick mosses and stunted trees. The impressive, but shallow, Boulton Lake is just steps away.

    Because it only takes five minutes to walk this trail (one-way), it isnโ€™t really used for recreational hiking; rather, the lake is multi-use: People have used Boulton Lake for kayaking and simply relaxing on the water. Itโ€™s also occasionally used for research. The Unarmoured Threespine Stickleback is endemic to this lake and has been subject to studies by the Federal Government.

    If youโ€™re here exploring the delicate bog environment or admiring the calm waters of Boulton, it can be tricky relocating the trail and finding your way back to the highway. A lot of the stunted trees look the same. Our pro tip? To head back towards the trailhead, line yourself up with the aluminum skiff resting at the edge of Boulton Lake. Walk towards the treeline from here โ€“ the boat is perfectly aligned with the unmarked trail.

    DIFFICULTY: Easy
    TOTAL DISTANCE: 300 meters (return)
    TIME: 10 minutes
    TYPE: Out-and-Back
    ELEVATION GAIN: None

  • A Serene Walk: Pure Lake Trail

    A Serene Walk: Pure Lake Trail

    • Pure Lake Trail
    • Pure Lake Trail
    • Pure Lake Trail
    • Pure Lake Trail

    PURE LAKE TRAIL FEATURES:
    Picnicking
    Swimming
    Family-friendly

    ABOUT

    Pure Lake Provincial Park was created in 1981 and covers approximately 142 hectares, completely encompassing Pure Lake within its boundaries. Located about 19 kilometres south of Masset and 25 kilometres north of Port Clements, along Highway 16, the park is popular with tourists and locals alike because it provides such easy access to a beautiful, calm and shallow lake.

    You will see signage indicating the pullout to Pure Lake as you drive along Highway 16. Thereโ€™s ample parking here for several vehicles. A single pit toilet is nearby.

    To access Pure Lake Trail, you must hike a short trail of approximately 329 meters (one-way). It only takes about 3 minutes to reach the lake, but please note that sections of this trail can and do get quite muddy โ€“ especially after some rainfall. Once you reach the terminus point of the trail, youโ€™ll come upon a small sandy beach and, of course, the lake. This is a popular day-use area for picnics and swimming. As such, youโ€™ll find 5 picnic tables and 2 fire pits. Unfortunately, there is no formal trail system allowing further exploration of the lake. Thick underbrush and salal dominate the immediate landscape.

    While Pure Lake is wildly popular during the warmer summer months, it is also a destination during the cold winters. Because the lake is so shallow, itโ€™s not uncommon for it to completely freeze over. If conditions are right, you can walk right out onto the lake! Locals will typically visit Pure Lake during the winter to ice skate.

    DIFFICULTY: Easy
    TOTAL DISTANCE: 658 meters (return)
    TIME: 6 minutes (return)
    TYPE: Out-and-Back
    ELEVATION GAIN: None

  • Crab Trap Trail – Biking & Hiking Paradise

    Crab Trap Trail – Biking & Hiking Paradise

    • Crab Trap Trail
    • Crab Trap Trail
    • Crab Trap Trail
    • Crab Trap Trail
    • Crab Trap Trail
    • Crab Trap Trail
    • Crab Trap Trail
    • Crab Trap Trail

    CRAB TRAP TRAIL FEATURES:
    Historic logging practices
    Mountain biking

    ABOUT

    The Crab Trap Trail is a relatively new route in the Village of Daajing Giids. Created by Instagram user โ€œtheloamripperโ€ over a period of 1.5 years, the trail officially opened in June 2020 with the posting of the official trailhead marker. Weโ€™d observed the signage when we first hiked the Gore Brook Trail near the end of 2020 but didnโ€™t get around to hiking this route until now โ€“ nearly 3 years later. Curiosity โ€“ and the need for โ€œnewโ€ trails โ€“ got the better of us!

    GETTING TO THE TRAILHEAD

    Locating the signed trailhead for Crab Trap Trail can be a little tricky because, much like the Scout Lake Trail, the trailhead marker for Crab Trap is actually located along another route. If youโ€™d like to hike the Crab Trap, follow these steps:

    1) Drive to the end of 2nd Avenue and park in the cul-de-sac.

    2) You will see the trailhead marker for the Crabapple Creek route. To your RIGHT you will observe an unmarked trail (an early exit for Gore Brook Trail). Hike up this path for 200 meters.

    3) After hiking for a couple of minutes, you will see the black Crab Trap trailhead marker to your LEFT. You are now at Crab Trap Trail!

    THE ROUTE

    Notwithstanding the trailhead sign, Crab Trap Trail is unmarked but the path is plainly obvious. Right out of the gate, the trail splits; however, donโ€™t let this alarm you. It does not matter which path you take on the โ€œYโ€ โ€“ they merge into one trail literally one minute into your hike.

    The path on the right is just a โ€œshortcutโ€ of sorts. A couple of minutes into your hike youโ€™ll come across a bridge, which provides the first significant hint as to this trailโ€™s primary purpose: Crab Trap Trail is promoted as a mountain biking route โ€“ something highlighted on both โ€œtheloamripperโ€™sโ€ Instagram page and the TrailForks website.

    Indeed, evidence of this abounds: There are a couple of small jumps, including a โ€œgapโ€ jump; steep descents meant for bikers to get a bit of air time; and, thereโ€™s even a berm near the end of the route! Beyond the mountain biking structures in place, the obvious tire tracks in the mud also give it away!

    While Crab Trap was designed to function as a mountain biking trail, it is also a wonderful hiking trail. Clocking in at a brisk 1.2 kilometres one-way, the route takes you through a beautiful forest of spruce, hemlock and lush ferns. 

    At about the mid-way point, the trail drops steeply for a moment. This was likely done to benefit those on mountain bikes, but it can be a little tricky navigating on foot due to mud. Once down the steep embankment, however, you will see orange arrows and another trail โ€“ thatโ€™s because Crab Trap actually intersects the old Crabapple Trail route at this point. You can follow it if you like, but if you wish to finish the Crab Trap, continue your gradual descent down the unmarked but obvious trail.

    Hike another 10 minutes and youโ€™ll eventually link up to the main Crabapple Trail, as signified by the giant tire. At this juncture, the โ€œCrab Trap Trailโ€ โ€“ as marked on TrailForks โ€“ essentially turns into the Crabapple Trail. Follow the marked route to your RIGHT, pass by the Dempsey Collinson Memorial Trail and end your adventure at the old M&B site.

    From here, you can do one of 3 things: 1) Turn around and go back the way you came; 2) Follow the primary Crabapple Creek Trail route (denoted by white markers) back to Second Avenue; or, 3) Walk back along the road.

    DIFFICULTY: Easy
    TOTAL DISTANCE: 2.4 kilometers (return)
    TIME: 75 minutes
    TYPE: Out-and-Back
    ELEVATION GAIN: 15 meters (approx.)

  • Stroll Along Crabapple Creek Trail

    Stroll Along Crabapple Creek Trail

    • Crabapple Creek Trail
    • Crabapple Creek Trail
    • Crabapple Creek Trail

    CRABAPPLE CREEK TRAIL FEATURES:
    ย ย Evidence of early logging
    Fish-bearing creek

    ABOUT

    Crabapple Creek Trail is another of the Daajing Giids’ โ€œcommunity trails.โ€ It is approximately 1 kilometre in length (one-way) and is, in our view, one of the easiest of the local trails, only behind the Tarundl loops at Kagan Bay. Unlike a lot of trails on Haida Gwaii, Crabapple Creek is clearly denoted with formal trailhead markers and is, therefore, easy to find.

    You may access the Crabapple Creek trail in two locations: 1) The west end of 2nd Avenue at the cul-de-sac; and, 2) At the old M&B site, near the start of the road to Rennell Sound.

    As with most of the Daajing Giids community trails, the topography meanders between a mix of flat ground, occasional side hills and muddy sections all while passing through beautiful forest. For us, a key highlight of this trail included the lovely views one gets off the inlet about mid-way through the hike.

    Peering through the trees at the landscape below โ€“ a mix of the natural and industrial โ€“ helps to provide one with a โ€œrefreshedโ€ perspective of this place. Indeed, you could almost say it offers a space for deep contemplation thanks to the unintentional proximity to logging as represented by the old M&B structures at the trailโ€™s eastern terminus point.

    Of course, if philosophy isnโ€™t really your thing, you can still enjoy this lovely short trail. The trees, lush ferns, fungus and angry squirrels give it much character. Sadly, though, you wonโ€™t actually encounter any crabapple trees on this hike. 

    In the villageโ€™s literature, Crabapple Creek is described as a loop trail, but this is incorrect. The trail is properly described as a โ€œpoint-to-pointโ€ route because the start and end points are at least a kilometre apart. Thus, one may prefer to simply go back the way you came rather than, say, exit at the M&B site and walk along the road all the way back to 2nd Avenue.

    Nevertheless, we found Crabapple Creek a most enjoyable trail to hike. Itโ€™s shorter than the nearby Gore Brook, but itโ€™s also less strenuous. In addition, the unique juxtaposition of logging with the natural world makes for some fun discussion.

    The total hike time was a quick 15 minutes one-way along the marked primary route, which is denoted by white diamonds.

    Please note that Crabapple Creek offers two hiking routes. If you start your trek at 2nd Avenue, you will come to a fork in the trail about a minute in. Going LEFT will take you along the formally marked and maintained route promoted by the village; however, if you choose to go RIGHT, you will be treated to a longer hike โ€“ and one that actually takes you along Crabapple Creek for much of the route.

    Thereโ€™s a little more in terms of elevation gain, but the lovely cascade of the creek + small waterfall make it worth the added effort. We suspect this was the original trail โ€“ you can still see the odd โ€œred arrowโ€ markers along the way. This route, while longer, still connects to the main trail at the โ€œbig tire.โ€ The total hike time for this alternate hike is about 45 minutes one-way.

    Be advised that the Crabapple Creek Trail connects and links with other trails in the area, including the still-being-developed Dempsey Collinson Memorial Trail, Gore Brook Trail, and the informal Backyard Trail system.

    DIFFICULTY: Easy
    TOTAL DISTANCE: 2 kilometres (return, depending on the route taken)
    TIME: 30 minutes to 1.5 hours (return)
    TYPE: Point-to-Point
    ELEVATION GAIN: 40 meters

  • Windy Bay Sitka Spruce Trail

    Windy Bay Sitka Spruce Trail

    TRAIL DETAILS

    FEATURES: Massive sitka spruce, CMTs, Old growth forest, Legacy Pole

    DIFFICULTY: Moderate

    DISTANCE: 1.2 kilometres one-way

    Time: 40 minutes one way

    Route Type: Point-to-point

    Elevation Gain: Minimal

    Community: Gwaii Haanas

    GPS Coordinates: 52.691971, -131.453913

    SUMMARY

    A guided forest hike in Hlkโ€™yah GฬฑawGฬฑa (Windy Bay) that leads to an 800โ€“900โ€‘yearโ€‘old Sitka spruce, culturally modified trees, and the Legacy Poleโ€”one of Haida Gwaiiโ€™s most meaningful cultural and historical trail experiences.

  • Four Corners Trail: An Unmaintained Wagon Road

    Four Corners Trail: An Unmaintained Wagon Road

    • Four Corners Trail
    • Four Corners Trail
    • Four Corners Trail

    FOUR CORNERS TRAILS
    Naikoon Provincial Park
    Early Settler history

    ABOUT

    Four Corners Trail is located immediately east of the Hiellen River Bridge in Naikoon Provincial Park. The route is a settler wagon road, established initially circa 1910, to access parcels of land further inland. To access this trail, begin at the Cape Fife Trailhead and follow that route for approximately 5 minutes.

    You will come upon an information board detailing the Cape Fife route. A marker to your left will signify the continuance of the 10 km-long Cape Fife trail. If you look to your RIGHT, you will see an unmarked but obvious trail โ€“ this is the beginning of the Four Corners route.

    The full length of the Four Corners Trail is approximately 5 kilometres; however, today, only the first 2.5 kilometres or so can be safely hiked. Significant blowdown and overgrowth make walking the full route โ€“ eventually connecting with the more popular White Creek Trail and Carr-Whittle routes โ€“ hazardous. The first part of the trail, however, makes for a pleasantly short hike.

    The old settler wagon road is now fringed with tall trees and thick mosses, giving an almost otherworldly appearance. Some massive cedar trees line the route, their low-hanging branches reminiscent of a scene from Sleepy Hollow! As we hiked the trail, we kept an eye out for previous human habitation. 

    Unfortunately, besides the old wagon road, the only evidence of previous human development we saw was some old machinery near the start of Four Corners and the old drainage ditches, which were all dug with pick and spade. As you observe these scenes, itโ€™s not difficult to imagine what life mightโ€™ve been like in the early 20th century, as settlers attempted to establish roots and carve new routes.

    About mid-way along the hike-able portion of the trail, youโ€™ll round a corner and enter an area weโ€™ve dubbed โ€œcedar alleyโ€ due to the significant number of large cedar trees that line this section of the route. Keep a close eye on these special trees because a few of them are CMTs โ€“ they were โ€œculturally modifiedโ€ by the Haida hundreds of years ago. It is a powerful reminder that youโ€™re treading on ancient Haida territory.

    You will eventually come upon Swan Creek, which is a tributary of the Hiellen River. Of note, in her important book, Queen Charlotte Islands Trail Hikes and Beach Walks (1978), Fern Henderson reported that the bridge over Swan Creek was โ€œvery precarious and may not be usable.โ€ 45 years later the man-made bridge is all but gone.

    As such, this is the logical end-point of the Four Corners route. We say โ€œlogicalโ€ because while it is possible to go beyond the creek using a narrow natural log bridge, this is ill-advised for those not steady on their feet!

    If you wish to hike this trail, parking is available in the nearby Tow Hill parking lot. It is advisable to bring a compass and/or use an app like BRMB or AllTrails as this is an unmarked/unmaintained route that is quite overgrown.

    DIFFICULTY: Moderate
    TOTAL DISTANCE: 5km return (hikeable portion)
    TIME: 2.5 hours
    TYPE: Out-and-Back
    ELEVATION GAIN: None

  • A Foragers Delight – Piper Creek Trail

    A Foragers Delight – Piper Creek Trail

    • Piper Creek Trail

    PIPER CREEK TRAIL FEATURES:
    Monumental trees
    Foraging

    ABOUT

    The Piper Creek Trail is located approximately 3 kilometres west of Sandspit, adjacent to the โ€œPiper Creekโ€ bridge, heading towards the Kwuna ferry line-up. There is no formal parking; however, there is enough space on the shoulder of Piper Creek Bridge for two small cars. The trailhead is indicated by a small white marker a few feet from the bridge.

    While there is minor elevation gain, we would classify Piper Creek Trail as easy. The route is mostly flat and well-marked for its duration. The trail, which winds through a mix of alder, spruce and cedar, basically follows Piper Creek upstream for about a kilometre before terminating at a small ravine adjacent to the creek. The dense forest part of the trail heading to the creek access is a relaxing experience and it is encouraged to take the time to savour forest walking.

    Indeed, the trail is short, but it also connects to other routes like Around the Pond and Onward Point, making for a more robust hike. The connecting trail towards Onward Point, notably, takes you through a stand of monumental cedar trees sure to delight the tree-lover in all of us.

    Along with being a relatively popular hiking trail, Piper Creek is also used for local foraging. The outstanding Raincoast Breads, for example, will come here and forage, Woodruff, Oyster mushrooms and even โ€œaromaticโ€ stones. Weโ€™ve also witnessed some large โ€œChicken of the Woodsโ€ growing near the entrance of this route.

    Note: There is also a short trail directly across Highway 16, opposite the Piper Creek trailhead. Just look out for blue flagging tape. This brief route, which clocks in at about 250 meters one-way, takes you to the mouth of Piper Creek, through the trees and down to the beach.

    DIFFICULTY: Easy
    TOTAL DISTANCE: 2 kilometers (return)
    TIME: 40 minutes
    TYPE: Out-and-Back
    ELEVATION GAIN: 46 meters

  • Gore Brook Trail: A Moderate Rainforest Hike

    Gore Brook Trail: A Moderate Rainforest Hike

    • Gore Brook Trail waterfalls

    GORE BROOK TRAIL FEATURES:
    Forest therapy
    School project


    ABOUT

    The Gore Brook Trail is one of 5 โ€œcommunity trailsโ€ in the Village of Daajing Giids. Unlike most trails on Haida Gwaii, Gore Brook actually has formal trailhead signage and is, therefore, easy to find. It has two main entry points: The first is at the top of 8th Street (north of the high school).

    Once you reach the top of 8th, turn right and you should see the trailhead marker adjacent to a small side road. The second point of entry is on the 2nd avenue (above the municipal office), along the Villageโ€™s western end.

    In terms of the community trails, Gore Brook is one of the better ones. First, it brings you marvellous examples of old-growth and second-growth forests. Second, the lush flora of the trail โ€“ and especially the vibrant mosses, ferns and other plant life โ€“ really highlights the fact that youโ€™re hiking through a dynamic rainforest ecosystem unlike any other in the world. Third, if you enter Gore Brook at the 2nd Avenue entrance, you can gain quick access to a nice little waterfall โ€“ dubbed the Gore Brook Falls โ€“ approximately 20 minutes in. Fourth, the trail also provides hints of one of Haida Gwaiiโ€™s major historic industries: Logging. At a few points along the trail, those with a keen eye will notice some evidence of springboard logging.

    While the trail is only about 1.6 kilometres long, it takes roughly an hour and a half to complete the full point-to-point route. The trail is quite rough and muddy in a lot of places. Additionally, thereโ€™s a significant amount of deadfall along the trail + root systems and a couple of creek crossings. As such, weโ€™d strongly recommend the use of good boots so as to avoid getting your feet wet or muddy.

    The trail is denoted in quite a unique way: With scallop shells! Follow them and you shouldnโ€™t get lost. Itโ€™s kind of like following the breadcrumbs through the forest. But if following scallop shells isnโ€™t your thing, donโ€™t worry โ€“ white โ€œdiamondโ€ markers also denote the main route.

    Finally, it should be noted that Gore Brook connects with, and intersects, the villageโ€™s informal โ€œbackyardโ€ trail system. These are a series of rough trails that are usually sans markers and can lead you astray if youโ€™re not paying attention.

    With Gore Brook, we donโ€™t think getting lost is much of a problem since itโ€™s pretty easy to follow the scallop shells and white markers. If entering Gore Brook from 2nd Avenue, however, you will come upon a fork in the trail system approximately 15 minutes into your hike.

    If you continue to the RIGHT, youโ€™ll stay on Gore Brook (and eventually come upon Gore Brook Falls). If you go LEFT, youโ€™ll follow a backyard trail โ€“ which does have markers in this case โ€“ and will eventually exit onto the cul de sac at the end of Second Avenue, connecting with both Crabapple Creek Trail and the Crab Trap Trail.

    While somewhat difficult, the Gore Brook Trail is a rewarding hike. The old growth, burls, abundant ferns, dynamic creek, and vibrant green mosses provide inspiration and energy. The local high school students, who played a key role in developing this trail in the late 1990s, did an excellent job.

    In the current day, students โ€“ from high school and post-secondary โ€“ will occasionally use this trail for ecosystem interpretive work. As such, Gore Brook is as much a recreational hiking trail as it is a valuable learning opportunity.


    DIFFICULTY: Moderate
    TOTAL DISTANCE: 1.6km
    TIME: 1.5 hours
    TYPE: Point-to-Point
    ELEVATION GAIN: 176 meters

  • Spirit Lake Trail – A Glimpse To Haida Culture

    Spirit Lake Trail – A Glimpse To Haida Culture

    • Spirit Trail can have some decent log jam along its creeks
    • One of the lakes in the trails loops
    • Spirit Lake Trail Dogwood flowers in summer

    SPIRIT LAKE TRAIL FEATURES
    Culturally Modified Trees
    Haida history
    Interpretive hike


    ABOUT

    Spirit Lake Trail (GuuhlGa Siiwaay Kโ€™yuu) is located in Skidegate, just off Highway 16 and behind the George Brown Recreation Centre โ€“ clearly marked with a carved Wasco at the trailโ€™s head. A smaller totem also sits close to the trailโ€™s entrance, near the pit toilet.

    Popular with tourists and locals alike, this well-maintained easy hike offers the curious a portal through which to view Haida Gwaiiโ€™s natural beauty: The carpeted moss floor; the meandering creeks; beautiful cedar and spruce trees; culturally modified trees (CMTs); a plethora of eagles and woodpeckers; wild blueberries and mushrooms; the large Haida Gwaii black bear; and, of course, Spirit Lake itself. Each of these elements complements the overall setting and lends a picture of serenity.

    Whether one chooses the longer forest walk or Spirit Lake loop, one cannot help but recognize and acknowledge the inherent spirituality of the trail and its namesake lake. The presence of CMTs and culturally significant plants like Devilโ€™s Club help to reinforce the fact that the Haida have used โ€“ and continue to utilize โ€“ this area since time immemorial.

    In that regard, you know that you share the trail not just with the physical bodies you encounter, but those you do not see as well. The quietness and calm of the lake have much to say if we choose to listen and attune ourselves to its message.

    The trail is not physically demanding and allows you to experience some of the best that Haida Gwaii has to offer. Free walking tours by Gaajiiaawa are also available during the summer, providing a fuller picture and appreciation of the trail and its significance. Depending on the route you choose, the total time spent here ranges from 1 to 2 hours.

    In 2021 and 2022, GuuhlGa Siiwaay Kโ€™yuu underwent trail maintenance and received important Upgrades: The compacted gravel walkway was significantly redone; 20 new boardwalks were installed, replacing aging infrastructure, and recent posts for future interpretive signage were installed. One of the new boardwalks now extends out into the lake, giving hikers better and safer access to this particular body of water.


    DIFFICULTY: Easy
    TOTAL DISTANCE: 5.3 kilometers
    TIME: 1 to 2 hours
    TYPE: Out-and-Back
    ELEVATION GAIN: 60 meters