| East Beach
Trail, Naikoon Provincial Park: A west coast 89 km experience
exploring the forests, wildlife and long sandy beaches lining
the eastern coastline of Graham Island of the Queen Charlotte
Islands Archipelago. There are also many smaller trails connecting
to the East Beach Trail for day hikers like the
Cape Fife Trail near Masset
and the Pesuta Shipwreck Trail near
Tlell. Both smaller routes are one-way trails and offer you a
glimpse of the East Beach Trail experience.
The 3-6 days spent hiking along muddy trails, wooden
bridges, climbing over deadfall trees, trekking along sandy and
pebbled beaches provides lots of opportunity to discover spanning
ocean views, historical shipwrecks and Haida Ancient Village Sites.
The East Beach Trail is a full
wilderness experience. Trips can be filled with sun and yet, quickly
turn to howling winds and rain. There is no services, cell phone
reception nor pit toilets (except at trailheads) along the multi
day route. There is some wilderness campsite areas and 3 wooden
camping shelters found along the route.
All walkers, hikers and backpackers should be prepared
for wet conditions and fast changing weather patterns. Most hike
the East Beach Trail south to north to shield
themselves from the, sometimes, heavy winds, bright sun and torrential
rains. Proper equipment, attitude and planning are recommended.
Many backpackers use the Cape Fife Trail
or the Pesuta Shipwreck Trail as the starting
and ending points (north and south trailheads) to the 89 km East
Beach Trail which runs from the Tlell River Bridge to
Rose Point on the northeast tip of Graham Island, largest of the
Queen Charlotte Islands.
The entire trail system falls within the 69,166
hectares Naikoon Provincial Park which includes part of the Hecate
Depression.
How
to Get to the East Beach Trail:
(North Trailhead-Graham Island) Drive north on
Hwy 16 from Skidegate BC Ferry towards Masset Village. Continue
driving north-east of Masset Village on the main hwy over the
Sangan River into the Tow Hill Ecological Reserve area of the
Naikoon Provincial Park. The
paved road turns to gravel (Tow Hill Road). Continue straight
ahead (30 min.) past Agate
Beach Campground sign and the Tow Hill Parking Lot. On the
other side of the bridge to your right is the small Cape Fife
trailhead sign. Park here and start hiking. East Beach Trail via
Cape Fife Trail (79 km)
How
to Get to the East Beach Trail:
(South Trailhead-Graham Island) Drive north on
Hwy 16 from Skidegate BC Ferry towards Tlell. Look for the Tlell
River Provincial Park sign on your right after a bridge. Turn
into here and park. The trailhead is to the left. There are interpretive
signs and pit toilets. Park here and start hiking. East Beach
Trail to Cape Fife Trail (79 km). East Beach Trail to Rose Point
(89 km) |
East
Beach 
Masset Village