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Dan Bosch Trail
This is an easy, quarter-mile loop under large old-growth Douglas Fir along the shoreline to the warm, crystalline waters of Ruby Lake.
Access
Follow Hwy. 101 to Ruby Lake and find access at Dan Bosch Park, 700 metres north of the resort.
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Francis Point Trails
From the rocky beach at Francis Point Park (near the parking area), turn right and walk a short distance to the top of the hill to reach panoramic views of the ocean. You can continue your hike for another 20 minutes to hour by turning right, towards the lighthouse.
Access
Park access is at the end of Merrill Road. To reach that, follow Francis Peninsula Road from Hwy. 101.
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Garden Bay Marine Trail
This is a short, level, 200-metre walk to a juniper stand on a rocky shoreline in Garden Bay Marine Park. The bluffs offer great views of Pender Harbour.
Access
Take Garden Bay Road from Hwy. 101 in Kleindale, then turn left on Claydon Rd. in Garden Bay to find the park entrance and trail access.
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Homesite Caves Trail
Caution— you’ll be walking on an active logging road.
This is an easy, 2 km (30 min.) loop on a fairly rough, forested trail to Homesite Creek, a small waterfall and limestone caves.
Access
Access by turning right on the Forest Service Road 3.1 km north of Halfmoon Bay on Hwy 101. Park 100 metres past the powerline at the orange rock cairn which marks the trail entrance. When the trail opens to an old spur road, follow it back to the logging road and turn left to return.
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John Daly Trail
This trail leads across a bridge for a short walk through John Daly Park along Anderson Creek. If you don't mind forcing your way through heavy brush and muddy terrain, turn left before crossing the bridge to reach the shore of Oyster Bay. Anderson creek is a salmon wintering pond and productive spawning creek.
John Daly Park is ideal for viewing the dramatic spawning activity from late September to late December. Black bears, raccoons and bald eagles are attracted by spawning salmon, so keep your dog leashed— some just can't resist a roll on a stinky, rotting salmon carcass.
Access
Take Garden Bay Road from Hwy. 101 in Kleindale and find the park entrance about 1 km from the intersection.
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Katherine Lake Trails
1. Spring Creek Trail
This trail offers a 1 km (30 min.) walk through second growth forest.
2. Unnamed Trail
A 500-metre (15 min.) walk to elevated views of Katherine Lake.
Access
Take Garden Bay Road from Hwy. 101 in Kleindale, then turn right at the Katherine Lake Park sign about 5.5 km from the intersection.
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Lions Trail
This 1 km (30 min.) walk through Lions Park takes you along a woodland trail edged with moss, salal and ferns, over criss-crossing creeks and under a second-growth Douglas fir and alder canopy. Enjoy rest stops at rustic bridges and benches with great views of waterfalls.
Access
Access at the Lions Club sign on Hwy. 101, 1.3 km north of Garden Bay Road.
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Mount Daniel Trail
This steep, 2.5 km (at least 1 hour) hike has a return of about 20 minutes. Most hikers agree that the top of Mt. Daniel has the most spectacular views of the area's waters and coastline. Truth is, we haven't met anyone who disagrees.
At the summit is a historical Sechelt Indian puberty ritual site featuring “moonstones,” an ancient circle of rocks used for meditation by native maidens. Sechelt Indians also used Mt. Daniel as a lookout for invading tribes.
Access
Take Garden Bay Road from Hwy. 101 in Kleindale. You’ll find the entrance about 3.4 km along, at the first dirt road on your left past Oyster Bay Road. 200 metres in, take the left fork and continue another 200 metres to the trail.
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Mount Hallowell Trail
This is a moderate 2 km (at least 1 hr.) hike to a restored Forest Service fire tower and panoramic views of the area at the summit. The tower, over 50 years old, is likely the only one left in the province.
Access
From Hwy. 101 in Halfmoon, take Trout Lake Road. At 12 km, take the left fork. At 19.5 km, find the red cable spool to follow the trail through clearcuts and old growth forest.
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Pender Hill Trail
A steep, 30 min. hike to a fabulous, panoramic view of Pender Harbour from a level, open, moss-covered hilltop in Pender Hill Park.
Access
From Hwy. 101 in Kleindale, take Garden Bay Road, then follow Irvine’s Landing Road from the fork (keep right). Turn right on Lee Road, and you’ll find the trail access sign about 1.1 km in.
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Ruby-Klein Traverse
This is a 4 km (1 hr.) hike linking Ruby and Klein Lakes that can be accessed from either end, but you'll have to retrace your path or have a vehicle at the other end, a 12 km distance by road.
Most of the trail is through conifer forest, and the views of Ruby Lake and the Sechelt Peninsula are spectacular, the top of the "saddle" between the lakes, a perfect spot for contemplation and picnicking.
Hike 1 Access
This option involves steep terrain. Park at Dan Bosch Park (600 metres north of Ruby Lake Resort) on Hwy. 101 and enter the trail 50 metres south on Hwy. 101.
Hike 2 Access
For an easier, mainly downhill version of the Ruby-Klein Traverse, park at Klein Lake and enter this end of the trail.
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Skookumchuk Trail
A 4 km (1.5 hr.) hike on a level, manicured trail through Skookumchuk Park and past Brown Lake to the dramatic Skookumchuk tidal rapids, backdropped by snowcapped mountains. Time your arrival for the changing of the tide for the most dramatic action, and if you're lucky you'll see fearless kayakers battle the powerful currents.
Access
Take Hwy. 101 to Earl’s Cove, then turn on Egmont Road. Just past Waugh Lake, at the Skookumchuk Park parking lot, you’ll find the entrance. This is a remote, seldom policed area, so don’t tempt fate by leaving valuables in your vehicle.
Offsite Link
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Smuggler Cove Trail
A 1.5 km (20 min.) walk on a forested trail to a secluded anchorage and campsite. The main trail ends at a small bay with views of South Thormanby and Texada Islands. Rugged trails branch out across mossy bluffs with arbutus and fir to views of Welcome Pass and the Strait of Georgia.
Access
Follow the Provincial Park signs on Brooks Road off Hwy. 101 in Halfmoon Bay, south of Pender Harbour.
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