West Coast Trail: Backpacking With My PRO Daughters!

After an epic solo hike last year, I bring the girls with me to experience one of the greatest trails in the world. We took some extra time and visited some different campsites.
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00:00 Intro
9:54 Day Two
21:04 Day Three
31:05 Day Four
41:39 Day Five
50:32 Day Six
57:39 Howe's the Hike? and Shoutouts
The West Coast Trail, originally called the Dominion Lifesaving Trail, is a 75 km (47 mi) backpacking trail following the southwestern edge of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. It was built in 1907 to facilitate the rescue of shipwrecked survivors along the coast, part of the treacherous Graveyard of the Pacific. It is now part of the Pacific Rim National Park and is often rated by hiking guides as one of the world's top hiking trails.
The West Coast Trail is open from May 1 until September 30. It is accessible to hikers outside this period but Parks Canada does not guarantee the accessibility of services (such as search and rescue) in the offseason.

[@neethewondercat]

This is definitely one of my favourite videos on KZbin. Epic hike, incredible hiking team and humourous as well. Thanks Stuart, Evelyn and Olivia.

[@HowestheHike]

Thank YOU!

[@MrsStevenBrown]

Awesome! I can’t wait! I set out this year in August! Southbound like you did it! Thanks so much for showing the trail so much! 🇨🇦🥰👍🏻

[@HowestheHike]

Thanks!! You will have a fantastic time!

[@northernbeadle]

After hiking the WCT last year (South to North) this was a great video to take me back (even to the point of having the bus pull over so I could throw up.... what a bus ride!! :S) So glad you got to bring your girls out on such a remarkable trail, great acknowledgement at the beginning, and I'm only 15 minutes into the movie. Was just so excited I couldn't wait to comment.. thanks for the post!

[@HowestheHike]

Wow - and I thought I hated that bus ride!!! What a start for you!

[@BryanDeLay]

Beautiful trail and great video Stuart! Your girls did fantastic even with all the crazy ladders.

[@HowestheHike]

Thanks Bryan!!

[@martincook1412]

I really enjoyed watching this. Thanks for posting.

[@HowestheHike]

Thanks!

[@hikingwithbarb9006]

Great Video! Gave me a good perspective on what to expect when I hopefully do this trail this summer! I love that you hike with your girls! What a great bonding experience to be able to share these adventures with them. Thanks for sharing!

[@HowestheHike]

Thanks so much Barb. The girls and I have built some amazing memories on the trails and it’s become a big part of our lives. I hope to have them out somewhere this summer as well on one of my trips. I think maybe I’ll push them toward the rock lake, hardscrabble pass, glacier pass, little heaven trip. At least I’ll have a day or two on the north boundary trail!

[@conniesrawsomekitchen]

I love watching you guys hike together. My daughter in I does many hikes ourselves here in Canada. And I wanted to say what a great thing your daughter Eveline is doing being vegetarian.( by the way your daughters are just beautiful! ) I myself and my whole family are all vegan for 14 years now and never been stronger. And I am in my 60's!!! Our hikes are so much easier and more stamina and great recovery. I also have twin granddaughters who are born vegan and love doing hikes with us they are 7!!! This Christmas. I bought them hiking gear for longer hikes :) that they can do with us!!. Thanks for all the wonderful video especially the ones with the girls!!

[@HowestheHike]

Thank you!!!!!!!

[@conniesrawsomekitchen]

@@HowestheHike my pleasure :)

[@miked8590]

Great video once again ! It was a pleasure to meet you guys on the trail. Take care.

[@HowestheHike]

Thanks Mike - great t0 meet you guys too - that was a highlight for us on that day for sure. Hope your hike was amazing too!

[@bradmacdonald6591]

awesome! I watched your 2018 video, great that you're doing it with your kids. Doing the trial myself for the first time in Sept, 2019.

[@HowestheHike]

Thanks! And you are going to love it. Hope you have an amazing time!

[@twomstone_17]

Loved the narration and the "Dad humour", very informative and looks like an excellent hike! Looking forward to doing the WCT this spring/summer.

[@HowestheHike]

Thanks! You will love it!

[@sdpeteadventures239]

Great video! Crazy ladders. Good on your girls for doing them, they look pretty sketchy to me(the ladders). Awesome hike.

[@HowestheHike]

Thank you!

[@katdavenport6840]

Going to hike this trail next week with 8 friends! Thanks for the great vid

[@HowestheHike]

That's awesome! I hope you all have an amazing time :-)

[@econartist5104]

Wonderful video! I did the trail not too long after you. You did a great job of capturing the trail in your video!

[@HowestheHike]

Thanks!!

[@puzzlesjay]

This was so helpful. I’m in my mid fifties and did the trail 25 years ago. I’m doing it again with my girlfriend this year...could only get September date...but looking quite forward to the beauty, challenge and accomplishment. Thanks so much for sharing your amazing trip with your girls.

[@HowestheHike]

Thank you! And I am 52 - doing this again in May making it 3 years in a row. Point is - age is a number and you will love being back out there.

[@rickpaquet1655]

Thanks for making a cool video. I’m going south to north in June of 2020. Really looking forward to it.

[@HowestheHike]

Awesome. You'll love it!

[@TysonWright]

Can’t wait to attack this trail when I’m back in Canada! Absolutely stunning

[@HowestheHike]

It sure is! I had a plan to do opening Day 2020 with Joey - would have made it 3 years in a row. NEVER gets old. Oh well - maybe 2022!

[@northernbeadle]

Annnnnd done... great video! I know the "official" trail route is North to South, but it's those last few days you had that I like to get over with from the start! Last year was much wetter and I had to take almost every cable car as the rivers were too deep. I had assumed the new bridge would be ready at Logan so that was a sucky surprise to still have to do those ladders (especially the diagonal one.. what a balancing effort with a pack on!). Glad to see the girls got the almost full experience with some mud in there but fortunately no showers (one afternoon last year I refuse to talk about). Can't wait for my boys to get to the age where I can take them on the experience. Have a great hiking season ahead and thanks again for another wonderful post! P.S. - In every video that you post with your daughters, I always wait for the one scene where they have their music on and you give the look... too funny!

[@HowestheHike]

Thank you so much. And I bet you can't wait for those boys to get going!!

[@johncooper3171]

Fantastic video jc.

[@HowestheHike]

Thanks John!

[@rachelgrogan2477]

I've never been sold on coastal trails, being the person who loves mountain the most. However, this video definitely makes me want to hike the WCC!

[@HowestheHike]

Awesome. As a mountain person myself, I think you'll love it!

[@dlairth]

Enjoyed your video, and recognised a very few places from when I hiked it about 40 years ago - the mud and the slugs and the ladders! I remember passing through an ancient abandoned native village that no-one seems to mention any more? I don't remember there being any ferries, in those days we walked from the town of Bamfield right into Port Renfrew, and that last loop around the bay (into PR) was a race to a hot bath and a real mattress. Hope you're still able to make your third trip this summer.

[@HowestheHike]

Thanks David! I hiked it first around 1992 and I noticed huge changes myself when I got back out. I had an opening day reservation this year, but it was cancelled. I think we will plan to be there opening day next year at this point. Hope you are still out on the trails!

[@neethewondercat]

Watching again May 2020. Fantastic 🌟

[@HowestheHike]

Enjoy! Wish we were all actually OUT there!!

[@nicholasholland3681]

Hi Guy's. Thanks It has done a couple of things for me. 1. We are on Lockdown so that means frustration not being able to get Out...But you've kept us going 2. We plan to come to BC maybe next year and this is definitely on the list to do.

[@HowestheHike]

You'll love it!

[@annettemurphy5041]

Hi there, my brother Leo called me today from Ontario, I live in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia... he asked me to watch this as we had an honorable mention at the end being the 75 yr old brother and 61, yes 61 not 62 yr old sister lol. It was my first time backpacking and camping...what a most excellent adventure with my older brother! We did it south to north and it was an experience of a lifetime!!! Thanks sooo very much for your video, makes me want to do it again!!!

[@HowestheHike]

That is awesome! Thank you!!

[@thomasandmisi]

hey great videos...love your dry humour :) wish my two girls were as involved as yours lol both have gone through the veggie phase These vids are great and I watched in detail the Fundy Foot Path this year as I am a fellow New Brunswick living in Vic. In my opinion, physically the west coast trail was more daunting and formidable...the east coast trail lol sorry the fundy foot path was psychologically more intense given the ups and downs and loss and gain of elevation Cheers Thomas PS You are welcome to join us next year on the south bank of the grand canyon hike.....

[@HowestheHike]

Haha - thanks! And I agree with your assessment 100%. And keep me in mind - maybe I'll take you up on that!

[@HM-gk3rq]

I have never heard anyone complain about it being too hot on the WCT. Nice to have such great weather!!

[@HowestheHike]

Haha! Fair enough. But it WAS hot! I was lucky to have excellent weather 2 years in a row - that's for sure.

[@markscott5257]

We just finished this last week ! Those last 5 km southbound are wild and a lot of work !

[@HowestheHike]

It sure is. A killer! Hope you had a great hike.

[@paulsmart5199]

We started at that end, hard stuff first

[@stepsforthesoul]

Love the channel! Saw you on My Own Frontier. Liked and Subbed!

[@HowestheHike]

Thank you!!

[@relax2dream164]

Why hurry? Such a wonderful opportunity to spend time in nature in one of the most beautiful places on earth. ❤️

[@HowestheHike]

I know! Olivia wanted to push on out. And, truth be told, the hike down and up from Thrasher on the last night/day is not really one I look forward to... But you are right - one of the most beautiful places on the planet!!

[@jaysonnookemus9865]

I have had the privilege to work on this trail as a trail guardian for the past 2 yrs this summer going to be my 3rd, I grew up in Bamfield bc right in the reserve, was always a dream of mine to hike the whole thing, I haven't gotten around to hiking the whole trail yet but, I would like to and know I could do it, I have probably done the distance but always only within the first 25km from Bamfield to tsusiat falls. Also alot of the art at the bamfield end was done my ny uncles lol glad you guys enjoyed the trail

[@HowestheHike]

Thank you for this comment! One of my favorite ever on the channel. The guardians I met in my hikes have been just wonderful people who care about their land, and take care of it for the rest of us to enjoy. And to grow up in that amazing place would certainly have its challenges I’m sure, but the beauty of nature and the connection with it is something to be treasured. Especially the history of your family doing the same thing you did. Thank you for your hard work, thank you for this comment and thank you for letting me hike on your land. I hope to see you out there sometime soon :-)

[@jaysonnookemus9865]

@@HowestheHike i am hoping to make it out and do the whole trail in the next year or so

[@HowestheHike]

Awesome!!

[@DesireeStiles]

Love watching your videos! I’ll be heading out next week with my mom, am very excited! Wondering if you skipped all the cable cars or just the ones mentioned?

[@HowestheHike]

Awe thanks! We skipped them all. Low water made the decision easy. Although on my solo hike May 2018 I took one. Love your ethos Desiree. Would love to meet you sometime! Have an AWESOME time with your Mom!!!!!

[@DesireeStiles]

That’s great thanks! I love watching your girls hike. I took my 15yo and my mom to Peru last March and hiked the Salkantay and have also done Mount Robson in BC with 2 of my kids so I love seeing other families hiking 💗 PS love your laugh!

[@HowestheHike]

Haha thanks...! ...see what I did there ;) Just hiked down Mt. Robson as a finish to the North Boundary Trail. Stunning - and hard!!

[@adamb7230]

July 2, 2022. Can't wait!!

[@adamb7230]

BTW, I look up to you as a dad. You can tell how much your girls love being with you. Very cool.

[@HowestheHike]

Wow - that's so kind. Thank you!

[@BarbiBou]

This is great! It convinced me to do the hike with my sis! Just wondering, what type of camera are you using to film??

[@HowestheHike]

Awesome. you will love it :). I use a Go Pro Hero and my iPhone XS (with HitCase and wide Lense ) as a backup.

[@JeTVas]

Lovely to see this video.. We did the trail south to north in the year 2013, we came across many cable cars, are they not there any more? Sad to know the burger place is not there any more..

[@HowestheHike]

Thanks! The cars are still there, but when water levels are low - only one is really required to be used.

[@JeTVas]

@@HowestheHike Oh, ok, got it.. There was so much water when we went.. Thank you.

[@MAXIM_One]

What is the LEAST busiest time to go??? Planning on going this year!

[@HowestheHike]

The opening 2 weeks typically. The year? I would not want to dare a guess.

[@HM-gk3rq]

It must be the Olympic mountains you see from the WCT, not the Cascades, right?

[@HowestheHike]

I'd say you are correct on that.

[@spacklemaster]

where is the cave at 23:08? don't remember ever seeing that on my wct trip.

[@HowestheHike]

Let me check on that! There's a possibility that we took the inland route instead of a beach route but I'll have to look at the video to refresh my mind. I'll post back when I can figure it out!

[@johnferrismaclean623]

love your videos. Just finished the Fundy Footpath with my son and youngest daughter. Doing the Dobson Trail with my son and oldest daughter on 3rd Aug. My youngest daughter did the Appalachian trail last year. 161 days. She is 26 and had just finished 7 years of university. Are your girls considering the AT Great activity with the girls. i am 65 and still doping it with the kids.

[@HowestheHike]

Thanks John! Heading out on the FFP again soon and waiting for cooler weather for Dobson. Hope it is awesome for you guys. No, they are focused on starting university right now, no talk of a 6 month hiking commitment :) And thanks for the inspiration. I just turned 53 and have no plans to slow down!!

[@janayleniuk5449]

what kind of camera did you use and did you use a stabilizer? how were you able to keep camera charged?

[@HowestheHike]

GoPro hero six with an iPhone as a back up. I carried a couple of batteries with me to charge but also had a solar charger as well.

[@janayleniuk5449]

@@HowestheHike Awesome, thanks.

[@carloschavez-vk4by]

The video quality is amazing. makes me want to buy a gopro instead of filming with my mirrorless camera

[@HowestheHike]

Thanks! I also ue my iPhone for each clip as "backup". Beware the even the Hero 9 I now have can do odd th ings to clips....

[@markscott5257]

what equiptment did you use for video??

[@HowestheHike]

Mark Suchlandt Hey Mark! We use a GoPro Hero 7 and my iPhone 10 with a Hitcase lense (as a backup). Pretty simple stuff!

[@xoxXCutiepieXxox]

17:41 Lol drift wood unicorn with wings I see it again but it's far lol .. looks like u guys have way better weather!!! Yay... looks beautiful thanks for sharing! Lol poop with a view lol 😆💩

[@HowestheHike]

Thank you! OMG I did not see that unicorn until today. Thank you so much for sharing!

[@xoxXCutiepieXxox]

@@HowestheHike hahaha ikr AMAZING EH 😆🦄🦄🦄🦄BEARS AND UNICORNS MAGICAL! LOL

[@paulsmart5199]

All set for the 2021 season

[@HowestheHike]

Yep!

[@backpackingonline]

I wish! I was good until I saw that rope bridge, or whatever that was.

[@HowestheHike]

Easier than it looks! And they are building a new one.