The
Juan de Fuca Marine Trail was created through the Commonwealth Nature
Legacy as an enduring reminder of the 1994 Victoria Commonwealth Games.
Preservation of a living legacy of unprecedented natural beauty,
accessible to all, was considered a fitting tribute to the spirit of the
Games.
Construction and
preservation of the Trail has been made possible by the efforts of
government, local industries, First Nations and citizens. Land exchanges
and gifts of land have come from Western Forest Products and Timber
West. Trail upgrades have been undertaken with funding from Forest
Renewal BC and the Environment Youth Team (E-Team).
The
Juan de Fuca Marine Trail was originally part of a lifesaving trail
that serviced this area, known at the time as the Graveyard of the
Pacific.
The park protects
significant marine tidal pool life at Botanical Beach as well as black
bear and cougar habitat. The region is so biologically significant that
the University of Minnesota installed the first marine research station
in the Pacific Northwest at Botanical Beach in 1901. Since then, the
area has been used for research by a number of universities in BC and
Washington.
Botanical Beach
offers one of the richest tidal areas found along the west coast, and
opportunities for viewing in these tide pools is excellent. Red, purple
and orange starfish and sea urchins, white gooseneck barnacles, blue
mussels and green seas anemones and sea cucumbers only begin to hint at
the colourful spectrum of intertidal life thriving here.
Terrific
views can be seen from many points along the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail,
particularly at the Loss Creek Suspension Bridge and the Minute Creek
Suspension Bridge. The Juan de Fuca trail also offers spectacular views
of the coastline, Juan de Fuca Strait and the Olympic Mountains. Whales,
marine birds and other wildlife can also be seen in the park.
The three main areas to visit in the park are as follows:
The
western section of the park around Botanical Beach contains two smaller
trails: Mill Bay and Botanical Loop. The Mill Bay Trail accesses a
small pebble and shell beach; portions of this trail are steep. Parking
for this trail is at the Mill Bay Trailhead, beside the road to
Botanical Beach. Botanical Loop Trail connects Botanical Beach and
Botany Bay. This is an easy to moderate walk, but in the golden hour,
the photography opportunities are endless.
China Beach day-use: A scenic 1 km trail leads from the parking lot through mature forest to the beach. A large viewing deck offers views of the beach and Juan de Fuca Strait. This is an easy to moderate, fairly steep trail with lots to see and photograph.
Second
Beach Trail: Second Beach can be reached from the China Beach
campground via stairs and a 1 km long fairly steep gravel trail. The
15-20 minute hike (each way) through the mature forest of Sitka spruce,
Douglas fir and Western red cedar leads visitors to the great rolling
breakers of a tumultuous sea. Benches and viewing areas along the way
provide a spot for photographers to stop to enjoy the views of Juan de
Fuca Strait and all is beauty.
We
visit Juan de Fuca Provincial Park on our Vancouver Island Workshops.
Why don’t you consider joining us, all the details are found here, http://northof49photography.com/vancouver-island-workshop
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