June 14 – Wild Pacific Trail, Artists Loops

Another day with a terrible forecast (rain and thunderstorms) that turned out to be bright and sunny.

We went back to Ucluelet and did a middle section of the Wild Pacific Trail called the Artist Loops.

The map says it should be 2.8 km each way but once again with our extra wandering we did 6.5 km.

I can’t say enough about how well maintained this trail is. So many great viewpoints that really are viewpoints. Raised platforms and trimmed shrubs and trees everywhere. An ATV even went along the trail as we were there doing some trimming of the trail itself.

It was a tough day figuring out what to wear. Jackets and sweaters went on and off all day. On the trail in the sun it was hot, in the shade cool and out on the rocks in the wind it was cold.

As soon as the trail got down to the shore there was a spot to do some rock scrambling.

As I was taking a picture of this slot

I noticed something crawling around under than big boulder in the foreground. An otter having his meal.

We startled each other and it quickly took off.

If there is a high spot then up I must go.

And a photosphere.

Wild Pacific Photosphere 1

A columbine from all angles.

Another exit onto the rocks.

On to The Deck.

Lots of long distance big splashes.

Without all the big waves, the shoreline reminded me of Northern Ontario.

We love all the raised platforms to make sure you get a view.

They had to prop this tree up.

They called this one The Crows Nest.

Sometimes it seems that there were viewpoints every few feet. Below, I circled Jennie at the next one.

Once more on to the rocks.

We found a nice, not too rough, spot to sit down for lunch.

Another photosphere from around here.

Wild Pacific Trail Lunch Photosphere

After a lot more staring we moved on.

A lot of work went into this viewpoint. It even had a bridge to get to it.

After we turned around we didn’t stop at a lot of viewpoints on the way back.

Lots of interesting guard rails.

If you are in the area, this trail is a “must do” activity.

We had been told about another “must do” so we went and had the fish tacos at the TacoFino food truck. It was actually hard to find. There is no sign on the highway and it is buried way back at the end of a parking lot used for a lot of other businesses. We almost turned around thinking that the address must be wrong.

We got there at about 4:30 and thought that we would be early for the dinner crowd but it was packed. We had to wait about 20 minutes to get our order.

Tonight I climbed up behind the RV for some more sunset shots, looking towards the mountains in the interior of the island.