Torrential rains have left some sections of the trail extremely muddy and slippery, with standing water and variable river levels.<\/p>\n
Parks Canada is recommending that hikers cancel or postpone their West Coast Trail trips until at least Saturday, as conditions in the area continue to be treacherous.<\/p>\n
Torrential rains that started in the area last Saturday afternoon have left some sections of the trail extremely muddy and slippery, with standing water and variable river levels, according to Pacific Rim National Park Reserve superintendent Dave Tovell.<\/p>\n
The conditions are slowing travel times for hikers, and may delay river crossings for hours or days as hikers wait for water levels to recede before it is safe to continue, Tovell said in a statement on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Rain is forecast to continue in the area over the next few days.<\/p>\n
Tovell said those intending to hike the trail must be experienced and ensure they are well-prepared and self-sufficient. That includes carrying supplies and rain gear that can withstand extended periods of wet, cold weather in demanding backcountry conditions.<\/p>\n
\u201cTrail conditions can change rapidly, and periods of heavy rainfall may temporarily cause rivers to become dangerous,\u201d Tovell said. \u201cHikers must be prepared to be flexible with their plans and, in some cases, wait several days for water levels to recede before it is safe to continue.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile First Nation Guardians, Parks Canada staff, and partner organizations are available to support visitors, hikers must be prepared to be self-sufficient and make decisions that prioritize their safety.\u201d<\/p>\n
Parks Canada first issued a warning about sections of the West Coast Trail on Monday, saying that heavy rainfall had made sections of the trail impassable.<\/p>\n
Since then, hikers in the area have reported crossing swollen creeks that were almost waist-high, wading through shin-deep water along trails and navigating a broken cable car that made evacuating the area difficult.<\/p>\n
Hikers Jeremy and Benjamin Currie said while hiking the trail through torrential rain on Sunday, they encountered a family just before the Bonilla Creek Campground that was trying to find a way up and around a swollen Bonilla Creek.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the kids slipped and hurt his wrist,\u201d Jeremy Currie said. \u201cThey weren\u2019t sure if it was broken, but they were going to call for rescue because he was not doing so good.\u201d<\/p>\n
Over the last few days, some hikers like the Curries managed to self-evacuate, which means they managed an unplanned exit on their own through Nitinaht Lake, where they were assisted by Nitinaht Wilderness Charter water taxis.<\/p>\n
Others had to be evacuated by Parks Canada and its First Nation Guardian partners. A small number of those hikers had experienced injuries from slips, falls or aggravation of pre-existing injuries, Tovell said, adding for most, the principal concern was hypothermia risk from exposure to cold, wet conditions.<\/p>\n
The evacuation of hikers is based on where they are along the trail, what condition they are in and what routes are available, according to Parks Canada. The majority of the evacuations so far have been by boat and a smaller number by helicopter.<\/p>\n
Some cases require emergency assistance, but hikers who choose to end their trips early and self-evacuate should not expect Parks Canada or the First Nation Guardians to provide a service, Tovell said in the statement.<\/p>\n
Those hikers are expected to find a West Coast Trail exit point, which may be returning to their starting point or exiting the trail via Nitinaht Lake.<\/p>\n
Trail conditions are being monitored by Parks Canada, and further updates will be provided as information becomes available, Tovell said.<\/p>\n