Anyone hiked West Coast Trail?

[takethisbread]

They say it's phenomenal. I'd like to try it.

[lori]

The one with all the ladders? Naw, but I'm planning to do the Lost Coast Trail, which is also said to be phenomenal.

[takethisbread]

The one with all the ladders? Naw, but I'm planning to do the Lost Coast Trail, which is also said to be phenomenal.

That's another medium distance trail on my list.

[SweetAss03]

The book that describes it best is probably "Blisters and Bliss."

[maybe clem]

Never heard of it until now but I just added it to my list of to-do hikes. Thanks!

[Kermitt]

I was thinking of doing JMT. next year, but I would not mind doing others. Where is Lost Coat trail ? Or mybe any other trails out west. After the AT which was so alive.

[takethisbread]

The West Coast Trail is in Canada, on the Pacific Coast, it's supposed to be highly organized and stunningly
Maintained. Link (http://www.besthike.com/northamerica/canada_west_coast/west_coast_trail.html)

The Lost Coast is west of a section of the California scenic highway, that's supposed to some real great cliff and beach walks.

[lori]

I think you will find the coastal trails less challenging in some ways than the JMT - tho on Lost Coast you will still need a bear canister for half of it. But there are no 13k passes, no resupplies necessary, and lots of rain if you go too late in fall. And you need to watch tide tables to time the Lost Coast properly, if you are doing both the King Range and the Sinkyone Wilderness legs.

[maybe clem]

Anyone know what it's like in September?

[wilconow]

Here's a negative view of the West Coast Trail, with an alternative of the East Coast Trail

http://www.hikingcamping.com/blog/2009/09/east-coast-trail-newfoundland-vs-west-coast-trail-vancouver-island/

[lori]

Anyone know what it's like in September?

Which one?

That's prime time for the Lost Coast. Later and you will be hit with some of the 200 inches of rain they get every year. (You're likely to get some rain any time of the year, but hopefully not for the entire trip....)

[takethisbread]

Here's a negative view of the West Coast Trail, with an alternative of the East Coast Trail

http://www.hikingcamping.com/blog/2009/09/east-coast-trail-newfoundland-vs-west-coast-trail-vancouver-island/


Although the snobbery came out quite powerfully in the blog, it def made some salient points. The ECT looks inviting, if a little long for what im looking to do.

[MedicineMan]

Spent a couple of days on the Juan De Fuca Marine Trail...didn't have nor wanted to wait for permits to do any of the West Coast Trail. The Juan De Fuca was devoid of any other hikers when we were there.

[RyanCommons]

Hey Guys,
I thought you'd both appreciate these two blog entries with videos of the entire trails:
* Lost Coast Trail: http://livesalready.wordpress.com/2010/12/21/searching-for-adventure-on-the-lost-coast-trail/
* JMT: http://livesalready.wordpress.com/2010/10/15/john-muir-trail/
* Mt. Shasta: http://vimeo.com/12878599

Hope that helps answer your questions about the trails. I can answer most questions if you have any.

[FamilyGuy]

Yes I have....5 times. Fast packed in 2 days. Took my time in 6.5. Once in 4.5 days of constant, driving rain. Other times withouth a cloud in the sky. It is less of a trail than an eco challenge with approximately 100 evacuations per season (boat or helicopter) and the season is from May 1 to Sept 30.

One of the better sites is:

http://www.i-needtoknow.com/wct/

Any questions that you have, let them rip....

[FamilyGuy]

Oh - and having done the Lost Coast and JDF Trail, both of which are georgeous, they are really not comparable with respect to the hike being a challenge. A 260 rung ladder system attached to a shear cliff can sometimes do that to you.