8. Recommended Routes
Beano Creek to Maquinna Point

Beano Creek

Beano is a tidal river that can be difficult to cross. At low tide, in good conditions, it’s an easy wade. But if you arrive at the wrong time, it can be waist deep & scary. On the other hand, if the sun comes out, you may have a great swimming pool protected by a natural sand dam. In good weather you want to camp on the beach.

Photo of Beano Beach by Peter Gumplinger

Beano has a private 2-story cabin on the north side which sometimes has space for hikers sheltering from the rain.

Beano Creek may be salty at the source. Follow the creek back to find fresher water in smaller tributaries. There’s been extensive logging here so be sure to filter or boil.

Walk inland a few minutes to see the unbelievable devastation of clear cut forest close-up.

There are at least 4 tree houses (a cabin built literally around a giant tree trunk) near Beano Creek — and a sauna.

Surfers like to hang out at Beano & you could rent accommodation there too. For details, check the Tatchu Adventures site.

About an hour south of Beano you start into the Nootka proper — the lengthy & difficult headlands section. It is challenging & fun to search out the best route. Here you should send your strongest hikers ahead (sometimes without packs) to see when & where you can stay close to the sea. Sometimes you can make short scrambles over headlands. More often you will be forced up into the dense foliage of the rain forest.

Callicum Creek can be scary to cross if the water is high. We waded & scrambled up the river trying to find an easier crossing. No luck. Taking every precaution we crossed successfully but a woman in another group fell in with her pack.
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Wilderness camping

Look carefully for a good wilderness campsite somewhere along the 5-6 km stretch of near continuous headlands approaching Maquinna Point. Side trip to pocket beaches to locate one of a number of sea caves — especially if it is raining.

Some caves have enough space for 4 tents or more while others require you put the tent up in the rain & merely cook / camp fire at the cave mouth.

Cave camping is one of the unique highlights of the Nootka. You’d be very lucky to get a cave like this on the West Coast Trail.

There’s one small forest site we heard referred to as mussel beach for all the mussel shells there. It isn’t great but hikers were able to squeeze 2 small tents between the trees.

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