Sunshine Coast Trail - Part Two

Section 2 (29.9 km) (From Malaspina Road to Powell Lake)

3)Thunder Ridge Trail:
(3.9 km) from Malaspina Road (21.3 km) to Plummer Creek Road (25.2 km)

Difficulty: Moderate (2-3)
Elevations: 10m to 140m Highlites:

1) Fern Creek (22.2 km): undeveloped water supply, rough campsite area with picnic table and firepit, several big old growth trees,
2) ”Big Gnarly” (24.8 km); old growth fir @ 7-8 ft diameter. If starting at Wednesday Lake, it is recommended that you camp either at Fern Creek or at Plummer Creek (26 km). Plummer Creek is, as of summer 1998, undeveloped.

The hike from Wednesday Lake is a demanding 9+ km.* No sanitary facilities yet.

4) Toquenatch Trail:
[3.6 km] from Plummer Creek Road (25.2 km) to Southview Road (28.8 km)
Difficulty: Easy (1)
Elevations: 5m to 30m Highlites:
Highlites:

1. Coastal rainforest vegetation, (25-28+ km)
2. Salmon creek (25-27 km)
3. Toquenach bridge & falls
4. Giant fir tree (28.5 km)

*Caution: In summer, beware of wasps at ground level along trail. There are some potential camping spots (undeveloped) along the creek within the 1st 1+km of this trail. * There is a problem of changeover to the next trail (Marathon): Be sure to turn LEFT on Southview Road, and walk 100m (over a bridge), to the road turning right off Southview.

There should be a sign for the HOMESTEAD CAMPSITE. Take this road toward the campsite. Turn LEFT 20m past the junction into a small opening. There, the trail begins a short uphill section before leveling out.

The Homestead Campsite has fair facilities with two tables and an outhouse. There is a water supply at a small creek just before you reach the campsite. The campsite does not afford privacy as a spur road from Southview road passes close by. The road is unused ; but I uneasy, a campsite could be found in the trees to the west of the open area.

5) Marathon Trail:
(6.7 km) from Southview Road (28.8 km) to Appleton Creek (35.5km)
Difficulty: (2-3)
Elevations: 30m - 150m
Highlites:

1. Views from Gibraltar & Gentle David (31.6 km), Nice picnic spots with tables
2. Reiveleys Pond (33.5 km) : swimming and picnic spot; wildlife viewing (birds) ; outhouses,
3. Appleton Creek (35.5 km) ; water supply, tables & outhouses ; potential campsite, handmade bridge from native materials. * Recent logging activity has obscured the trail location somewhat; after you leave the view bluffs. There is new flagging and metal markers to follow through a recent logging block.

After 100m, you should cross a new logging road; after another 100m past this road, you re-enter the forest. * To find Appleton Canyon Trail, be sure to turn RIGHT, 60 m past the picnic area onto the Appleton Canyon Trail. The trail to the left goes out to upper Wilde Road, and to an outhouse 200+m up the trail.

6) Appleton Canyon Trail:
(2.2 km) form Appleton Creek (35.5 km) to Wilde Road (37.7 km)
Difficulty: (1-2)
Elevations: 120m - 70m
Highlites:

1. Waterfalls (36 - 37km),
2. Several possible campsites along creek (undeveloped) *No sanitary facilities yet. *To changeover to Sliammon Lakes Trail, turn RIGHT at Wilde Road and find the trailhead 40m downhill and across the road.

7) Sliammon Lakes Trail:
(7.9 km) from Wilde Road (37.7 km) to Sutherland Street in Wildwood (45.6 km)
Difficulty: (2-3)
Elevations: 70m - 180m
Highlites:

1. Scattered Old Growth @ 38+km.
2. Upper Sliammon Lake/Theth Yeth (38.8 - 39.2km); views, birdlife.
3. Kayach Bluffs (39.2 km)
4. Kokanee Campsite on Sliammon Lake (40.0 km) Fresh water, swimming, rough outhouse
5. Cadet Campsite/Picnic area (off main trail @ 40.9 km), outhouse @ 41.2km.
6. Dogleg Pond (41.5 - 41.9 km); wildlife viewing (birds),
7. Little Sliammon Lake (42.5 - 43.4 km);swimming, picnic area, fishing, small potential campsite areas. * Changeover to Scout Mountain Trail is tricky. At about 44.9 km, the trail turns left onto an old logging roadbed. In about 700m, this road comes into a clearing/turnaround.

The road to the right takes you to Sutherland Street, in Wildwood. The road to the left is the beginning of the Scout Trail. It branches to the right after 100m (follow the orange square markers) and ends some 800m uphill, where the trail, proper, begins. Stay on this main branch and ignore all side spurs (one @ 600m to the right and one @ 750m to the left).

Introduction | Part One | Part Two | Part Three