Comments on: Cape Scott Trail Guide: Hiking and Camping on Northern Vancouver Island

By: Mike Trumper

Mike Trumper — Sat, 17 May 2025 23:00:23 +0000

Just stumbled across your site. Hiked Cape Scott trail in 1976 with my parents and another family. Still one of the highlights of my life. Unbelievable wild life, especially around the lighthouse. Weather was challenging, with 2 out of 5 days torrential west coast rain. Trail looks to be in much better shape and more heavily travelled now.

By: Taryn Eyton

Taryn Eyton — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 23:01:01 +0000

In reply to Susan.

If you go on a weekend you’ll likely see a few people but it will be pretty quiet. The trail will likely be very muddy and perhaps expect some trees down on the trail. Watch the weather forecast carefully before you go – if the forecast is bad it’s miserable out there and in high winds, it can be a bit dangerous.

By: Susan

Susan — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 16:16:36 +0000

Thoughts about camping solo in April?

By: Taryn Eyton

Taryn Eyton — Mon, 16 May 2022 15:25:12 +0000

In reply to Allie. If you are just hiking to Cape Scott, it is an out-and-back trail. So you can drive to the parking lot, then hike back to your car at the end. However, if you want, you can park in Port Hardy, then take the shuttle bus to and from the trailhead. That way you don't have to do a lot of logging road driving.

By: Allie

Allie — Sun, 15 May 2022 16:37:13 +0000

Hi Taryn,

Thank you so much for this! I am planning to do this in August with some friends and your blog has helped me prepare immensely. Quick question for you, when your finished the hike how do you get back to your car in the parking lot? I am wondering if you had the shuttle pick you up to go back up to the parking lot? Thank you!!

By: Taryn Eyton

Taryn Eyton — Sun, 30 Jan 2022 17:26:59 +0000

In reply to Julie.

Every time we’ve parked at the trailhead we haven’t had any problems with theft. (Although one year a bear had torn off someone’s rear quarter panel to access dog food they had stored in their trunk.) However, I’ve also heard that the trailhead experiences problems with break ins from time to time. I don’t know about parking at the nearby campgrounds – they are staffed somewhat sporadically so you could drive up there and ask in person on the day you arrive, but otherwsie it’s pretty much impossible to get in touch with the campground host. If you’re really concerned, the best thing to do would be to take the shuttle bus from Port Hardy. The shuttle has a parking area for your car.

By: Julie

Julie — Sun, 30 Jan 2022 06:05:02 +0000

Hi! Great info 🙂 It seems we share taste in our gear! I’m hoping to do this trail in the summer and wondering about parking at the trailhead and if you have any suggestions? I’ve read a few things about catalytic converters being swiped on cars there and curious if you have any tips about where to park or what your experience has been. Someone mentioned paying to keep your car at one of the campgrounds there.
Cheers!

By: Taryn Eyton

Taryn Eyton — Tue, 10 Aug 2021 15:53:29 +0000

In reply to Lee. I think that you will probably be plenty warm with a 5C sleeping bag at those temperatures as long as you have a good sleeping pad that provides some insulation (R value of at least 3). If you tend to sleep cold, you might be chilly.

By: Lee

Lee — Sun, 08 Aug 2021 04:51:57 +0000

Hi Taryn,
I appreciate all your blogs. Your information is so well laid out and interesting! I’m heading out to Cape Scott in 2 days. I looked at the weather forecast and the highs will be 17 and lows 14. Would you say a comfort level 5 degrees sleeping bag sufficient? Also are there 2 food caches at Nels Bight?

By: Taryn Eyton

Taryn Eyton — Wed, 16 Jun 2021 23:09:59 +0000

In reply to Lorrein Gurr. Hi Lorrein, Yes, you should always filter or treat the water as it is slow moving as could have bacteria and parasites in it. See the "Water Sources at Cape Scott" section of this post for more info.