Western Canada Alaska – the wandering spot

September 25, 2024February 9, 2026

Western Canada and Alaska road trip 2024

We planned the road trip for quite sometime, but it was only this year that we were able to pull it off. The initial plan was very ambitious (we skipped some destinations shown in red on overview map) as there are so many places one would want to see across six provinces/teritories (ON, MB, SK, AB, BC, YT) and eight states (IL, WI, MN, WA, ID, MT, ND, AK). We were in Alaska 40 of the 103 days. We crossed US-Canada border 8 times. The interactive map shows places where we stayed O/N, more often in areas explored in-depth.

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Video clips

Interactive map

The plan was to drive between major destinations and camp in our car or tent most of the time (campgrounds and wild camping), stay in motels/hotels/cabins from time to time. Altogether we stayed in 76 different destinations. We drove 13000 miles with only several longer driving days (longest was 660 miles on return to Chicago from Fargo). We hiked/walked more than 300 km.

Completed itinerary

Day				Destinations		Overnight
1	Jun	14	Fri	Harstad Park, Eau Claire River	IL-WI	Harstad CG
2		15	Sat	Voyageurs NP	MN	Woodenfrog CG
3		16	Sun	Voyageurs NP	MN	RiverFront Hotel, International Falls
4		17	Mon	Voyageurs NP, Rainy Lake, Rushing River PP	ON	Rushing River CG
5		18	Tue	Kenora, Anicinabe Park	ON	Kenora Traveloge
6		19	Wed	Trans Canada Hwy, Portage Spillway PP	MB	Trans Canada Hwy wild camping
7		20	Thu	Echo Valley PP	SK	Echo Valley CG
8		21	Fri	Echo Valley PP, Trans Canada Hwy	SK-AB	Tel Star Motor Inn, Brooks
9		22	Sat	Dinosaur PP hiking, Little Fish PP	AB	Little Fish CG
10		23	Sun	Midland PP hiking, Royal Tyrrell Museum	AB	Two Jack Main CG
11		24	Mon	Banff NP: Minnewanka Lake, Cascade River, Banff	AB	Banff Tunnel Mtn Village I CG
12		25	Tue	Banff NP: Johnston Canyon, Ink Pots	AB	Lake Louise (hardsided) CG
13		26	Wed	Banff NP: Lake Louise, Lake Agnes & Little Beehive	AB	Lake Louise (softsided) CG
14		27	Thu	Yoho NP: Takakkaw Falls, Emarald Lake, Banff NP: Icefields Pkwy	BC-AB	Waterfowl Lakes CG
15		28	Fri	Icefields Pkwy, Banff NP: Peyto & Bow Lake, Bow Glacier Falls	AB	Waterfowl Lakes CG
16		29	Sat	Banff NP: Chephren & Cirque Lakes	AB	Waterfowl Lakes CG
17		30	Sun	Banff NP: Waterfowl Lakes, Mistaya River	AB	Waterfowl Lakes CG
18	Jul	1	Mon	Icefields Pkwy, Banff NP: Mistaya Canyon, Parker Ridge, Saskatchewan Glacier	AB	Wilcox CG
19		2	Tue	Icefields Pkwy, Jasper NP: Wilcox Pass trail, Athabasca Glacier	AB	Wilcox CG
20		3	Wed	Icefields Pkwy, Jasper NP: Sunwapta Falls, Athabasca River & Falls	AB	Jasper Becker’s Chalets
21		4	Thu	Jasper NP: Medicine, Maligne & Moose Lakes	AB	Jasper Becker’s Chalets
22		5	Fri	Jasper NP: Maligne Canyon trail, Mt Robson PP: Overlander Falls	AB-BC	Robson Meadows CG
23		6	Sat	Mt Robson PP: Kinney Lake, Valley of Thousand Falls	BC	Robson Meadows CG
24		7	Sun	Yellowhead Hwy: Rearguard Falls PP, Ancient Forest PP	BC	Yellowhead Hwy wild camping
25		8	Mon	Yellowhead Hwy: Vanderhoof, Hagwilget, Hazelton, Ksan Village, Kitwanga	BC	Kitwanga Municipal CG
26		9	Tue	Cassiar Hwy: Gitanyow Totems, Bear Glacier, Clements Lake, Stewart, Salmon Glacier	BC	Granduc Rd wild camping
27		10	Wed	Stewart-Cassiar Hwy: Salmon Glacier, Fish Creek, Hyder AK, Bear Glacier	AK-BC	Dease Lake Water’s Edge cabin
28		11	Thu	Cassiar Hwy: Boya Lake, Alaska Hwy	BC-YT	Alaska Hwy wild camping 1
29		12	Fri	Alaska Hwy: Teslin, Johnsons Crossing, Marsh Lake, Whitehorse	YT	Caribou RV PK
30		13	Sat	Whitehorse: Yukon River, Miles Canyon	YT	Kaleido Lodge Whitehorse
31		14	Sun	Klondike Hwy: Carmacks, Five Finger Rapids, Moose Creek	YT	Moose Creek CG
32		15	Mon	Klondike Hwy, Dawson City, Diamond Tooth Gerties	YT	Dawson City private room
33		16	Tue	Dawson City: Dredge No. 4, Bonanza Creek, Midnight Dome, Klondike & Yukon Rivers	YT	Dawson City private room
34		17	Wed	Yukon ferry, Top of the World Hwy, Taylor Hwy, Chicken AK, Pedro Dredge	YT-AK	Taylor Hwy wild camping
35		18	Thu	Alaska Hwy, Delta Junction, Richardson Hwy	AK	Chatanika Lodge
36		19	Fri	Fairbanks, Chatanika	AK	Chatanika Lodge
37		20	Sat	Fairbanks: Pioneer Park, Tanana River	AK	Chatanika Lodge
38		21	Sun	Chena River, Angel Rocks, Chena Hot Springs	AK	Granite Tors CG
39		22	Mon	Parks Hwy, Nenana, Denali NP	AK	Riley Creek CG
40		23	Tue	Denali NP: Savage Alpine Trail	AK	Riley Creek CG
41		24	Wed	Denali NP: East Fork Toklat River, Cathedral Mountain	AK	Riley Creek CG
42		25	Thu	Denali NP: Savage River, Horseshoe Lake, Nenana River	AK	Riley Creek CG
43		26	Fri	Parks Hwy, Talkeetna	AK	Talkeetna Cabin
44		27	Sat	Talkeetna, Parks Hwy, Hatcher Pass, Independence Mine	AK	Eklutna Lake CG
45		28	Sun	Chugach SP, Eklutna Lake	AK	Eklutna Lake CG
46		29	Mon	Eklutna, Anchorage, Ship Creek	AK	Anchorage Airbnb
47		30	Tue	Seward Hwy: Turnagain Arm, Mt Alyeska	AK	Granite Creek CG
48		31	Wed	Chugach NF: Carter and Crescent Lakes, Kenai Lake	AK	Primrose CG
49	Aug	1	Thu	Kenai Fjords NP: Exit Glacier, Harding Icefield	AK	Resurection River wild camping
50		2	Fri	Resurection River, Kenai Fjords NP: Exit Glacier, Seward	AK	Nauti Otter Inn Seward
51		3	Sat	Kenai Fjords NP: Northwestern Glacier	AK	Trail River CG
52		4	Sun	Ptarmigan Lake trail, Tern Lake, Kenai Lake	AK	Kenai Lake wild camping
53		5	Mon	Kenai River (Russian River Ferry)	AK	Cooper Creek CG
54		6	Tue	Russian River & Falls, Sterling & Seward Hwy	AK	Williwaw CG
55		7	Wed	Portage Lake, Whittier, Williwaw Creek, Portage Valley, Anchorage	AK	Anchorage Airbnb
56		8	Thu	Glenn Hwy, Chugach Mountains, Matanuska Glacier, Tazlina Glacier	AK	Lake Louise Rd wild camping
57		9	Fri	Richardson Hwy, Tonsina, Worthington Glacier, Thompson Pass	AK	Sheep Creek wild camping
58		10	Sat	Richardson Hwy, Valdez, Columbia Glacier	AK	Valdez Airport Mancamp Hotel
59		11	Sun	Valdez Glacier Lake, Duck Flats, Old Valdez, Richardson Hwy, Edgerton Hwy	AK	Gilpatricks Hotel Chitina
60		12	Mon	Chitina, Chitina & Copper Rivers, O’Brien Creek	AK	Gilpatricks Hotel Chitina
61		13	Tue	McCarthy Rd, Kennecott, Wrangell-St. Elias NP	AK	McCarthy CG
62		14	Wed	Wrangell-St. Elias NP: Root Glacier	AK	Root Glacier moraine backpacking
63		15	Thu	Wrangell-St. Elias NP: Root Glacier	AK	Root Glacier moraine backpacking
64		16	Fri	Wrangell-St. Elias NP: Kennicott & Root Glaciers, Erie Mine	AK	Root Glacier moraine backpacking
65		17	Sat	Wrangell-St. Elias NP: Root Glacier, Wrangell Mts, Gilahina Trestle	AK	Gilahina Trestle wild camping
66		18	Sun	Wrangell-St. Elias NP: Crystalline Hills, McCarthy Rd	AK	Snowshoe Haven Cabins Gakona
67		19	Mon	Wrangell-St. Elias NP: Nabesna Rd, Caribou Creek	AK	Kendesnii CG
68		20	Tue	Wrangell-St. Elias NP: Nabesna Rd, Skookum Volcano	AK	Kendesnii CG
69		21	Wed	Nabesna Rd, Tok Cutoff, Alaska Hwy	AK	Deadman Lake CG
70		22	Thu	Alaska Hwy	AK-YT	Haines Junction Airbnb
71		23	Fri	Kluane NP: King’s Throne	YT	Kathleen Lake CG
72		24	Sat	Kluane NP: Rock Glacier, St Elias Lake	YT	Kathleen Lake CG
73		25	Sun	Alaska Hwy, Klondike Hwy, Carcross Desert, Carcross, Bennett & Tagish Lakes	YT	Conrad CG
74		26	Mon	Klondike Hwy, Summit Lake, White Pass, Dyea, Skagway	YT-AK	Westmark Skagway Hotel
75		27	Tue	Skagway, Klondike Gold Rash, Yakutania Point	AK	Westmark Skagway Hotel
76		28	Wed	Klondike Hwy, Tutshi Lake, Alaska Hwy	YT	Alaska Hwy wild camping 2
77		29	Thu	Alaska Hwy, Watson Lake, Liard River Hot Springs	YT-BC	Toad River Community CG
78		30	Fri	Toad River, Alaska Hwy, Stone Mt PP, Summit Lake	BC	Andy Bailey CG
79		31	Sat	Alaska Hwy, Hudson’s Hope, Chetwynd, Pine Le Moray PP	BC	Heart Lake CG
80	Sep	1	Sun	John Hart Hwy, Bijoux Falls, Crooked River PP, Prince George	BC	Prince George Airbnb
81		2	Mon	Cariboo Hwy, Green Lake	BC	Green Lake Arrowhead CG
82		3	Tue	Cariboo Hwy, Chasm, Hwy 99, Marble Canyon PP, Fraser River	BC	Nairn Falls CG
83		4	Wed	Whistler: Blackcomb & Whistler Mt, Half Note Trail	BC	Whistler RV PK
84		5	Thu	Sea-to-Sky Hwy, Brandywine & Shannon Falls, Howe Sound, Porteau Cove, Horseshoe Bay to Langdale Ferry	BC	Porpoise Bay CG
85		6	Fri	Sunshine Coast, Porpoise Bay, Earls Cove to Saltery Bay Ferry, Eagle River Falls, Power River to Comox Ferry, Vancouver Island	BC	Seal Bay RV PK
86		7	Sat	Vancouver Island. Comox: Goose Spit, Seal Bay Park	BC	Seal Bay RV PK
87		8	Sun	Strachona PP: Karst Creek & Wild Ginger Trail, Buttle Lake	BC	Ralph River CG
88		9	Mon	Comox; Strachona PP: Lower & Upper Myra Falls, Lupin Falls	BC	Comox Airbnb
89		10	Tue	Strachona PP, Mt Washington: Paradise Meadows, Battleship, Lady & Croteau Lakes	BC	Comox Airbnb
90		11	Wed	Catherdla Grove (MacMillan PP), Ucluelet: Wild Pacific Trail	BC	Surf Junction CG
91		12	Thu	Pacific Rim NP: Rainforest Trails, Long & Wickaninnish & South Beaches, Florencia Bay	BC	Surf Junction CG
92		13	Fri	Pacific Rim & Island Hwy, Sproat Lake PP, Nanaimo-Vancouver Ferry	BC	Surrey Airbnb
93		14	Sat	Surrey, Hwy I-5 & 20	BC-WA	Newhalem Creek CG
94		15	Sun	North Cascades NP: Skagit River, Rock Shelter, Trail of the Cedars, Ladder Falls, Gorge dam	WA	Newhalem Creek CG
95		16	Mon	North Cascades NP: Gorge & Diablo Lakes, Thunder Knob, Ruby Arm	WA	Newhalem Creek CG
96		17	Tue	Okanogan NF: Lake Ann, Washington Pass	WA	Klipchuck CG
97		18	Wed	Driving: Hwy 20, 155, 2, I-90, Coulee Dam	WA-ID	Coeur d’Alene LaQuinta
98		19	Thu	Driving: I-90, Hwy 20, MacDonald Pass	ID-MT	Helena Baymont Hotel
99		20	Fri	Driving: Hwy 12 (89, 294) Helena to Forsyth, I-94, Medora	MT-ND	Sully Creek SP CG
100		21	Sat	T. Rosevelt NP, Wind Canyon, Buck Hill & Coal Vein	ND	Cottonwood CG
101		22	Sun	T. Rosevelt NP: Roosevelt Cabin, Petrified Forest South & North	ND	Cottonwood CG
102		23	Mon	T. Rosevelt NP: Skyline Vista, Painted Canyon trail; I-94 to Fargo	ND	Fargo Expressway Suites
103		24	Tue	Driving: I-94, I-90	MN-WI-IL	Chicago

We like our converted Subaru and it works well for two as transportation (normal, small car) and camper (even if minimalistic). Roof cargo box lowers fuel efficiency on highways, but streamlines daily packing and “day-night-day” switch. Subaru life took some practicing and adjustments.

We traveled 26800 miles during ☞ 6 long road trips, plus some shorter trips. We drove more often on unpaved not so good, bumpy and dusty roads which accelerated wear on mechanical systems. It all cought-up with us on this long trip. We had problems with breaks (fixed in Kenora) and tires (fixed in Fairbanks), and ran into first signs of worn suspension-bearings (diagnosed in Surrey, fixed in Chicago after the trip). Rotated tires in Bellingham. Luckily, we were able to fix unexpected car mechanical problems on the go, but wasted energy and precious time (~4 days).

Piotr spent quite a bit of time designing, building and testing our Subaru minimalistic camper which made the road trips possible.

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It was wide range of scenery and activities. Mountains, glaciers, lakes, rivers, fjords, temperate rain forest and old tree stands, sand dunes, badlands, Pacific coast. Dinosaurs. Wildlife watching (salmon, bears, orcas, whales…). Driving through areas destroyed by wildfires, some recently. Historical towns and sites from gold rush era. Changing views along highways. Changing weather. In retrospect, our schedule was very interesting travel-wise, but also very intense with little time to rest.

We managed only one short backcountry hike/camping from Kennecott to Root Glacier, disappointing as we were prepared for more. But we did many day-walks/hikes. Memorable several hours on Root Glacier, long day on Harding Icefield Trail and long, but relaxing hike to Kinney Lake and beyond. Two off-trail “wild” hikes: one on slopes of Cathedral Mountain in Denali NP and one exploring petrified forest in badlands of Theodore Roosevelt NP. Kayaking half of Eklutna Lake. Walking along rivers to watch salmon. Exploring gold rush history. Add sightseeing fly-over from McCarthy to Mt Blackburn in Wrangell-St Elias NP, and two ship cruises: from Seward to Northwestern Glacier and from Valdez to Columbia Glacier. Just to name some highlights.

Even with last minute daily planning, we did not have any problems, other than a couple of times, finding places to overnight. There were many campgrounds with good locations and layouts. Most had no running water, flush toilets or showers. We were sometimes surprised by dilapidated infrastructure and poor maintenance. Some automated fee collection stations were technologically top notch. We found very good old-fashioned campgrounds too. We stayed at established campgrounds most of the time (61 nights/42 destinations). Wild car-camping was fine (11 nights/11 destinations). Weather (rain), tight schedule, restocking and laundry, car repairs and long driving was a factor: renting a place to stay overnight was then the only viable/comfortable option (30 nights/23 destinations). Found many excellent and some interesting ones, not always expensive.

We experienced two travel health problems, but both resolved quickly.

Main expenses: gasoline $1980 ($2.80 to $6 per gallon), three ferries $200, rental overnight accommodations $3600 (average $120 per night), paid campgrounds $1060 (average $19 per night), tickets (airplane/ship excursions, mountain gondolas, museums etc.) $2120. Plus we camped 17 nights for free. Total $8970 = $88 per day. Spending on food and drinks was no more than at home. Car repairs and maintenance totaled $2180, but were not directly related to this trip other than by added mileage.

Highligts…

Kinney Lake, Mt Robson Provincial Park BC

Glimps of Harding Icefield, Kenai Fjords National Park AK

Walking on Root Glacier, Wrangell-St Elias National Park AK

Fly-over Wrangell-St Elias National Park AK

Western Red Cedar and Douglas Fir at Sthracthona Park, Vancouver Island BC

Pacific coast, Ucluelet Vancouver Island BC

Petrified forest, Theodore Roosevelt National Park ND

Western Canada and Alaska road trip 2024 (24 posts)

September 24, 2024February 9, 2026

Western Canada and Alaska day 100-103: Theodore Roosevelt National Park and return to Chicago

September 21-24

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Day 100.

We moved to Cottonwood Campground (South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt NP) in the morning (several good spots to choose from). We like NP campgrounds, well managed, good quality, almost never fail – and this one had good new bathrooms. We started up River Road and then continued on Scenic Loop Road as far as possible (the loop was closed at some point). Stops: bison herd, prairie dog city, Wind Canyon Trail, Boicourt Overlook, Buck Hill, Jones Creek, Coal Vein Trail. It was all day of lazy scrolling (mostly by car) and looking at badlands scenery. Very nice park, not crowded, lots of animals, vast views. A lot to photograph.

Clinker formed from rock baked by burning coal vein

Day 101.

Moved again in the morning a few spots down the campground loop. We checked, bisons were still there and so were prairie dogs. But we spent the day in Petrified Forest in wilderness area of the park, after visiting Theodore Roosevelt cabin. We did move very slowly, starting on the south leg of the loop and then crossing off-trail to the north leg (we did not have time to walk full loop). We like to wander across badlands, trail or not (Badlands NP, Ah-shi-sle-pah and Bisti Wilderness) and here landscape was littered with thousands of petrified tree stumps, a lot to explore. Piotr showed good skills finding short-cut exploring carefully terrain with binoculars: first finding the shortest way avoiding small obstacles and then looking for solitary bisons as we did not want to meet them in bushes. We had to cross what looked like trails to water hole. It worked well ( not really that difficult).

Prairie dogs

Petrified forest

We were quite relaxed the last two days, as our road trip was coming to an end. We could finally slow down in place we did not even know for sure we would visit. We were really surprised what we found. Pictures tell it all.

Day 102-103.

Only driving home was left. We stopped at Skyline Vista and walked Painted Canyon Trail. We stayed overnight at Fargo Expressway Suites, then I-94 and I-90 to Chicago.

September 20, 2024July 11, 2025

Western Canada and Alaska day 93-99: North Cascades National Park and heading East

September 14-20

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Day 93.

We started noticed humming noise coming from car suspension past few days, so we visited Canadian Tire in Surrey to have it inspected. They did good job taking us in on short notice. Diagnosis: be ready to spend $$$ on suspension/bearings – we got it all fixed in Chicago after the trip, but stopped at Costco in Bellingham and Burlington WA to rotate tires as recommended and then check torque.

Driving: Surrey- border crossing (Douglas/Blaine) – Hwy I-5 – Hwy 20 – Newhalem. We used car inspection waiting time to restock for camping in North Cascades National Park. Then back to US – Joanna studied cross-border rules and we passed customs quickly with no problems. Newhalem Creek Campground is very good with large shaded sites. When we arrived everything looked closed for the season, but one loop was actually open and we found a good spot. Nature trail led to Visitor Center. We stayed there 3 nights.

Day 94. We only touched the surface of the park watching it from scenic Highway 20 and from 2 short trails above tree line. Three hydroelectric dams (electricity for Seattle) created beautiful lakes. True exploration of North Cascades requires backcountry hiking, we had the gear, but were already too tired on this trip. Piotr was getting sick and rested, Joanna checked out Skagit River, Rock Shelter, Trail of the Cedars, Ladder Falls and Gorge Dam walking from campground.

Day 95.

Visited Gorge and Diablo Lakes, Ruby Arm by driving around and stopping from time to time. Lakes were beautiful shades of blue, turquoise and green on that sunny day. We hiked scenic 6 km Thunder Knob Trail with views of Diablo Lake.

Diablo Lake, view from Thunder Knob Trail

Day 96.

Last day in the west and we both didn’t feel well, but we still managed short 7 km hike to Lake Ann, stopped at Washington Pass Overlook and continued on Hwy 20 to Klipchuck Campground in Okanogan National Forest, as far as we could go that day. We arrived quite early and decided to rest as much as possible. We had good spots to choose from, campground was quiet, few people, sunny weather.

Day 97.

Driving: Hwy 20, 155 – Coulee Dam – Hwy 174, 2, I-90 – Coeur d’Alene. Stopping at scenic overlooks etc. Overnight at Coeur d’Alene LaQuinta.

Day 98.

Driving: Hwy I-90, 12 – MacDonald Pass (short walk near Continental Divide Trail) – Hwy 12 – Helena. Overnight at Helena Baymont Hotel.

Day 99.

Driving: Hwy 12 – Forsyth – Hwy I-94 – Medora. We arrived at Theodore Roosevelt National Park late and all campgrounds were already full, but we found a spot at nearby Sully Creek State Park Campground just for the night planning to move to Cottonwood National Park campground in the morning.

We traveled 1000 miles in 3 days spending most of the time on highways, section to Helena scenic and interesting, the rest rather boring. Our health improved quickly, resting comfortably two nights in good motels helped.

Columbia River just downstream from Coulee Dam

September 13, 2024July 11, 2025

Western Canada and Alaska day 87-92: Vancouver Island

September 8-13

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Day 87.

Slow rolling through towns/cottages along the coast from Seal Bay Campground to Campbell River. Slow, but relaxing and we could see how people live around here. And then inland along Upper Campbell and Buttle Lakes to Strathcona Provincial Park. Two short hikes: Karst Creek and Wild Ginger Trails. We settled at Ralph River Campground with plenty of time for cooking, camp fire and meandering walk on Buttle Lake shore until sunset. All very quiet, not too many visitors.

Day 88.

All day to explore Myra Creek area of Strathcona Provincial Park. We first drove to the end of Buttle Lake, crossed Thelwood Creek and visited (short trail) Lower Myra Falls: multiple small cascades over rock steps flowing down into the lake. We then continued to the end of public Western Mine Rd, parked there and hiked up to Upper Myra Falls on slightly longer trail. Cheered every big tree still standing along the way. On the way back, we stopped briefly at Lupin Falls and returned to Comox via faster Hwy 19. Piotr insisted we stayed in town near the repair shop rather than camping to deal with car repair as quickly in the morning as possible. Joanna found a nice, modern and well equipped apartment on Airbnb.

Day 89.

Tuesday started with visit to car glass shop. All went smoothly. Still had better part of the day to visit Forbidden Plateau/Mt Washington part of Strathcona Provincial Park. Walked very nice 13 km “lake” loop from Paradise Meadows: Battleship, Lady, Croteau and Helen Mackenzie Lakes. Back for the night to our Comox Airbnb.

Forbidden Plateu-Helen Mackenzie Lake Loop

Day 90.

We were heading west to Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. We could not resist and stopped at Cathedral Grove (old growth stands of Douglas Fir and other trees) to walk through another wet, green and mossy temperate rainforest (MacMillan Provincial Park). We decided to stay at quality Surf Junction Campground’s more remote Sunny’s Loop (very popular National Park campground was full). Community Building where we cooked meals (it rained at times) and showers are located in the loop. We arrived early and had several spots to choose from. We spent the rest of the day in Ucluelet on Wild Pacific Trail and beaches (Terrace and Big).

Day 91.

More rainforest in the morning (Trail B) and then ranger’s walk in beach tidal zone near Kwisitis Visitor Centre. Well spent hour. The rest of the day was for exploring various beaches: Long, Wickaninnish, Lismer, South, Florencia Bay. Returned to Surf Junction Campground.

We spent more time on the Island than we planned, but weather was good and we enjoyed change of scenery after spending time traveling across high mountains and glaciers, taiga and tundra. Now it was walking in temperate rain forests with old stands of Western Red Cedar and Douglas Fir many hundred years old, and visiting rocky shores and beaches on the Pacific coast. Ocean breeze, atmosphere changing quickly between sunny, cloudy, fogy and rainy (nothing extreme) – both ecosystems have mysterious, fairy tale look.

We spent good amount of time finding and photographing things on sand, rocks and in tidal pools. Piotr had nice conversation with another photographer doing the same.

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Day 92.

Last day in Canada and we definitely felt we were heading home now, almost 4000 km away. Pacific Rim, Alberini and Island Highways to Nanaimo with short stops at Kennedy Lake and Sproat Lake Petroglyphs, lunch at The Clam Bucket in Port Alberni (clam chowder and clams & mussels bucket with grilled baguettes – very good). Joanna tried to find whales from Nanaimo (Duke Point) to Vancouver (Tsawwassenn) Ferry, but weather turn rainy and visibility bad. When we arrived two hours later, it was already 8 pm – heavy rain and dark. Suddenly all drivers were in big hurry like there was a big city nearby. It took Piotr some patient and careful driving, and Joanna quick navigation decisions to get us to our Surrey Airbnb.