45. DEAKIN & BEAUSCHESNE TRAIL

Taking its name from the pioneer families who homesteaded here, this generally pleasant route through moss-hung second-growth forest becomes a prime destination during the pink fawn-lily bloom in the latter part of April.

LOCATION

From the tourist information office at the entrance to Port Renfrew, drive along Deering Road, crossing a small bridge, and, after 1.4 km, turn right at a fork and go another 1.4 km until you reach Deering Bridge. Once across the bridge, turn left onto Gordon River Main (unevenly paved). Just over 6.5 km from Port Renfrew and about 1.5 km past the sign for the marina, look for a wide gravel track dropping down from the shoulder of the road. Visible from the road but several metres away is a sign on a tree saying “Trail.”

DISTANCE

1.5-km return

ELEVATION GAIN

Negligible

DIFFICULTY

Level, smooth roadbed.

SEASON

All season, but the wet season produces some large puddles. These can be skirted with a little effort. Mid- to late April transforms a pleasant outing into a magical experience with a carpet of pink fawn lilies beside the fast-flowing river.

The beginning of the trail.

OF SPECIAL INTEREST FOR CHILDREN

This is one of the only trails in the area where small children can pump furiously along on their bikes while parents stroll. The riverbank is a little bouldery but still makes a good spot for getting up to no good in the water.

1.Descend the broad gravel track. Instead of going straight ahead onto a gravel bar, turn sharply right past a sign prohibiting motor vehicles and up a small embankment to the grassy track marked with a Trail sign. Notice strips of flagging tape, though they are not necessary along the obvious trail and, at this writing – be warned – farther along lead into thickets of bush (though a route through may be cleared to the old homesites when you visit).

2.Enter the woods over a carpet of false lily-of-the-valley with their heart-shaped leaves. You soon see a broad, dirt track merging from your left. Join this old roadbed. Walk straight ahead between hedges of salmonberry and beneath the strange forest of nearly identical, moss-heavy fir.

FROM LEFT The Gordon River from the end of the trail; thick with moss.

3.When you come to a broad track merging from the left, turn sharply left. Within a few minutes, emerge from the forest and, in season, find yourself in a sea of pink fawn lilies. The short drop to the broad riverbank of the Gordon River is easy and worth making, even if you do nothing more than stroll to the edge of the river for the views up- and downstream.

4.Return to the first junction and turn right to retrace your route back to the beginning. If, however, you wish to extend your walk a little, instead of turning right go straight ahead onto the pleasant track heading upstream. Access to the river along this section, however, is not good and even while strolling ahead you soon find yourself climbing around and over clusters of deadfall. When you’ve had enough, swivel in your tracks and head back to the starting point.