Smuggler's Cove Hike

My trusty companion, Toby

Smuggler's Cove: Tuesday June 8th   by Emily Walton

The sun was glimmering down on the sleepy town of Sechelt as Toby, my trusty and slobbery Yellow Lab/Great Dane cross, and I barreled through in search of the notorious Smuggler's Cove.  We drove fifteen minutes west through elegant seaside homes and gothic coastal forests.

Noticing the signage for Smuggler's Cove I moved into the left hand lane and prepared to turn onto the narrow winding road.  Thick coastal foliage breathes down on the road and Toby's anticipation grows as he sticks his head out the window and his jowls blow in the wind.  After five minutes on the road we turn left and park.  I scope out the outhouse and Toby sniffs the mossy ground. I notice the “Dogs must be Leashed” sign on the information board and put Toby on his leash, much to his chagrin.

We make our way through the fallen log archway and into the dense bush.  As the tranquil trilling of the birds' echoes through the marsh, I think about the Cove's sordid past.  Chinese immigrants were smuggled by William Kelly from Vancouver to the US after the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway, for one dollar and they hid in the Cove to escape arrest.  

As I strolled along the intermittent path and wooden boardwalk towards the Cove I indulged my fantasies and imagined pirates' remains lurking beneath the shallow still water.  A duck quacks, breaking through my reverie. I watch as the mother mallard and her duckling paddle peacefully through the lily-padded water.  

As we reach the ocean I notice that there are more outhouses available.  We head out to the route around the peninsula. I peer at the Cove, filled with small islands that block the Cove from view from the Pacific Ocean. I remember the stories about the Cove being used to hide alcohol during the Prohibition en route from stills on Texada Island to the US.  

I can see the snowcapped peaks in the distance, the stealthy crabs scuttle across the rock and sluggish starfish cling in the shallow water.  The silky gnarled arbutus trees crook and crave toward the sun along the rocky shore. I am thankful I am wearing my sturdy hiking boots as I navigate the rocky and rooty trail.

Give yourself two hours to do the hike.  It is the type of walk you want to savour.  Bring a packsack, a camera, water and a snack. Enjoy the Adventure!  

I think that a sunny morning would be the best time to do this hike.  OH, and bring poop bags if you have a dog... there aren't any provided at the trail head. (I learned that the hard way)
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by Emily Walton

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