| Pacific Rim National Park Reserve is the home of | | | | phone coverage from many of the beaches. |
| the West Coast Trail. The hiking terrain on this | | | | Hikers can enjoy some of the most majestic |
| trail moves over sandy beaches, rocky headlands, | | | | trees in Canada, and call friends and family to tell |
| wide sandstone ledges, and boardwalk passing | | | | about them. One of the most striking things about |
| through salal covered wetlands. Caves, arches, | | | | the trail now is the convergence of this wilderness |
| tidal pools, waterfalls, and lighthouses are some of | | | | past with modern expectations and technology. |
| the sights along the trail that will be seen along | | | | The Carmanah Light Station, near Carmanah |
| the hike. The trail was originally a pathway for a | | | | Creek, is neighbors with Chez Monique's beach |
| telegraph wire connecting Bamfield and Port | | | | stop for travelers. The tradition of staffed light |
| Renfrew. It was turned into a more passable trail | | | | stations in remote areas is giving way to |
| for the rescue of shipwrecked mariners that | | | | automation, but this lighthouse is managing to hold |
| escaped disaster along the rocky shores of | | | | back that trend to remain staffed. The |
| Vancouver Island. This trail has become a major | | | | lightkeepers depend on modern Coast Guard |
| international destination for hiking enthusiasts, | | | | equipment to live. Helicopters are regular visitors, |
| evolving into a well-managed, relatively safe hike. | | | | dropping off people and equipment to the light |
| The traffic through the area gives hikers ready | | | | station. At Chez Monique's, a First Nation family |
| access to communication up and down the trail. | | | | has set up a home and business on reserve land |
| Even though the trail is dominated by temperate | | | | there on the trail. This rustic haven brings burgers, |
| coastal rain forest containing lots of old growth | | | | beer, soft drinks, and candy to hikers missing |
| spruce, hemlock and cedar, there is also cell | | | | these heavy luxuries. |