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Welcome to Egmont
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Backeddy Marina
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Kayaks at West's Resort
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Author at West's Resort
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Sun sets on West's Marina
Story & Photos by Barb Rees
On impulse have you ever chosen a road less traveled instead of taking the route you’d planned on? RVers can have the best times, and find the most interesting places when they spontaneously change plans. It happened to us while coming home from the lower Mainland to Powell River. Instead of heading straight to the ferry at Earl’s Cove like normal we made one of our ‘corporate decisions’ and said, “Let’s not go home tonight. We’ve heard about West’s Resort and RV Camping and we’ve never been.”
Turning at the corner to Egmont and home of world famous Skookumchuk Narrows was the best treat we’ve given ourselves in a while. Egmont is only 6 km. from the ferry. On the way we passed North Lake. If we’d gone up North Lake Rd. we could have camped at Klein Lake Forestry Site. The Suncoaster Trail for hikers who want to do the whole 80 km trail starts after Langdale Ferry and comes out at the Egmont end past Klein Lake then on to Egmont Rd and the highway. www.sunshine-coast-trails.com/suncoaster-trail. A marathon hiker could then take the Earl’s Cove ferry to Saltery Bay then walkup the 180 km Sunshine Coast Trail, the longest hut to hut hiking trail in Canada. With seven free huts to stop over in, it comes out at Sarah Point north of Powell River. www.sunshinecoast-trail.com But I digress. Let’s get you to West’s Resort.
On the way is Skookumchuk Narrows Provincial Park, the parking lot and trail head. Stop at Green Rosette Bakery for one of their famous blackberry cinnamon buns for sustenance on the trail. They’re open daily 9-4 July-Aug. The park attracts people from around the world coming to see the Sechelt Rapids, the fastest and largest salt-water rapids in North America. The 127 hectare park is day use only with trails and viewing areas. We took the 4 km/2.5 mi trail a few years ago to watch extreme kayakers play in waves sometimes 5 m/16 ft high. For good reason Skookumchuk was a Chinook word meaning “turbulent water or rapid torrent.” There can be a difference from one side of the rapids to the other side of more than 2 m/6.5 ft with rapids exceeding 25km/hr. If you want to see big waves come on a flood tide. For big whirlpools come at ebb tide. Come in the winter for really high tides producing even more spectacular results. Check out the best tides for maximum thrill at http://secheltvisitorcentre.com/pdf-files/skookumchuktides.
Once we arrived at Egmont we followed the road another 3 km. to West’s. As we dropped down the hill to West’s Resort and RV Camping, an unpretentious campground with a million dollar ocean view our jaws dropped. How did we not know about this? We were met with a friendly kayaker from Oregon who had a dream to kayak though he’d never done it. He quit his job, sold everything, bought a kayak and started north from Vancouver. About a month ago he landed here and has been trading work for his campsite. There’s nothing like following your dreams for opening up opportunities. We learned his story before we even met Heather West, co-owner with her brother Graeme. This isn’t a manicured site with all the fixings of a citified park but we prefer campgrounds with more character and less formality. Of the 18 sites, 10 are on the waterfront. They can accommodate up to 40 ft units and are open from Easter to mid-October. We chose a waterfront site, stopped the unit, plugged in and breathed a sigh of relief. Rushing past our doorstep was the Sechelt Inlet with mountains rising up from it. Simple landscaping with boom chain draped over a piece of driftwood out of which parsley and geraniums grew. Boats trolled past, birds sang, and serenity reigned supreme. I was glad to be out of cell range, giving me a much-needed excuse to disconnect from the world to reconnect with myself and my husband Dave. They do offer WIFI by the communal fire pit but I wasn’t interested. Amenities include free showers, power, central water tap, and a little marina. There isn’t a dump station onsite. The closest one is at Pender Harbor at Kleindale across from the Petro Can but there is a fee. There is a free dump station in Gibsons at the Shell station.
Kayaks were pulled up on the beach as a couple tenting behind them sat quietly watching the water. The bay is protected good for swimming. This has been a family run business since Heather and Graeme’s father, a commercial fisherman, bought the property in the 40’s. About 1963 someone asked to launch their boat from here, and another person asked to put up a tent. The rest is history. When Heather and Graeme inherited the property they brought the campground back to life. This has got to be the best kept secret on the Sunshine Coast. Well, now you know. It’s not a secret anymore.
As the evening sun painted gold across calm seas and a tied up seiner, the air cooled to a refreshing temperature This would be a beautiful place to get in touch with nature and your inner spirit. I woke next morning to glassy waters, robin’s songs and the quiet ‘putting’ of a yacht passing by.
There is much to see in the area which includes a stop at the Backeddy Pub in Egmont for one of their 16 oz. Skookumchuk burgers or his baby brother among other delectable treats. The Backeddy Resort and Marina includes store, liquor store, cabins, rooms and seven campsites on the waterfront. www.backeddy.ca The resort is open year-round. A Hotham Sound tour could include Hotham Falls, God’s Hands (a beach) and Harmony Island Marine Park. Sunshine Coast Tours takes in Princess Louisa Inlet and Chatterbox Falls. Make reservations at www.sunshinecoasttours.ca Egmont has the smallest post office in BC. Elk Valley Gift Shop named for the herd of elk who hang out there offers local crafts. This may be a small area but what it offers is ‘Skookum’.