West Coast Trail in 6 days You've Got Options

29 Realistic Options for Hiking the WCT in 6 days There are many ways to hike the West Coast Trail, bringing with it many decisions that require attention, however, to get started one only needs to consider a couple things. First, how long do I want to take and from which end do I start? Once these decisions are made, one must figure out, how long they want to hike each day and at which campsites to stay? For example, I have decided that I want to give the trail 6 days to complete, and that I will hike North to South (Pachena Bay to Gordon River).  Now before I bother getting into what I want to pack and how I'm going to get there and so on, I like to figure out my best route on accomplishing these first few decisions because they will help with all my other planning (the dirty details, if you will). There are a lot of different camp sites one can choose from but not all are viable options for hiking in six days. Distance between sites and challenge levels of trail between these sites weigh heavily on how it's approached.  I must interject here, there is no easy way to hike this trail, it's very challenging especially on the south end, where 4 kms can take up to 4 hours to hike. I'm an experienced hiker and have hiked this trail a few times already, I know what I can do each day and still be able to enjoy my experience.  This year I am taking my kids and a couple pals that have never done the West Coast Trail, so this too weighs on my decision. Because of how my brain works, I have mapped out all of the reasonable options for hiking the trail north to south in 6 days. In my opinion, there are 29 realistic choices, some better than others. You will see my findings below. I have underlined the two options I found to be the best for me an my group. Hopefully some of you will find this helpful in planning your trip, happy trails.

Day 1

Destination

Day 2

Destination

Day 3

Destination

Day 4

Destination

Day 5

Destination

Day 6

Destination

Rating

Distance

4 Options

Distance

1 - 2 Options

Distance

2 -3 Options

Distance

1 - 2 Options

Distance

1 Option

Distance

1 Option

**

Pachena Bay

12 km

Michigan Crk km 12

13.1 km

Tsusiat Falls km 25.1

16.5 km

Cribs km 41.6

16.2 km

Culite km 57.8

12.2 km

Thrasher Cove km 70

6 km

Gordon River

*

Pachena Bay

12 km

Michigan Crk km 12

13.1 km

Tsusiat Falls km 25.1

16.5 km

Cribs km 41.6

20.6 km

Camper km 62.2

7.8 km

Thrasher Cove km 70

6 km

Gordon River

**

Pachena Bay

12 km

Michigan Crk km 12

13.1 km

Tsusiat Falls km 25.1

20.9 km

Carmanah Crk km 46

11.8 km

Culite km 57.8

12.2 km

Thrasher Cove km 70

6 km

Gordon River

**

Pachena Bay

12 km

Michigan Crk km 12

13.1 km

Tsusiat Falls km 25.1

20.9 km

Carmanah Crk km 46

16.2 km

Camper km 62.2

7.8 km

Thrasher Cove km 70

6 km

Gordon River

*

Pachena Bay

12 km

Michigan Crk km 12

13.1 km

Tsusiat Falls km 25.1

22.9 km

Bonilla km 48

14.2 km

Camper km 62.2

7.8 km

Thrasher Cove km 70

6 km

Gordon River

**

Pachena Bay

12 km

Michigan Crk km 12

18 km

Ditidaht LT km 30

11.6 km

Cribs km 41.6

16.2 km

Culite km 57.8

12.2 km

Thrasher Cove km 70

6 km

Gordon River

*

Pachena Bay

12 km

Michigan Crk km 12

18 km

Ditidaht LT km 30

11.6 km

Cribs km 41.6

20.6 km

Camper km 62.2

7.8 km

Thrasher Cove km 70

6 km

Gordon River

**

Pachena Bay

12 km

Michigan Crk km 12

18 km

Ditidaht LT km 30

16 km

Carmanah Crk km 46

11.8 km

Culite km 57.8

12.2 km

Thrasher Cove km 70

6 km

Gordon River

**

Pachena Bay

12 km

Michigan Crk km 12

18 km

Ditidaht LT km 30

16 km

Carmanah Crk km 46

16.2 km

Camper km 62.2

7.8 km

Thrasher Cove km 70

6 km

Gordon River

**

Pachena Bay

12 km

Michigan Crk km 12

18 km

Ditidaht LT km 30

18 km

Bonilla km 48

14.2 km

Camper km 62.2

7.8 km

Thrasher Cove km 70

6 km

Gordon River

**

Pachena Bay

13.7 km

Darling Rvr km 13.7

11.4 km

Tsusiat Falls km 25.1

16.4 km

Cribs km 41.6

16.2 km

Culite km 57.8

12.2 km

Thrasher Cove km 70

6 km

Gordon River

*

Pachena Bay

13.7 km

Darling Rvr km 13.7

11.4 km

Tsusiat Falls km 25.1

16.4 km

Cribs km 41.6

20.6 km

Camper km 62.2

7.8 km

Thrasher Cove km 70

6 km

Gordon River

**

Pachena Bay

13.7 km

Darling Rvr km 13.7

11.4 km

Tsusiat Falls km 25.1

20.9 km

Carmanah Crk km 46

11.8 km

Culite km 57.8

12.2 km

Thrasher Cove km 70

6 km

Gordon River

**

Pachena Bay

13.7 km

Darling Rvr km 13.7

11.4 km

Tsusiat Falls km 25.1

20.9 km

Carmanah Crk km 46

16.2 km

Camper km 62.2

7.8 km

Thrasher Cove km 70

6 km

Gordon River

**

Pachena Bay

13.7 km

Darling Rvr km 13.7

16.3 km

Ditidaht LT km 30

11.6 km

Cribs km 41.6

16.2 km

Culite km 57.8

12.2 km

Thrasher Cove km 70

6 km

Gordon River

*

Pachena Bay

13.7 km

Darling Rvr km 13.7

16.3 km

Ditidaht LT km 30

11.6 km

Cribs km 41.6

20.6 km

Camper km 62.2

7.8 km

Thrasher Cove km 70

6 km

Gordon River

***

Pachena Bay

13.7 km

Darling Rvr km 13.7

16.3 km

Ditidaht LT km 30

16 km

Carmanah Crk km 46

11.8 km

Culite km 57.8

12.2 km

Thrasher Cove km 70

6 km

Gordon River

**

Pachena Bay

13.7 km

Darling Rvr km 13.7

16.3 km

Ditidaht LT km 30

16 km

Carmanah Crk km 46

16.2 km

Camper km 62.2

7.8 km

Thrasher Cove km 70

6 km

Gordon River

****

Pachena Bay

13.7 km

Darling Rvr km 13.7

16.3 km

Ditidaht LT km 30

18 km

Bonilla km 48

14.2 km

Camper km 62.2

7.8 km

Thrasher Cove km 70

6 km

Gordon River

*

Pachena Bay

15 km

Orange Juice Crk km 15

15 km

Ditidaht LT km 30

11.6 km

Cribs km 41.6

16.2 km

Culite km 57.8

12.2 km

Thrasher Cove km 70

6 km

Gordon River

*

Pachena Bay

15 km

Orange Juice Crk km 15

15 km

Ditidaht LT km 30

11.6 km

Cribs km 41.6

20.6 km

Camper km 62.2

7.8 km

Thrasher Cove km 70

6 km

Gordon River

*

Pachena Bay

15 km

Orange Juice Crk km 15

15 km

Ditidaht LT km 30

16 km

Carmanah Crk km 46

11.8 km

Culite km 57.8

12.2 km

Thrasher Cove km 70

6 km

Gordon River

**

Pachena Bay

15 km

Orange Juice Crk km 15

15 km

Ditidaht LT km 30

16 km

Carmanah Crk km 46

16.2 km

Camper km 62.2

7.8 km

Thrasher Cove km 70

6 km

Gordon River

***

Pachena Bay

15 km

Orange Juice Crk km 15

15 km

Ditidaht LT km 30

18 km

Bonilla km 48

14.2 km

Camper km 62.2

7.8 km

Thrasher Cove km 70

6 km

Gordon River

*

Pachena Bay

16.6 km

Tsocowis Crk km 16.6

13.4 km

Ditidaht LT km 30

11.6 km

Cribs km 41.6

16.2 km

Culite km 57.8

12.2 km

Thrasher Cove km 70

6 km

Gordon River

*

Pachena Bay

16.6 km

Tsocowis Crk km 16.6

13.4 km

Ditidaht LT km 30

11.6 km

Cribs km 41.6

20.6 km

Camper km 62.2

7.8 km

Thrasher Cove km 70

6 km

Gordon River

**

Pachena Bay

16.6 km

Tsocowis Crk km 16.6

13.4 km

Ditidaht LT km 30

16 km

Carmanah Crk km 46

11.8 km

Culite km 57.8

12.2 km

Thrasher Cove km 70

6 km

Gordon River

**

Pachena Bay

16.6 km

Tsocowis Crk km 16.6

13.4 km

Ditidaht LT km 30

16 km

Carmanah Crk km 46

16.2 km

Camper km 62.2

7.8 km

Thrasher Cove km 70

6 km

Gordon River

****

Pachena Bay

16.6 km

Tsocowis Crk km 16.6

13.4 km

Ditidaht LT km 30

18 km

Bonilla km 48

14.2 km

Camper km 62.2

7.8 km

Thrasher Cove km 70

6 km

Gordon River

Preferred Campsites

Tsocowis Crk km 16.6

Ditidaht LT km 30

Bonilla km 48

Camper km 62.2

Thrasher Cove km 70

or

Darling Rvr km 13.7

Tsusiat Falls km 25.1

Cribs km 41.6

Culite km 57.8

Thrasher Cove km 70

Michigan Crk km 12

Good

Mediocre

Excellent

Poor

Poor

Great Waterfall

Beautiful

Beautiful

Usually crowded

Usually over crowded

Crowded

Not a great beach

Not convenient

Convenient

Has an Outhouse

Has an Outhouse

Always Crowded

Has an Outhouse

Has an Outhouse

Darling Rvr km 13.7

Has an Outhouse

Excellent

Ditidaht LT km 30

Carmanah Crk km 46

Camper km 62.2

Beautiful w/ Waterfall

Luxury Tents

Excellent

Good

Has an Outhouse

Great views

Can be crowded

Orange Juice Crk km 15

Close to Chez Moniques

Convenient

Mediocre

Has an Outhouse

Has an Outhouse

No Outhouse

Bonilla km 48

Tsocowis Crk km 16.6

Excellent

Good

My favorite w/ Falls

Quite Has an Outhouse

Has an Outhouse

***Preferences are based on distance  and trail challenge to campsite as well as quality of site.

Whos Hungry - Part 11 Thai Peanut Noodles with Chicken & Veg

D.I.Y. Meals For The Trail

My eleventh and likely last meal trial, once again comes from one of Monica's 6 great recipes.

Monica's Recipe #6

Thai Peanut Noodles with Chicken & Vegetables

Key Stats

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION (per 3/4 cup serving). 211 calories, 11.2g fat, 715mg sodium, 247mg potassium, 16.4g carbs, 4.2g fiber, 1.3g sugars, 14.7g protein. Notable nutrients: calcium, vitamin C, iron

Total weight of dry ingredients in bag: 5.0 oz.

Ingredients

• 1 cup pasta broken in 2”pieces (use pasta that normally cooks on stovetop in 4 min. or less—thin egg noodles, angel hair pasta, or quick-cooking artisan pastas)*
• 1 teaspoon chia seeds or ground flaxseed (optional)
• ¼ cup freeze dried chopped chicken
• ¼ cup chopped roasted peanuts
• ¼ cup freeze dried mixed vegetables
• 1-1/2 teaspoons powdered chicken flavor base (or boullion granules)
• 2 tablespoons PB2 powdered peanut butter
• 1-1/2 teaspoons freeze dried cilantro (or ½ teaspoon dried cilantro)
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
• pinch of ground cayenne pepper (or more if you want it spicier)
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
• 1 cup water

*NOTE: If you're taking these instant meals on a hike, angel hair pasta isn't the best choice. It is so fine and "spiky" that the sharp pasta pieces may poke through the bag and make holes. Look for flat, fast-cooking artisan pastas instead.

**MY NOTE: I changed a couple things, instead of the noodles recommended I used a whole package of  Ichiban (Ramen) noodles because I new they would hydrate well.  Because of this change I increased the water added to 1.5 cups.  All of this increases the serving size so be sure your pot can handle it all before you try it on the trail.

At-home preparation

TO ASSEMBLE: Add all ingredients except the water to a quart freezer Ziploc bag. Seal bag and store until ready to use.  

Cooking instructions

TO COOK IN BAG: Bring water to a boil. With opened bag resting on plate or bowl, pour in boiling water. Seal bag and let soak for 9 minutes, turning bag upside down after 3-4 minutes to redistribute & mix ingredients. Open bag and eat directly from bag, if desired. Or, transfer to a bowl or mug for eating.

TO COOK IN MUG OR BOWL: Transfer dry ingredients to a microwave-safe mug or bowl; add water and microwave until water boils. Cover and let rest until ingredients have softened (4-5 minutes). Or, boil the water separately and pour it into the mug or bowl with the instant dry ingredients; stir, cover, and let rest for 9 or 10 minutes.

Gathered ingredients

Combined ingredients

Ready for the pot

Ready for water

Cooking

Ready

Served

My Rating

• 4 out of 5

What I liked:

• The taste was quite good, however, I think because I used a whole package of Ramen in place of the 1 cup of noodles suggested, the flavour may have been diluted.  I decided to use a package of Ichiban (Ramen) because I new the rehydrating would be quicker and easier, perhaps this is why the taste was only "quite good" instead of excellent.
• I really enjoyed the texture created by the peanuts and vegetables.
• The Ichiban noodles hydrated as expected and were perfect, at least for the trail.
• The PB2 powder was a great suggestion in place of using peanut butter that would normally need to be stored & squeezed out of a tube, saving mess, hassle and an extra container to be carried.

What I disliked:

• The taste was a lot more tame then I'm use to with Thai food, however I blame the amount of noodles I used. Perhaps for my taste only using a pinch of cayenne powder wasn't quite enough.

What my fellow tasters thought:

• Everyone enjoyed this meal but agreed with me that the taste was a little tame for Thai.

My thoughts and recommendations:

• This meal will definitely join my menu on the trail, however I think I tweak it a little.
• I will increase some of the flavour ingredients to match the amount noodles that come in a package of Ichiban.
• For my tastes I will increase the peanut powder a bit as well as the cayenne powder.
• One other thing I did differently because the amount of noodles used was increase the water to 1.5 cups which worked perfectly.
• Don't forget the 3/4 oz of olive oil to up the calories.
• By the way with all the success I v'e had using my pot in these tests, I'm done with cooking out of a freezer Ziploc bags.  If I don't leave it too long the dirty pot should be easy enough to clean with a little river water and my fingers.
• Happy Trails

Whos Hungry - Part 10 Curry Rice w/ Chicken & Cashews

D.I.Y. Meals For The Trail

My tenth meal trial comes from one of Monica's 6 great recipes.

Monica's Recipe #5

Curry Rice with Chicken & Cashews

Key Stats

Nutritional Information (per 1 cup serving): 378 calories, 10.9g fat, 377mg sodium, 386mg potassium, 58.2g carbs, 4.9g fiber, 1.2g sugars, 13.4g protein. Notable nutrients: vitamin C, calcium, iron.

Weight for full recipe in plastic bag: 6.0 oz.

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup instant brown rice
• 1 teaspoon chia seeds or ground flaxseed (optional)
• ¼ cup freeze dried chopped chicken
• ¼ cup chopped roasted cashews
• ¼ cup freeze dried mixed vegetables
• 1 tablespoon freeze dried onions (or 1 teaspoon dried onion flakes)
• 1-1/2 teaspoons powdered chicken flavor base (or boullion granules)
• 1-1/2 teaspoons curry powder
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
• 1-1/2 cups water

At-home preparation

TO ASSEMBLE: Add all ingredients except the water to a quart freezer Ziploc bag. Seal bag and store until ready to use.

Cooking instructions

TO COOK IN BAG: Bring water to a boil. With opened bag resting on plate or bowl, pour in boiling water. Seal bag and let soak for 9 minutes, turning bag upside down after 3-4 minutes to redistribute & mix ingredients. Open bag and eat directly from bag, if desired. Or, transfer to a bowl or mug for eating.

TO COOK IN MUG OR BOWL: Transfer dry ingredients to a microwave-safe mug or bowl; add water and microwave until water boils. Cover and let rest until ingredients have softened (4-5 minutes). Or, boil the water separately and pour it into the mug or bowl with the instant dry ingredients; stir, cover, and let rest for 9 or 10 minutes.

Gathered Ingredients

Combined Ingredients

Ready to add to pot

Added to cozied pot

Cooking

Ready

Dinner served

My Rating

• 5 out of 5

What I liked:

• Another winner. 
• This meal tastes great. 
• It has a great texture with the nuts. 
• It's very filling. 
• Easy prep. 
• Quick hydration. 

What I disliked:

• No complaints. 

What my fellow tasters thought:

• Everyone really enjoyed this meal. 

My thoughts and recommendations:

• I really liked the nuts but this meal will be great with out them for my sons.