For many hikers, the West Coast Trail is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. So when Parks Canada urged people to postpone their hikes after days of heavy rain left rivers surging, trails flooded and rescue crews responding to a growing number of evacuation requests, some travellers faced a difficult choice: walk away from months or even years of planning, or head into the backcountry knowing they may have to turn around. For Blake Emerson, turning back isn’t Plan A. “It’s a destination trip for us,” said Emerson, who travelled from Oklahoma for the iconic trek. “We pick a trail somewhere in North America every two years, and we picked this place.” Emerson said he understands the warnings and wants to see conditions for himself before deciding whether to continue. “We’ve heard all of that,” he said. “We just want to go down there and check it out for ourselves and see whether or not we can do the trip.” Days of heavy rain have transformed the 75-kilometre backcountry route through Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, sending creeks and rivers running dangerously high and leaving some sections of the trail impassable. “If we get to a water crossing and the water is just too deep, then we just won’t cross,” Emerson said. “That’s just the bottom line.” Parks Canada says its visitor safety team has responded to a significant number of evacuation requests in recent days, with more rain expected through Wednesday. Officials are urging hikers with reservations before Thursday to consider delaying their trips. Those who choose to continue are being told they need to be fully self-sufficient, prepared to spend several extra days on the trail if waterways remain impassable and ready to retreat through their starting point or Nitinaht Lake if conditions become unsafe. Park staff are also warning hikers not to attempt to cross flooded creeks or rivers on foot. For Emerson, experience will guide every decision. “We’ve done 20 trips,” he said. “We’re going to make the right decision.” It is a long way to travel from Oklahoma only to turn around, he admitted. “We want to give ourselves the opportunity to complete the trail.” Another hiker, Duncan Swedoo, received the same warning from Parks Canada via email but has no plans to cancel. “We’re going to do it anyways. The crossings that they mostly talk about are at the southern end, and we’re starting at the northern end, and we’re pretty experienced backpackers.” “If it’s too bad, we’ll just wait until the river goes down and then we’ll cross sometime later,” he said. “I’m willing to wait.” The trip will be his first time hiking the famed route. “I’m excited,” he said. “I’ve heard a lot about it. My mom done it.” Asked whether the weather has changed his outlook, Swedoo smiled. “It’s just a bit of rain.” For Parks Canada, however, the concern goes well beyond wet boots. With more rainfall still in the forecast and waterways expected to remain high for days, officials say now is the time for caution, not commitment. Hikers with reservations between July 27 and Aug. 1 can cancel their bookings and receive a full refund, including applicable booking fees, or postpone their trips until conditions improve.
