after a pleasant lunch and some exploring we departed for our final destination, Clarke Island. The campground is on the east side of the island. The sun was out and it was very pleasant there. Hand is one of 7 Islands with campgrounds, we stayed long enough to stretch our legs, enjoy the sun and headed on through the Braband Islands to Dodd Island. Our plan was to paddle between the Stopper Islands, past Lyall Point to Hand Island. We launched by approximately 10:15 and headed out. It was foggy in the morning and quite damp, we learned that this would be our standard morning. This ended up being too much but you are better off with extra than not enough. Please note that there is no water at Toquart or in the Broken Group. It took a while to get the tents packed up and all the gear loaded into the kayaks. The paddle: The morning of the 22nd the group rejoined and packed up for the journey to the islands. the inner islands Turret east are protected and the winds are not as much of a factor, The western most islands are exposed to the winds. Plan for winds from the west in the afternoon. It is normal to have foggy mornings and windy afternoons. Weather: June - September the area has relatively mild weather. All of the islands are normally accessible. Cost to camp is $8 Cdn collected by contract employee who make the rounds by boat. Peggy and I spend the night in Ucluelet at the Thornton Motel, approximately $100 Cdn with your AAA discount.Ĭhart: No 3670, The area is all part of the Canadian National parks system. If you are not camping the kayak launch and landing area is just west of the campground. There is a caretaker on site and the area appears to be a secure place to keep your car. there is vehicle parking and starting August 1st it will cost $3 Cdn to park. Part of our group camped here in preparation for paddling out to the Broken Group in the morning. There is commercial campground at the Bay's edge and it costs $8 Cdn to camp. The road in to Toquart is 16 km of gravel and dirt. There are some large billboards, but you need to keep your eyes open. It is approximately 85 km (52 SM) to the turn for Toquart Bay. We had a very nice dinner at the Crab Box in Alberni, since a part of the group would be camping this really worked out well. Additional there is a Liquor Store where beer can be acquired. There are several large grocery stores in Port Alberni and you can pick up fresh vegetables there. It is a 1:30 minute drive to Port Alberni. After the ferry, follow the signs to highway 19, highway 4a to 4, Port Alberni. Getting there: The easiest way to access the Broken Group is by taken the BC Ferry from Tsawwassen to Nanaimo. The paddlers: Don Hartig (trip guide & Planner), Maureen Sunn, Will Winters, Sandee Noreen, Chuck and Peggy Hemphill
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