Juan de Fuca Marine Trail Backpacking Trip

Departure & Vehicle Shuttle Strategy

Primary Rendezvous: 5:15 AM at East Guildford Park and Ride (Greater Vancouver).
Shuttle Logistics: We will self-shuttle with two cars. Commercial shuttles (West Coast Trail Express / Ridebooker) depart China Beach at 8:05 AM, which does not align with our 8:35 AM ferry arrival at Swartz Bay. Setting up our own vehicle drop ensures full flexibility.

Trailhead Coordinates & Map Links

Location / Access Point	Coordinates	Google Maps Link
Botanical Beach TH (KM 47)	48.533333, -124.433333	Open in Google Maps
Parkinson Creek TH (KM 37)	48.512883, -124.371556	Open in Google Maps
Sombrio Beach TH (KM 28.5)	48.501170, -124.295630	Open in Google Maps
China Beach TH (KM 0)	48.437935, -124.092814	Open in Google Maps

Cutoff Location	Trail Location	Map Ref	Passable Below Tide Height	High-Tide Bypass / Alternate
Sombrio Beach (West)	KM 30.2	#6	3.0 m (9.8 ft)	Bypass via forest trail available
Sombrio Beach (West)	KM 29.6	#5	2.6 m (8.5 ft)	High-tide alternate trail available
Sombrio Beach (East)	KM 28.0	#4	3.0 m (9.8 ft)	Bypass via forest trail available
Chin Beach (West)	KM 21.3	#3	2.75 m (9.0 ft)	High-tide alternate trail available
Chin Beach (East)	KM 20.6	#2	2.75 m (9.0 ft)	Beach travel only (Time with low tide)
Bear Beach Section	KM 10.5 to 8.7	#1	3.0 m (9.8 ft)	Beach travel only (Watch Rock-on-a-Pillar)

Day 1: Friday, September 18 – Departure & Trail Start

7 km Hike | ~2 hours | Camp: Payzant Creek (KM 40)

07:00 AM: Catch BC Ferry from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay (Arrive 8:35 AM).
11:00 AM: Arrive at Botanical Beach Trailhead (KM 47).
11:00 AM – 01:00 PM (Vehicle Shuttle): Drivers take Car A & Car B to China Beach Trailhead (KM 0), leave Car A parked, and return to Botanical Beach in Car B.
01:00 PM – 02:45 PM: Sightsee Botanical Beach Loop, Botany Bay, Cervantes Rock (~45 min), and Mill Bay Trail (~30 min).
03:00 PM: Official start on the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail from Botanical Beach.
05:00 PM – 06:00 PM: Arrive at Payzant Creek Campsite (KM 40). Set up camp and enjoy dinner.
CAMPING & PERMITS Payzant Creek is first-come, first-served (no site reservations required). BC Parks Backcountry Camping Permit fee is $10/person/night (pay online or at trailhead). Check cellular signal for updated tide reports.

Day 2: Saturday, September 19 – Payzant Creek to Chin Beach

19 km Hike | Full Day | Camp: Chin Beach (KM 21)

Route: Hike from Payzant Creek (KM 40) to Chin Beach (KM 21).
Key Highlights & Hazards: Traverses Parkinson Creek and Sombrio Beach. You will cross high-tide beach cutoffs #6, #5, #4, and #3.
Tide Management: Ensure timing aligns with tide tables at Sombrio and West Chin Beach. Utilize high-tide forest alternate routes at cutoffs #3 and #5 if water levels exceed passable thresholds.
Camp: Chin Beach tent sites (KM 21).
SAFETY TIP Check cell signal at high points near Sombrio to re-verify tide forecasts for the Chin Beach section.

Day 3: Sunday, September 20 – Chin Beach to China Beach

21 km Hike | Challenging | Camp: China Beach (KM 0)

Route: Hike from Chin Beach (KM 21) to China Beach Trailhead (KM 0).
Critical Safety Section: Bear Beach traverse from KM 10.5 (Rock-on-a-Pillar) to KM 8.7 (Cutoff #1). This section requires a tide height below 3.0 m (9.8 ft) for safe passage.
Camp: Complete the full trail at China Beach (KM 0) and establish camp for the final night.

Day 4: Monday, September 21 – Shuttle Retrieval & Return Journey

Post-Hike Logistics & Group Celebration

Shuttle Retrieval: Use Car A (parked at China Beach) to drive back to Botanical Beach and retrieve Car B.
Optional Side Trip: Short excursion to the Jordan River bridge area (approx. KM -4 mark).
Group Celebration Stops:
- Craft beer at Category 12 Brewing in Central Saanich.
- Coffee/snacks at Tim Hortons in Sidney.
Ferry Return: Head to Swartz Bay ferry terminal for Tsawwassen return (flexible stand-by or booked sailing).