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Back in February and March the snowpack in the southeast part of Oregon was great and it was looking like our plans for floating the Owyhee River in mid-May were going to hit the intersection of good flows and good weather just right. Then the flows started dropping, the snowpack ran out, and by the first week of May the trip was in question. Right up until the morning we were set to drive to the launch we were still determined to go. We were packed and ready, with just one work day to get through and we’d be river bound. Then the phone rang. The rest of the party changed plans due to borderline low flows. So here we were, days off planned, supplies packed. What’s the backup plan? We didn’t want to waste our big block of time off. We pointed north and headed to British Columbia for a 5 day road trip. Within a day we were on a ferry on the first leg of the Sunshine Coast.

Although the Sunshine Coast is part of the mainland it is only accessible by ferry or plane, which gives it much more of a feel of a get away. The coastline is nice and it is protected by Vancouver Island to the west, which captures a lot of the rain and other weather that would otherwise come its way.

After a nice ferry ride we did a bit of looking around deciding where we wanted to land for the night. Given virtually no planning we didn’t come prepared with a lot of detailed maps, information or plans. It all worked out great, perhaps better than any plan we would have put together. My only regret is we didn’t have more time. In looking around we found our first ever no campfire campground, Porpoise Bay. My memory of BC Parks from way back was that they supplied all the wood you could burn. Now this? What’s the world coming to? We made our way to Roberts Creek for the night, and it made for a good camp amidst tall trees. And campfires are still allowed.

The next morning we continued up highway 101. The first stop was a hike out to Smugglers Cove. I suppose the name describes the history of this place. It looked like a great place to find some calm water and anchor up for the night if you are travelling the coast on the water.

Having no plan it was again time to see where we might want to set up camp and spend the rest of the day. We new we wanted to make the hike to Skookumchuck (more on that later), so we headed up the Sechelt Peninsula towards Egmont. We were caught a bit off guard with one of the campgrounds on our list being closed due to ‘overhead hazards’ and another being a grass lot trying to pose as a campground. Then we saw a sign for a campground that wasn’t on our map.

We’re not big on private campgrounds. They tend to have ridiculous prices, low quality and crowded campsites. Well, Strongwater broke that mold. Cheyenne and Dwayne have built a neat, funky place in the woods. It may have been the signs and sculptures scattered around the property, the fowl bathing in the kiddie pools, but it’s probably just the overall welcoming vibe they have created that makes you feel at home. Or, it could be the pettable pig, Jellybean. Yep, I petted her for quite some time.

We had a bit of time before the incoming tide was going to peak at Skookumchuck, so we wandered up the road from Strongwater to the Back Eddy. With the hummingbirds zooming in for nectar and the perfect view over the water it was a good spot for lunch. And, really, you haven’t been to Canada until you’ve had poutine right?

After the poutine it was definitely time for a walk, so we headed out to Skookumchuck Rapids. The rapids form in a narrows of the Sechelt Inlet when the tides are running. They form an impressive set of waves.

It really takes a video to gauge just how much water is moving through these narrows.

After watching the tide come in for an hour or so it we wandered back to camp. There was a bit of wildlife and a few other interesting sights along the way.

After petting the pig and relaxing around the fire, it was time to hit the hay. We had another ferry to catch in the morning. Continued in part 2.