Helliwell Park Loop

Helliwell Park Loop Perhaps I am taking liberties is describing this trail as if it "belonged" to Vancouver Island. Actually it is on Hornby Island which is two ten minute ferry rides away from the main island. I look out my front window at Denman and Hornby Islands and the ferry to the islands is about 5 km north of our place. This may explain my tendency to take ownership of these close neighbours. Those wishing to visit Hornby take the ferry from Buckley Bay across to Denman. The trip across Denman is about 15km and the ferries are synchronized so that if you head directly across island you will arrive just in time to catch the second ferry which takes you to Hornby. Helliwell Park and Tribune Bay have camping facilities and there are beautiful beaches, unique sandstone formations, and all sorts of other delights that all go to making this a favourite summer vacation spot. It can become quite crowded in the summer and so we tend to do our visiting in the winter months. If you go in March you will get a good view of the stellar sea lions who migrate here from California to fatten up for the breeding season by taking part in our herring fishery. The rocky islands at the south end of Hornby are favourite haul out sites.

The Trail Maps of the island are available at the ferry toll booths or at the market. Those will show you the route to the trail head. There is a good size parking lot and informational signs. My guesstimate is that the trail is about four miles for the complete route. We usually allow an hour and a half but that assumes some time being taken to enjoy the vista. The trail that cuts through the forest is wide, fairly level and very well groomed. It leads out onto a grassy bluff where there are huge stands of arbutus trees.

This bluff overlooks Flores Island and some smaller islands which are favourite haul out spots for seals and sea lions. If you want to see a real display of wildlife the time to visit is in March when the bull stellar sea lions arrive to fatten up for the breeding season. The photo above was taken on the bluff. The pine tree has been shaped by the winds and the bit of ocean you see in the background is many feet below. The trail then descends from the bluff to the beach at Whaling Station Bay. From there it cuts back into the forest to complete its loop. This hike is a perfect Sunday afternoon stroll. An easy walk and great scenery.

A raven sits on a snag at Galleon Point