WILDERNESS
VIEWS

DEER

HERONS

SHOREBIRDS

CAREN RANGE

CLIFF GILKER PARK

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By the Bay offers a Natural West Coast Experience - the wilderness is just steps away from your comfortable suite.

• Wildlife
  Listen to the cry of eagles overhead, the mysterious call of the raven, the morning birdsong, the chatter of killdeer and kingfishers... everywhere you look on the Sunshine Coast are birds and waterfowl. Deer and raccoons are also regular visitors, and the occasional black bear or Roosevelt Elk vies for attention with the Inlet's seal population. Ask us about sightings when you arrive, and we'll give you some good rules of thumb for safe hiking in the nearby forest trails. Just 1/4 mile of rural road behind By the Bay is Kinnickinick Park, great for woodsy rambles and plenty of wildlife viewing.
  
  
• Flora
  Arbutus trees gnarl out of rocky clefts seemingly without root, creating sculpted winnows of green and bark-peeled shining trunks against sheer rock faces along the waterfront. Dogwoods, firs, cedars, alders and white pine create shady resting spots along your travels. Salmonberry, blackberry, huckleberry and salal create lush undergrowth and the berries offer a juicy tang against the thirst of exercise.
  
  
• Getting around in the Wilderness
  Whether it's by foot, bike, canoe or kayak, the Coast offers something for everyone. Rocky ocean shores are perfect for biped exploration on foot, and yield treasures of shore crabs, starfish, kelp and sightings of summer and fall-run coho and pink salmon all through the Inlet. Or grab your bike and hit the trails - several of which are within easy ride of By the Bay. Sea Kayaking in Sechelt Inlet is one of BC's best kept and most stunning oceanic secrets... the Inlet offers protection from wind and weather and sees kayakers year round enjoying the tranquil interaction with nature.
  
  
• Special Wilderness Areas
  
  Cliff Gilker Park
  This park holds a special place in our hearts, as we helped build it many years ago. It is a favorite park destination for locals and visitors alike and a popular dog walking trail (leashed, of course!). A fully developed trail system, stunning waterfalls and bridges, and the fern-laden forest offers a lush coolness in summer and a briskly invigorating rush in the shoulder seasons.
  
  Sargeant Bay Park & Trail System
  Only a short drive away to the Halfmoon Bay/Redroofs area is the beautiful Sargeant Bay Park. A waterfront trail hugs the beach and crooks around a rocky peninsula that is home to wonderful waterfowl. Just across from the park entrance is a fairly developed trail system perfect for mountain bike enthusiasts or walkers. This is also where guided trips to the Caren Range (see below) originate.
  
  Skookumchuck Rapids
  Drive northwest to Egmont, take the turn off just before the Powell River ferry and head out for a great hike with a fabulous destination at the end of it. This gentle 45 minute walk rewards visitors with a thrilling view of the mighty Skookumchuck tidal surge, one of the highest tidal changes to be found in the world. Watch swirling whirlpools form and disappear, see waves literally standing in place, and on less extreme tides, watch whitewater kayakers play. A thrill not to be missed, but if you're not into the hike, we can put you in touch with a boat tour company that offers a rapids cruise & dinner package.
  
  The Caren Range
  Accessible by two & four wheel drive (watch undercarriage clearances) on active logging roads - evening and weekend visits are best - this area is home to one of the Coast's old growth forests. See mighty giants standing as they have for hundreds of years, providing sentry duty to hidden lakes and valleys. Follow the road to approximately Kilometre 21 for spectacular views of Georgia Strait, Sechelt and Pender Harbour.