SHOREPINE BOG
TRAIL
PACIFIC RIM NATIONAL PARK (Long Beach
section)
A trail route floating up on boardwalk
looping itself through a sensitive bog eco system. A unique
opportunity to view stunted shorepine trees, dwarfed shrubs
like Labrador tea and Bog Laurel.
The Shorepine Bog Hiking
Trail weaves an 800 metre loop route along a well maintained,
wheel chair accessible boardwalk pathway. Along the path there
are viewing benches for moments of pause and scenic therapy.
The bog is a sensitive ecological area and all who visit must
stay on the trail. No wandering off the trail. Pack out what
you pack in as there are no little barrels on the trail.
Bogs are cool, moist areas left
behind from the glaciers. The acidic soils and lack of drainage
of a bog help in creating sphagnum - the bog floor - which is
a rustic, multi-layered coloured moss. The build up of sphagnum
form islands around trees and stumps referred to as hummocks.
The Shorepine Bog Loop Trail is
an eco destination best explored counter clockwise when viewing
the dwarfed Yellow Cedar trees, twisted Southpine trees, Skunk
Cabbage, salal, Deer Fern and False Lily of the Valley to name
a few. The bog also attracts many kinds of song birds which
should appeal to all the bird watchers out there. In the parking
lot are some picnic tables for some snack time if you need a
break.
All visitors to the park must have
a Park Use Permit.
How to get to Shorepine
Bog Trail: From the Pacific Rim Hwy look for the road
signs indicating the Wickaninnish Interpretive Centre. Turn
onto Wickaninnish Road towards the centre. On your left will
be a sign indicating the parking lot for Florencia
Beach, drive past it. Drive 300 metres more to the Shorepine
parking lot area. The trailhead to the 800 metre well groomed,
all boardwalk, loop trail starts from the parking lot.