Wah-nuh-jus—Hilthoois Tribal Park (Meares Island), unceded Tlao-qui-aht territory
Tofino is a small but mighty tourism destination in the heart of unceded Tla-o-qui-aht Territory on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Nestled behind the peninsula that Tofino sits on is Wah-nuh-jus–Hilthoois Tribal Park, also known as Meares Island, home to vibrant old-growth forests stewarded by the Tla-o-qui-aht since time immemorial.
For years, teams of Wilderness Committee volunteers have worked with members of the Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks Guardian Program to build and maintain the boardwalk and trails system on Meares Island. Just minutes by boat from the Tofino waterfront, lies one such trail — the Big Tree Trail. A centrepiece of Wah-nuh-jus–Hilthoois Tribal Park, this trail provides tens of thousands of visitors access into the iconic old-growth rainforest of Clayoquot Sound every year.
We want to make this trip accessible to as many people as possible, and so we’ve made some changes. Instead of backcountry camping in the Tribal Park, we are providing indoor accommodations at the hostel in Tofino, with water taxi transportation to and from the Big Tree Trail. Volunteer tasks may include trimming undergrowth with hand tools, carrying wood and building boardwalks.
TRIP DATE: July 26 - 29
A Complete itinerary AND list of necessary gear