Texada was our Northern Gulf Island destination last September, a quiet place more sparsely populated than the other islands we’ve visited. The two “towns” don’t have shopping hubs, so it took us two days to find the grocery store! There’s only one paved road, and most trails we hiked were rough and steep. By sparing our car long drives on potholed gravel roads, we likely avoided even rougher and steeper ones.
Our well-equipped Airbnb (Texada Island Vacation Rental) felt homey and welcoming at the end of each long, often exhausting, day of hiking. Here are some videos and photos of our trip.
Our backyard. Texada may have even more deer than Mayne Island. Look for the second one munching behind that picnic table.
Trail markers, all created/placed by volunteers — some hard to spot.
We spent lots of time just hunting for the elusive pink ribbons.
Drought was apparent everywhere, but the weather was glorious.
Went beachcombing at Shelter Point Regional Park one day to hunt for a suitable piece of driftwood for our balcony at home.
We succeeded … eventually: Mr. Fluffster has high driftwood standards.
Mount Pocahontas — the toughest of the five trails we hiked; like North Vancouver’s Grouse Grind but even steeper and rougher;
While hauling my aching, sweaty body up to the peak on hands and knees, I wondered how I’d ever make it back down again.
But the views from that peak were spectacular.
Breathtaking beauty! Silent because Mr. Fluffster wanted his voice removed.
We clambered slowly across this treacherous section of the Sword Fern Trail.
I slithered over part of it on my butt. That dangling pink ribbon was our only clue we were headed in the right direction.
Phloxes outside the Mary Mary Café, where we had ice cream sundaes after hiking up Mount Pocahontas,
and dinner on our last evening. The locals we met there — and elsewhere in the island —
were mostly friendly retirees, keen to give directions and recommend local sights.
Our next island hop will be Galiano next May. Texada was lovely, but I want easier hiking. One Pocahontas is enough for me!
Note: Ms. Fluffster is now on Mastodon.