ECO TIPS Clayoquot Sound Including: Meares Island, Flores Island and Vargas Island "Home to ancient rainforests and white sand beaches, Clayoquot Sound is a gem on the rugged West Coast. Located halfway up the west coast of Vancouver Island, Clayoquot Sound encompasses 262 000 ha between Tofino and the Hesquiat Peninsula. Its 10 major river systems support the largest lowland temperate rainforest remaining on Earth. Once known only for its stunning scenery, hot springs and whales, the area was flung into the international spotlight during the infamous summer of 1993. Over 12 000 people attended the Clayoquot Sound Peace Camp that summer to protest the provincial government's decision to open up 62 percent of the sound to clear cut logging. It was the largest civil disobedience action in Canadian history and led to the arrest of 932 people. Although the future of the area is still uncertain, the summer of 1993 highlighted a very clear and important message supported by people around the world: The temperate rainforests of Clayoquot Sound must be cared for differently in the future."   Taken from Kayak Routes of the Pacific Northwest Coast SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate to Advanced TRIP LENGTH: 3 days to 30 days WATER AVAILABILITY: Good CAMP SPOTS: Good HAZARDS: Rapid weather changes, exposed waters, surf landings ACCESS: Drive to Tofino, Vancouver Island CHARTS: CHART NUMBER SCALE AREA NAME 3673 1: 40000 Clayoquot Sound Southwest Portion 3674 1: 40000 Clayoquot Sound Northwest Portion 3603 1: 150 000 Ucluelet Inlet to Nootka Sound 3685 1: 2000 Tofino TIDE BOOK: Vol. 6 BOOKS: TITLE Kayak Routes of the Pacific Northwest Coast Barkley Sound: A history Sailing Directions Vol.1 BC Recreational Atlas Exploring Vancouver Island's West Coast Canoe Trips British Columbia Clayoquot BC Outdoor Map - Clayoquot Sound North and South WEATHER: Check out the forecast for this area. NOTES: Public hot springs at Hot Springs Cove (Openit Peninsula) and Ahousat Warm Springs (Flores Island) Old growth forest boardwalk 'Hanging Forest' on Meares Island Up to date ferry schedules at www.bcferries.bc.ca **Charts, tide tables, books, and other reference materials are available from Ecomarine Mail Order**