Walbran Valley (Kaxi:ks) Trail Project

 

The Walbran Valley, or Kaxi:ks [pronounced ka-hecks], is located about three hours west of Victoria in unceded Pacheedaht Territory. This area contains some of the best old-growth rainforest in the country.

The Walbran Valley has long been a place of great importance for First Nations, environmentalists and the logging industry alike. After parts of the Walbran were added to Carmanah-Walbran Provincial Park in the mid-1990s, other sections, including the Central Walbran, remained open to logging. 

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Beginning in the mid-2010s, the Wilderness Committee began working with members of the Pacheedaht Nation and the grassroots Friends of Carmanah-Walbran to upgrade and maintain trail systems, some of which date back to the early 90s. In June 2021, thanks to the leadership of the Pacheedaht, the Central Walbran was temporarily deferred from logging.

TRIP DATE: SEPTEMBER 25-27 

Itinerary and packing

The exact times are subject to change. You will need to make your own arrangements to stay in Victoria on Thursday night if you don’t live within an hour’s drive from Victoria as this trip leaves first thing on Friday morning from Victoria. All necessary trail building tools are provided, but volunteers will be required to pack their own camping gear and food. See the gear list below, and feel free to contact us for meal planning ideas.

  • Friday a.m. Leave Victoria around 9:00 a.m. for a 3.5 hour drive to Walbran Valley (partly on logging roads). 
  • Friday p.m. Set up camp, eat lunch and then hike and/or work on the trails.
  • Saturday Wake-up call and breakfast. Leave for work at 9:00 a.m. Work most of the day, with a potential afternoon hike depending on factors like weather, availability of materials, work progress.
  • Sunday a.m. Wake-up call, breakfast, pack up camp. Put in a few more hours at work or do a short hike.
  • Sunday p.m. Back to camp for lunch and drive back to Victoria. Arrive in Victoria between 4:00-6:00 p.m.
     
A complete list of the necessary gear can be found here.

 

Register below:

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At the Wilderness Committee we value diversity, equity and inclusion. To ensure that these values are reflected in our trail program, we are prioritizing volunteers who apply from underrepresented groups. If you belong to any marginalized communities, including women, Indigenous persons, racialized communities and sexual or gender minority groups, we encourage you to self-identify:
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