Hike this undulating coastal trail built in typical West Coast style. Winding along the shoulder of Maple Mountain, an old logging road gives way to a footpath, following the land, bridging creeks with fallen logs and zigzagging between the trees. The forest slowly gives way to the bluffs of Sansum Narrows. Cowichan legend has it that a ferocious sea monster called “Shuh-shu-cum" used to lie in wait in the narrows and suck down canoes until a legendary warrior named “Sum-al-quatz” hurled a stone that hit the monster's snout. He could no longer suck down canoes, but he still lives in the deep waters and whenever you see swirls in the narrows you know that he is nearby.
All the Island Spirit Legacy Caches are within a 2 steps of the trail, there is no need to bushwack or trample the vegetation unless otherwise noted.
Sunflower Star
Sunflower Stars are very common in the waters around Vancouver Island. These sea stars are the largest in the world, and possibly the fastest. Sunflower Stars can grow to 30 inches in diameter, and usually have 20 to 22 arms. To the touch they feel like a sponge covered in Velcro. Sunflower Stars appear in a kaleidoscope of colors – they can be orange, red, purple, green, and white. These veracious predators often feed on clams and other shellfish. When threatened, these stars can drop an arm in hopes of appeasing the predator. The arm will later re-grow.