VOC trips are organized by members like yourself, not professional guides. The trips go into wilderness areas where assistance is unavailable and unexpected events can occur. You could be seriously injured or die. You are responsible for your own actions. Please use caution.
Galactic Bike Packing Trip to Saturna · Sat. Apr. 27th, 2024 - Mon. Apr. 29th, 2024
Warning: This is an old trip - it already happened
- Details Page: Where you can see brief trip details (publicly viewable).
- This trip does not have an associated Wiki Page.
- This trip does not have an associated Message Board Thread.
- Signup Page: Where you can signup, bail, edit participation entries, see/email members on the trip, etc.
- Wikitext Page: From where you can cut and paste information formatted for the wiki.
- Printable List Page: Which generates a printable list of participants.
- Edit Page: Where the trip organizer can edit the entry for this trip.
- Mark Going Page: Where the trip organizer can sign members up as "actually going".
- Modify Signups: Where the trip organizer can change signup classes.
Start: Saturday, Apr. 27th
End: Monday, Apr. 29th
Description:
With summer right around the corner and exam season at its end, come out for a chill Gulf Island bike trip to Saturna!
Saturna is one of the smaller Gulf Islands with an area of 31 square kilometres and <500 residents. It boasts beautiful bays, lots of opportunites to sea wild life, stargazing, a quirky General Store and many off the path adventures. Half of the island sits in the National Gulf Reserve which is where we will camp!
The rough itinerary goes as follows:
Sat April 27 : Bike (early) from Vancouver to Tsawwassen and catch the first morning ferry (8:55 am) and then take (mulitple) ferries to arrive in Saturna (11:30 am), set up camp, gather bearings.
- Mileage: 40km - 80 km, depending on what route we take to Tsawwassen ( -- to be discussed in pre-trip). Best case we make it through the George Massey tunnel with the bike shuttle, and worst case we get to take the scenic route over the bridge which connects New West and Surrey (Pattullo Bridge).
- Elevation: Pretty minimal
Sun April 28 : Hike (views of Mt. Baker), bike, frolick, swim, hopefully see some cool wildlife!
- Mileage: 40+ km; Really whatever we want it to be! Ranging from biking the whole island, trading in some bike kilometres for hiking kilometres etc. (~20 km from campsite to East Point)
- Elevation: ~ 400m / 1300 ft (Elevation map of island w highest point being Mt Warburton Pike) + extra ups and downs on hills around the island
Mon April 29 : Spend the morning doing any last objectives (soak in the sun!) and then take the afternoon ferry (16:25) back to Vancouver (18:40).
- Mileage / Elevation: Similar to first day.
Logistics:
We'll be staying at Narvaez Bay Campground, which is run by Parks Canada. Parks Canada describes Narvaez Bay as "one of the most beautiful and undisturbed bays in the southern Gulf Islands". The official site doesn't open until May 15, which means free camping while we are there. (The site is accesible year-round; however is not maintained from Oct 1 - May 14). There are 7 backcountry campsites by the water, bike racks at the campground, and no potable water (we can source this from town). Good to note: There will be a small general store on the island where you can purchase any additional / forgottens items and / or food.
Bike Gear:
All bikes welcome! Make sure you got a helmet and bike lights and some way of getting your camping gear, food, layers and extras to the island (backpack, pannier bags etc.) There are some pannier bags available for rent from VOC (limited), as well as backpacks of a variety of sizes (lots). Lastly, everyone should bring 1-2 tubes which fit the tires on their bike (crossing my fingers we don't get any flats, but always good to be prepared). If you have any questions about bike gear, let me know!
Pre-Trip:
I'm planning to have a short pre-trip in the days leading up to departure day to ensure we are all catching the right ferry, and to answer any lingering questions or concerns. I'll send an email about this closer to the day. Tentatively planned for Wednesday April 24th in the evening.
Other good to knows:
- One- way ferry from Vancouver to Saturna costs ~$20
Feel free to reach out via email or text if you have any general questions / concerns, comments about aspects of the trip or simply want to share some spring bike stoke! Looking forward to meeting you all :)
Posted: 2024-04-14 22:44:37
Last modified: 2024-04-21 20:37:37