The Missing Misty and Mysterious of Haida Gwaii

Named one of National Geographic’s 20 best trips, a UNESCO World Heritage site, an item on Nonie’s “To Do List”, the poor Canadian dollar and a desire to see more of our own beautiful province found us driving north to the misty and mysterious islands of Haida Gwaii.

Formerly known as the Queen Charlotte Islands, the 150 plus islands can be found about half way up the coast of BC and about an 8 hour ferry ride across the Hecate Strait from Prince Rupert on the mainland.

The islands are home to the indigenous Haida Nation who’s residence on the these islands can be traced back at least 13,000 years.   

The arrival of the British saw the Haida population, then estimated at 10,000, decimated to less than 400 in 1900. Today about 4500 people live on the islands. 70% are Haida. 

It was an overnight ferry from the mainland that had us arriving in the early morning. The day dawned sunny with not a cloud in the sky. 

The misty and mysterious were not evident today.

For the next three days, hiking would consume most of our time.

Day 2 was warm and sunny as well. No mist and mystery today.  











 

From the forest to the beaches, the hiking was awesome.











Day 3 dawned warm and sunny. Once again the mystery and misty were still missing.








On Day 3 we also ran out of places to hike.

Day 4, saw us leaving the islands. Again under blue skies and sunshine.

But mysteriously, as we sailed away, misty and mysterious returned to Haida Gwaii. WTF! 

Another 24 hour ferry rice found us enjoying the beaches of northern Vancouver Island. No mist and mystery here, either. 

Along the way we did acquire this lovely ceremonial frog mask. Not Haida but Salish. A nice addition to our collection.