West Coast Of Vancouver Island Oceanview Acreage for sale: (Listed 2010-04-06)

10153

$299,000

DL: 623; LD: Nootka (39); Narrative: Except Plan 10842 & 4883.
PID: 009-809-660

Enjoy 27.17 ocean view acres in complete privacy while taking in stunning ocean and mountain views. There is a post and beam home built to lock up stage allowing a new owners to finish to their own likings. Roughly 2 acres of land has been cleared around the home with the rest of the property is forested.

The property is perch above the village and is Eastern exposed facing the Tahsis Inlet. A river with waterfall runs through the property adding to the uniqueness by creating a serene and peacefulness atmosphere.

Use this property as a base camp to adventure, within minutes you can be either fishing, kayaking or hiking in some of B.C’s best outdoor recreational destinations. This property would make an ideal holding property, fishing outpost or family vacation property.

Nestled between Rugged Mountain and Tahsis Inlet, the Village of Tahsis appeals to the hardcore fishing enthusiast, the extreme sports fan and the inquiring historian. Blessed with an abundance of natural resources, stunning scenery, undisturbed wildlife and abundant fishery, Tahsis is the supernatural choice for a family vacation or a fishing get away. The name, Tahsis, comes from the local First Nations dialect, Tahsheesh, meaning "passageway". The local aboriginal people used the Tahsis area as a fall camp for over 4000 years, and used the Tahsis River to access trade in the Island interior. From the very beginning, Tahsis has been the place to be.

Community
Similar to the coastal communities of Sweden and Argentina, the Village of Tahsis sits at the end of Tahsis inlet, a fjord-like finger of water extending 15 miles into the Island interior.

The rugged , karst cliffs drop abruptly into the narrow Inlet while two rivers, the Tahsis and Leiner, skirt their way around the village, Residents have a front seat view of the most spectacular scenery and wildlife show in the province. Most homes have an Inlet, a river, or a mountain view,an added bonus when coupled with the reasonable real estate prices.

Tahsis is a close knit and active community. Home to full time and and part-time residents, Tahsis is proud to host visitors from around the world. Like the First Nations people who lived a migratorial life in this region, modern families have discovered they can balance a busy schedule with an active, healthy lifestyle.

Local activities revolve around nature, specifically the fabulous local fishing. Events like Salmon Enhancement Days and the Fishing Derby stimulate the tourism industry and revitalize community spirit. . Local events such as Tahsis Days, and the annual Tahsis Lion's Great Walk, a 30 year tradition, brings out most of the town to volunteer, walk, or cheer.

Residents take great pride in the historical roots of Tahsis. Starting with the first settlements of the First Nations People, through the Spanish and English Occupations, to the current Canadian provincial period, all Tahsisians and British Columbians have their cultural and commercial roots firmly planted in this historic area.

Rain or shine, the Tahsis Days held on the third weekend in July, brings out local businesses and municipal services to compete and play in several events, like the Raft race down the Tahsis river.

This property is located in the coastal Village of Tahsis on the West Coast of Vancouver Island.

Vancouver Island can be reached via Ferry from Port Angeles, Seattle, Tsawwassen, Vancouver, Powell River and Prince Rupert. Ferry & schedule information is available at www.bcferries.bc.ca

Once on Vancouver Island, follow the Island Highway (Hwy. 19) to Campbell River. From Campbell River, it is approximately a 3 hour drive to Tahsis. Campbell River Info Centre has a brochure and map of the Tree to Sea Drive from Gold River to Tahsis.

At Campbell River, turn West and take Hwy. 28 to Gold River. At Gold River you will see the Travel Info Centre, and the large boot sculpture that represents the Great Walk. At this point, follow the road and watch for the signs directing you to Tahsis. A left turn will take you into Gold River for a rest stop and gas.

About 3 kilometers past the Gold River Travel Info Center, the "Tree to Sea Drive" to Tahsis begins. The road is 63.5 km (approximately 40 miles) and driving time is approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes until arrival in Tahsis. Times can vary due to weather conditions, the state of the road and logging company activity.

The drive to Tahsis features waterfalls, lakes, panoramic vistas, and frequent wildlife sightings. Along the way, are two free camping spots: Conuma Campground, about halfway to Tahsis; and the Leiner River Campground, just before arriving in Tahsis. Both are well signed and marked.

The 63.5 km Tree to Sea Drive offers a variety of inspiring scenery and wildlife viewing. The road winds its way through mountain passes, marble and limestone outcrops, ocean vistas, river estuaries, waterfalls, lakes and wild meadows. Caution is advised as the Tree to Sea remains a working logging road. Both logging trucks and large machinery can block the progress of even the most determined traveler, and delays are not uncommon. Fortunately, there is a lot to see the wildlife often comes out at night, so take extra care driving after dark. Black bears, deer, Roosevelt elk and other denizens of the forest are often sighted in the spring and summer months, less in winter.

As a gateway to Nootka Island, and Kyuquot Sound, Tahsis serves as a home base for extreme sports enthusiasts who want to hike the Nootka Trail, spelunk the karst caverns at Weymar or Upana, surf at the wild Tatchu, kayak in Friendly Cove or dive the finest cold water venues in the world.

For those searching for contemplative adventures, scenic day trips to the mission of Esperanza, Friendly Cove or perhaps Zeballos, are easily arranged through the many fishing and guiding outfits. Keeping even closer to home base, visitors can explore historic Tahsis through the local trails and beaches, or walk the town guided by the Historic Map. Tahsis has all the guides and equipment to make any vacation an adventure, big or small.

Fishing
Tahsis and Tahsis Inlet lead to the internationally famous fishing grounds of Nootka Sound and Esperanza Inlet, and in the summertime American, Albertan and European fishermen converge on the town to catch the local salmon, halibut, snapper, and cod. Tahsis has a full service marina and 1 smaller marina, and an annual Fishing Derby during the 3rd weekend of August. The Public Boat Launch facilities, offer potable water, parking, storage, pay phone, picnic tables, public washroom and a sani-dump.

Tahsis is an ideal base from which to pursue the salt-water fish of the Pacific, Esperanza Inlet and Nootka Sound. At various times of the year are Chinook, Coho, sockeye, pink, and chum salmon. In addition there are many varieties of tasty bottom fish such as halibut, ling cod, sole. greenling, sea bass, red snapper, cabezon and several other varieties of rockfish.

With increasingly warm water temperatures tropical fish are showing up. Its not uncommon to catch albacore Tuna. Its also become commercially viable to fish for tuna now. Herring and shellfish (crabs, prawns,clams and oysters) are also abundant.

There are important salmon feeding grounds fronting Bajo reef, major salmon-holding areas in Nootka Sound and Tlupana Inlet, and productive salmon areas in outer Esperanza Inlet.

Tahsis is located roughly halfway between two great fishing areas — Nootka Sound and Esperanza Inlet — and only a short hop to Kyuquot Sound. Within an hour, one can be fishing for Salmon in any number of known fish producing hot spots.

Hiking
Leiner Bouldering Trail
This short loop trail wanders along a scenic stretch of the Leiner River where rock climbers can practice their skills on the numerous house-sized boulders that litter the slopes of the narrow valley. At one point the trail passes through a short ‘cave’ between boulders. The Leiner’s deep azure pools are alive in the fall with salmon returning to spawn.

Access to the trail is 30 metres east of the Leiner Bridge off the road to Tahsis, 3 km from town, on the upstream right bank. There is ample parking across the road. The loop walk is about 30 minutes long but is strenuous with some rocks to climb over.

Coral Cave and the Lookout
A great place to start a more extended hike is from West Bay Park, just past Maquinna Resort at the end of town.

There are shorter trails accessed from the turnaround at West Bay, or you can backtrack and go up the logging road (only during weekends when there is no active logging taking place) and head for the Coral Cave or The Lookout. Either destination is about 3 to 4 hours to reach for an experienced hiker, and both spots offer breathtaking views of the Tahsis Inlet. For more detailed directions check out Caving and the directions to Coral Cave.

Maquinna Trail
This rugged route was immortalized in the book “White Slaves of the Nootka” as the ridge that ancestral Chief Maquinna sojourned on. It follows the ridge that rises between the Leiner and Tahsis River valleys directly east of the village.

Bushwacking will be necessary as this is a seldom used trail. While the first part of the hike is moderately steep, one is rewarded by increasingly spectacular views of Tahsis Inlet and the surrounding peaks. The lower section is forested with Douglas Fir with some Dogwood, rare on the west coast. Above 450 metres the ascent is more gradual and the route is mostly a semi-open sub alpine environment. Water is rare and should be carried. For the most intrepid mountaineers, an 8 km (5 mile) hike along the gently undulating ridge bringsone to two small lakes below Mount Leiner which are 1,456 metres (5,000 feet) high.

To find the trail head, leave Tahsis (toward Gold River) but stop where the road leaves the inlet and heads inland, within sight of town. The trail entrance is flagged and heads up hill from here. It is considered a route as it is flagged only up to 800 metres elevation (2,600 feet) but can be followed further in clear weather by staying on the obvious ridge line.

Woss Lake Grease Trail
This ancient trade route was used by First Nations and crosses Vancouver Island from its southern terminus in Tahsis. The route followed the Tahsis River to its headwaters and over a pass to Woss Lake, where the natives paddled the lake and then down the Nimpkish River to the ocean on the northeast side of Vancouver Island. Although not maintained as a marked route, this trail begins at the north end of the Tahsis Dump, follow N. Maquinna Street to the north end of town and over the bridges.

The route follows the flat valley bottom, often following the Tahsis River or its dry (in summer) watercourse. Occasionally it follows old remnants of a logging road left from when the valley was logged in the 1940s. Much of this road has been obliterated by river erosion since then. Spectacular views of Rugged Mountain (1,875 metres, 6,151 feet) greet the visitor as they pass the base. Mountaineers may want to use this route as an access to the aptly named Rugged and its glacier, the largest on Vancouver Island. The glacier is a steep hike of 1,000 metres (3,200 feet) elevation west of the highest point on the trail; there is no marked route up, refer to a topographical map. The Woss Lake trail ascends steeply only at the headwaters and reaches a high point of 550 metres (1,800 feet) before descending to Woss Lake at 140 metres (500 feet). There are no roads from this end of the lake (still within Rugged Mountain Provincial Park) but the other end is road-accessible from Woss. Arrange for boat pickup from this end of the Trail.

The total trail length from Tahsis Dump to Woss Lake is about 12 km (7.5 miles). Water is available along much of the route and there are some nice wilderness camping spots in the upper reaches of the Tahsis River. There are opportunities for trout fishing in the river pools here. The trail is moderate in difficulty.

Kayaking
Tahsis Inlet has many attractions for even short excursion kayaking and canoeing from Tahsis. During high tide the Tahsis River and the Leiner Estuary open up, and both rivers feature striking scenery and splendid wildlife and bird viewing opportunities. Both rivers offer particularly excellent wildlife viewing during the fall, when spawning salmon attract eagles and bears. Kayaking Tahsis Inlet, Nootka Sound and Yuquot

When Kayaking Tahsis Inlet and Nootka Sound, it is best to work with the winds and tides. On most days there are outflow and inflow winds down Tahsis Inlet to Nootka Sound. The wind flows out from Tahsis to Nootka Sound starting at daybreak, and then reverses around 11:00 AM and then flows inward from Nootka Sound to Tahsis till about 4:00 or 5:00 p.m.. Ideally, you would kayak out in the morning with the outflow winds and an outgoing tide, and on return voyages come back in the late afternoon inflow winds and the incoming tide.

Be prepared for a slower journey back, in the event of weather changes that override this daily pattern.To kayak to Friendly Cove (Yuquot) allow an all–day paddle. Eight miles south of Tahsis on the eastern shore is a sandy beach with fresh water. Further along in Bligh Island Marine Park are rest/camping areas with fresh water. Camping spots are also available in Friendly Cove. This whole area where Tahsis Inlet, Kendrick Inlet, Tlupana Inlet and Muchalaht Inlet converge is particularly suited to exploration by kayak, though care must be taken in crossing the open waters between Bligh Island and Nootka Island.

Friendly Cove (Yuquot) provides sheltered kayaking and calm water docking. There is a $10 landing fee to visit this historic site where Captain Cook first navigated to the West Coast of British Columbia and met with Chief Maquinna and the Mowachaht Tribe. Visit the Yuquot Church and the Friendly Cove Lighthouse for a tour.

For experienced Kayakers, the outer edge of Nootka Island offers extreme kayaking with surf, heavy seas and dramatic weather conditions.

Kayaking Esperanza Inlet
To explore Esperanza Inlet and Nuchaltlitz, allow a day for your paddle out. The same wind patterns affect the Esperanza Inlet as Tahsis Inlet and Nootka Sound—see previous description of kayaking to Friendly Cove. After leaving Tahsis, take ‘The Cut’ (Tahsis Narrows) after you pass West Bay, and head to Esperanza Inlet. To stretch your legs, stop at Esperanza, a small religious community and First Nations retreat with dock and tackle shop. Continue on to Garden Point and Rosa Island just off Nootka Island, with good camping spots above the high tide mark. Take your own potable water, especially in the summer.

There are also excellent camping spots on Catala Island, Yellow Bluff on the North Shore, but access to both requires crossing open water when the tides are good and water is calm. Fresh water is not always available at either camping spots. From Rosa or Garden point, kayaking in Mary’s Basin up to Ferrer Point has many advantages. There are lots of little streams, safe protected kayaking, sea otter families, eagles, bears, and marine birds. Mary’s Basin also has an historic area with a former First Nations reservation, and many interesting trails, especially in the eastern part of the basin. Please be aware of changing tides and weather conditions as you approach the open ocean past Ferrer Point.

Nuchatlitz
Nuchatlitz is a scattering of small islands surrounded by protected waters located between Rosa Island and Nuchatlitz Inlet, and is the traditional home of the Nuchatlaht First Nation. Nuchatlitz is an increasingly popular kayaking destination. Many Kayakers now choose to be dropped off by Kayaking transport from Tahsis or Zeballos to this area of Esperanza Inlet.

Brooks Peninsula
For longer and more extreme kayaking excursions, further up the coast past Tatchu point is Brooks Peninsula Provincial Park with 51,631 hectares of pristine wilderness and a unique ecosystem. Please check park regulations as a permit may be required to visit this area.

While First Nations peoples have inhabited the area for over 4,000 years, Europeans first visited Tahsis in 1774 (Spanish) and 1778 (English). John R. Jewitt, an English armourer, spent several winters here at the beginning of the nineteenth century as the slave of Maquinna. Jewitt's memoirs, A Narrative of the Adventures and Sufferings of John R. Jewitt, only survivor of the crew of the ship Boston, during a captivity of nearly three years among the savages of Nootka Sound: with an account of the manners, mode of living, and religious opinions of the natives is a major source of information about the indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast in general, and life in Tahsis in particular.

In the 1930s many companies tried unsuccessfully to open sawmill operations on the west coast of Vancouver Island. There were several advantages to building at Tahsis: there was a level plateau at the head of the inlet with easy deep-sea access for ocean-going vessels. The site faced southeast, getting maximum sunlight to protect the freshly cut lumber from mould due to the rains.

In 1937 Nootka Wood Products Limited started operations at what was initially called "Port Tasis", a name chosen by them in loose consultation with local First Nations. At the time, Nootka Wood Products was cutting approximately 150,000 feet of lumber daily, all for export.

Subsequently, a Tahsis mill was built by the Gibson Brothers in 1945. It burned down in 1948, but in January 1949, Gibson Mills and East Asiatic Company formed a partnership (Tahsis Company) and by April a new mill was back in production. Before the mill was demolished, it was owned by Canadian Pacific Forest Products.

In 1962, it was reported that the Tahsis Lumber Company had "prohibited the import of all cars except one very small German make" but that motorists "have one advantage over most: since their cars run only on private property they don't need a licence".

Tahsis remained a company community until it was incorporated as a municipality in 1970. Tahsis was connected to Gold River by the Head Bay Road in 1972. Until that time the village was accessible only by boat or aircraft.

In Tahsis's heyday the population was roughly 2,500. With the closure and dismantling of the mill the population declined to 892, according to the 2001 census. As of 2006, the population is approximately 300, with fewer than 50 students from Kindergarten to Grade 12.