Western Coast

Origin at a maintained dock structure on a protected inlet. Timber and steel construction, roof intact, solar array on the south face. Vehicle staging area on a gravel apron above the tide line. The track leads south along a former two-lane road through dense coastal conifer. Canopy closes overhead in several stretches. Road surface is degraded asphalt with root damage and seasonal pooling. Salal and fern encroachment narrows the passable width to single-vehicle for approximately 40 km between km 60 and km 100. A rockfall zone at km 145 requires a short detour inland through second-growth timber; the bypass track is gravel over clay, 280 mm clearance recommended.

Surface

65% degraded asphalt, 25% gravel, 10% soil

Max. gradient

10%

Obstacles

3 >300 mm (root heave, rockfall debris)

Transition from conifer to mixed forest. Route descends into a series of river valleys that cut perpendicular to the coast. Bridge at km 210 spans a significant river—concrete beam, deck intact, load capacity adequate for vehicles under 4,500 kg. The second river crossing at km 290 has no bridge. Tidal ford, passable within a four-hour window centered on low tide. Depth at median low: 380 mm. At high tide: exceeds 1,100 mm. Substrate is compacted gravel and sand; bearing capacity is stable. The third tidal ford at km 340 is shallower—median low depth 220 mm—but the approach is steeper on the southern bank. Gradient at the southern exit: 14%. Between the fords the road is intermittently intact, with stretches of exposed gravel where asphalt has been washed out entirely.

Surface

35% degraded asphalt, 40% gravel, 25% sand

Max. ford

600 mm (tidal, seasonal ±80 mm)

Obstacles

2 >300 mm (eroded bridge approach, washout ledge)

Coastal headlands. The route climbs and descends repeatedly as it crosses a series of eroded promontories. Sea cliffs to the west; the road clings to the slope in several places. Road surface is broken asphalt over compacted base, with sections washed out to bare rock. Two segments of sustained gradient above 12%: km 410 to km 425 (ascending) and km 490 to km 502 (descending). Fog is common in this segment year-round; visibility below 100 m for extended periods during autumn and winter months. At km 520, the former road has collapsed into the sea for approximately 300 m. The bypass follows a fire track inland through low scrub. Track condition is fair—gravel with grass center, single-vehicle width.

Surface

40% degraded asphalt, 30% rock, 30% gravel

Max. gradient

14%

Obstacles

4 >300 mm / 2 >500 mm (road collapse, rock outcrop)

Terrain opens. Dense conifer gives way to mixed deciduous and scattered pine. Fog decreases. Road condition improves—longer stretches of intact asphalt, center-line vegetation only. At approximately km 680, a fenced perimeter is visible from the road: forty-odd acres, grounds maintained, multiple structures of various scale and apparent function. Access road is gated; the gate is intact and functional. The perimeter fence is chain-link with steel posts, in good repair. Activity on the grounds is not determinable from the road. The route continues past without entry. South of km 700, the terrain shifts toward drier grassland and low chaparral. Road surface transitions to gravel with intermittent asphalt patches.

Surface

45% degraded asphalt, 30% gravel, 25% soil

Max. gradient

8%

Obstacles

1 >300 mm (tree fall across road, clearable)

Dry chaparral and coastal grassland. The route follows a ridgeline above eroded sandstone bluffs for much of this segment. Exposed terrain—no canopy cover. Road surface is predominantly gravel with bare soil in the lower-elevation stretches. Erosion gullies cross the track at several points, cut by seasonal runoff. Most are passable at low speed; the deepest at km 920 is 400 mm with a steep exit that requires approach selection. A long descent beginning at km 1,040 drops from 380 m to 60 m over 15 km. Gradient is moderate (9%) but sustained, with loose gravel surface. Low-range gearing recommended.

Surface

20% degraded asphalt, 45% gravel, 35% soil

Max. gradient

9% (sustained)

Obstacles

2 >300 mm / 1 >500 mm (erosion gullies)

Southern approach. The terrain flattens to a broad coastal terrace. Scrub oak and dry grass. Road surface is compacted soil with gravel patches—stable in dry conditions, reduced bearing capacity when wet. At km 1,280 the track turns sharply west and descends to the coast. The final approach follows a narrow shelf road above a small bay. Width adequate for a single vehicle. The terminus is a sheltered cove: a maintained concrete pier extending approximately 40 m from shore, three concrete-block storage structures in serviceable condition, and a gravel staging area. The pier shows evidence of recent use—wear patterns on the deck surface, intact cleats, functional drainage.

Surface

30% gravel, 70% compacted soil

Max. gradient

11% (final descent)

Obstacles

0 >300 mm