VICTORIA AND VANCOUVER ISLAND - British Columbia: Including the Alaska Highway - page 274

At the entrance to town, stop at the Gold River Visitor Centre (Muchalat Dr., 250/
283-2418, www.goldriver.ca , 9am-4:30pm daily mid-May-Aug.).
Upana Caves
Unless you're a spelunker, chances are you've never heard of this natural highlight of the
Gold River. The Upana Caves, accessed 16 kilometers (10 miles) west of town along Head
Bay Road (this road eventually leads to Tahsis), have at least 15 entrances and over 500
meters (1,500) of passages to explore, including a river that flows underground for 150
meters (500 feet) through eroded limestone bedrock. Unlike Horne Lake Caves near Qu-
alicum Beach, there are no guides or services at Upana. That said, a well-travelled trail
leads through the forest to the main cave. You'll need warm and waterproof clothing, hiking
boots, and a reliable light source.
Cruising Nootka Sound
The best reason to travel west from Campbell River is to take a cruise along the spectacular
Muchalat Inlet to Nootka Sound, passing uninhabited islands, abundant marine life, and
remote First Nations villages. Get West Adventure Cruises (250/283-2515,
www.getwest.ca ) operates the MV Uchuck III, a converted World War II minesweeper,
which departs from the dock at the end of Highway 28 (14 kilometers/8.7 miles south from
Gold River). The vessel's primary purpose is dropping supplies at remote West Coast com-
munities, logging camps, and fishing lodges, but interested visitors are more than welcome
and are made to feel comfortable by the hardworking crew. Amenities include a lounge,
small coffee shop, washrooms, and a viewing deck.
Every Tuesday at 9am, the MV Uchuck III sets out on its run around Nootka Sound
and as far west as Yuquot for adult $70, senior $65, child $35, returning to port at 6pm.
On Wednesday and Saturday at 10am (summer only), it's off to Yuquot (also known as
Friendly Cove) for a six-hour round-trip costing adult $80, senior $75, child $40. Now a
small village of just 25 First Nations people, Yuquot was visited by Captain James Cook
but is best known as the site of the only Spanish settlement established in Canada. It was
this settlement that led to the Nootka Sound Conventions, a series of negotiations between
Great Britain and Spain that were attended by George Vancouver and Juan Francisco de la
Bodega y Quadra at this remote outpost in 1792. The longest sailing departs March-October
every Thursday at 7am, heading out to the open ocean and up the coast to the remote First
Nations village of Kyuquot. This is also an overnight trip, with meals and accommodations
at local lodgings included in the price of $385 s, $535 d ($195 for children).