Vancouver Island Grand Loop

[rnArmy]

So early September I headed out to do the Vancouver Island Grand Loop. This link really goes in depth regarding the loop:

Vancouver Island Grand Loop

The Vancouver Island Grand Loop is the definitive overland adventure motorcycle route circumnavigating Vancouver Island. The VIGL stitches together the best roads Vancouver Island has to offer, including widely popular local favourites and many unique hidden gems. Preference has been given to avoid

www.vancouverislandgrandloop.com

Figure 1000 miles in about 5-8 days. I started on a Sunday and finished on a Friday.

Along with downloading the GPS route from the link above, I also used these two book/map references:

Vancouver Island BC - Victoria & Gulf Islands - 10th Edition

Known for its beautiful scenery and abundant forests, beaches, and wildlife, Vancouver Island is just a short ferry ride away from the bustling Lower Mainland. Get away from it all on a multi-day hike along the West Coast Trail, view some of the word's largest trees in Strathcona Provincial...

www.backroadmapbooks.com

Vehicle was a 2023 Jeep JLU Willys XR 2.0T pulling a small overlanding trailer 1500lbs when fully loaded.

 

[rnArmy]

Not going to do a day - by - day account, but some highlights.

1. Very enjoyable trip. Never really had an issue finding gas, but with any overlanding trip, don't pass up an opportunity to get gas. Unlike in the United States, there isn't a gas station on every corner.

2. I departed WA from Port Angeles. Didn't have a reservation, but was able to get on the next available ferry. No issues mentioned about the trailer's gas cans or propane cylinder (this time...).

3. Got to Victoria BC about 1430, and started following the GPS coordinate map. Very pretty drive; they do their best to drive you by water. Lots of city driving though; I was wanting to get into more wilderness areas though.

4. Route the first half of the VIGL is mostly paved; the second half a lot more gravel road. Some gravel roads in much better shape than others. My Jeep did fine - never had to put it in 4WD. The bouncing was rough on the trailer though - I ripped off an upper shock mount.

5. I wilderness camped one night - the rest of the time I camped at camp grounds. They were all nice, between $20 & $35 (Canadian) a night. Pit toilets.

6. Most nights I slept in the back of my Jeep; one night I slept in the tent on top of the trailer. I'm 6' tall, and I would have to sleep diagonal to get a full stretch in the Jeep. And that's with the seats all the way forward. So when driving during the day, one of the matresses would be folded up so the seat would go back.





7. The DeepSleep folks also sell window screens which I used when sleeping in the Jeep. Gave good air flow, and kept the bugs out. Not that they were much of an issue.

8. This trip also allowed me to try out my new Overlanding Accessory, my Fire Can. I liked it. Easy to pack/store in the trailer.



(The GrapeNuts tin holds the lava rocks for the Firecan - it will work without the rocks).

 

[rnArmy]

Coming home I had an issue or two.

1. The ferry in Victoria to Port Angeles WA was full (I didn't have a reservation as I didn't really know when I'd be done with my trip). The gentleman there said I could wait till the next ferry, but with my trailer I'd probably be a no-go. And that would be the last ferry leaving that day. Bummer.

2. However, north of Victoria is the ferry that leaves Sidney and goes to Vancouver BC (almost on the hour). And from there I could drive home (to the US border, then straight down I-5 to Longview WA which is just north of Vancouver WA). I figured that's what I'd do.

3. Drive to Sidney, long line to the gate. Here's where things started to go wrong.

a. They asked me how many jerry cans I had. I said "three" (you can see them on my trailer). She told me the limit was "one". Uh oh....

b. She asked me how many propane cylinders I had. I said "one" (a small 5lb cylinder - you can see it on my trailer. I wasn't going to tell her I had a couple one-lb green cylinders in the trailer).

c. So... what you've gotta do (they told me) is find a kind hearted person in a truck that will let you put your jerry can in their truck bed for the ferry ride, and then you can get it from them afterwards. I had two jerry cans.

d. But they put me in a line that may or may not get on the ferry that day. Now I got there around noon, and rumor was we MIGHT get on the 1900 ferry. Maybe. I still needed to find someone to carry my jerry cans though.

e. Fortunately, a few vehicles behind me were a couple of guys with a truck, pulling a flatbed trailer with another truck on the trailer. It took a few phone calls with the ferry folks, but it was decided I could put a can in the truck towing the trailer, and another in the truck on the trailer.

4. So now the wait. Would we be able to get on a ferry that day, or would we have to come back the next day. Lots of waiting.

 

[rnArmy]

At 1900-ish they started loading the ferry. And they let us on! The guys with the truck(s) and my jerry cans were a few vehicles behind me, and we were fairly closely parked in the ferry (so I wouldn't have to track them down later). I got my cans and had them attached to the trailer before we left the ferry once we got to Vancouver.

Rest of the drive home was fine - I was just glad to be where I could get home. A bit of the drive to the US border, no issues there, and then down the highway to home. Got home at 0200, to bed at 0300, and the next few days unpacking, cleaning, and assessing for damage (that's when I found the busted upper shock mount on the trailer).

Some take-aways:

1. Very easy trip. I kinda took it fast (as in not stopping a lot in towns and such). You can spend a lot more time if you've got it and want to explore more.

2. Saw bear - some big ones. Be bear aware. I had two cans of bear spray with me.

3. A lot of it is way off the beaten path with little to no traffic. Going solo is fun till something breaks and you're stuck. Didn't happen to me, but something to think about.

4. Had some minor issues with losing signal with my phone and/or connection with my Jeep's Android Audio system (using GAIA on an Android phone). Never caused me to get lost or concerned, but it was a somewhat common issue at times. So if its working, don't touch any buttons or try to change the screen or settings. Leave it be! And that's why you've got the paper maps (and refer to them often so you know where you're at).

5. I had a Jeep, but honestly, I think a high-clearance Subaru or similar type vehicle could do the trip with some good all-terrain tires.

6. I don't have an electric cooler, I use an ice chest. The bags of ice most places sold seemed small. Was never an issue, just sayin....

 

[Luinil Explorations]

I am going to move this trip up on my list of places to go. Thanks.

 

[Todd n Natalie]

Looks like a fun loop. I used to live on the island when I was a little kid. Still miss it.

Might be a fun route to do on a motorcycle. But, I'd probably hotel it along the way, lol

 

[Trail Talk]

We always enjoy the greater solitude found in the north half of the island.

 

[grizzlypath]

The ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria can be a stressful one to do FCFS - it's doable as you found, but you gotta be super early and flexible. Way less stress if you have a reservation, but that can be hard if you don't know when exactly you'll be back. Reservations can fill up weeks/month in advance too during some of the more busy summer days.

Great quick trip report, I want to do something similar soon, but try to visit more of the western coast - unfortunately that means a few more "out and back" drives and less of a big loop, but I know there's a lot of small towns out there to check out as well. I've dispersed camped a few times on the island.

 

[the deputy]

Great report! Vancover Island is on the list for next trip.

 

[rnArmy]

The ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria can be a stressful one to do FCFS - it's doable as you found, but you gotta be super early and flexible. Way less stress if you have a reservation, but that can be hard if you don't know when exactly you'll be back. Reservations can fill up weeks/month in advance too during some of the more busy summer days.

Great quick trip report, I want to do something similar soon, but try to visit more of the western coast - unfortunately that means a few more "out and back" drives and less of a big loop, but I know there's a lot of small towns out there to check out as well. I've dispersed camped a few times on the island.

I tried to make a reservation at the start of my trip, but was told I couldn't. Maybe by the time I tried they had sold their allotment of reservations?

 

[rnArmy]

Looks like a fun loop. I used to live on the island when I was a little kid. Still miss it.

Might be a fun route to do on a motorcycle. But, I'd probably hotel it along the way, lol

Yeah... good luck with finding hotels during some stretches. The book I linked in the first post would be helpful. I'd recommend anyone contemplating doing the loop purchase the book and look through it before heading out

 

[smbisig]

Thanks for sharing.

I was supposed to go fishing in Winter Harbour this past summer and was going to do something similar but build my own route. Now that I know there's a detailed established route, I will use it as a reference for maybe next year.

 

[grizzlypath]

I tried to make a reservation at the start of my trip, but was told I couldn't. Maybe by the time I tried they had sold their allotment of reservations?

I usually try to book a 4+ weeks in advance, earlier if possible. It gets really booked up, especially in the summer and around Labor Day. I went to Victoria over Labor Day weekend, but we walked on.

 

[Todd n Natalie]

Yeah... good luck with finding hotels during some stretches.

Oh really? Okay, good to know.

Not really excited at the thought of tenting it in the northern section.

I've read that Van Island has one of it not the most dense black bear population in the world.

Vancouver Island black bear – Bear Conservation

www.bearconservation.org.uk

 

[Ozarker]

Those of us driving Recliners need more pictures, please!