White Creek Trail
White Creek Trail — settlers' road to Heralda Lakes through Naikoon Park
Part of the network of settlers' trails to their pre-emptions circa 1910, now part of Naikoon Park, traditionally Haida territory. The trail leads through old growth cedar and spruce forest and up into the bog, with beautiful views stretching into Naikoon Park. Two access points are available.
Access: 17.6 k east of Masset Causeway on Tow Hill Road — park north side of White Creek Bridge
Rating: Moderate · Rubber boots
Distance: approx 8 km
Elevation gain: 40 m
Time: 2 hours in & out
Main trail: Walk back across the bridge then southeast along the old wagon road. Cross on logs either up or downstream to reconnect with the settler road. Follow to old fence remnants, then go south along a game trail 20 minutes along the tree line to fence and tapes. Follow tapes to skirt high water, then rejoin the original road. Overgrown but well-defined by ditches with a game trail first on the east then west side. Walk 35 minutes. A notable east turn (good camping) crosses 2 log bridges to open muskeg where Heralda Lakes can be seen (40 minutes). Final tapes indicate the route from trail to the sandy beach on the lake (8 minutes).
Second trail: Walk north from the car 5 minutes to open dunes and the mouth of White Creek. Easy access. Details from Fern Henderson: Queen Charlotte Islands Trail Hikes and Beach Walks, 1996.
Wear waterproof footwear. Be very careful of the delicate landscape — avoid leaving the trail as it is easy to get lost. The trail continues to Heralda Lakes (4 km), then return the way you came.