Hikes

Secret Cove/Hidden Cove

Copper Bay Lodge is lucky to have some wonderful hiking venues near the lodge that are rarely utilized. The trailhead to Secret Cove starts before the first campsite at Gray Bay and is separated by a wide creek. The path crosses a footbridge and enters a mossy forest. The short walk leads to a sandy U-shaped beach with eroded boulders at one end and barnacled boulders at the other. It has some incredibly large twisted tree trunks that date back over 100 years. There are some interesting eroded boulders at the other end of the beach that you pass before heading back along the trail to the ocean.  As you approach the ocean you can climb a bouldery cliff on the right, up to some low shrubs and see an amazing view of the Hidden Cove. This is our favorite area: a small cove with picturesque rocks worn smooth by the pounding waves. 

Gray Bay-Cumshewa Trail to Picnic Point

Drive south along the Gray Bay road as far as you can. Then take a footbridge over a creek. It’s a pleasant 30-minute walk along the moss-covered road to the trailhead. Expect to encounter deer on this trail. You will come across a dilapidated footbridge leaning to one side; a couple of floor boards are missing and the wet wood can be slick. The trail alternates between mossy forest and beach where floats mark the entrance and exit points. There are some nice eroded rocks along the beach to photograph but trying to make sense of which angle and perspective to shoot from is challenge.