Rose Spit

Dixon Entrance

North

South Beach

McIntye Bay

Hecate Strait

Tow Hil Rd

Hl’y

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ng G

andl

(Hie

llen

Riv

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Silver Lake

AnserLake

GrusLake

Spence Lake

LummeLake

MicaLake

ClearwaterLake

ImberLake

ProspectLake

JunoLake

HermitLake

CygnetLakeS

Gid

lii G

andl

(Whi

te C

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HareldaLakes

HarlequinLake

SGang.an Gandl

(Sangan River)

Skonu

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Tow Hil Rd

Nor

th B

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Eas

t Bea

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Xuuy

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(Oea

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Tsaawan Gandl

(Chown River)

KumaraLake

PurdyLake

To: Masset, Old Massett, Port Clements

North Beach CabinsRapid Ritchie Rustic RentalsAll The Beach You Can Eat

Note: persons contemplating a visit to Naikoon Provincial Park are reminded that it is a wilderness area with limited resources.

Your safety is your responsibility.Be prepared for emergency situations. Carry

what you will need to rescue yourself and your vehicle should it become stuck on the beach.

Avoid travelling on the sand dunes as disturbance can lead to loss of plant life,

erosion, exposure and damage to cultural sites. Tire tracks and repeated foot traffic through

the sand dunes cause extensive environmental damage.

Vehicle/ATV use within Naikoon is limited to between the high and low tide lines of North and East Beaches; ATV use on interior trails

and sand dune areas is not allowed.

Alaska View Lodge

Agate Beach Campground

Hiellen Campground

Beach House B&B

Moon Over NaikoonBakery

Yakan Point

Tow Hill (Taaw)

Cape Fife

Kelp Beds B&B

Windsong Cabin Rentals

Wendy's Bus Cafe

Trout House

Restaurant

Tow Hill Community Access Kiosk

Dixon Entrance Golf Course & Clubhouse

Walking tour of theLegend Tow Hill (Taaw) Suggested Walking

Tour Route Hiellen Campground

Rose Spit Haida Reserve

Cape Fife Trail Naikoon Park

North Beach Beach Access

Tow Hill Community

Cape Fife Trail

NaikooN Park Hikes

Some of these hikes are in demanding wilderness, and all multi-day hikes require sufficient preparation & supplies. All water in Naikoon Park must be treated; water is undrinkable on North Beach/north of Cape Fife. Your safety is your responsibility.

Sangan River Mouth to Tow Hill - 15 km

Hiellen Campground to Rose Spit - 22 km

Tow Hill to Cape Fife - 10 km

Tow Hill to Tlell via the Cape Fife Trail - 78 km

Tow Hill to Tlell via the base of Rose Spit - 89 km

Cape Fife to Oeanda River - 17 km

Oeanda River to Cape Ball River - 36.5 km

Cape Ball River to Tlell - 10.5 km

Two primitive log shelters are located near the Cape Ball and Oeanda Rivers, approximately 2 km south of their respective river mouths, above the high tide line. The Fife Point cabin has a wood stove and is located on the east beach side of the Cape Fife trail head. All three shelter locations are marked with an orange sign posted on a tree above the beach zone. Please keep a watchful eye for the signs as you approach the Cape Ball and Oeanda Rivers and Fife Point, as they are not directly obvious from the beach zone.

CFS Masset or "The Elephant Cage"

Limberlost Lodge

The Islands' newest emerging community, Tow Hill is an area spread out along Tow Hill Road - 10km east of Masset. The Tow Hill area - known locally as "Tow Town" - runs along the northwestern boundary of Naikoon Provincial Park and developments on private lands within the Parks boundaries has increased the number of people moving to the area.

The main amenities along the roadway include several rustic cabins for rent in forested, river or beach settings, a restaurant, café and organic produce store. Surfing is becoming popular on the Beaches to the north of Tow Hill Road especially during the winter season. The eastern end of Tow Hill Road provides access to Agate Beach Provincial Campground and North Beach.

Tow Hill (Taaw)Tow Hill consists of faceted columnar-jointed basalt columns, a volcanic plug formation that is one of the most distinctive features of North Beach. At an elevation of 125m, Tow Hill has two interpretive boardwalks; one that leads out to the "Blow Hole" and another that winds its way up the hill to two viewing platforms. The views of Agate beach and Yakan Point/North beach are spectacular from these platforms. Taaw (Tow Hill) is important to the Haida people and several legends of significance are attributed to Taaw.

Tow Hill Loop Trail: This trail starts at the Tow Hill day use parking lot and follows the west bank of the Hiellen River. A sign at the junction will guide you up the boardwalk for the 15 minute hike to two viewing platforms. One platform provides a spectacular view of South Beach, Yakan Point and the interior bogs. Please take care to stay on the boardwalk - there are several hidden cliffs and dangers in this area. Halfway along this trail you will come to a junction directing you to the Blow Hole, which is at the base of Tow Hill - another 15 minutes and you're on the rocky shoreline. The Blow Hole is best viewed at mid-tide - watch out for slippery footing. Total loop distance is approximately 2 km.

Hiellen Campground / ReserveHiellen Reserve is a 70.5 acre area owned by the Massett band, and was the site of several important Haida villages. This location continues to be a very important food gathering place for the Haida; razor clams digging, crabbing and fishing are done here. Permission was obtained to build a clam cannery here in 1923 and it ran seasonally until 1930 - you can see the remains of the boiler close the river near the beach access. There are camping sites, pit toilets and parking available.

Rose SpitThe sand bars of Rose Spit extend outward 14 km from this point and are a dicey proposition for any ship to cross. Ever changing, Rose Spit is being formed by southeast gales eroding the east beach coastline and driving the sand northwards, where the turbulent waters of Dixon Entrance and the Hecate Strait meet. Rose Spit is an area of high importance to the Haida people, and is known as NAIKUN "the long nose of Nai" - one of the Haida creation stories involves Raven finding a cockle shell on the beach, filled with humans struggling inside, and coaxing the humans out.

Cape Fife TrailThe Cape Fife trail starts just past the Tow Hill day use parking lot and the Hiellen River. Signs will guide you to the trail head. The trail crosses the Argonaut Plain and spectacular bog environments. Some portions of the trail are boardwalk. 10km one way (4 hours approximate). The Cape Fife shelter is located at the end of the trail on East Beach.

Welcome to theTow Hill Community

www.towhillroad.ca

Supernatural

Police • 250-626-3991Ambulance • 1-888-461-9911Masset Fire Department • 250-626-5511Masset Health Clinic • 250-626-4702Coast Guard • 1-800-567-5111

Alternatively, you can try the Cape Fife Loop - A two/three day wilderness hike through costal forest, bogs and along sandy beaches to Rose Spit. Hike Cape Fife trail to East Beach shelter - then turn northwards along the beach to Rose Spit. Follow North Beach back to Tow Hill day use area. Approximately 35km return trip.

North BeachWide open sandy, pebbled beaches spilling over with driftwood along the northern coastline of Graham Island. It is easy to access by foot or car which is a big reason why this beach attracts people to the area for beach combing, hiking, surfing, fishing, clam digging, ATVing and relaxing. The beaches offers up some of the best ocean views, waterfront experiences and peaceful moments available while visiting on Haida Gwaii. North Beach is mainly hard packed wet sand at low tide when the ocean waters retreat exposing miles of beach for all to see and play in. During the winter, both beaches become storm watching destinations - Nature's power on display with huge waves and howling winds smashing the coastline. It is always wise to pack good rain gear on an outdoor storm watching adventure or any adventure for that matter! Layer your clothing, bring a hat and gloves if brave enough to venture outdoors in a west coast storm. Some stay in a vehicle and watch the storms from the car, Agate Beach is good for that. A good description of the North Beach area:

"Nellie Hammond knew nothing about cooking, but being very much in love and realizing that her husband wanted to try pioneering at Tow Hill she agreed (to join him.) 'Never will I forget that ride out along that beach. The majesty of those big trees and the huge breakers rolling in along the shore – I felt as though God were very near, and it seemed to be the loveliest place in all the world.'"

- from The Queen Charlotte Islands, Volume 1 1774-1966 by Kathleen Dalzell

Alaska View Lodge • 250-626-3333All The Beach You Can Eat • 604-313-6192The Beach House B&B • 250-626-6040Hidden Island Guest house • 250-626-5286Highwater House • 250-559-8133Kelp Beds • 250-626-3895

Emergency Services

Accommodation

With Many Thanks: towhillroad.ca, gohaidgwaii.ca,Kathleen Dalzell, Chris Ashurst

Photo credit: Kayla Bailey

Photo credit: Jennifer Bailey

Photo credit: Jennifer Bailey

Limberlost Lodge • 250-626-3371New Moon Over Naikoon Cabins • 250-626-7737North Beach Cabins • 250-557-2415Rapid Ritchie's Beach Cabins • 250-626-5472Windsong Cottage Rentals • 250-626-3625

Photo credit: Jennifer Bailey