Meares Island is the beautiful landmass you see when you look east from Tofino. The towering Lone Cone Mountain on Meares Island is a vivid reminder of the diverse topography of the region. Meares Island is home to the most magnificent old growth trees ranging from 800-1500 years old. Meares Island is the epitome of a true west coast forest – a moss and fern carpeted forest floor, giant cedar trees and diverse ecosystems abundant with life.
Meares Island hosted one of the largest environmental protests in Canadian history – “The War in the Woods”. The protest started back in 1985 and was the launch of a decade long peaceful protest. The protest sought to shut down a logging operation in Clayoquot and to protect the Sound's old-growth forests. After many years and hundreds of protestor arrests, the logging was finally halted on the island. Thanks to the Ahousaht and neighboring activists, there is now an intact ancient west coast forest no longer under threat to industrial logging.
Meares Island has been one of the homes of the Ahousaht Tribe for thousands of years, and some would say since the beginning of time. The fishing village at Lone Cone Beach or Maatsquiaht as the Ahousaht referred to it as was the site of well over a few thousand Nuu-chan-nulth people right up until the mid 1800s. The nearby creeks and stream provided fresh water, returning runs of chum and coho salmon were alway abundant and the forest on Meares Island provided incredible old growth cedar for lodges, canoes, house poles and cedar bark for baskets, clothing, fishing line and many daily living requirements. The sense of place is felt the moment you set upon the shores of Lone Cone Hostel and Campground and this foundation of strength and connection only increases upon every return visit and associated adventure. Come hike, swim, fish, stand up paddle, kayak, or just be. You will want to tell your friends and family to all come back to your Lone Cone home year after year.
