While camping at Miracle Beach we did three hikes in the area, one of which was the Jack Hames Trail.   The trailhead is near the mouth of the Oyster River.   The first 0.7 km follows the river to the estuary, then the trail continues along the seashore between private land and the gravel beaches.

Deciduous and evergreen trees lined the trail and in one spot, this tree grew around a stump, looking like a small banyan tree in Hawaii.

The tide was out and the estuary area had exposed seaweeds covering the shingle beach.

The trail continued north between the forest and the shoreline around Kuhushan Point, with fine views across the Strait of Georgia to the Coast Ranges.

We stopped to inspect various flowering plants and seaside (salt-tolerant) plants by the trail.   Click an image for an ID.

blackberry

seaside pea

silver beachweed

pickleweed

mountain ash

birds foot trefoil

We hiked out-and-back, a total of about 6 km, a pleasant flat route on a sunny day.   We looped back through the forest on our way back, enjoying the tall maples and red alders.

This is another recommended hike in the area between Courtenay and Campbell River, an area we plan to explore more in upcoming years.