#Suquash was the site of the first #CoalMine on #VancouverIsland. It still has lots of cool ruins & abandoned #mining #industrial machinery in the middle of the forest & on the beach below. It's very isolated & you'll likely see no one else around, if you go. It's just slightly north of #PortMcNeill town centre.
I often take friends here, when visiting North Island because the site has many different elements. The forest has a section where multiple trees were split down the middle by lightening strikes. New trees, plants & fungi are growing out of the burned out trees. The beach is full of prehistoric fossils of ancient marine animals. It is well worth a day visit. Follow flags to avoid getting lost there - it's easy to lose yourself in dense forest, if the site is unfamiliar to you. Carry a big stick & poke the ground before walking ahead - to avoid falling into hidden sinkholes.
The site still needs environmental clean up. There's still lots of black, greasy, toxic water that bubbles up from underground. The government only put up danger signs but they've otherwise abandoned this site.
More info on the #history of this site:
https://www.whattherock.ca/post/suquash-beach-vancouver-islands-first-coal-mine
My photos are from 2022 visit.
#VanIsle #AbandonedPlaces #ruins #Quatsino #PacificNorthwest #RoadTrips #PNW #ExploreMore #Backroads #OutdoorAdventures #BCMiningHistory #SilentSunday #InterestingPlaces #historical #AbandonedMines #abandoned