All trail routes described here are not necessarily ready for usage. Read Disclaimer.

Extreme caution is required using these trails as they are often being upgraded.

Important! Stop Here !!!
Read the following notes carefully before proceeding!!!

Prepare yourself for entering the backcountry. Backcountry backpacking experience is essential. Expect sudden weather changes including fog and snow, especially at the higher elevations. Also, watch for bears and other wildlife. Bug repellent is a real asset. Ground conditions can be very boggy -- waterproof boots are a must. Grizzly bears are known to frequent the area through which the trail passes. Winter conditions apply from near the end of October to the end of June. Check with BC Parks for conditions in this area.

Trail Condition advisory:
Please note that it has been reported to us that due to the Fall/03 major rainstorm a severe slide has obliterated a section of the Snass Creek Trail.

Hiking/Equestrian Trail (West to East) (This could well become the preferred TCT route for hikers and equestrians)

Klesilkwa Trail (14.5 km)

For now follow the Silver/Skagit Road south to the entrance of the Skagit River Trail, on your left, just over the 26-Mile Bridge. (Work is being done to reestablish the off-road Centennial Trail on this route.) The well-serviced Silvertip campground and the day parking area is just before the bridge.

Skagit River Trail (14 km) to Sumallo Grove (find Skagit Trail on BC Parks site)

Also described at Skagit Valley Recreation Area site
The Skagit Map.
It is part of the Old Whatcom Trail - . The special features along this trail include the Skagit River itself, wild rhododendrons, black cottonwoods, ponderosa pine and old-growth forest.

If the entrance of the trail is flooded, it is possible to get around the flooding by going 100 to 150 metres further south on the Silver/Skagit Road and follow flagging back to the main trail. Care should be taken to stay on the Skagit River Trail and not the Centennial Trail at about 20 minutes into the trail.

The Delacey wilderness campground is along the way.

Rhododendron Flats Trail (3 km)

A trail connection still has to be constructed between Sumallo Grove the Rhododendron Flats trail system to the Cascade Trailhead. For now the easiest route is to follow #3 Highway and watch for an entrance to your left to the Cascade Trailhead.

Snass Creek Trail (11.5 km) to the Divide at the Snass View Campground

See Manning Provincial Park Dewdney Trail

Start at the Cascade Trailhead in Manning Park east of Rhododendron Flats. Stay on the Dewdney Trail which follows Snass Creek. Ignore signs to the Whatcom Trail. Until the trail is upgraded, be prepared to crash through high underbrush for about 3 km past Dry Lake. Wear long pants, long sleeves, and waterproof boots.

At the Divide the Tulameen flows north and the Snass flows south.

Paradise Valley Trail from Divide to Ranger Station (4 km)

Stay on the Dewdney Trail by turning northeast 1 km past Snass View Campground. It follows on the west side and the be

One can also camp on the Ranger Station grounds and if you are lucky the volunteer trail stewards (backcountry horsemen at this time) may invite you to stay inside if they are at the site.

Blackeyes/Whatcom Trail to Wells Lake from Ranger Station (9 km)

Note: an alternative that allows the trekker to experience high alpine meadows and great views is to reach Wells Lake via Paddy's Pond and Granite Mountain, an extra 10 km and 100 m (1000 feet) in elevation. It is the continuation of the Dewdney Trail.

Check at the Ranger Station for the condition of the Blackeyes Trail. It is subject to a lot of windfalls. The Blackeyes Trail is part of the Whatcom Trail to Wells Lake. Do not cross theTulameen River on the Dewdney Trail. Stay on the west side of the Tulameen River until Blackeyes/Whatcom Trail crosses it a little further on.

A serviced forestry campground is available at Wells Lake.

Whatcom/Blackeyes/HBC Trail to Lodestone Lake from Wells Lake (12 km)

This alpine meadows trail is an extremely pleasant trek. A serviced forestry campground is available at Lodestone Lake.

Lodestone Lake to Coalmont Trail (20.5 km)

Follow the forest road. Hopefully, one day, the HBC/Blackeyes Trail to Tulameen will be reopened. Failing that, there are opportunities to upgrade existing trails to Coalmont.

Distances:

Public Washroom Facilities and Staging areas (Parking)

• Picnic site north of the 26-Mile bridge

• Sumallo Grove

• Cascade Trailhead

• Coalmont

Accommodation
Camping
Other than the ones described above, there are major campsites in Manning Park and a Provincial Campground in Coalmont.
Hotels, Bed and Breakfasts, other
Coalmont Hotel in Coalmont

Shops and Restaurants
In Coalmont

For More Information
BC Parks
BC Outdoor Recreation Council
Backcountry Horsemen of BC
BC Federation of Mountain Clubs
Cascade Recreation Area

Bear Safety

Trans Canada Trail Descriptions by Area

Buy Your Metre of Trail here