I couldn’t find that much reliable info about it before my trip, so after my visit I put together this hiking guide for you. It has details on my recommended loop hike route that takes you to both Tow Hill and the Blow Hole.

In this Tow Hill hiking guide you will find:

• Why Visit Tow Hill? What is there to see?
• Indigenous context: Why is Tow Hill important to the Haida?
• Geology: How was Tow Hill formed?
• Trail Stats: Distance, duration and difficulty for the hike to Tow Hill and the Blow Hole
• A Tow Hill Trail Map that I made just for you
• How to get to the trailhead with step-by-step driving drections
• Turn-by-turn hiking directions with lots of photos

This is a sensitive wilderness area. Learn how to Leave No Trace to keep the wilderness wild. Make sure you are prepared by bringing the 10 Essentials. Get ready for adventure with this checklist of things to do before every hike.

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

Why Visit Tow Hill?

The trail to Tow Hill is one of the most popular hikes in Haida Gwaii. It’s an easy hike that leads to great viewpoints of the coastline. The forested trail is also gorgeous with lots of moss, fern, and cedar trees.

The Blow Hole at the nearby beach is also worth a visit to see the unique rock formations. It is also the best place to take photos of the unique volcanic column formations on the cliffs of Tow Hill.

I think Tow Hill is a must-see for anyone visiting Haida Gwaii. It was one of my favourite stops on my trip.

Indigenous Context

Tow Hill is now officially known as Taaw Tldáaw (pronounced t-ow tl-dow), the original Haida name. The name change was made official in 2022. However, you will still see it referred to as Tow Hill in most places.

In the Haida culture, Taaw is a supernatural being. There are several stories about Taaw and Tow Hill. One story says that Taaw travelled along the coast looking for a place to settle. Once he arrived at the mouth of the Hiellen River, he decided to stay and became Tow Hill.

The same Haida story says that Taaw’s brother was angry with him and sent a whale and a large bird to attack him. That caused rocks to fall from Taaw’s body, forming the rocky beach you see today. The “whale” spouts from the Blow Hole.

You can read more Haida stories about Taaw on info signs at the trailhead and along the trail.

Tow Hill Geology

The northern part of Haida Gwaii is very flat and marshy. Although Tow Hill is only 125 m (410 ft) tall, it towers over the surrounding landscape. The hill is actually an extinct volcano, formed when lava bubbled up to the surface 2 million years ago.

The unique rock columns you can see on the ocean side of the hill were formed in the hill’s core. But glaciers from the last ice age and the pounding surf have carved the rest of the hill away, leaving the columns exposed.

Trail Stats

Below I’ve got trail stats for the hike to Tow Hill only, the hike to the Blow Hole, and a combo of the two that is my recommended route. As well, here are a few things to know about the hikes at Tow Hill:

Best Time to Go: The trail is best between March and November. You can still hike during the winter months, but expect periods of ice, snow, and frost.

Toilets: There is an outhouse at the trailhead parking area. There are no other toilets on the trail.

Dogs: Dogs are allowed on leash only as per BC Park’s regulations. As well, several dogs have died when off-leash on this trail after they fell off cliffs, so please be careful.

Accessibility: The trail to the Blow Hole viewing platform is wheelchair accessible on smooth gravel and wooden boardwalk. The remainder of the trails include stairs or rock scrambles and are not accessible.

Caution: There are sheer cliffs on this hike. Stay behind railings and avoid the edge.

Tow Hill Only Hike Stats

Below are the stats for an out-and-back hike to Tow Hill only.

Duration: 1 hour

Distance: 2.3 km round trip

Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

Elevation Gain: 120 m

Blow Hole Only Hike Stats

Below are the stats for an out-and-back hike to the Blow Hole only.

Duration: 30 min

Distance: 2 km round trip

Difficulty: Easy

Elevation Gain: 30 m

Tow Hill and the Blow Hole Combo Hike Stats (Recommended Route)

Below are the stats for my recommended loop route that heads to the Blow Hole first, then carries on to Tow Hill before finishing back at the trailhead.

Duration: 1.5 hours

Distance: 3.1 km loop

Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

Elevation Gain: 120 m

Tow Hill and the Blow Hole Trail Map

The trails to Tow Hill and the Blow Hole are easy to follow with signs at every junction. But to help you find your way, I made you a trail map using Gaia GPS, my favourite GPS mapping app. Click through to zoom in and explore.

How to Get to Tow Hill

Getting to Tow Hill is a fairly straightforward 30-minute drive from Masset. Go north on Highway 16 from Masset, which becomes Tow Hill Road north of town. After a few minutes, the road turns to gravel but it is fairly smooth and well-graded, so it is fine for any vehicle. The road heads through a beautiful rainforest into Naikoon Provincial Park.

Pass the entrance to the Agate Beach Campground on your left about 23 km after leaving Masset. Arrive at the trailhead two kilometres later. There is a parking area on the left and an information kiosk. If you cross the bridge over the Hiellen River and arrive at Hiellen Village, you have gone too far.

Click here for Google Maps driving directions.

Tow Hill and the Blow Hole Hiking Directions

From the trailhead, you can choose to hike to either Tow Hill or the Blow Hole. However, my recommended route connects the two so you can complete both hikes in a loop with minimal backtracking. As well, my route climbs the hill from the gentler east side instead of the steeper south side.

The Blow Hole

To start my recommended route, follow the trail past the info board, picnic tables, and outhouse. The first portion of your hike, all the way to the Blow Hole is wheelchair accessible so you will be walking on wide boardwalks.

For the first few minutes, the path parallels the Hiellen River. You can look through the trees to Hiellen Village and the huge monumental pole.

After hiking about 200 metres, reach a junction. Your route goes straight to visit the Blow Hole first. The trail on the left is the way you will return from the peak.

Continue along the smooth wooden boardwalk towards the Blow Hole. Sometimes you can glimpse the coast to your right through the trees. Several benches and info signs give you opportunities to take a break.

About 900 metres from the start reach another junction. Ignore the left turn for now and continue straight to the Blow Hole. A large wooden platform here provides a great view of North Beach and Rose Spit in the distance. You can scramble across the rocks for more views.

To visit the Blow Hole, either take the wooden stairs or clamber down the rocks to the southwest. The Blow Hole can be hard to spot initially if the tide isn’t right. Listen and look carefully – the splashing of the waves will show you where it is. Tip: Go on a rising tide with a moderate swell for the best splashes!

There are also great views of the volcanic cliffs of Tow Hill from here. This was one of my favourite spots on Haida Gwaii. Take some time to explore all the rock formations.

Tow Hill

When have finished enjoying the Blow Hole, retrace your steps back to the last junction and go right. The boardwalk trail climbs gently through the forest, sometimes with the help of a few stairs. You will be thankful for the boardwalks in the boggy and mossy sections which can be very wet.

After about half a kilometre of gentle ascent, reach another junction. Turn right to begin the steep climb to the peak. The trail zigzags back and forth up the hill so the grade remains manageable even though it is definitely a workout.

A few minutes from the junction, reach a wooden viewing platform with a telescope. The view of North Beach and Rose Spit from here is incredible, although trees in the foreground do block the view a little bit. This is also a good place to catch your breath.

Continue onwards (and upwards) from the viewing platform for the final push up to the summit. The trail curls around to the west and finishes at another viewing platform with a telescope. This one is perched on the side of the cliff and looks west along the beach to Masset. From here, the boggy interior of Naikoon Provincial Park is really prominent.

The true summit of Tow Hill is a few minutes away in the forest. However, there is no trail and it doesn’t have a view. There are also lots of cliffs in the area, so stay on the main trail.

When you are ready to descend, follow the trail back down the hill, past the other viewing platform, to the junction. Go straight down the hill, following the trail and boardwalk through more switchbacks. The path levels out a little bit towards the bottom before finally arriving at another junction.

To finish your hike, go right along the boardwalk past the picnic tables and outhouse to the trailhead and parking area.

So that’s everything you need to know about hiking to Tow Hill and the Blow Hole in Haida Gwaii. If you have questions about the hike, leave them in the comments so I can help you out.

READ NEXT:

• Things to Do in Haida Gwaii
• The Ultimate Guide to Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve
• Pesuta Shipwreck Trail in Haida Gwaii
• Inside Passage Ferry from Port Hardy to Prince Rupert, BC
• 20+ Things to do in Prince Rupert, BC

The post Tow Hill and the Blow Hole Hike in Haida Gwaii appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

At 440-metres-tall, Della Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in Canada and one of the best multi-day hiking trips on Vancouver Island. It’s even featured in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island.

I hiked the trail over three days in early July and have put together a HUGE Della Falls Trail guide for you. It includes:

• Quick facts about the Della Falls Trail
• How to get to Della Falls including water taxi, canoe, and motorboat options
• Key distances on the Della Falls Trail
• Detailed Della Falls Trail description, broken up into sections
• Della Falls Trail itinerary options from 2-5 days
• Della Falls FAQ including questions about distance, difficulty, bears, weather, transportation, and more

This is a sensitive wilderness area. Learn how to Leave No Trace to keep the wilderness wild. Make sure you are prepared by bringing the 10 Essentials. Get ready for adventure with this checklist of things to do before every hike.

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

Della Falls Trail Quick Facts

Location: Della Falls is located at the southern end of Strathcona Provincial Park in the middle of Vancouver Island. It is in the mountains north of Great Central Lake.

Distance: 32 km round trip

Elevation Gain: 540 m

Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

Time: 2-3 days

Cost: Free if you have your own motor boat or canoe. Otherwise its $185-210 per person for the water taxi.

Best time to go: Mid-June to mid-July when the waterfall is in high flow and the trail to Love Lake is mostly snow-free. Anytime between mid-May and mid-September is also good.

Indigenous Context: Great Central Lake and the lower Drinkwater Creek valley are in the overlapping territory of the Tseshaht and Hupačasath Nations, both speakers of the Nuu-chah-nulth language. Della Falls and the upper valley are the traditional territory of the Hupačasath. I have included Nuu-chah-nulth place names throughout the trail description where possible.

More info: My book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island.

How to Get to the Della Falls Trail

The only way to get to Della Falls is first by boat, then by hiking. There are no roads to the trailhead. You have three main options for boating: book a water taxi ride, paddle a canoe or kayak, or drive your own motorized boat.

Della Falls Water Taxi

The Della Falls Water Taxi is a small, family-run business. It leaves from the Great Central Lake Resort. See the section below for driving directions. It shuttles hikers from the marina to the trailhead, which takes about 1 hour one-way. The boat holds a maximum of 5 hikers.

Their schedule is as follows:

Leave Great Central Lake Marina: 8 am, 10:30 am, 1 pm, 3:30 pm

Leave Della Falls Trailhead: 9 am, 11:30 am, 2 pm, 4:30 pm

I have more details about which water taxi time you should book in the itinerary section below.

Groups of 1-2 people pay $210 per person round-trip. Groups of 3-5 people pay $185 per person. There are discounts for kids and seniors.

They operate between May 15 and early September each year. Reservations are essential as they book up fast. Most years, the their reservation bookings open in early February. Use the contact form on their website to book.

Drive Your Own Boat

You can drive your own motorboat to the trailhead. Larger craft need to launch at the Great Central Lake RV Resort and Marina. See the driving directions below.

Great Central Lake is 35 km long and can be very windy, so plan travel times and fuel accordingly.

Paddle a Canoe or Kayak

Before the water taxi business opened, most hikers travelled to the trailhead by canoe or kayak. Paddling is less popular today.

It is a 35 km paddle from Great Central Lake RV Resort or 24 km from Scout Beach Recreation Site (see driving directions below), and takes a full day. The lake can be very windy, especially in the afternoon, so stay close to the shoreline.

Since the paddle is so long, many groups chose to camp along the way. An informal site at Clark Point on the north shore of the lake, about 10 km from Scout Beach is the best option.

There are other options along the north shore of the lake, but water levels fluctuate and some may be inundated at high water levels. You can also camp at the trailhead campground – see details in the trail description below.

Driving Directions to Great Central Lake RV Resort and Marina

Hikers taking the water taxi or launching their own motor boat will leave from the Great Central Lake RV Resort and Marina.

To get there from Nanaimo, go north on Highway 19, then take Highway 14 west from Coombs. Go past Port Alberni, then turn right onto Central Lake Road about 7 km after the bridge over the Somass River.

Follow the road for 7 km, then turn right into the marina. There is free parking on the shoulder of Central Lake Road. It’s a 90-minute drive from Nanaimo. Click here for Google Maps driving directions.

Driving Directions to Scout Camp Recreation Site

Scout Camp Rec Site is located on a confusing network of unpaved logging roads. Use the Vancouver Island Backroads Mapbook or a GPS app to find your way.

Use the driving directions above for Great Central Lake RV Resort and Marina. From there, go north on Ash Main FSR, crossing the bridge over the Ash River. Stay on Ash Main for 6.6 km, then turn left onto Ash 286, which may have signs for Browns Bay Dryland Sort.

At the fork 0.8 km later, stay right. Turn left 8.3 km later, then immediately left again to arrive at Scout Beach Rec Site. The rustic campground has a few campsites, an outhouse, and access to the beach to launch small boats.

Getting to Della Falls Without a Car

Della Falls is on my list of car-free BC Backpacking trips. From Nanaimo, take the Tofino Bus to Port Alberni. From there you can take a taxi for 20 minutes to the Great Central Lake Marina to catch the Della Falls water taxi to the trailhead.

Where to Stay Near Della Falls

Since most hikers will need to catch an early morning water taxi, it makes the most sense to stay nearby the night before.

If you want to camp, Sproat Lake Provincial Park is just 10 minutes from the marina. The upper campground has 44 sites. The lower campground has 5 walk-in sites and 14 RV sites. Reservations required.

We stayed at the Best Western Plus Barclay Hotel. It’s by far the nicest hotel in Port Alberni but it isn’t too expensive. The rooms were modern and clean the hotel restaurant had good breakfast.

There are several other motels in Port Alberni, but they are older and a bit run-down so I don’t recommend them. However, they are cheap!

Port Alberni also has several B&Bs that cater to hikers and salmon fishers. The Hummingbird Guesthouse, Beaver Hut Bed and Breakfast, and Cedar Wood Lodge Bed and Breakfast Inn all get good reviews.

Join the Backpacking in BC Facebook Group

Key Distances on the Della Falls Trail

BC Backpacking in Your Inbox!

Sign up to receive a bi-monthly newsletter from Taryn at Dawn Outdoors stuffed with the latest on backpacking in BC including:

• conditions reports,
  
• reservation dates,
  
• seasonal trip recommendations,
  
• gear deals,
  
• backpacking news,
• and lots more!

You can unsubscribe anytime. For more details, review our Privacy Policy.

Subscribe

Loading…

Awesome!

You have successfully signed up for the Backpacking in BC newsletter. Go check your email to read your welcome message!

Della Falls Trail Description

Trailhead Dock

The trailhead is at a dock at the west end of Great Central Lake. The Hupačasath call the lake ʕa-ʔuk-k̓uk mu̓u-ḥuł, pronounced Moo-hoolth-aht. The name refers to a forest fire sparked from a lightning storm before Europeans arrived. Part of the name comes from m’uuh-u which means “burned ground”.

Great Central Lake was dammed in 1925 for hydroelectric power generation, which raised the water level. It flooded the end of the lake so there are lots of dead trees in the water near the dock.

If you drove your own boat, be careful pulling in to the shallow water near the dock as there are deadheads underwater. Be sure to moor your boat out of the way of other boats. Leave room for the water taxi to dock.

To start the trail, walk along the floating dock, then up the stairs. The Trailhead Campground is straight in front of you. The trail to Della Falls starts next to the info sign to your left.

Canoers and kayakers can unload on the dock, then carry their boats up to the canoe rests at the entrance to the campground.

Trailhead Campground

The large campground at the trailhead is a good place to stay on your first or last night if you paddled to the trailhead. You might also want to stay here if you have a morning water taxi pick-up scheduled.

It has 16 numbered tent pads, some of which have picnic tables. However, many of them are quite overgrown. Back when most groups canoed to the trailhead, this campground must have been quite busy, but these days, it doesn’t seem to get much use.

There are two pit toilets at the back of the campground accessed via separate trails, one of which has a lot of stairs. There is also a metal food locker on a spur trail behind the lower outhouse. Collect and filter drinking water from Great Central Lake.

Trailhead to Margaret Creek Camp

Distance: 6.5 km

Elevation Gain: 75 m

Time: 1.5-2.5 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Follow the trail from the north side of the campground. The trail is actually an old mining and logging road. Joe Drinkwater was the first to discover the mineral deposits in the 1890s and named the falls after his wife, Della.

The Ptarmigan Mine opened in 1906 on nearby Big Interior Mountain. The miners built a trail up the Drinkwater Valley to the base of the falls. From there, an aerial tramway brought buckets of ore down to the site of today’s Saw Blades Camp.

The ore was carried out to Great Central Lake on packhorses, then down the lake by boat. The mine closed in 1916, but prospectors continued to use the trail to work smaller claims. Later, logging companies widened the trail into a road and logged the lower valley.

Look for abandoned machinery, tools, and “historical” garbage as you hike. The most obvious example is the giant saw blades affixed to trees at Saw Blades Camp.

Follow the old road as it parallels the end of the lake, then the Drinkwater Creek delta. Before too long, the creek is out of sight down the slope to your left.

In Hupačasath, Drinkwater Creek is called c̓aa-ʕa-tus, pronounced Sa-ah-tuss. It means “creek running downhill”.

In most places, the trail is flat, wide, and easy to follow. However, early in the season, it can be a bit overgrown with lots of salmonberry, thimbleberry, and devil’s club encroaching on the footbed.

As well, winter wind storms often blow trees down across the trail. The Della Falls Trail sees very little maintenance from BC Parks, so fallen trees can stack up. On my July 2022 hike, we had to duck under, climb over, and detour around dozens of fallen trees, which was exhausting.

The lower section of the trail is also notorious for thick clouds of mosquitos in June and early July. Mosquito repellent, long sleeves, pants, and a headnet are essential. The mosquitos seem to be more of a problem between the trailhead and Margaret Creek – they lessen as you head upstream.

The trail crosses unbridged creeks at 2.8 km and 3.9 km. In the early season or in times of high flow you may need to take off your boots and wade. But for the rest of the year, it should be an easy rock-hop across. The second one also has a fallen log to use if you are acrobatic.

On my trip, I kept my boots off for the first one but had to take them off for the second one as the log crossing looked too precarious for me.

In a few places, the old road bed is swampy so the trail heads up onto berms beside the trail. Follow flagging tape to find these detours, which can be a bit rough.

Margaret Creek Campground

If you want to break up the long hike to Saw Blades Camp or Della Falls Camp, stay at Margaret Creek, 6.5 km from the trailhead.

The Margaret Creek campground is just a wider part of the road next to Margaret Creek. The trail leaves the road to the right, and you can camp on the remaining roadbed. There is space for five or six tents.

Find a plastic throne-style toilet on the downhill side of the trail just before the campsite, but it doesn’t have very much privacy.

There is also a plastic barrel with a screw top-lid that acts as a food cache. Find it on the side trail to the toilet. Collect water from Margaret Creek. There are several social trails down to the water from the end of the old road.

Get My Book…

Backpacking on Vancouver Island

Discover Vancouver Island’s best day hikes and overnight trips

• 25 backpacking trips and 10 day hikes throughout Vancouver Island
• Info about permits, reservations and campground facilities
• Detailed maps and photos
• Advice for extending your trip
• Points of cultural and natural history

Get the book

Margaret Creek to the Cable Car

Distance: 5 km

Elevation Gain: 210 m

Time: 1.5-2 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

From the Margaret Creek Campground, follow the trail as it turns right and ascends the hill alongside Margaret Creek. This is the first place the trail leaves the old road and it is noticeably rougher.

Arrive at the edge of a canyon with the creek rushing below you. A wide wooden bridge crosses the chasm. Be sure to pause in the middle to look upstream to the waterfall.

On the other side, follow a technical and rough trail steeply downhill back to the old road. Past here, the road continues gradually uphill.

In a few places, it crosses washed-out sections with groves of bigleaf maple trees. Early in the year or at times of high water you will need to step carefully to stay out of the water in these washes.

About 11 km from the trailhead the trail curls back to the right on a short switchback and heads uphill. After gaining elevation gradually from the trailhead, this is the first real hill of the trail, gaining 80 m in about 0.5 km.

Arrive at the cable car and campground at the 11.5 km mark. There are impressive rapids on Drinkwater Creek here.

Cable Car Campground

It’s a bit generous to say there is a campground on the east side of the cable car. The old roadbed is wide enough to fit two or three tents, but there isn’t much room.

I wouldn’t plan to stay here. It’s only a good place to camp if you find yourself behind schedule and can’t make it all the way to Saw Blades Camp.

The campground has a metal food locker and you can collect water from Drinkwater Creek via a steep trail.

But there is no toilet, and that is a bit of a problem. You can head uphill from the trail into a boulder field to go the bathroom, but the rocky terrain makes digging a cat hole challenging.

Unfortunately, other hikers haven’t even tried to bury their waste and it is a toilet paper and shit minefield back there.

If you do stay at Cable Car camp or need to go to the bathroom here, please dig a hole and bury your waste. Or head back down the trail, and then uphill for a few minutes to find a better place to go.

READ NEXT: How to Leave No Trace (And Why it’s Important!)

Cable Car to Saw Blades Camp

Distance: 3.5 km

Elevation Gain: 185 m

Time: 1.5-2.5 hours

Difficulty: Challenging

To continue towards Della Falls, climb the ladder onto the cable car platform and climb onboard. Cable cars are easiest to use in pairs as you can take turns holding the car stable as the other person climbs in and loads gear.

Let gravity carry you to the lowest point in the cable, then work together to pull yourself to the other side. If you have more people in your group, then can help by pulling on the cables from the platforms.

After the cable car, the next kilometre is along the west bank of Drinkwater Creek. This section is rough since it doesn’t follow the old road bed. There are lots of small ups and downs over roots and rocks.

The trail crosses two slide paths that can be very overgrown. Watch for flagging to stay on track. Depending on water levels, you may also have to dodge pools of water in the rocks at the bottom of the slides.

After the second slide path, arrive back at Drinkwater Creek. Two narrow metal bridges with cable railings span a narrow chasm above the rumbling creek.

Once across the bridge, follow a rough flagged trail uphill into the forest, then quickly back down to creek level.

The trail follows the creek closely for a few hundred meters, weaving over and between giant boulders. In places, you will be nearly in the creek. A picturesque but tiny gravel beach partway along makes a good spot for a snack.

Continue climbing over rocks for a few more minutes before rejoining the old road. The road climbs gently but steadily through a long curve. Reach a wooden bridge at the 14 km mark. Soon after that, hit a straight stretch of trail. Look up for your first view of Della Falls high above you.

Cross another bridge a few minutes later, this time over Love Creek. The turn-off to the Love Lake Trail is a few more minutes along. About 0.5 km later, arrive at Saw Blades Camp at the 15 km mark.

Saw Blades Campground

Most hikers stay at Saw Blades Camp as it is the largest campground on the Della Falls Trail and makes the best base camp for hikes to the base of Della Falls and to Love Lake. It holds about a dozen tents spread out across the campground.

The entrance to Saw Blades Camp is marked by two huge rusty saw blades attached to trees, left over from logging decades ago. There is a small, lumpy clearing next to the blades that holds a few tents, but the main camping area is further along.

Follow the brushy trail left across a small stream towards the banks of Drinkwater Creek. There are several tent sites carved out of the bushes alongside the trail as it parallels the edge of the creek. A few trails down to the edge let you collect drinking water.

A spur trail to the right leads to a metal food cache and a plastic throne-style pit toilet that can get full.

If the toilet is not usable, bring a trowel and head back amongst the boulders away from the creek to dig a cat hole. This is a very popular campsite, and if you do not bury your waste, the area will quickly become contaminated.

The trail crosses Drinkwater Creek on a tall wooden bridge. On the other side, a faint trail to the left leads to an overflow camping area that will fit another three tents.

Join the Backpacking in BC Facebook Group

Get My Book…

Backpacking on Vancouver Island

Discover Vancouver Island’s best day hikes and overnight trips

• 25 backpacking trips and 10 day hikes throughout Vancouver Island
• Info about permits, reservations and campground facilities
• Detailed maps and photos
• Advice for extending your trip
• Points of cultural and natural history

Get the book

Saw Blades Camp to Base of Della Falls

Distance: 1 km

Elevation Gain: 70 m

Time: 20-30 minutes

Difficulty: Moderate

The trail passes through Saw Blades Camp, then crosses a bridge over Drinkwater Creek. From there, it heads through beautiful old-growth hemlock forest for a few minutes.

The trail emerges from the trees in a brushy slide path with lots of boulders to weave through. Climb up onto a tall bridge over Della Creek, which has a good view of the falls. On the other side, the path heads back into the trees and passes Della Falls Camp (description of the camp below.)

Follow the trail uphill through brush and more boulders to the base of the falls. Some of the boulders are the size of vans or small cottages and make good vantage points to watch the cascade. Wear a rain jacket as the mist and spray will soak you.

Della Falls Campground

This small campground is very close to the falls. It’s located in a grove of trees so it is very shady. It can also get misty from the falls. There is some old machinery here, left over from the mining days.

There is room for 2 or 3 tents in a small clearing. The spur trail behind the camp has a plastic throne-style pit toilet and a plastic barrel food cache.

The trail continues to gravel flats beside Drinkwater Creek. Collect water from the creek here. The gravel flats also work as an overflow camping area as long as water levels are low. However, the gravel is fairly coarse so it may take work to find a spot that isn’t too lumpy.

Love Lake Trail

Distance: 6 km round trip

Elevation Gain: 720 m

Time: 4-6 hours

Difficulty: Challenging

The hike to Love Lake is a must-do if you really want to see Della Falls. The viewpoint 2.5 km along is unparalleled. It lets you see all 440 metres of Della Falls at once. The hike starts 0.5 km before Saw Blades Campground.

Love Lake holds snow until early to mid-July in most years. We brought microspikes and used them for the last section of trail. But hikers the week before we went used snowshoes. If you go in late June or early July, bring snowshoes or microspikes and read trail conditions online ahead of time.

Use caution if the trail is snow-covered as it is steep, travels through avalanche terrain, and can be hard to follow. It is best to wait until only the upper reaches of the trail are snowy (late June or early July) or the snow has melted entirely (late July to late September) to hike this trail.

The trail to Love Lake is an old miner’s track, and while it gains 720 m, lots of switchbacks make the grade a bit more manageable.

Be careful at a creek crossing in the first kilometre. The path runs across a slippery rock shelf above a waterfall. Step carefully as a fall would be catastrophic. Later in the season, the creek is drier and this area is safer.

Work your way up the switchbacks to a long, rising traverse. After the traverse, a few more tight switchbacks take you up to the viewpoint on a bluff at 1180 m elevation. Stay and enjoy the view of Della Falls with Della Lake above it as well as Big Interior Mountain to the right and Nine Peaks to the left.

Carry on another 0.5 km with 100 m of elevation gain to Love Lake. On my visit, it was completely frozen over so we didn’t go down to lake level.

When it is snow-free, the glacier-polished rocks along the shoreline of Love Lake look fun to explore and the icy lake would be refreshing on a hot day.

The craggy peaks of Mount Septimus, Mount Rousseau and the Misthorns loom over the lake. When you have enjoyed the view, retrace your steps back to the Della Falls Trail.

BC Backpacking in Your Inbox!

Sign up to receive a bi-monthly newsletter from Taryn at Dawn Outdoors stuffed with the latest on backpacking in BC including:

• conditions reports,
  
• reservation dates,
  
• seasonal trip recommendations,
  
• gear deals,
  
• backpacking news,
• and lots more!

You can unsubscribe anytime. For more details, review our Privacy Policy.

Subscribe

Loading…

Awesome!

You have successfully signed up for the Backpacking in BC newsletter. Go check your email to read your welcome message!

Della Falls Itineraries

Most people complete the trail in three days, using the middle day to hike to Love Lake. But a few options are possible. I’ve got 4 different Della Falls itineraries for you below. They each include recommended water taxi times.

Standard 3-Day Della Falls Itinerary

Most hikers use this 3-Day itinerary. It’s enough time to visit the base of the falls and go to Love Lake. You can visit the base of the falls at the end of the day on day one, or before or after your hike to Love Lake.

Day 1 – Catch the 8 am (preferred) or 10:30 am water taxi. Hike trailhead to Saw Blades Camp: 15 km, 470 m elevation gain, 4.5-6.6 hours. Then day hike Saw Blades Camp to Base of Della Falls, return: 2 km, 70 m elevation gain, 40-60 minutes.

Day 2 – Day hike Saw Blades Camp to Love Lake, return: 6 km, 720 m elevation gain, 4-6 hours.

Day 3 – Hike Saw Blades Camp to Trailhead, 15 km, 470 m elevation loss, 4.5-6.5 hours. Catch the 2 pm or 4:30 pm water taxi.

Quick 2-Day Della Falls Itinerary

If you don’t have time for three days, skip the trip to Love Lake and just go to Della Falls.

Day 1 – Catch the 8 am (preferred) or 10:30 am water taxi. Hike trailhead to Saw Blades Camp: 15 km, 470 m elevation gain, 4.5-6.5 hours. Then day hike Saw Blades Camp to Base of Della Falls, return: 2 km, 70 m elevation gain, 40-60 minutes.

Day 2 – Hike Saw Blades Camp to Trailhead, 15 km, 470 m elevation loss, 4.5-6.5 hours. Catch the 2 pm or 4:30 pm water taxi.

Relaxed 4-5 Day Della Falls Itinerary

This itinerary is good for beginners, families, and groups who take a little longer on the trail. You can plan to hike all the way out to the trailhead on the fourth day or split up that journey as well.

Day 1 – Catch the 10:30 am or 2 pm water taxi. Hike trailhead to Margaret Creek Camp: 6.5 km, 70 m elevation gain, 1.5-2.5 hours.

Day 2 – Hike Margaret Creek Camp to Saw Blades Camp: 8.5 km, 395 m elevation gain, 2.5-4.5 hours. Then day hike Saw Blades Camp to Base of Della Falls, return: 2 km, 70 m elevation gain, 40-60 minutes

Day 3 – Day hike Saw Blades Camp to Love Lake, return: 6 km, 720 m elevation gain, 4-6 hours.

Day 4 – Hike Saw Blades Camp to Trailhead, 15 km, 470 m elevation loss, 4.5-6.5 hours. Catch the 2 pm or 4:30 pm water taxi. OR Hike Saw Blades Camp to Margaret Creek Camp: 8.5 km, 395 m elevation loss, 2.5-4.5 hours.

Optional Day 5 – Hike Margaret Creek Camp to Trailhead: 6.5 km, 70 m elevation loss, 1.5-2.5 hours. Catch the 11:30 am or 2 pm water taxi.

5-Day Della Falls Itinerary for Paddlers

Day 1 – Paddle Scout Beach Rec Site to Trailhead Camp: 24 km, 4-6 hours (depending on lake conditions).

Day 2 – Hike Trailhead Camp to Saw Blades Camp: 15 km, 470 m elevation gain, 4.5-6.5 hours. Then day hike Saw Blades Camp to Base of Della Falls, return: 2 km, 70 m elevation gain, 40-60 minutes.

Day 3 – Day hike Saw Blades Camp to Love Lake, return: 6 km, 720 m elevation gain, 4-6 hours.

Day 4 – Hike Saw Blades Camp to Trailhead Camp, 15 km, 470 m elevation loss, 4.5-6.5 hours.

Day 5 – Paddle Trailhead to Scout Beach Rec Site: 24 km, 4-6 hours (depending on lake conditions).

Della Falls FAQ

That’s everything you need to hike to Della Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in Canada. If you have questions about the hike, leave them in the comments. I’d love to help.

MORE VANCOUVER ISLAND POSTS:

• How to Go Backpacking in BC Without Reservations
• Things to do on Northern Vancouver Island
• 31 Best Backpacking Trips in BC
• Juan De Fuca Trail Guide: Backpacking on Vancouver Island
• Your Guide to the West Coast Trail in British Columbia

BACKPACKING TIPS:

• Backpacking Checklist: Gear You Need To Go Backpacking
• 20+ Ways to Reduce Your Backpack Weight
• Bear Safety for Hikers, Campers and Backpackers
• The 10 Essentials: Things You Should Bring on Every Hike
• The Best Weather Apps for Hiking
• 16 Things to do Before a Hike

The post Della Falls Trail Hiking Guide (Vancouver Island Backpacking) appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

I’m surprised that few people know about Little Huson Caves. They are only 20 minutes from Highway 19 and easy to reach on a short trail, but since they are on sparsely populated Northern Vancouver Island, they aren’t busy.

It took me nine trips to the North Island to get around to visiting. But I don’t know why I waited so long – it’s a spectacular spot and I added it to my list of the best things to do on Northern Vancouver Island.

I visited in late April so I saw the creek in full spring flow. But I’d love to go back in the late summer to explore and swim when the water is lower.

In this guide to Little Huson Caves you’ll find:

• Info about the geology and name of the caves
• Turn-by-turn driving directions for the logging road route to Little Huson Caves
• A map of Little Huson Caves
• Hiking directions for the trail to the caves

This is a sensitive wilderness area. Learn how to Leave No Trace to keep the wilderness wild. Make sure you are prepared by bringing the 10 Essentials. Get ready for adventure with this checklist of things to do before every hike.

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

Little Huson Caves Basics

The caves are located 20 minutes from Highway 19, accessed via logging roads. A short 0.5 km trail leads to the caves. Unlike other caves on Vancouver Island, you don’t need any special equipment to visit the main Cathedral River cave – boardwalks and easy paths lead right up to the edge.

Little Huson Caves are located in the traditional territory of the ‘Namgis First Nation.

Geology

Little Huson Caves is a Mount Waddington Regional District Park. It protects a unique area of karst geology. Thousands of years of running water have worn down the Quatsino Limestone formation, forming caves and sinkholes.

The highlight of the area is a large cathedral cave where Atluck Creek runs underground for 60 meters. The hiking trail crosses right above the cave on a natural bridge.

As you explore the area, look for huge boulders in the creek – they were once part of the canyon walls or long-ago cave ceilings. The beautiful water-worn features of the canyon and caves are also interesting to explore.

There are also lots of smaller side caves formed by ground water. If you bring a flashlight and don’t mind getting dirty, you can explore a few of these caves too.

Behind the Name

The caves get their name from Huson and Little Huson Lakes, which feed Atluck Creek (the creek that runs through the canyon). Little Huson Caves are sometimes misspelled as Little Huston Caves or Little Houston Caves. They are also known as Atluck Caves since they are on Atluck Creek.

The lakes and caves are named after Alden Westley Huson (1832-1913) who was an American prospector and surveyor who came to Canada for the Fraser Gold Rush, then settled on Vancouver Island to run a cannery at Alert Bay and a nearby quarry. The stone used in the BC legislature in Victoria came from his quarry. Huson was the first settler to visit the Little Huson Caves.

According to the BC Geographical Names Office, Atluck is an anglicization of an Indigenous name for the area, first recorded in 1862. Unfortunately, the meaning of the name is not available.

Little Huson Caves Hike Stats

Little Huson Caves Map

The Little Huson Caves area is small and easy to navigate so you don’t need a complicated map. There is a large map on the info sign at the trailhead. I’ve also included a map of the Little Huson Caves here.

How to Get to Little Huson Caves

Little Huson Caves are a 20-minute drive from Highway 19. However, the entire route is on gravel logging roads. The last few kilometres are narrower and bumpy but passable for 2WD vehicles.

The route has signs at major intersections but to make sure you stay on track, I recommend using the Gaia GPS app or All Trails+. Both apps show all of the logging roads as well as the trail and work in areas without cell service. If you use my links you’ll get 10% off a Gaia GPS premium subscription or 30% off AllTrails + subscription. If you prefer a paper map, I use the Vancouver Island Backroad Mapbook.

I made you a custom map in Gaia GPS that shows the logging road driving directions. You can download the gpx file too. (Note: You can use Google maps directions but be warned that there is no cell service in this area.)

Here are my step-by-step directions for driving to Little Huson Caves.

• Take the Zeballos Road turn-off from Highway 19. (If you are coming from the south, it is located on your left about 21 km past Woss. If you are coming from the north, look for the turn-off on your right about 39 km south of the junction with the road to Telegraph Cove.)
• Follow Zeballos Road for 2.5 km across a bridge over the Nimpish River
• At a fork, go right to stay on Zeballos Road for 0.5 km.
• At the next fork, take the downhill road to the right. This is Atluck Forest Service Road.
• About 2.5 km later, go left at a 4-way intersection to stay on Atluck FSR. (Continuing straight will take you to the Atluck Lake Recreation Site which has a beach and camping.)
• Stay on Atluck FSR for 1.8 km.
• At a fork, go left to stay on Atluck. (Right is the Tlakwa Main FSR.)
• About 300 m later, turn right onto HU1000 Branch Road. This road is narrower and bumpier.
• Follow HU1000 for 2.3 km as it travels through a regenerating clearcut, then into an older second-growth forest.
• Arrive at the parking area and trailhead about 10 km from the Highway. Park on the right by the signboard so you don’t block the road.

Little Huson Caves Hiking Directions

Find the trailhead in between the info sign and outhouse. The trail heads steadily downhill, then curves around to the right. You may spot some faint trails heading off to the left, but ignore them for now.

Follow the trail as it travels through the forest past second-growth cedar and fir trees with lots of huckleberry bushes, salal, ferns and moss. As you approach a rockier area, a spur-trail curves away to the right. Follow this trail down some stairs and across some slippery roots and rocks to a viewing platform.

You have arrived at your first view of the Cathedral River Cave. Altuck Creek comes rushing out of the cave and flows past the platform as it heads downstream to Atluck Lake. The platform is on a steep outcrop and doesn’t have the best view. Stay behind the railings for safety.

Head back up the stairs to the main trail and turn right. Follow another set of stairs downhill as the trail curls around to the left. Descend to river level on a few concrete steps to see the other side of the Cathedral River Cave. This side is much more spectacular as Atluck Creek swirls around in its canyon and then rushes into the cave.

Depending on the water level, you may be able to walk into the cave and see it up close. In the summer months when levels are low and the water is not as cold, this is a popular spot to go for a swim. Be sure to clamber around on the rocks as there are many vantage points and water-worn rock formations to explore.

If you want to go underground, there is a small cave set into the stream bank. Bring a flashlight if you go inside and be prepared to get dirty. The cave floor slopes steeply so be careful when climbing down. Please pack out any garbage – don’t leave it in the cave. There are other small caves in the park, but this one is the easiest to access.

When you’ve finished exploring, retrace your steps back to the trailhead.

If you want to explore a little bit more, you can follow the faint trails branching off to the right towards the canyon rim. Be careful as some are very close to the edge. These trails lead to a rock arch that collapsed in 1997.

The trails are officially closed, but you can still follow them to get views of the steep-sided canyon, choked with logs. At low water you can scramble in the creek bed around the rocks from the collapsed arch. You can also go inside some other small caves.

So that’s everything you need to know to visit Little Huson Caves on Northern Vancouver Island. Do you have questions about this incredible cave? Ask them in the comments – I’m happy to help.

MORE Northern Vancouver Island guides:

• Things to do on Northern Vancouver Island
• Cape Scott Trail Guide
• North Coast Trail Guide
• Kayaking in the Johnstone Strait

Southern Vancouver Island guides:

• West Coast Trail Guide
• Juan De Fuca Trail Guide
• Wild Side Trail Guide
• Pacific Marine Circle Route Road Trip Guide
• How to Visit Avatar Grove, Big Lonely Doug and Other Big Trees on Vancouver Island

The post Little Huson Caves on Vancouver Island appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

I spent five months in the winter of 2020/21 living in Gibsons on the Sunshine Coast. So I was able to time my visit to Skookumchuck Narrows to make sure I hit a time with some of the biggest whirlpools. It was so crazy to watch. And the roar of the water was so loud!

If you are visiting the Sunshine Coast, don’t miss the hike to Skookumchuck Narrows near Egmont. It’s one of the most popular hikes on the Sunshine Coast (for good reason!) I’ve got everything you need to know to visit.

In this post you’ll find:

• Info on the best times to view the whirlpools and rapids at Skookumchuck Narrows
• A detailed map of the Skookumchuck Narrows hike
• The meaning of the word “Skookumchuck”
• Detailed hiking directions for the Skookumchuck Narrows Trail

This is a sensitive wilderness area. Learn how to Leave No Trace to keep the wilderness wild. Make sure you are prepared by bringing the 10 Essentials. Get ready for adventure with this checklist of things to do before every hike.

Skookumchuck Narrows Basics

Skookumchuck Narrows sits at the entrance to Sechelt Inlet. The narrows and hiking trail are in Skookumchuck Narrows Provincial Park.

Since the opening to the inlet is so narrow, and the inlet is so big, when the tide changes, a huge volume of water rushes through the narrows, forming whirlpools and rapids.

The water is so powerful that it can flow as fast as 33 kilometres per hour (20mph)! The water level can be up to 2 meters (6’7″) higher on one side of the rapids than the other!

The viewpoints at North Point and Roland Point are popular places for hikers to watch the rapids. But whitewater kayakers and surfers love to play in the rapids during flood tides too. Check out this video of kayaking and surfing at Skookumchuck.

Bring binoculars for close-ups of the whirlpools and rapids. You can also spot lots of wildlife here including eagles, surf scoters, cormorants, and seals. Binos are also helpful for watching the kayakers surf the rapids.

Skookumchcuk Narrows Trail Info

Distance: 8 km return

Elevation Gain: 90 m

Time: 2-2.5 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Season: Year-round

Toilets: There’s an outhouse at the trailhead and another one near the North Point viewpoint.

Dogs: Allowed on-leash

Rules: Since this is a provincial park, alcohol, smoking, vaping, and cannabis are not allowed. While the trail is wide and flat, bikes aren’t allowed.

What Does “Skookumchuck” Mean?

Skookumchuck Narrows is on the traditional territory of the Shíshálh. The word “Skookumchuck” comes from Chinook Jargon, a pidgin indigenous language used as a trade language between indigenous groups and sometimes with European settlers. The language was used on the Pacific Coast from Alaska to Oregon during the 1800s. In Chinook Jargon skookum means strong or powerful, and chuck means water.

Best Times to Hike to Skookumchuck Narrows

The best time to see rapids and whirlpools at Skookumchuck Narrows is when the tide changes and the flow of water switches directions. You can use a tide table to calculate the time in between high and low tides and aim to visit then.

But the easiest way to figure out the best time to hike to Skookumchuck Narrows is to use this handy Skookumchuck Narrows calendar from Sunshine Coast Tourism. It lists the best viewing time(s) for each day along with a prediction on how “big” the whirlpools or rapids will be.

If you want to see whirlpools, hike to Skookumchuck Narrows on an ebb/outgoing/”-” tide. They are best viewed from North Point. If you want to see rapids at Skookumchuck, go on a flood/incoming/”+” tide.

The best times to see the Skookumchuck rapids are often early or late in the day, so don’t forget to bring a flashlight or headlamp in case you are on the trail in the dark!

Skookumchuck Narrows Map

The Skookumchuck Narrows hike is pretty straightforward, with signs at all the major intersections. But I also made you a custom Google map that shows you the key points along the hike.

How to Get to Skookumchuck Narrows

Driving to the Skookumchuck Narrows trailhead is pretty easy. From Sechelt head north on the Sunshine Coast Highway for about 53km.

Turn right onto Egmont Road and follow it for 5km. Look for the Skookumchuck Narrows Provincial Park sign on the right-hand side near the intersection with Doriston Highway. Total driving time from Sechelt is about 1 hour.

There is lots of angle parking on the gravel shoulder here. You can also park in the Egmont Heritage Centre Museum parking lot across the road. There’s an EV charge station there too!

Click here for Google Maps driving directions.

Skookumchuck Narrows Hiking Directions

The trailhead is located a few meters down Doriston Highway. There’s an outhouse here along with an info kiosk. The first 10 minutes of your hike will be along this gravel road.

There is no public parking or public access to the road, so you have to park in the designated parking area on Egmont Road and walk along Doriston Highway.

From the trailhead, walk along the gravel Doriston Highway to a bridge. On the other side of the bridge, you’ll find the Skookumchuck Bakery and Cafe. It’s open from spring through fall, and I hiked the trail in the winter, so unfortunately I didn’t get to visit.

From what I’ve heard, it’s a super-cute little cafe. They have coffee, baked goods, and sandwiches, and everything is made on-site. Plan to stop here on your way back from the hike!

Continue along the gravel road, passing several private residences. The road ends at a large turn-around area with lots of no parking signs. A wide trail heads into the forest straight in front of you. The trail is a former logging road, so it’s quite flat. (In fact, it’s flat enough to push a stroller all the way to North Point.)

Follow the trail through a beautiful forest with lots of sword ferns, moss, and big cedar trees. About 2km from the trailhead, the forest opens up as you approach the shores of Brown Lake. This quiet lake has great reflections on calm days.

Stay on the trail as it curves around the lake and heads back into the forest. The next section has a few ups and downs as the path makes it’s way closer to the coast. You may even be able to hear the roar of the rapids through the trees.

Arrive at a junction about 3.5km from the parking area. Turn left if you want to head to North Point, which is best for whirlpools on an ebb tide.

It’s just another minute to the North Point viewpoint from here. It is on a wide rocky bluff and has two benches. There’s a chainlink fence along the cliff edge for safety. The view of the tiny islands in Skookumchuck Narrows is fabulous. However, you will also get a great view of the gravel mine on the other side of the inlet, and it’s not so pretty.

If you want to reach Roland Point, which is best for rapids on a flood tide, go straight at the intersection. If you need to use the toilet, there is an outhouse on the left side of the trail just a few steps past the junction.

The trail from the junction to Roland Point is much rougher, with lots of roots, rocks, and uneven sections. Follow the trail as it descends close to sea level and crosses a small creek, then continues along the coastline above some small cliffs.

The trail ends at Roland Point, a rock outcropping jutting out into Skookumchuck Narrows. You are right at the water level here, so be careful near the edge. The water here is really clear – look for tons of sea stars and anemones below the surface.

When you have finished enjoying the Skookumchuck rapids and whirlpools at the narrows, retrace your steps back to your car.

So that’s everything you need to know to plan a hike to Skookumchuck Narrows near Egmont on BC’s Sunshine Coast. Do you have questions about the trail or the Skookumchuck Rapids? Let me know in the comments. I’m always happy to help.

READ NEXT:

• 21 Best Hikes on the Sunshine Coast, BC
• The Best Things to do on the Sunshine Coast, BC
• Langdale Falls Hike on the Sunshine Coast, BC
• Cliff Gilker Park Hike on the Sunshine Coast, BC
• Soames Hill Hike on the Sunshine Coast, BC
• How to Snowshoe and Ski at Dakota Ridge on the Sunshine Coast, BC
• 20+ Beautiful Weekend Getaways from Vancouver
• Backpacking Manzanita Bluff and Rievely’s Pond on the Sunshine Coast Trail

The post Skookumchuck Narrows Hike on the Sunshine Coast, BC appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.