Five of us hiked the loop from the logging bridge on the Campbell River up to Moose Falls and back. This is an excellent hike with many points of interest along the way, but it is particularly special in the spring with the wildflowers in bloom. We parked on the north side and followed the path upstream.  The timing was perfect and there were pink and white fawn lilies, trillium, and wild bleeding heart all along the way.

We admired the Canyon View and continued up to the Millennium Trail.  We took an unmarked side path to a lovely mossy bluff with an excellent view of Elk Falls and stopped for elevenses.   We continued by some big old growth Douglas fir trees to the Elk Falls viewing platform and suspension bridge.  There was not much water in the falls, but it is always beautiful

We took the gradually ascending Old Growth trail followed by the very steep descent to the rocky viewpoint for Moose Falls and the Dolphin Pool, where we stopped for lunch.  We returned along the river, passing more old growth trees and Deer Falls.  We crossed at Station View, with its totem poles and interpretive information about the generating station, and continued on the south bank, with more wildflowers, back to the vehicles. The weather was perfect for this hike and it was a great way to end the “winter” schedule.  (11.8 km; 4½ hours)

Debbie

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Hiking – Elk Falls Loop – 24 Apr 2023

Five of us took advantage of the perfect weather (recently very rare) to hike the Trout Creek Falls loop, which for some historical reason is on Mohun Creek.  The trail was dry and in good condition, with evident clean-up after winter and some new ropes since we visited last.  It goes uphill, as you might expect for waterfalls. Multiple waterfalls.  There are three main ones and a cascade.  The first is near the trail head and is impressive.  The second is bigger and higher and even more impressive.  The third is beyond impressive, though the height of the drop is less than the second falls.  This last falls drops into a narrow gorge and the trail is just on the opposite gorge edge, as close as you would want to be.  But watch your step!  We had lunch on the open, mossy bluff just above the falls.  There was lots of water in the falls after all the recent rain, and it was a sunny, blue day, with sunshine on all the falls.  Perfect.

After lunch we visited the calm pool in the creek just above the falls, then hiked on upstream to where the trail joins the Mary Lake (forestry) Road, which we followed back down, with a short stop at Mary Lake.  Mary Lake is a beautiful lake, but somewhat spoiled by slobs who leave garbage, shotgun shells and bits of fluorescent orange shotgun targets everywhere on the otherwise lovely mossy bluff.  (7km, 3 hours)

Hiking – Trout Creek Falls Loop – 12 April 2023