Five Club members and one of the four-legged persuasion took full advantage of a beautiful, uncrowded spring day to enjoy the many signs of spring bursting all around us on this hike. While the actual hike, Canyon View Trail to Millenium Trail to Elk Falls Provincial Park, and return, is guaranteed to give a good workout, the bonus was the opportunity to enjoy so much else this local treasure has to offer.

We were quickly delighted to find that the pink fawn lilies were still in bloom, and, in fact abundant, along both sides of the Canyon View Trail, as well as wild bleeding hearts, trilliums, and yellow violets, and few other unnamed wild flowers. The salmonberries are just beginning to flower, along with the elderberry bushes.

Our knowledgeable birder’s identifications began at QCove then along the Campbell River, sightings included Yellowlegs, Eagle, Killdeer, Pine Siskins, and Mergansers.

Apart from Nature’s offerings, this trail is also a fascinating engineering study. Watching the progress since initiation, in 2014, of the new generating plant, the seismic upgrades and restoration work on the John Hart Dam has been most interesting. The former penstock valley is now being regraded and restored, completion projected for 2030. As this trail was new to two of our members, we all enjoyed the opportunity to read the excellent signage explaining this massive project.

The north side of the Canyon View Trail has just been reopened following improvements made to the upper end. We followed a diversion through alder scrub out to the beaver ponds and spawning channels to the north of the river, these quiet channels would be great swimming holes in the summer. Rejoining the main trail, we were impressed with the new boardwalks in the hilly, muddy areas, providing much more secure footing and preventing further erosion.

Once in Elk Falls Park, we enjoyed lunch warmed by the sunshine pouring into the picnic area, then followed the outer loop to the river. All along this hike we marvelled at the old growth trees, mostly spruce, some fir and cedar. We stopped at the Dolphin Pool to gawk at the changes, yet again, to the Dam and seismic infrastructure visible across the pool. Further on, one of our hikers took full advantage of a small riverside pool to cool off.

A trip over the suspension bridge is mandatory on this hike, its construction was another source of examination and discussion. This suspension bridge is certainly more secure than the wood slats (always some missing) and wire ropes of the old Lyn Valley bridge (North Vancouver) of my youth, but not as thrilling.

We returned on the south side of the river, again reconstruction and restoration of the trail up to the Highway bridge was noted. After crossing the bridge, the trail is still a rough, woodlands trail following the river. Altogether a beautiful hike offering many added delights. (12.5 km; 4 ¾ hours)

Valerie van Veen

Thanks to Valerie for the photos

(click on photos to view larger)

Hiking – Canyon View and Elk Falls – 23 Apr 2025