The drive up to our trailhead takes about one hour; the hike takes around 3.5 hours, making an excursion of 5-5.5 hours in all.
We begin this hike at the parking lot by the Campbell River, opposite the entrance to Elk Falls Provincial Park Quinsam Campground. Hiking up the river on its south side, we are eventually diverted onto a new bypass trail which starts below the John Hart generating station and brings us to a point above the station.
From here, we get on the Millenium trail which connects us to the Elk Falls Provincial Park. Here, we walk the main trail over to a day-use picnic area where we stop for a break and lunch. We then hike down to Moose Falls and on to Deer Falls and Elk Falls before climbing back to the main trail and retracing our path to the generating station area. Here, we divert back to the Canyon View trail to cross the river and head down its opposite bank until we reach a logging bridge, by which means we return to the original side to walk back to our vehicles. There are a few hills involved on this hike, but nothing too difficult.
Note: There has been some winter damage to the trail system on the far side of the Canyon View Trail. It would be expedient to check on whether the trail has been repaired and reopened before attempting the full Canyon View route. Also, check on the status of the Elk Falls part of the trail system, as there is ongoing work updating the generating station - John Hart Dam area which may result in temporary closures of path or road sections.
Grade: 2.5
Click on map to open, click on photos to enlarge or cursor over for caption:
We begin this hike at the parking lot by the Campbell River, opposite the entrance to Elk Falls Provincial Park Quinsam Campground. Hiking up the river on its south side, we are eventually diverted onto a new bypass trail which starts below the John Hart generating station and brings us to a point above the station.
From here, we get on the Millenium trail which connects us to the Elk Falls Provincial Park. Here, we walk the main trail over to a day-use picnic area where we stop for a break and lunch. We then hike down to Moose Falls and on to Deer Falls and Elk Falls before climbing back to the main trail and retracing our path to the generating station area. Here, we divert back to the Canyon View trail to cross the river and head down its opposite bank until we reach a logging bridge, by which means we return to the original side to walk back to our vehicles. There are a few hills involved on this hike, but nothing too difficult.
Note: There has been some winter damage to the trail system on the far side of the Canyon View Trail. It would be expedient to check on whether the trail has been repaired and reopened before attempting the full Canyon View route. Also, check on the status of the Elk Falls part of the trail system, as there is ongoing work updating the generating station - John Hart Dam area which may result in temporary closures of path or road sections.
Grade: 2.5
Click on map to open, click on photos to enlarge or cursor over for caption:

official_trail_map.pdf |