Della Falls Trail is Now Officially Open: A two person cable car is in place 11km up the trail. The upper campsites still remains closed due to hazard trees.
No Fires allowed in Strathcona Backcountry at any time.
Anybody that has recently hiked the Della Falls Trail and would like to share their trail report, please email it to info@ArkResort.com
-
Aug 26, 2010 / Trail Reports
-
Aug 14, 2010 / Trail Reports
by Sean and Melissa
Day One: Rain and overcast, We started the trail around 11 am the rain had stopped but everything was still soaking. Our trek to Margret Creek was fairly easy and flat and would have been much better if it wasn’t for the numerous blow-downs across the trail. There were a couple of times after crossing a dry creek bed the trail was obscured by foliage but it only took a minute to re-establish the trail. We arrived at the Margret creek campsite, it was empty but there was a good bear cache and pit toilet. The site was right on the creek and water access was easy. We camped here for the night, it started to rain and continued throughout the night, we felt sorry for our dog but there was no way she was coming in the tent.
Day Two: Rain and overcast, We broke camp and hit the trail in the rain. There was a well constructed bridge for crossing Margret creek over a section of rapids and then the elevation starts to gain gradually. The trail was easily to follow but again there were several blow-downs that were rather bothersome with a large (not to mention Heavy) pack. We came across the work camp for the new cable cart around the 12 km mark and were greeted by the BC parks work crew. The were friendly and informed us they had set up a safety rope crossing a few hundred meters past the work site. The trail between the work site and rope crossing was challenging with a big pack and for dogs as it contained numerous large boulders to climb up and down and log bridges and the dense foliage just before the rope crossing obscured any path and markers, a few whacks with a trekking pole fixed that issue for anyone coming up behind us. The rope crossing was not so bad. The creek was cold and running pretty fast but only came up to our lower thighs but the rope made the crossing a non-event, even the dog was able to make it with her leash on the rope. We had lunch on the other side as the sun had now come out and felt good on our frozen legs and was a good opportunity to attempt to dry our thoroughly soaked rain gear. Continuing on to the trail from here was a challenge. The main trail had to be accessed by scrambling up a muddy slope and once up it was unclear as the trail continued up and back down towards the creek. We decided to stick to the creek, which turned out to be correct, and we were rewarded with mosquito infested breeding grounds and forests of devil club overgrowing the trail but the trail was marked but these conditions lasted for about 1 km until we broke out of the forest into a dry creek bed. The trail was marked with tape and led us to a metal I-beam bridge no wider than 12 inches as it spanned the rapids. It was very amusing coaxing our dog across, She did not find it amusing, but she did it with out problem. After this we continued along the trail through an old rock slide with large boulders and fresh bear scat. We came across the campsite on the sandy bank of the creek shortly after the the final push to the Della Falls base campsite. The Della Falls campsite was large and multiple sites were clean, although getting water from the creek could be a challenge as the the banks were very steep.
Day Three: Sunny with clouds, This day we took the trail up to love lake to view the falls. The trail up was reasonably marked and clear of blow-down debris. Once we reached the view point, the view was spectacular of Nine Peaks, Big Interior mountain, and of course the falls. The rest of the trail to love lake was obscured with snow. But with the help of our GPS we zeroed in on it quickly. Love lake was pretty much thawed but there was still some garnishing on the surface. After we returned from love lake we explored the camp at the Della Falls base area but after crossing a wooden bridge with only one side with a railing over the rapids which was supposed to lead to the base of the falls. We did not go to the base of the falls as there was too much Devil’s club covering the trail.
Day Four: Sunny, We broke camp and headed for home. When we approached near the rope crossing we took an old trail down to the river where we were able to wade down stream to the rope crossing, this saved us some of the scrambling and Devil’s club. We passed by the work site and construction on the cable cart seemed to be coming along with anchors established and the cart was basically framed. We passed several parties of hikers on their way up.
We decided to pass Margret creek campsite as there was a camp already set up and it was still early. Instead we continued and at the 3.5 km mark there was a dry creek bed with a small stream where we decided to set for the night.
Day Five: Sunny, With only an hour hiking left to the lake we headed out to meet the water taxi. This last 3 km or so was easy however the mosquitoes was relentless as we had some how lost our bug spray somewhere between Margret Creek and our last camp.
The trip was fantastic and although it rained the first couple of days the temperature was warm the entire time.
-
Jul 23, 2010 / Trail Reports
Trail to Della Falls, amazing and so worth the scratches and aches + pains.
I am very thankful for the walking stick that someone before me left at the dock. It helped many times along the way.
Water shoes to cross the river above broken bridge would have been very helpful. We went barefoot and it hurt but we made it.
Really important to look for markers as it is easy to lose your way from the broken bridge on, but the markers are there. Just take the time to look.
It is so worth the trip. My first overnight hike and what a memory.
- Sue
-
Jul 21, 2010 / Trail Reports
Trail was in great condition. Water level at river crossing (upstream from the damaged bridge) was knee to waist deep, current very strong.
Campsite at base of Della Falls was perfect spot to set up and relax in a great view right from the tent.
Love Lake Trail has a few tricky snow patches to get part as you get closer to the top.
-
Jul 20, 2010 / Trail Reports
The trail all the way into Della Falls had no snow anywhere and was easy to follow, Drinkwater River is low enough now that you can camp on the gravel bar at the campsite above Margaret Creek campsite, there were four tents there when we went in and out.
We crossed the bridge that has rolled rather than going up the creek and crossing over but it was a little sketchy and if you fall you would surly drown in the creek right now as it is flowing full and fast. We walked the Love Lake trail and too the right fork first all the way to the Love Creek crossing, with no snow on the trail, but the plank crossing was out and the creek was flowing to fest to cross so we went bush whacking straight up the side hill to the lake.
We had to go through some snow to get to the lake and the lake was still mostly frozen over. We also took the left fork in the trail, which I assume was the Septemus trail all the way to the Della Falls look out, without any snow, but once you start to climb higher up the trail from the lookout we ran into snow.
- Greg Clark