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- Difficulty: Easy
to Medium - Warnings: Active logging on the access road (West Canoe Forest Road). Heed signage.
- Wheelchair accessible: No
- High-clearance 4×4 advised to access trailhead? Recommended but not always necessary
- Best seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall
- Distance (return main lookout): 1.2 km / 0.7mi (Upper falls and lower falls) 2km / 1.2mi
- Approx. time to lookout (return): 1hr return (plus the trailhead is a 30 min drive from Valemount)
- Elevation gain to bench lookout: 100m / 328ft Elevation gain to upper falls: 180m / 590ft
- Steepest grade: a few very short steep spots, mostly medium incline
- Viewpoints: Waterfalls, Kinbasket Lake, wildflowers.
- Geocache points: Unknown
- Closest bathroom/outhouse: None.
- Cell service? Very little.
- Gear to bring: Bring water, bug spray, and proper footwear.
Trail Description:
Is it Maui or Valemount? The Hawaii, BC trail is a recent addition to Valemount’s roster of hikes. After some locals discovered a route up to a series of gorgeous waterfalls, social media has exploded with photos of Valemount’s “Hawaii, BC” hike. The route ascends through a slide area, meandering through thickets of slide alder before emerging onto a rocky look-out with views of glacier-fed waterfalls and Kinbasket Lake. Two rope-assisted routes also descend to the base of the waterfalls (the upper falls are now accessible without ropes). The area has been used by residents to collect wild plants for some years, but thick underbrush made access to the waterfalls difficult. Additional clearing and wayfinding has now made the route an enjoyable 1-2 hour hike with stellar views.
Hikers have the option to do just the look-out or climb down to the base of the waterfalls with the assistance of ropes. Heads up that the stinging nettle grows plentifully along the edges of the trail.
Best Parts: World-class waterfalls, lush forest, views of glaciers, waterfall mist, and great photo opps.
Worst Parts: The trail gets slippery when wet and it’s hard to grip unless you’re wearing good hiking boots. The bottom trail becomes very soggy during wet weather. Hiking poles, good shoes and caution are recommended for these sections. Be sure to make lots of noise so you don’t surprise any bears and they have time to leave to avoid an encounter.
GPS Zone
Trailhead coordinates:
52.687851, -119.066831
(Insert into Google Maps or GPS)
GPS Tracks (Right click, Save link as)
Download Trail GPX file
Download Access road GPX file (PENDING)
How to access/where to park: From Valemount, travel south on Whiskey Fill Rd to Canoe Forest Service Rd. Turn left onto that road until the fork to the West Canoe Forest Road. The trailhead is about 20 feet prior to the 15km marker on the West Canoe Forest Service Road. As of July 2023, the forest service road was in fairly good condition but a high clearance vehicle is recommended. WARNING: there is often active logging on this road. Proceed with caution. Click here for Google Maps directions to the trailhead.
