Leon Turnbull Photography

It was about two years ago I first learned of this waterfall. It is Bear Creek Falls in Trail BC, so close to civilization and the city, and yet so remote at the same time. You won’t find this one posted or documented anywhere else. It is a locals only type of waterfall, but fortunately I am in the know with the locals. At that time I examined the descent from the road. It looked very steep and especially very brushy. It did not really even look possible and I did not make an attempt. However, then my mom told me that she and dad had gone down to the waterfall about 40+ years ago. It probably was much less brushy back then but the gauntlet was thrown down. I had to get to this waterfall now. No holding back.

This winter I finally had the chance. In winter it would be easier on the one hand because the brush would be covered by snow. But on the other hand it might be much more dangerous to traverse the cliffs in the snow. There was about two feet on the ground. I did not think it would be too feasible, but it was time to make a go of it anyway. No holding back, right? How steep can it really be anyway?

You can see the falls from the road (in winter) but this is private property and not the best place to descend to the creek anyway. I started further down the road where there is a parking pullout and the terrain is easier. A bit easier. The first part, though, starts off steep right away as you need to descend into a gully and cross it. After this though it was actually quite easy. I did not bring snowshoes thinking it would be too difficult to use them on the steep terrain. So I just trudged through the two feet of snow. There seemed to be a trail I was following but I could not tell for sure under the snow cover. There were lots of animal prints too from deer and other critters. Once you get closer to the waterfall the terrain gets much more cliffy. It was not really too bad but in the snow it could be dangerous. I did not really want to slide down the mountain into the creek far below me, though it could be exciting; however the snow was very solid and I had no worries. I could not see the waterfall yet as I traversed the mountain but I could see where it would be, hidden behind the cliff ahead of me. I finally got closer and could see the falls. Now the trouble would be how to get up close to it. It was a lot more brushy close to the falls and even in winter it was very difficult making my way up to the waterfall but after crawling under a log, sliding down some icy rocks, and doing the hokey pokey, I finally made it to the bottom, getting right down to creek level at the base of the falls. It is an absolutely gorgeous 63 ft high horsetail shaped waterfall. So very beautiful in the snow and ice. Bear Creek Falls is finally bagged. Take that mom! 🙂 Now I’ll have to see about getting back to this one in the spring sometime. Oh yeah bring it on.