Truth in Advertising?

• Posted on April 28, 2009 at 12:02 PM
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Don't judge a trail by its sign

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The trailhead sign is not flashy. The dirty letters “High Falls Creek Trail” are barely legible from the road.
In fact, it’s easy to miss. No information kiosk or trail maps. No brochures or interactive displays. But we’ve been told this trail is aptly named, and this weathered trailhead sign will deliver on every word.

Melinda and I have driven 26km north on the Squamish Valley Road from Highway 99 to get to this trailhead. Our plan is to scramble up the trail, view the falls, have some lunch and return along a logging road; a total loop of about 10km. We step from the road into the thick forest.

Almost immediately the trail steepens and weaves through some bluffs. We find some fixed chains and cables to assist us in some sections of the climb. Each time we stop to rest, the views across the Squamish Valley become more and more breathtaking. Across the valley, the white snow- capped peaks of the Tantalus Range come into view below a bluebird sky.

The rush of High Falls Creek is our soundtrack as we continue up. The creek is heard but not seen. It isn’t until we are standing at the top of a rocky ridge overlook that we realize the creek is actually a few hundred feet below us in a deeply carved canyon. From our ridge, we are eye level with the tops of a number of ancient Western Red Cedars, their roots planted far below on the banks of the creek.

As we approach the falls, a side trail takes us to an incredible viewpoint. Melinda edges closer to take a picture of a rainbow suspended in the waterfall’s mist. We enjoy the cool breeze being forced up from the canyon before climbing higher.

Above the falls, the trail wanders its way around open mossy patches before returning to the forest. In a sunny spot, we eat a cheese and cracker lunch. Views of the snow packed Tantalus Range and a bird’s eye perspective of the serpentine Squamish River Valley are the décor.

It is possible to simply turn around and back-track the trail from here, but Melinda and I continue into the forest. Its shade is welcoming as the afternoon heats up. We follow the trail through the mature forest until it veers left and delivers us into a clear-cut logged area. We wade through the sun- bleached stumps and piles of discarded branches in complete contrast to the pervious wilderness.

We gain the logging road, Branch 200, and although it looks like every other gravel road I’ve seen, this one should bring us back down to the Squamish Valley. From the road, the views are beautiful and the hiking is easy and decidedly downhill. We follow the road for 7km back to the trailhead.

Sometimes the shiniest signs don’t always mark the best treasures. Without much fanfare, the humble High Falls Creek Trail sign marks an incredible adventure.