Distance : 1km
Elecation gain : 300m
Difficulty : Moderate
The trail is part of the ancient network of ‘grease’ trails that climb into the plateau above the valley and make their way into Tweedsmuir Park and join the Alexander Mackenzie / Nuxalk Heritage Grease Trail.
This is a steep steady climb that passes through a number of different ecosystems (seond growth, fire-scarred old growth and higher up, subalpine and alpine). For a short hike of about one-half to one hour one way, you can get to a spectacular viewpoint looking east to Firavle and south to Glacier and Cacoohtin Creeks. Defiance Mountain is due south with its glacier shouldering the steep north face. Nusatsum Mountain is to the west. At the start of an old burn, the trail is overgrown and difficult to follow therefore is not recommended for day hiking.
How to ge there
The trailhead is about 37.2km east of Bella Coola just past the long straight stretch that prallels the Bella Coola River. This area is known locally as Canoe Crossing. The trail takes off from a small treed road just west of the big bend in Highway 20 between hydro poles #507 and #508. If you drive to Assanany Creek you have gone too far. There is a parking pullout at the south side of the road but don’t block access to the river as it is a boat launch. The first part of the trail goes through private property so please respetct the owner’s goodwill by practising courteous trail etiquette.
