Distance : 200m River trail, 2km Falls viewpoint trail
Elevation change : River trail : 20m, Falls viewpoint 100m
Difficulty : easy to moderate.
The Odefaard Falls area in the Nusatsum Valley is a must-see attraction as it is in the heart of the Coast Mountain wilderness with its spectacular peaks and glaciers. The falls are very impressive, especially in early summer when it swells with snow melt. The trail to the falls passes through an old mossy forest of western hemlock, sitka spruce and amabilis fir. You get the first view of the falls from the foot bridge crossing the Nusatsum river. There is a great viewpoint at the base of the falls that has a vertical drop of approximately 175m.
How to get there
Follow Highway 20 east from the Saloompt Road for 3.3km to the Nusatsum River bridge, which crosses at the short but dramatic vertical canyon (23.3 km east of Bella Coola). The Nusatsum Forest Service Road starts at the west end of the bridge.
Follow this road for about 24.6km as it criss-crosses the Nusatsum River a number of times and steadily climbs into the Coast Mountains. The road has a few steep, rough sections, and while it is usually accessible with a two-wheel drive, a 4×4 vehicle is recommended. Drive slowly and steadily to minimize road disturbance.
A roadside lookout to Odegaard Falls signals the start of the Nusatsum River Trail. The trail is a short hike downhill and ends at the confluence of the Nusatsum River coming from the Falls and a no-name creek coming from the summit pass.
To access the Odeggard Falls viewpoint trail, drive 0.5km up the road to a parking area located just across the next bridge. The trail begins along a steep narrow canyon of a no-name creek that cascades to meet the Nusatsum River further down stream. From the foot bridge over Nusatsum River, it is a 500m uphill walk to the viewpoint near the base of the falls.
