Official

Experience the Bella Coola 'Himalaya' with this incredible hike through old growth forest and along the Nusatsum River (west branch) to reach the Saugstad NE Glacier. Surrounded by massive rock walls, cascading waterfalls, hanging glaciers, a rock shedding glacier tongue and the 2900m Mount Saugstad this trail provides an incredible end point. This trail can flood in high water levels and is best hiked from Late June to Late September. The intrepid hiker can hike in high water times by bushwacking around flooded areas. Water sources are abundant along the whole trail.

Time: 3-4 hours 1-way
Distance: 7.5km
Elevation Gain: +750m -100m

Trailhead Access: Drive the 2WD Nusatsum West FSR as for Odegaard Falls until KM 13. This trail shares the same small parking pullout as for Nusatsum Boulders. If you reach a bridge crossing the Nusatsum River at KM 13 you've gone a few hundred meters too far. If you haven't visited the Nusatsum Boulders, take this time (5-10min) to check out these spectacular towering boulders tucked in the forest. To find them follow the trail from the parking lot. The Saugstad Glacier Trail starts on an old lush logging road and is a different trailhead from the Nusatsum Boulders. The trailhead is marked by a small cairn and is only a few meters from the parking lot up the Nusatsum logging road. If you're the first hikers of the season, lush ferns, elderberry, etc. may have overgrown and hide the trailhead.

Trail Description: The trail starts on an old overgrown logging road. The 700m of logging road is lush with fast growing soft herbaceous plants, knock back these plants with your hiking pole. You'll descend through an old cutblock to reach old growth forest following the river. Continue along until a log crossing crosses a small newly formed water channel. Follow the trail to reach a slightly flooded area where some hopping might be required to keep boots dry before crossing another log back to the dry side. The trail continues through the forest for another 700m before climbing and side-hilling for a few hundred meters to pass through a ravine. The trail then gently descends back to the river leading to a log crossing (pictured below), follow along the forest again until a short section of river bank walking leads to a final log crossing. The next section is a mix of river bank walking and forest sections continuing for the next few kilometers. Keep an eye out for cairns and flagging that lead back into the forest and for where the trail turns towards the river out from the forest. The last section of river bank walking lasts almost a kilometer. Though footing can be tricky along the river rock, be sure to look up at the incredibly prominent peaks jutting above you.

The trail then leads along a gangway of fallen massive trees before climbing the steep hillside in short switchbacks. This is the main elevation gain of the trail and continues up for 1.3km. An incredible giant cedar and big burled spruces dot this section. Finally, the trail exits the forest into the alder covered basin extending from the retreating glacier. Follow the cut section through the alder and along scenic rock slabs. A cairn at the top of the rock slab marks an incredible viewpoint. You're almost there, continue through the alder and talus to reach the glacier toe.

To download the route KML file for loading into your phone or GPS, look for the download button at the top right of the description.

CAUTION: The glacier presents a hazard. Rocks shedding off the ice are a constant risk so keep your distance from the ice if swimming or walking up to the glacier. If you continue uphill along the glacier edge following the moraine, you can eventually gain the ice easily. The lower glacier ice is blanketed by rock and is easy walking for the most part. If snow is present, it may hide crevasses and is incredibly dangerous. Also, solid gravel, sand and rock may slide easily on the ice. Extra care should be taken on the glacier surface. Avoid holes, snow and any steep areas.

Camping: Follow the glacier toe upstream and to the right a bit to a big flat area. Water is abundant. The sound of rockfall, calving ice and splashes are ever present.

Wildlife: Grizzlies and blackbears frequent the area and bearspray is recommended. Please be bear aware and respectful of wildlife.

Maintenance Updates: Cleared and flagged as of summer 2023.

An alpine ridge linkup including Goat/Latin peak, starting and ending at Saloompt Bluffs trailhead. Can be done as a multi-day, enjoying many exquisite campsites and side-trips, or a single long day. Trails are cut and flagged through the timber to gain each ridge, and mostly easy travel along the granite ridges in between. Lots of tarns along the ridges, yet no running water on the entirety of 4 Mile ridge (between Enso pool and the green meadows in the 4 Mile/Goat saddle). Plentiful seeps on both sides of Goat peak.

Start up either 4 Mile ridge (https://bellacoolatrails.ca/content/4-mile-ridge-saloompt-bluffs) or Goat Ridge (https://bellacoolatrails.ca/content/goat-ridge-saloompt-bluffs) and finish down the other.

~32km distance
~2600m total elevation gain

A wild walk in the sky!

This new hiking route replaces the old 'Frank Cook Route' to the Mosquito Pass area for accessing the amazing meadows overlooking Nusatsum Peak. Lots of exploration opportunities exist from this area including hiking up the ridge below Space Point Peak to overlook Mt Saugstad and the mountains lining the Nusatsum River, travelling to Monster Pass and the upper Noomst Valley, or traversing under Space Point into the Dog Valley. Mountaineering objectives abound this area including Space Point Peak, the many summits of Nusatsum Mountain, Mad Dog, and from Monster Pass, Defiance and Happy Dome. Lots of ski touring opportunities exist up here for the winter adventurers also

Time: 4-5 hours 1-way
Distance: 6km
Elevation Gain: 1200m

Trailhead Access: Drive the 2WD Nusatsum East FSR staying right at the Medby Rock fork early on and look for an obvious left fork leading uphill at ~3km. Some vehicle clearance recommended, most SUV's will be fine. Follow this switchbacking road as it ascends for 1.4km and its end. Near the end an obvious cairn marks the trailhead. Drive past the cairn for a turnaround spot and extra parking towards the end of the road. Room exists for 6-8 vehicles and more parking exists at the last switchback, with only a short walk to trailhead.

Trail Description: Follow the well flagged and fully cut (2021) trail through ascending switchbacks. A nice lookout over a talus field exists at 950m 1.6km in. The next 1.2km of trail continues to ascend through the forest but involves sections of steep side hilling. Sturdy boots and hiking pole recommended until the trail receives more work. Caution: If the ground is frozen in late fall or winter this section can be dangerous. The mountain slope eventually eases and you will continue traversing towards the creek and descend a short distance to reach a prominent avalanche path. Cross this avalanche path and look for where the trail re-enters the woods. Follow this to a beautiful cascade and onward to a log crossing of Mosquito Creek. The log crossing is easy over little water. The trail then ascends for 350m distance through shrubby forests before opening into beautiful heather meadows. Follow the flagged route through the gentle meadows for another 1.5km, eventually reaching a prominent creek, follow that creek up to the full alpine!

Camping: the flagged route leads to a beautiful flat ridgetop with amazing vistas and nice tent spots near the creek. The windy ridge keeps any bugs at bay. Please practice Leave No Trace camping and dig poop cat-holes to the north of the ridge (facing Mosquito Pass's wetlands) and away from the water source to the south.

Wildlife: The Mosquito Pass area is a prominent corridor for wildlife including black bear, grizzly, mule deer, wolverine and more. A resident herd of mountain goats occupy the area also. Please be bear aware and respectful of wildlife.

Ski Touring : For ski touring access, upon reaching the avalanche path at km 3.6 climb to the top of the path before crossing the creek in a spot similar to summer travel. Then continue upstream and east into the Mosquito Pass proper. Running water usually exists in the pass if you search for it.

Space Point Lake: Space Point Lake is a gorgeous overnight camping destination or easy jaunt from the trail summit camp. From the camp spot at the height of the flagged trail route (1650m) traverse along beautiful meadow benches heading east along the headwaters of the Cacaotin valley for 3km before reaching the obvious lake with floating glacier. Total distance is 3km +150m -200m from trail summit.

Observatory Ridge: Observatory Ridge stretches for 3km south from the top of the trail. This gentle ridge-line has one small steep part where care around rockfall should be taken. Follow the crest of the ridge despite its up's and downs. This generally windy and bug-free place has minimal to no water and though flat camp sites exist, early summer snow provides the only water source and disappears by late summer. Use this ridge to access Mad Dog and Space Point peaks or to get to the Dog valley. The views from this ridge are exceptional with views south to the Monarch Icefield. Highly recommended hike along with Space Point Lake if spending time camping in the area.

Monster Pass: For the adventurous, Monster Pass provides amazing vistas and continued exploration of the upper Noomst. Monster Peak is also a must do with mind boggling vistas. From Space point lake cross the creek from the lake outflow and follow it into meadows at the head of the Cacaotin Valley. Once the meadows end and become too wet, continue through the forest without climbing too much for 2km. Here ascend up and climbers left before reaching talus slope of an obvious avalanche path continue uphill climbing ~500m to reach the pass. Total distance is 3.6km and +500m from Space Point Lake

Nusatsum Shoulder: The Nusatsum shoulder is maybe not a first choice but a very worthwhile destination nonetheless due to the incredible views of Space Point Peak, Happy Dome, Mad Dog, Mt Saugstad and many more. From the trail summit, contour a bit before descending into the height of Mosquito Pass. Cross delicate wetlands gently before ascending through brushy forests for 300m meter to reach nice alpine walking. Use this approach to access climbs on Nusatsum Mountain. Total distance is 3.7km +400m

Maintenance Updates: As of summer 2023 this trail is clear of large majority of deadfall with good road access.

Easy route finding, follow the approximately 2km flagged route to the meadow and lakes above Odegaard Falls. The route heads up onto the ridge and into the alpine via the Odegaard Falls Recreation trail. Watch for the pink flagging on your right (East)

This trail route leads into the heart of the Coast Mountain wilderness through dense high elevation forest to more open sub-alpine parkland and then onto lushly flowered alpine meadows that lead to imposing jagged peaks. The trail starts off through a subalpine forest of Engelmann Spruce, Mountain Hemlock and Subalpine Fir where huckleberries are plentiful in season. The trail can be quite wet at certain times of the year or during/after prolonged wet weather. There is a large section of boardwalk closer to the lakes where the trail opens up into subalpine meadows. The views of the surrounding mountains are impressive. Pearl Peak with its glacier plastered on the side can be seen beyond the meadows and lakes.

An alpine viewpoint is the final destination with amazing views of Iroquos Ridge and its glacier ice fall over the Noeick River. South-east is the route to Ape Lake and the peaks of the Monarch Icefield\, including the looming pyramid of Mt. Jacobsen. Beyond the viewpoint the route to Ape Lake requires a map and compass and should only be attempted by experienced\, well prepared hikers. There is no flagged trail yet.

This trail begins by following the Schoolhouse Mountain Falls trail to the west falls. At the point where the west falls trail heads up hill the loop trail veers westward slightly downhill to a ford crossing of the creek. If the water is too high this crossing may be difficult and you may need to return the way you came. Beyond the creek, the trail follows an old logging road. The mixed deciduous and coniferous forest here is second growth. This road carries on to the pit that was used to quarry granite for the highway and river diking material. Once at the quarry you can walk the road about 1km out to the highway and the bridge across Nooklikonnik Creek. Stop here for a fabulous view of Mount Saugstad to the south or during late July and early August stop here to watch the Chum or Dog salmon spawning. The rest of the loop is along the highway back to the school. Walk well off the road\, facing traffic.
Private land issues and Highway’s road to rock pit

This trail system provides an interesting walk as it offers a variety of natural sights and historic features. The first trail branches off to the left to an ancient grove of culturally modified cedar trees. This area requires respect not only for the forest but also for the First Nations people that used this area for acquiring bark and lumber from these sacred and special ‘trees of life’. Look for the distinct scars left after planks were cut and split away from the living tree. This grove also features huge cottonwood, Sitka spruce and Douglas maple. Back to on the main trail, carry on past the cottonwood grove through second growth to the rodeo grounds, hike through the cottonwood grove or loop back along the beaver pond to the road and the parking area. A variety of water fowl can be seen at the pond and look for beaver gnawing signs on shoreline trees. These trails are for hiking or biking.
Potential for interpretive trail – CMT, old/new forest,

This trail and boardwalk wind through alpine forest along Grey Jay Lake and then wanders through open meadows and wetlands to end at a viewpoint overlooking North and South Bentinck Arms. It offers a nice afternoon stroll and on return there is the option for a refreshing swim in Blue Jay Lake. Views of the Coast Mountains are spectacular, although somewhat limited compared to the ridge above M Gurr Lake. Alpine flowers are abundant in the summer. Blue Jay Lake is much warmer than M Gurr Lake and, uniquely, this high elevation lake contains trout.