Podunk Davis at one of his cabins, June 1938
Edgar Dewdney constructed this heritage trail in 1860 on the
request of Governor Douglas. This trail was originally
called "Mule Road to the Similkameen" and later known as the "Canyon Trail".
Nearest Community: Hope
Trail length: 36 km
Ride Time: 2 days
Parking: Ample at Cascade Trailhead
Camping: at Cascade Trailhead, Wilderness horse camps
Photo Gallery: Cascade Set
Video Gallery: Paradise Valley Rookie Ride
More information is available at BC Parks - Dewdney Trail
This information provided courtesy of: BC Parks
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The trail commences at the
Cascade Recreation Area parking lot (elevation 769 m) located 12 km east
of the west entrance to the park or 30 km west of the Manning Park
Visitor Centre and ends at Dick's cabin on the Whipsaw Road. The Cascade
Recreation Area parking lot consists of a 20 vehicle parking area, 2 pit
toilets and 3 hitching rails.
From the parking lot one follows the west side of Snass Creek in a
northerly direction. At 2.5km you will reach the turn off point for the
Whatcom Trail to the east, and at 3.5km, from the parking lot, you will
arrive at Dry Lake. This lake fills only during spring freshet and dries
up by early to mid July. From Dry Lake it is a steady 12.5km climb
following a valley to Paradise Valley. If one looks high up on the
mountainsides you might be lucky to spot a Grizzly Bear or Mountain
Goat.
As you near the top end of the canyon, fill your water bottles, as
there is limited water at Snass View Camp. At this point one leaves
Manning Park and enters the Cascade Recreation Area. Snass View
wilderness camp is located at the Whatcom Trail junction, which is also
the west end of Paradise Valley. From the Snass View camp the trail
leaves in a north-westerly direction going 1km to yet another junction.
The left fork or Warburton
Trail is a 6km loop trail ending at the Tulameen horse camp. On this
portion you will gain some elevation and you will see the last remaining
building of the old Evans family cow camp. The family used to run cattle
through here in the 1950’s. Warburton horse camp is located 3km from
Snass View camp. The cabin was built and donated by Chuck Chesnut and
Julian Dussault around 1980. The camp and prominent peak is named after
nurse Warburton who after being lost for 7 days was found by William A.
Davis aka "Podunk Davis".
A further 3km brings you to the Tulameen horse
camp where Snass Mt. At 2310m can be seen to the south. Approximately
2km from camp the Tulameen River is crossed and the trail follows
Hubbard Creek for 6km where there is a very nice open meadow and another
horse camp (Hubbard Creek camp).
Four km east of the horse camp is
Paddy's Pond, which is also a good source of water. From this point you
can either turn north, and travel to Coalmont (approximately 30km), or
continue east a further 6km to Dick's Cabin. The cabin is at an
elevation of 1900m. with lots of subalpine flowers and very picturesque
views. Once again you will see a nice view of Snass Mountain. From
Dick's cabin you can return the way you came or via the Hope Pass Trail
or continue in an easterly direction along Whipsaw Creek on a logging
road.
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On the way there we met a couple from Chilliwack that were horse camping in the valley for the first time. The fellow's grandfather used to haul cattle up from Chwk to summer in Paradise Valley and he would live there with them. We had an interesting chat.