North Shuswap

1. Albas (or Celesta) Falls
Difficulty: More Difficult  
Distance: 3km (round trip)  

Duration: .75 hours (round trip)

  

Description: This approx 3 km loop trail follows both sides of Celesta Creek up from the shores of Shuswap Lake through a series of five impressive waterfalls.

  

Access: Approx 9.4 km west of Sorrento on Hwy 1, turn left onto Squilax-Anglemont Rd and follow it for approx 46 km to St. Ives. Continue along the Forest Service Rd far up the west side of Seymour Arm to the Albas Provincial Park sign and turn right. The falls drop in a series to the left of the road, with parking at the bottom of the road at the campsite. For water access, dock at Steamboat Bay, located on the other side of the creek from the campsite.

  
Additional Information: BC Parks  

Warning Notes: CAUTION: The falls and canyon area can be very dangerous - fatalities have occurred. Observe signs and stay well back from the edge.

 

 

2. Copper Island hiker
Difficulty: More Difficult more difficult  
Distance: 3 km  
Description: Views of Shuswap Lake, forest, birds, steep cliffs.  
Directions: Accessible only by water, Copper Island is approx. 2 km from Scotch Creek on the north shore of Shuswap Lake, with Blind Bay to the south. The island is part of Shuswap Lake Marine Provincial Park. There is a small beach and buoys on the island's east side.  

 

3. Crowfoot Mountain and Mobley Lookout
Difficulty: More Difficult more difficult Most Difficult  

Distance: 8+ km from start of Sheep Track to Crowfoot Meadows; 5.5+ km from top of Sheep Track to Crowfoot Meadows; additional 6 km from Crowfoot Meadows to Mobley Mountain

  

Duration: 4 + hours (one way from bottom of Sheep Track, 2 + hours (one way) from top of Sheep Track to Crowfoot Meadows; additional 2 hours (one way) to Mobley

  

Trailhead GPS: Start of Sheep Track 11 U 337698E 5652351N; Top of Sheep Track 11 U 340338E 5654077N

 

Max Elevation: Crowfoot Mountain 1981 metres; Mobley Mountain 2042 metres

  

Starting Elevation: Bottom of Sheep Track 763 metres; Top of Sheep Track 1584 metres

  

Description: Trail leading to the meadows on Crowfoot and Mobley Mountains. Outstanding views of the surrounding Shuswap highlands and glacier carved valleys, wildlife, birds, and wildflowers.

  

Access: Approx 9.4 km west of Sorrento on Hwy 1, turn left onto Squilax-Anglemont Rd and follow it approx 26 km to Celista. 2 km east of Celista, turn left onto Begulin Rd and up the hill for 1.5 km. Turn right at the stop sign at the top of the hill onto Line 17, then left onto Garland Rd. Proceed 2.6 km until Garland Rd becomes #730 Forest Service Rd at the first corner. Watch for logging trucks. Turn right and follow the main road for approx. 1.7 km, then take the right fork. At 2.2 km cross a bridge and continue up the hill. At 2.8 km stay on the main road (passing a road on the right) then stay right (passing a fork on the left).At approx. 3.1 km find the start of the old sheep trail (now a wide ATV track) on the left. The 8 km trail starts at this point.

Optionally continue to drive high up the Forest Service Rd until a Deactivated Road sign signals the junction with the 4wd “sheep” track. (Look for a sign on the right labeled “East Way” marking the continued trail to the meadows. Park here for a solid walk up to the meadows and back (6 + km return), or a cross-country mountain bike ride up to Mobley Lookout and back (approx 20 km return). (Or – if time is limited or mobility compromised, continue driving (4x4) up the skid road and start higher up, but beware, this is a rough off road track.)  NOTE: Protect the delicate flora and fauna of this area by staying on the trails. Area is heavily used by ATVs in the summer.

  

Detailed Trail Information: From the junction of the old sheep track with the forestry road (at the Deactivation sign), follow the 4wd sheep track up and through the lower bench (making lots of noise for bear through here), and then climb the switchbacks up to the meadows. At the point where the track finally emerges into the meadows and leaves the trees watch for a track to your left. This circles back to the cabin maintained by the North Shuswap Snowmobile Club. The main track to the right continues through the meadows gently climbing north toward the old Mobely Fire Lookout (also maintained by the snowmobile club.) Watch for a track off to the right just before the final climb up to the Mobely Fire Lookout. This is the track along the ridge over to Fowler (Grizzly) Mountain.

Side excursions can also be linked through the eastern meadows overlooking the South Shuswap. Take the obvious track right/east off the main track, contouring over to the east slopes and around the south side of the meadows. Be sure to stay to the obvious trails to eliminate further widening of the track.

Note: There is a range license in the area. Avoid disruption to cattle herds.

 

Warning Notes: CAUTION: Be well prepared, as this is remote backcountry with grizzly habitat.

  

 

4. Magna Bay - Celista Loop cycling
Difficulty: Easy more difficult  
Distance: 17.5km  
Description: Approximately 17.5km on a good dirt road winding through farms and forest, and along creeksides.  
Directions: Approx. 9.4km West of Sorrento on Hwy1, turn left onto Squilax-Anglemont Rd. and follow it for approx. 35km to Magna Bay. Turn left at Stevens Rd. then immediately left again on Line 17. Turn left onto Meadow Creek Rd. and return to the Squilax-Anglemont Rd at Celista.  

 

5. Pukeashun Mountain bikeequestrian
Difficulty: Most Difficult  
Description: Views, alpine meadows, wildflowers, birds, animals.  
Directions: Traveling west on the Trans Canada Hwy, turn left at Squilax onto Squilax-Angelmont Rd and proceed 13.5 km and turn left onto Scotch Creek Forest Service Rd #670. Travel 22 km - the road turns sharply as it crosses a creek. Stay left. At 27.5 km the Adams Forest Service Rd joins on the left, but keep right and stay on #670. Just before 35 km turn right onto #680. Either park and hike, or 4wd. Cross a creek and take the next road on the left, going up the mountain. Keep right. At 3.7 km from the #670 turnoff, a small sign on the left indicates the trailhead.  

 

6. Quaaout Lodge and Talking Rock Resort hikercycling
Difficulty: Easy more difficult  
Description: A variety of trails on First Nations land on the shore of Little Shuswap Lake, accessible by guests of the resort.  
Directions: Approx. 9.4km West of Sorrento on Hwy1, turn left onto Squilax-Anglemont Rd. and cross the bridgeto the North Shore. Turn left after the bridge, following the signsto the Quaaout Resort.  

 

7. Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park bike
Lower Trails
  
Difficulty: Easy more difficult  
Description: Views of Adams River, salmon spawning viewing areas (end Sept to mid Oct), Interpretive signs, forest, birds, animals.  
Directions: Traveling west on the Trans Canada Hwy, turn left at Squilax onto Squilax-Angelmont Rd and proceed 5 km to the park entrance. Turn right and park in the main parking area.  
Map: PDF JPG up arrow

Upper Trails  
Difficulty: Easy more difficult  
Description: Views of Adams River, gorge, steep cliffs, forest, meadow, wildflowers, birds.  
Directions: Traveling west on the Trans Canada Hwy, turn left at Squilax onto Squilax-Angelmont Rd and proceed approx. 3.5 km to just across the Adams River bridge and park along the right side of the road. Cross the road and follow the path left, along the north side of the river.  
Map: PDF JPG  

Flume Trails  
Difficulty: Easy more difficult  
Description: This trail follows a historic log flume. There are also seven unique bridges and the impressive Bear Creek Falls on this scenic and interesting route. This trail is not accessible from Adams Trail. Bikes are not permitted in this area.  
Directions: Traveling west on the Trans Canada Hwy, turn left at Squilax onto Squilax-Angelmont Rd and proceed approx. 3.25 km, and turn left on Holding rd. Follow Holding Rd. for approx. 5kms, and watch for trail head on the left.  
Map: PDF JPG  

 

8. Seymour River Falls
Difficulty: Easy more difficult  
Description: Waterfalls, forest, berries, birds.  
Directions: Traveling west on the Trans Canada Hwy, turn left at Squilax onto Squilax-Angelmont Rd and proceed at least 100 km to the Seymour Arm town site. Follow the Forest Service Rd #1100 past the town site and at the 15 km sign you will cross the Seymour River. Proceed for approx. 1.2 km to the wide spot where the river bends. Park and follow signs.  

 

9. Shuswap Lake Provincial Park
Difficulty: Easy more difficult  
Description: Forest, lake, beach, birds, animals, Visitor Centre, campground.  
Directions: Traveling west on the Trans Canada Hwy, turn left at Squilax onto Squilax-Angelmont Rd and proceed 19 km. Obtain a trail map from the Visitor Centre.  

 

10. Wright Lake
Difficulty: Easy more difficult  
Distance: 2.5 km  
Description: Forest, wildflowers, birds.  
Directions: Accessible only by water, Wright Lake is on the east side of the Seymour Arm of Shuswap Lake, more than half way up the arm. Start on the south side of Wright Creek, crossing over to the north side after a short distance.  

 

11. Grizzley (Fowler) Mountain equestriancyclinghiking
Difficulty: More Difficult more difficult  

Description: Views, alpine meadows, wildflowers, birds, animals.

  

Access: Traveling west on the Trans Canada Hwy, turn left at Squilax onto Squilax-Angelmont Rd and proceed 45 km to St. Ives. Proceed 4 km on the Forest Service Rd. then turn left onto Forest Service Rd #1025. Travel 10.4 km to a junction in the road and park.

  

Warning Notes: CAUTION: Be well prepared, as this is remote backcountry with grizzly habitat.