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Hope, B.C.
Canada
45 Posts |
Posted - 05/27/2012 : 9:39 PM
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The Tikwalus Heritage Trail (used to be called the "First Brigade Trail") was recently re-named after the Nlaka'pamux Village once found at its trailhead. Although we've hiked the trail many times over the years, we found it recently reconditioned by the Hope Mountain Centre and New Pathways to Gold. A new trailhead and parking lot (just past Alexandra Lodge, north of Yale), new bridges, cleared windfalls and a fine trail bed made for an excellent hike on a recent Sunday.
A new Trail Map (wonderful cartography by Anders Hopperstead, you're going to be seeing more of his work in the years to come) is available in pdf format (free download - thank-you HMCOL and Anders) from...
http://www.hopemountain.org/index.php?id=12&name=TrailDetails&trailID=18
The same website also details some of the rich First Nations and Fur Trade history.
The Tikwalus Trail is a workout - expect significant elevation gain in the first hour after leaving the parking lot. Your hard work is soon repaid with some magnificent old growth timber, open bluffs, stark forest fire burn, specacular canyon rim views down to the Fraser River and evidence of earlier trail users (culturally modified trees, the site of the historic "Lake House", etc.). Interpretive signs throughout the trail add to the perspective.
      
At the 6.5 km mark there is an excellent campsite - benches, picnic table, fire ring, bear cache and toilet. It is possible to continue on the Bluffs Trail from the campsite and drop down the 17 Mile Creek Mule Trail to the highway again (be aware, you'll come out about 5 kms north of the trailhead where you began - a great opportunity for two vehicles). If you chose the loop route, take the Lakes Trail from the campsite through the Yew Gardens and ultimately back onto the Tikwalus for a descent the way you came. |
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965 Posts |
Posted - 05/28/2012 : 06:15 AM
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| Thanks for the update on the trail and the new name. Lots of good stuff going on up that way with the trail restoration. Is it more or less completely restored now all the way to Tulameen? I was up the Sowaqua a few years back and there was no sign of a trail cutting through either near Dewdney or Macleod mountains. |
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Chilliwack
1271 Posts |
Posted - 05/28/2012 : 07:47 AM
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| It's going to be hard getting used to the new name. Maybe that's just me but I will work on remembering it. Great workout and views. |
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Powell River, BC
374 Posts |
Posted - 05/28/2012 : 09:19 AM
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| That is one of my favourite trails, glad to see that it has been upgraded. Thanks to all involved! |
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Popkum, BC
Canada
5887 Posts |
Posted - 05/29/2012 : 4:39 PM
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| The first time I encountered a tick was on this trail. Good job folks! |
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Princeton, BC
Canada
7 Posts |
Posted - 06/01/2012 : 6:00 PM
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The Tikwalus is the trail that HBC used for a few brigades in 1847-48 and it proved too dangerous for horse travel ( mostly the crossing of the Fraser). It was called the First Brigade Trail in the past but after much research it was discovered that it was a First Nation's gathering trail that was used for thousands of years prior to the fur trade. HBC then developed a second trail which is referred to as the 1849 HBC Brigade Trail that headed east to Tulameen. These are two different trails but both are being restored. We have three back country camps going in this summer. There are two new road accessible campsites that intersect the trail, one in Sowaqua and one at Peers Creek. All 54 kms have been cleared and in great shape. We have km markers from Peers Creek east to 48 km. Check out Hope Mountain's website for access and trail conditions.
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Hope, BC
Canada
10 Posts |
Posted - 06/01/2012 : 9:13 PM
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The new name might help alleviate some unfortunate confusion for folks like Stoked.
Yes - the 50 km HBC 1849 Heritage Trail is now restored from Peers Creek to Lodestone Lake FSR south of Tulameen. This trail was the second and ultimately more successful brigade trail.
The Tikwalus Heritiage Trail, the subject of this trip report, is north of Spuzzum in the Fraser Canyon. It is a 6km section of the first trail used by the Fort Langley-bound HBC brigades north of Spuzzum. Both are great hikes.
Here are some links to wonderful recent trip reports on the HBC 1849 Heritage Trail:
mad owl woman: [HBC 1849 trail...head. June 18-19, 2011 ][http://www.clubtread.com/sforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=39685]
justb:[HBC 1849 Trail - Sowaqua Creek to Palmer Pondurl][http://www.clubtread.com/sforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=37786]
And here is the [Hope Mountain Centre page on the HBC 1849 Heritage Trail][http://www.hopemountain.org/index.php?id=12&name=Trail%20Details&trailID=12]
Enjoy |
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The Tikwalus Heritage Trail - Fraser Canyon
