After
the Stryen Creek bridge the next four kilometers of trail are open boulder
strewn pine flats giving away to moister Douglas fir forest with more
undergrowth. A campsite is located at about the 2-kilometer point and
another just before the Devil's Staircase.
There are two talus (large rock) slope crossings, the first one is 300
meters long giving way to large boulders and an open area with a seasonal
creek that floods over trail in spring. The second talus slope is about
200 meters long to the TeePee campsite.
Rocky Terrain under Douglas fir until you get to Teaspoon Creek which
has 4 channels. Trail winds through Douglas fir forests with increased
vegetation to Earl's Cabin campsite.
The Earl Creek crossing is a bridge made of two logs and a handrail.
The trail is good over the flats until about 12-kilometer where trail
is a rocky surface and follows closely along southern bank of Stein
River. Yet another talus slope which requires careful footing, then
an open clearing and a small creek to cross. Cable crossing (over Stein
River) to be used by one person at a time.
Travel along the floodplains of the Stein River. Cross East Fickle,
West Fickle, and Shelter Creeks using the four logs as a bridge. The
next large campsite is Waterfall Creek Camp.
The Stein River Floodplain in spring promotes the ascent of Snake Bluffs.
Use caution traversing the loose material covering the steep rock sections
of Snake Bluffs. When you get back down to the floodplain the wet area
continues for approximately 300 meters, stay at the foot of the hill
and watch your footing. Fir and birch are prominent in this area. Ponderosa
Creek has two crossings; one is a two-log crossing the second a single,
flattened log with a handrail. The campsite is just west of the creek
crossing.
This section of trail is boggy and thickly vegetated. Cross 300 meters
of talus slope west of Swamp Bluffs. Burnt Cabin Creek has a four-log
bridge crossing. Burnt Cabin Creek to trail junction starts off rocky
then a section of swamp; next an easy section of trail. Take south trail
to Cottonwood crossing and campsite, the north trail goes to Blowdown
Pass.
Difficult trail with extreme elevation changes to Cattle Valley Creek.
Lots of deadfall across trail. Best travelled west to east. Good campsites
at Cattle Valley Creek and forks of Cottonwood Creek.
Low wet areas turning to side hill with a lot of blowdowns. Trail markers
are not always visible - a compass would be useful. Most of this area
was burnt in 1996 - fire started by campers.
More blowdowns to Mid-Canyon Camp where you overlook Avalanche Creek,
upward to High View Camp. Some side-hilling after High View Camp then
downhill to Island Camp and a short distance to #3 Cable Crossing.
Travel along river bottom for 3 kilometers then climb up to North Stein
Viewpoint. Drop back down to Stein Lake Camp and cross the North side
of Lake on the logjam.
Very demanding part of the trail. Steep gradients, rock slope traverses
and sudden weather changes make this section very difficult. Snow may
be present throughout the year at higher elevations.
For
more information on the Stein Valley Nlaka'pamux Heritage Park contact: BC Parks
Thompson River District
1210 McGill Road
Kamloops, B.C. V2C 6N6
Telephone: (250) 851-3000
Fax: (250) 828-4633
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