Synopsis: One of my favorite hikes when I am short on time. The trail follows the north rim of Canyon Creek, reaching three lookouts at different elevations. The access is all on paved roads, the walking is easy on old logging roads or good trails, except the beginning stretch, and you can turn around anywhere if time is tight. Also a good early or late season hike because of its low elevation.
Access: From the lights in Golden, drive 6.3 km south on Highway 95 to the Nicholson Loop Road. Turn right at the north entrance to the loop road, go past the Southside store, and turn right at the Canyon Creek Road. Once you cross the Columbia River, take the left fork and follow it all the way to the end. It deadends in a gravel parking area next to Canyon Creek. (Do not turn left on the 12 Mile Creek FSR.)
Trailhead: Go west past the concrete barriers.
Trail: Climb the steep dirt bank just north of the creek. If you stay to the left, there is a trail there, steep in parts. At the top of the dirt bank, follow one of the obvious trails for 450 metres, until you rejoin the old skid road next to the canyon. Exercise extreme care and watch for mountain bikes descending on beginning part of the trail. Note: you gain 90 metres elevation in these 450 metres of trail.
The trail alternates between the canyon lip and moving inland, where it tends to climb. It also crosses a number of water courses which have eroded the landscape into gullies, and a word of caution is needed here: when you are climbing out of these gullies on blind hills, keep a sharp eye and ear out for descending mountain bikes.
At 2.8 kilometres you cross a creek in a forested area and climb a steep hill through a series of switchbacks. At the top of this slope you emerge on the canyon lip, this time some 310 metres above the creek. The view is impressive and somewhat intimidating near the edge if you have unresolved issues around height.
You also get a great close-up view of the peaks behind Canyon Creek, as well as a look all the way down the Columbia Valley.
Follow the canyon edge for another 500 metres and then the road leaves the canyon edge and moves through a recent cutblock. This is the end of the lower canyon trail. It takes about an hour and a half to reach here from the parking lot, 3.5 kilometres back.
It is possible to continue up to the top of the ridge. Follow the skid trail through the cutblock at the end of the trail. When it leaves the cutblock, it turns right and heads north. About 200 metres past the three big logs that are used for stupid bike tricks, you enter a clearing. If you look closely to the bush on your left, you will find a bike trail and some flagging. This trail will take you all the way to the top of the ridge. You must, of course, keep a sharp ear and eye out for descending bicycles. If you want, you can leave the trail about halfway up and take the Tallis Creek FSR instead. (It is possible to go all the way to the top of the gondola along the ridge.)
On the descent, if you miss the turnoff to the parking lot trail, you will come to a log across the road and a private property notice. Go back up the road for about 30 metres and you'll see the trail branching to the south. There is a small sign, green with a white arrow, showing the route.
Cautions: