Upper Bugaboo Falls

Difficulty: Easy

Access: Difficult

Time: 2 minutes

Distance: 50 metres

Change in elevation: 10 metres

Map reference: 82 K/15 Bugaboo Creek

Synopsis: The easiest hike on this site. It is included only to differentiate it from Lower Bugaboo Falls, a much more interesting hike.

Access: From the lights in Golden, drive south on Highway 95 for 63.0 km to the hamlet of Spillimacheen. Turn right on the Westside Road and cross the Columbia River valley. After 2.3 kilometres, turn left on the Westside Road. Do not take the Giant Mine Road. Follow the Westside Road for another 7.5 km through the forest to a Y, where there is a hayfield. Take the right hand fork for another 2.3 km, when you reach a four way intersection. Turn right and set your odometer to zero.

You are now on the Bugaboo FSR. At 11.5 km, stay right. Do not take the left fork to Cartwright Lake. At 33.5 km, pull over on the left side of the road in the former Forestry Rec Site at (Upper) Bugaboo Falls.

Alternative approach: From the lights in Golden, drive 75.8 km south on Highway 95 to Brisco. Turn right on Brisco Road and follow it across the valley. In 5 km, you leave the valley and the pavement. Once you enter the forest, look for a left hand turn that goes up the hill. The road here is steep and sometimes rough, but it will get you to the four way intersection described above. The intersection is 7.1 km from the highway. Now follow the above instructions.

Trailhead: Just to the east of where you are parked is an outhouse. The trail begins on the right side of the outhouse.

Trail: The trail descends to the base of the falls. There are several spots from which you can observe the falls. Part of the trail is protected by fences.