Della Falls

Park: Strathcona Provincial Park, Port Alberni

16.0 km one way.

Terrain: Intermediate

Approximate Elevations (in meters)

Start End Minimum Maximum Gain

315 825 315 825 510

Ark Resort Trailhead: (210 km from Saanich Hall, ferry required). Drive north from Victoria on highway 1 through Nanaimo, where it changes to highway 19. Turn left onto highway 4 (to Port Alberni, 137.5km) just before Parksvile drive through Port Alberni until you come to Great Central Lake Road (199 km from Victoria) turn right and drive to the resort. From the resort either rent a boat and motor down the lake (it should take you about 3 hours) or (with prior arrangement) have someone from the resort run you down to the trailhead by a fast boat (about 45 minutes).

Canoing is also an option but be prepared for a long 35km (20 mile) paddle and be warned that afternoon winds can be very strong.

Facilities available at the trailhead include:

Campsite
Toilets and/or outhouses
Water is available

Uses

Backpack

Moderate.

5 hours one way.

Best from late June thru early October.

Description

This trail leads from a backcountry campsite on Great Central Lake through a deep, steep sided valley to more backcountry campsites and view points of Della Falls. At 440 meters these are the highest waterfall in Canada. Cascading in three approximately equal drops these falls are at there best during snow melt and can dry to virtually nothing by late summer/early fall.

Snow can linger in the valley well into June, particularly in years when the winter snows were heavy or the spring thaw was late.

The trail follows an old road bed for the first 7km through a mixed forest. It then crosses Margaret Creek (via a bridge) and gently climbs to the Drinkwater Creek which it crosses on a suspension bridge. Near the end of the trail (15km) is a branch trail leading up to Love Lake which provides probably the best views of the falls. This trail swtichbacks steeply up the valley opposite the falls, climbing 830m in only 4km.

Features

This trail features forests, mountains, rivers, views and waterfalls.

Hazards

suspension bridge crossings of some creeks or rivers

Bears can be a problem in this area, exercise caution and hang your food!

Comments

Note: As of September 13, 2001 BC Parks reports this trail is once again open with "new bridges and boardwalks in place"! Club Tread would like to thank BC Parks for their efforts in reopening this trail to Canada's highest waterfall.

BC Parks lists this trail as "Closed" as of May 16, 2000 due to heavy damage. In response to an inquiry I received the following information on June 16, 2000:

Due to the extreme snow pack we had the winter before last, failities in Strathcona Provincial Park in general and the Bedwell (and Della Falls) in particular were heavily damaged. To the tune of approximately 1 million dollars. The current status of the Bedwell is that it is CLOSED. We are in the planning stage of rebuilding the bridges, boardwalks, campsites, outhouses etc. but unfortunately the snow is delaying us at the moment.

The Della Falls Trail is in a similar condition. We are allowing use of the campground at the trail head, however, there are again many structures damaged or completely broken on the rest of the trail and is therefore also closed. Reconstruction is also planned for this comming summer.

As of August 2000 BC Parks was listing the trail as not maintained.

Check their information page for updates.

Our information indicates that some people are still able to hike the trail although a recent slide has caused minor problems just beyond the steel bridge. The rocks that fell in this slide did pose a bit of a problem for people in early August 2000 but a trail through them has likely been forged by now. Please note, the bridge across Love Creek is reported to be out, use extreme caution if you attempt this crossing and watch the weather, heavy rains can swell this creek very quickly.

Campsites along the trail

Western end of Great Central Lake

0.0 km

Bear cache/wire
Outhouse

Water is plentiful.

History

This trail was built by Joe Drinkwater, a trapper and founder of the Ark Resort. Della Falls is named after his wife.

For additional information see:

Hiking Trails III: Central and Northern Vancouver Island by Jim Rutter.

Service-providers

Trailhead Transportation
Ark Resort	(250) 723-2657

View trail condition reports for this trail.