With time to spare if around New Denver and Upper Slocan Lake, consider seeing Wilson Falls which falls 63m into a cavernous gorge. Or continue up to 8 kilometres up Wilson Creek through an ancient cedar-hemlock forest.
Difficulty: A1 to B1
Elevation gain: 116m (380′)
Key elevations:
Distance: 1.5 to 8km one-way
Time: up to 5 hours
Season: May through October (most water in May/June)
Assess: Moderate
Map: 82K/3 Roseberry. Valhalla Society Guide to Valhalla PP (1:125,000)
Drive: From New Denver: Junction Hwys 6 and 31A drive Hwy 6 NW 5.5kms and turn right.
0.0 Junction of Hwy 6 and East Wilson Creek FSR. At .6km and 2.8 km, bear left.
11.5km Before a bridge over Wilson Creek, turn right for Wilson Falls. Steep, rough but 2WD passable.
12.2km Park. TH for Wilson Falls 793m (2600′)
For Wilson Creek, continue over the bridge on the main road for .6km and park where a 4WD only spur forks right and park off the road at 756m (2480′).
Trail:
Wilson Falls. Follow the road for 5 minutes that narrows into a trail above Wilson Creek canyon. Descend. The falls are visible after 15 minutes. The pool beneath the falls is at 727m (2385′). It is mossy and slippery. Spray is extreme at high water. It is possible to walk around to the top of the falls.
Wilson Creek. The 4WD-only spur ascends east and then north to reach the actual trailhead at 1.8km 866m (2840′). Descend to Burkitt Ck and cross on a log. Work way through chaotic deadfall to Burkitt Creek’s south bank and cross Burkitt Creek.
On the north shore, the trail enters big timber. 6km from here, reach an unbridged crossing of Wilson Creek at 957m (3140′) that will stop most parties.