The Clearwater trail system is a series of trails that follow the Clearwater River.  All of these trails can be accessed from the Main Park Road making them good options for winter outings.  This event will start at the 3rd Canyon Trailhead and end at Spahats Falls.

• Meet up at Paul Lake at 8:00 am to arrange carpooling.
• Drive to Clearwater and meet up with the leader at the Wells Gray Info Center about 9:30.
• We will be on the trail for about 4 hours with a return time to Kamloops before 4:00.
• From the Info Center drive up the park road and leave a vehicle at the Spahats Falls Parking Lot.
• Continue up the road and park the vehicles at the 3rd Canyon trailhead
• Descend (190m) down an old road
• Hike the trail flat well marked trail below the plateau (11 km)
• Once at Spahats Creek we will go off trail and get to the base of the frozen falls – expect to get wet from the spray off the falls if you get close.
• Ascend (275m) a very steep trail – It is steep, no switchbacks here – we will really take our time with lots of rest stops
• Collect the vehicles and head home

Few people use the trail system in the winter so expect to break trail.  With the exception of the final ascent and the side trip to the base of the falls, this is a moderate outing.  During the two more difficult sections we will take our time.

One last note:  you should be in pretty good shape to do this event.  Unlike most hikes this one ends in an ascent – so if you get tired – there is no downhill on the way home.

The trail system is good for dogs, however there is a small climb down to the base of the falls which most dogs will find difficult.