July 2019 UPDATE: The beginning of the trail at its lower end is now cleaned up.  You can follow a faint trail through the clearcut for about 150m to meet up with the old trail.  The new trailhead is still 200m further up the road from the old trailhead, and the kiosk has yet to be moved to this new location.

When people refer to Certainty Mine Trail, the trailhead starting point to which they are usually referring is the Certainty Mine Upper Trailhead which is described on that trail page.

Lower Certainty Mine Trail is a hike that is mainly forested, but ends in an alpine valley.  The trail is continuously steep for 4km.  It’s a hike for fit hikers.  If you are primarily interested in the alpine portion of this trail, then you are better off starting at Certainty Mine Upper Trailhead.  The trail as a whole (upper and lower) has historical significance.  It was originally established at the turn of the century to access mining operations in the sub-alpine terrain of the 12 Mile drainage. While the mine site is non-descript – essentially depressions in the ground – the trail is a testament to the longevity of well-built trails.

The trail described below is accessed from the Lower Trailhead found low in the valley and will enable you to hike the entire trail.  Most of the Lower Trailhead hike is in forested terrain.  Alternatively, you can start from the Upper Trailhead (see Certainty Mine Upper Trailhead) in a cut block higher up in the 12 Mile drainage. The Upper Trailhead access will eliminate almost 3/4 of the trail so that the surrounding alpine can be reached in short order.  However, the upper trailhead requires a high clearance vehicle.

From the landing look for a few stones marking the beginning of the trail.  Follow this for about 150m where the trail heads into the.  The trail steepens noticeably and will continue at this grade right until the junction with the Certainty Mine Upper trail in 4.3km.  While the grade is unrelenting, you will be accompanied below by 12 Mile Creek.   Occasional openings provide views of both the 12 Mile drainage and the Columbia Valley. The trail is very obvious for the entire route, but it is grown over in spots.  The mid-way stretch is characterized by a series of avalanche paths and boulder fields, but the route remains clear.

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At the 4.3 km point the trail from the Lower Trailhead intersects with the trail coming from the Upper Trailhead (see Certainty Mine Upper Trailhead webpage).  Take note of this intersection so that you will remember which way to go on your way back.   Continue past the intersection, where the trail will flatten considerably and you are now in the sub-alpine. Ahead you can see two sets of waterfalls and the alpine bowl of the 12 Mile valley.  Approximately 500m from the aforementioned intersection of the Upper and Lower Trailheads, you will reach a fork in the trail.

The left hand track will lead down toward the lower waterfall. This left hand track will appear to terminate in a boggy area but if you persevere (and make your way around the right hand side of the bog) you will regain a ‘trail’ to the base of waterfall.   Alternatively, the right hand track stays high and will take you to the old mine site after another 1.4km – the mine itself is on a steep slope and is not much of a destination being little more than depressions in the ground.  Continuing along past the mine site will lead you to an alpine bowl.

For experienced hikers and scramblers, the upper alpine reaches offer many opportunities for further exploration. It is possible to ridge walk around to the south and exit via the 12 Mile Creek South Fork trail.

Along the entire trail watch for downhill bikers who will come upon you quickly!

The road is 8.5 km long and in good condition. It ends at a large landing in a cut block.

From Golden drive south on Highway 95 to the hamlet of Nicholson. Turn right on the Nicholson Loop Road and turn right on Canyon Creek Road. Cross the Columbia River and stay left when the road forks. Just before the end of the road (approx 1km from the fork), turn left on the 12 Mile Creek FSR. Set your odometer to “0” here:

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1.9 km turn right onto the 12 Mile – Canyon Lake FSR.

2.3 km proceed straight.

3.4 km turn left.

5.4 km turn left.

6.0 km stay right and cross under the power line.

6.1 km turn left off the main road.  As of 2018, this part of the road has been improved to remove the deep ruts of recent years.

7.0 km on you right in the bush is the ATV trail leading to Canyon Lake.

7.1 km  stay left.  You will start to climb a steep hill.

7.6 km the trailhead kiosk marking the start of the old trail is on the right at an apex in the steep hill (the kiosk will be moved to the new location later in Aug/Sept 2018).  Continue driving for another two hundred metres along the road to its end.

7.8 km park out of the way at the end of the road.  Look for the start of the trail at the end of the road on the right leading up through the cut block.