A forest hike along the east bank of the Blaeberry River. The trail terminates at Thompson Falls where the Blaeberry River enters a gorge through a narrow funnel. This trail has a connection to Canada’s past as the Blaeberry valley and Howse Pass were used by First Nations as a trade route. The great explorer and surveyor David Thompson also used this valley in 1807 to reach the Columbia River.

GORA trail crew report, June 26, 2018:
An information kiosk was installed at the entrance to the driveway leading to the trail. The trail was cleared of downed trees. It should be noted that most of the work was done previously by local residents. The first two km along the river are very rooty.

Trailhead
The trailhead is located just past the campground. Look for the obvious map kiosk adjacent to the road.

Trail
For the first couple of kms the trail skirts the edge of the river.  In 2015, GORA established two reroutes to circumvent eroded sections of trail.

Shortly after passing under a cable car crossing the river (used to check flow rates), the trail turns abruptly to the right and heads inland. Then, it turns left and climbs a hill. [read more]

At this point, you are out of hearing range of the river.  The trail eventually junctions with an ATV track.  Turn left and follow the track down, back to the river.  Expect the trail to be wet here during high water.  The ATV track soon ends and the trail turns right heading uphill again. Look for an abrupt left to take you on a route that parallels the river.

Cautions

• Parts of this trail might be under water during the spring freshet.
• Be careful when viewing Thompson Falls.

From the junction of Highway 95 and Highway 1, drive west on the Trans Canada Highway for 11.6 km to Moberly Branch Road. [read more]

• Go up the hill 1.9 km to a T, and turn left on Golden Donald Upper Road.
• After 0.9 km, bear right on to Oberg Johnson Road, and follow it 1.9 km to the end, where it forms a T.
• Turn left on Moberly School Road and follow it for 0.5 km until it curves to the right and becomes Blaeberry Road.
• Follow Blaeberry Road for 6.7 km where a bridge to the left crosses the Blaeberry River.
• DO NOT take the bridge, but instead continue straight for 100m passing the Redburn Creek Rec Site (known locally as the IOOB campground).
• Continue past the campground until you see the small map kiosk on the left (about 0.7 km from the aforementioned bridge).
• Be aware that parking is limited on the road and at the trailhead.  You may choose to park back by the campground.

NOTE: Unless you want to do this trail both ways, you will need to spot a car at Thompson Falls, which is located at 6 km on the M Road (the road that passes through the OB campground).