• Difficulty Intermediate
  • Time 2 hours
  • Round-Trip 2.5km
  • Elevation Gain 300 meters
  • Season April - October
  • Camping No
  • From Vancouver 2 hours, 45 minutes
  • Public Transit No
  • Dog Friendly Yes

Cool Creek Canyon is a short, steep hike that offers scenic views of waterfalls and the Birkenhead River valley area north of Pemberton, BC. The route climbs up the steep hill on one side of Cool Creek, crossing a bridge higher up, before descending down the other side back to the road.

From the trailhead next to the small gravel parking area alongside Portage Road, walk past the wooden sign and follow the trail as it begins to climb quickly. The route passes through a forested section, offering occasional glimpses of Cool Creek while steadily climbing as you work to pace yourself. Near a rockslide, the trail veers to the left and continues following a path near the creek.

There are no trail markers but the route is clearly defined and well maintained. As you make your way higher up the canyon, there are a couple of places to enjoy the view of the rushing water. Do not venture too close as the rocks can be slippery and the rushing water can quickly sweep you over the edge unexpectedly.

The trail weaves its way up onto several rocky ridges and scenic views of the Birkenhead River valley can be seen between the trees. Quickly stop to enjoy the views, catch your breath, before continuing up the narrow trail that pass up and over the rocks. The route begins to ascend at a lower rate as you quickly make time through the forest and reach a wooden bridge crossing Cool Creek. This is the highest elevation point of the hike and the trail will descend on the opposite side of the creek.

Follow the trail downhill as it descends via a series of switchbacks where there is often a great view of a waterfall at the switchbacks closest to the creek. There are a couple of spots that offer a clearer view of the waterfalls than they did on the other side of the canyon. As you continue descending, the trail reaches a junction where another trail goes off a short distance to the right to a picnic table. This is a beautiful spot with a view that looks north up the Birkenhead River valley, offering a great place for lunch.

Return to the trail and continue to descend. The hike down is fairly quick as you continue to follow the creek before the trail exits the forest and returns back to Portage Road. Walk left along side the highway back to the small gravel parking area to where you began your hike.





How to get to Cool Creek Canyon

Estimated Driving Time from Vancouver
2 hours, 45 minutes

The Cool Creek Canyon Trail is located north of Pemberton, along Portage Road on the way to D'Arcy. There is only a small wooden sign next to the trailhead, so finding the trail, or knowing where it is as you drive is the challenging part. From the train crossing in Mount Currie, it's about 13km to the trailhead where there is a small gravel area on the right side of Portage Road.

From Vancouver, drive to Highway #1 and head northbound towards Horseshoe Bay. Merge onto Highway #99, the Sea To Sky Highway, and begin the long drive north bound towards Pemberton.

Continue driving north along Highway #99, leaving Pemberton and drive through the community of Mount Currie, carefully watching your speed. Go straight at the intersection, heading towards D'Arcy (not Lillooet). When you cross the train tracks at the end of the community of Mount Currie, zero your Odometer. Drive about 13km and watch for a small gravel area on the right where there is a wooden sign that marks the trailhead for Cool Creek Canyon.

If you drive over a bridge for Poole Creek, you have gone too far. If you make it to a lake called Gates Lake in the small community of Biken, you have gone too far. From the town of Birken, you will need to backtrack about 9km.

50.424524,-122.693568 Cool Creek Canyon is a scenic hike located north of Pemberton, BC, that climbs quickly, passing waterfalls and views of the Birkenhead River Valley.

Cool Creek Canyon is a short, steep hike that offers scenic views of waterfalls and the Birkenhead River valley area north of Pemberton, BC. The route climbs up the steep hill on one side of Cool Creek, crossing a bridge higher up, before descending down the other side back to the road.

From the trailhead next to the small gravel parking area alongside Portage Road, walk past the wooden sign and follow the trail as it begins to climb quickly. The route passes through a forested section, offering occasional glimpses of Cool Creek while steadily climbing as you work to pace yourself. Near a rockslide, the trail veers to the left and continues following a path near the creek.

There are no trail markers but the route is clearly defined and well maintained. As you make your way higher up the canyon, there are a couple of places to enjoy the view of the rushing water. Do not venture too close as the rocks can be slippery and the rushing water can quickly sweep you over the edge unexpectedly.

The trail weaves its way up onto several rocky ridges and scenic views of the Birkenhead River valley can be seen between the trees. Quickly stop to enjoy the views, catch your breath, before continuing up the narrow trail that pass up and over the rocks. The route begins to ascend at a lower rate as you quickly make time through the forest and reach a wooden bridge crossing Cool Creek. This is the highest elevation point of the hike and the trail will descend on the opposite side of the creek.

Follow the trail downhill as it descends via a series of switchbacks where there is often a great view of a waterfall at the switchbacks closest to the creek. There are a couple of spots that offer a clearer view of the waterfalls than they did on the other side of the canyon. As you continue descending, the trail reaches a junction where another trail goes off a short distance to the right to a picnic table. This is a beautiful spot with a view that looks north up the Birkenhead River valley, offering a great place for lunch.

Return to the trail and continue to descend. The hike down is fairly quick as you continue to follow the creek before the trail exits the forest and returns back to Portage Road. Walk left along side the highway back to the small gravel parking area to where you began your hike.

View a map of Driving directions to Cool Creek Canyon.

Traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Lil'wat and St̓át̓imc Tmicw (St'at'imc).
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Additional Info

Camping at Cool Creek Canyon

Camping is not permitted at Cool Creek Canyon.

Dogs at Cool Creek Canyon

Dogs are permiited on the Cool Creek Canyon Trail but use caution as there are steep drop offs and the rocks near the waterfalls are very slippery. Please ensure to pick up after your dog.

Toilets at Cool Creek Canyon

There are no toilet facilities on the Cool Creek Canyon Trail.

Dogs, Toilets and Camping

Although we try to keep information as current as possible, www.vancouvertrails.com makes no warranty or representation as to the availability, quality, fitness for purpose, conditions or accuracy of the information provided with respect to this trail or trails. The information provided herein is further subject to our Terms of Use.