Location: Northeastern British Columbia, approximately 63 kilometers Southeast of Tumbler Ridge,
near the end of Murray River Forest Service Road.
Liked:
Short and easy paths to the waterfall viewing platforms, the
ability to get to the bottom of the waterfall, shapes created by the
spray from the Falls, quite decent access via Murray River Forest
Service Road.
Of note:
Remote area,
numerous potholes on the short asphalted stretch of the Murray River FSR
before the gravel road begins.
Our first scenic trip in
Northeastern British Columbia is to one of BC's most impressive natural
attractions - Kinuseo Falls.
1. To get to Kinuseo Falls, take Highway 52. Here we are driving on Highway 52 Southeast of
Tumbler Ridge. Check the map to ensure you do not get confused, as
Highway 52 is a bit of a tricky road, and has two parts going North and
South, but only one of those parts actually goes East. You need to be on
that East-going part of Highway 52 to get to Kinuseo Falls.
BC Highway 52 East Near Tumbler Ridge
2. Approximately 13 kilometers East of Tumbler Ridge,
there is a turnoff to Murray River Forest Service Road, which leads to
Kinuseo Falls viewpoint.
BC Highway 52 East Turnoff to Murray River Forest Service Road
3. Murray River FSR begins at
Coordinates N 55⁰01.550'
W 120⁰57.663'. The road is asphalted for a few kilometers until it
reaches Quintette Mine, pictured below. This asphalted stretch is full
of numerous deep potholes.
Quintette Mine off Murray River FSR
4. After the mine, the road turns to
gravel, and the potholes become far less numerous. Shortly, the road
goes through two
small tunnels...
Tunnel on Murray River Forest Service Road BC Canada
5...and there would be
a neat Murray River view on the left side, seen while crossing a small bridge.
River View off Murray River FSR British Columbia Canada
6. Information signs keep advising how much longer before the
Falls.
Murray River Forest Service Road BC Canada
7. Murray River Forest Service Road has pleasant, if
unspectacular, views. To be fair, it was rather cloudy, so we might have
missed something there. The photo below was taken the next day, after we
camped on the side of Murray River FSR. There are very few quality
camping spots along this road, though there is a campground not far from
Kinuseo Falls, and, besides, it is possible to camp at the Kinuseo Falls
parking lot too.
Photo of Murray River FSR British Columbia Canada
8. There are several hikes, plus other waterfalls to
see in the Murray River FSR area. For example, a side road at the 21.4 km
mark leads to
Nesbitt's Knee Falls and
Barbour Falls, while Greg Duke
Trail begins at 44.1 km mark. A very neat
Stone Coral Trail
is at the 48 km mark. Get a map of hiking trails around
Tumbler Ridge (available at information centres in various towns in
Peace Region), as there are quite a few. Meanwhile, at the 46.3 km mark,
there is an entrance to Monkman Provincial Park.
Entrance to Monkman Provincial Park BC Canada
9. Shortly, a sign appears advising that to get to the
Kinuseo Falls campground and to
Monkman Lake Trailhead you need to drive
straight, while to get to Kinuseo Falls a turn to the right would be
required.
Signage on Murray River Forest Service Road British Columbia Canada
10. Here is the turnoff to Kinuseo Falls viewpoint parking
lot - 49.8 km after the beginning of Murray River Forest Service Road.
Kinuseo Falls Viewpoint Off Murray River FSR British Columbia Canada
11. One kilometer later, the parking
lot is in front of us.
Coordinates: N 54⁰46.951' W 121⁰11.338'. To the right (seen in
photo #29 on the next page, but not in the photo below) is a short trail to
the upper viewing platform. In the middle left of the photo below,
behind the message board, is an even shorter trail to the lower viewing
platform.
Kinuseo Falls Viewpoint Parking Lot BC Canada
12. Here is the trail to the lower viewing
platform.
Path to Kinuseo Falls Lower Viewing Platform
13. Lower viewing platform.
Kinuseo Falls Lower Viewing Platform
14. It rained the night before, so Kinuseo Falls was
roaring.
Kinuseo Falls British Columbia Canada
Here is our Video of Kinuseo Falls View from the Lower Platform:
15. Murray River after Kinuseo Falls, as seen from the
lower viewing platform.
Murray River FSR Canada
16. Up to this point, you could have walked in
flip-flops and be fine. But, should you desire to take a short but quite
steep path to the bottom of the Falls, hiking boots and poles are highly
recommended.
Start or the Path to the Bottom of Kinuseo Falls
17. The trail begins mildly enough, but then steepens
considerably.
Trail to the bottom of Kinuseo Falls BC Canada
18. In a few minutes, there is a split. Going left
here is less steep, than going right, leads to a slightly better (and
closer) view of the Falls, and would subject you and your camera to much
less spray.
Trail to the Bottom of Kinuseo Falls British Columbia