Tikwalus Heritage Trail Hike

Liked: Information signs along the trail with historical facts about the trail and the local indigenous culture, Fraser Canyon and Fraser River views, mountain views, several fine forest scenes, the upper part of the trail is a loop, few bugs.

Of Note: Traffic noise from Highway 1 and train whistles for much of the trail. The trail is steep for the first 2.6 kilometers, and moderately difficult after that. Steep unbarricaded drop-offs at Canyon viewpoint. Hiking poles and boots are highly recommended.

103 Hikes in Southwestern British Columbia (2008 edition): hike #82.

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Tikwalus Heritage Trail is located by Highway 1 near Alexandra Lodge, between Yale (24 km to the West) and Boston Bar (17 km to the East). It is formerly known as First Brigade Trail, and appears to have been renamed in order to honour the culture of the local indigenous people. Numerous small information signs throughout the trail tell various facts about the lives and traditions of the Nlaka'pamux people, as well as some stories of Hudson Bay Company's use of this trail a few times to haul furs and supplies between the coast and the interior.

1. We are Eastbound on Highway 1, East of Yale.

TransCanada Highway 1 East Near Yale BC

2. Passing by Alexandra Lodge, located 400 meters prior to the Tikwalus Heritage Trail.

TransCanada Highway 1 East near Alexandra Lodge

3. Approaching the trailhead parking lot. It is large enough for about 20 vehicles. Coordinates: N 49⁰43.379' W 121⁰25.294'. Elevation: 139 meters. A smaller lot is located just a bit to the West.

4. Here is a map of the trail, located on the information board seen at the far end of the parking lot in the photo above. We have indicated as follows: red square - trailhead, blue square - campsite (trail end), red arrow - A.C.Anderson Viewpoint, white arrow - Chief Pahallak Viewpoint, purple arrow - campsite viewpoint.

Tikwalus Heritage Trail Map

5. The trailhead is a bit tricky to find, but it is located at the Eastern end of the parking lot, past the information board.

Tikwalus Heritage Trail Parking Lot Information Board

6. Here it is.

Tikwalus Heritage Trail Trailhead

7. For the first 2+ kilometers, a series of switchbacks make the grade less onerous, but it's a tough trail, nonetheless.

Tikwalus Heritage Trail - Boston Bar Hiking

8. A neat bridge at the 170 meter mark of the hike (all distances are based on a GPS odometer and are approximate).

Tikwalus Heritage Trail - Hike in Boston Bar BC Area

9. It's a pleasant forest, though the traffic noise from the nearby Highway 1, as well as rather frequent train whistles, make for a less than serene hiking environment.

Hike in Yale BC Area - Tikwalus Heritage Trail

10. Arriving at A.C.Anderson viewpoint, at the 1.3 km mark.

Tikwalus Heritage Trail AC Anderson Viewpoint

11. The view is getting overgrown. Descending for a few meters allows for a less obstructed view.

View from AC Anderson Viewpoint on Tikwalus Heritage Trail near Boston Bar BC Canada

12. Moving on towards much better views.

Tikwalus Heritage Trail - Yale BC Area Hiking

13. Another fine bridge, this one at 2.2 km.

Tikwalus Heritage Trail

14. A small rock field awaits before the arrival of good views.

Tikwalus Heritage Trail - Boston Bar Trail

15. That's much better.

View from Tikwalus Heritage Trail

16. Approaching Chief Pahallak Viewpoint.

British Columbia Hiking

17. Here it is, at 2.6 km mark of the trail. Coordinates: N 49⁰43.873' W 121⁰24.730'. Elevation: 675 meters. This makes it a 20%+ grade trail up to this point.

18-20. Impressive views here. Left to right.

View from Chief Pahallak Viewpoint on Tikwalus Heritage Trail

21. Continuing on Tikwalus Heritage (formerly First Brigade) Trail.

Formerly First Brigade Trail near Boston Bar BC Canada

22. At 3.1 km, this row of trees looks very impressive. Much more so than this photo can convey.

Tikwalus Heritage Trail British Columbia

23. At 4.2 km, the upper loop trail arrives. To the left is Bluffs Route (2.0 km to campsite). To the right is Lakes Route (2.5 km to campsite). The Bluffs Route has much better views.

Tikwalus Heritage Trail Upper Loop Start

24. Taking the Bluffs Route.

Tikwalus Heritage Trail Bluffs Route and Lakes Route Split

25. A major fire swept through this area in 2004, so there is a lot of new growth around the path.

Tikwalus Heritage Trail Bluffs Route

26. Approaching a very impressive Black Canyon Viewpoint. Coordinates: N 49⁰44.851' W 121⁰24.196'. Elevation: 848 meters.

27. Fraser Canyon and Fraser River seen from Black Canyon Viewpoint.

Black Canyon Viewpoint on Tikwalus Heritage Trail near Yale British Columbia

Here is Our Video of the Views from the Black Canyon Viewpoint.

28. Now approaching the campsite. Coordinates: N 49⁰45.269' W 121⁰24.174'. Elevation: 825 meters (686 meters elevation gain from the start of the trail).

29. Picnic time.

Tikwalus Heritage Trail Campsite

30. Fit for a large group.

Campsite at the end of Tikwalus Heritage Trail by Boston Bar British Columbia Canada

31. A table with a view.

Table at Campsite at the end of Tikwalus Heritage Trail

32. Tikwalus Heritage Trail ends at the campsite. You can return the same way you came, or complete the upper trail loop by taking a much less impressive Lakes Route. Or, if you continue past the food cache, there is a great view just 130 meters further, en route to Gate Mountain.

Tikwalus Heritage Trail Campsite Path to Food Cache

33. Here is that view. Coordinates: N 49⁰45.367' W 121⁰24.185'. Elevation: 849 meters. The map refers to a view located about 1 km from the campsite, so, chances are, there is another good view later on. We will call this one Campsite Viewpoint. Left to right.

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ihikebc.com Trip 206 - Tikwalus Heritage Trail (Formerly First Brigade Trail)