A few of us wanted to go camping this weekend. Since the snow was reported to be at many of the lakes on the highlands, I decided to take a quick jaunt up to the 201 or Okanagan Falls Forest Service Road to just explore the area a bit. The area also happens to be a registered Trapline as well so I promised one of the owners, Ray Derickson, that I would report on any good spots to build a trappers cabin. Near the water falls in the video below would be a nice spot, lots of creeks and water around so securing a year round supply of fresh water shouldn’t be too hard if a well was created. A Gravity fed supply system of pipes could be created as well in this area.
The Trapline Falls, known as “Art Water Falls”, are close by and I am sure would make spectacular frozen columns in the middle of winter. There is a trail that leads to the upper portion of the falls. The trail is a very well used game trail. Many outdoorsmen have probably wandered along the trail as well just like we did in trying to get to the falls for a better look than the road above provides. To get to the base of the falls one has to clamber down a steep section of sidehill but the earth is quite loose and a hiker is able to create solid footholds as you scramble down. interestingly enough, there are about a dozen tires at the base of the falls. It appears that the love of watching things roll down hills is still live and active. I would like to spend a couple of hours to use the tires as steps in an effort to create a more permanent trail down the steep sidehill to the base of the falls.
To Reach the falls, take the 201 heading west off of the Big White Road, Then take Rabbit heading west. After one km or so, you will see a large opening on the south side of the road where a huge tree plantering camp is located. Vehicles of all types were parked along side of the road along with a 100 foot long base camp tent and 8 porta potties. Right after the camp a small road veers to the south and we took that for about one km, drove through a creek and wound up on Joe Rich Rd. We found that Joe Rich Road will go back to Big White Road….i think, and we passed a gravel pit on the way. The gravel pit was after the falls though so if you get there and you didn’t see them back track and look over the hill until you spot them. They would be quite difficult to mis. Here are a few pictures. Hope this post helps you find a nice hiking destination and if anyone reads it and discovers the perfect spot for a trappers cabin, let me know please!
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Above Trapper Falls on Derickson Trap Line
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Brook above Trapper Falls
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hiking below Trapper Falls on Derickson Trap Line
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Caleb and JJ hiking on log over creek
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Caleb Trek to the rocks
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Caleb Treks - no dirt on white shirt
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Trying a little log walk above the falls
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Clayton Kessler at Trapper Falls
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clay above Trapper Falls on Derickson Trap Line
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Crazy Hiker with foamy mouth from creek foam
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Edge Road conditions in June on Derickson Trap Line
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Forest Chops some firewood
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Forest enjoys the view of the waterfalls
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Enjoying the waterfalls area
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Hiker Hubert demonstrates efficient backpacking after cleaning the dishes in the brook
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Hiker Hubert lost in the log jam
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Hiker Hubert wondering where he is and why he is?
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log jam below Trapper Falls on Derickson Trap Line
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An idea of what the logged area looks like on Salamander Road on Derickson Trap Line
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Salamander Road - no cabin building spot here on Derickson Trap Line
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Salamander Road on Derickson Trap Line
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Snapshot Kid
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Mountain Stream
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Trapper Falls
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Trapper Falls on Derickson Trap Line
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Trapper Falls on Derickson Trap Line on Joe Rich Road
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Interesting Columns of rock near Rabbit Road on Derickson Trap Line
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Tree Planters camp on Rabbit Road just before the turn to Trapper Falls
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View of Trapper Falls from the Joe Rich Logging Road
Just a couple of comments.
Edge road off the 201 at km 103 is not on the Derickson trapline. It is on my trapline TR0814T016. Raymond and I went over the trapline boundary maps last year.
I have not been up Rabbit for many years. You must stay back from creeks and lakes quite a distance under the Trapline Cabin policy. Where I suggested Raymond build a cabin is just past the West Kettle bridge and a ways up the Two John FSR. It would be central to both sides of the West Kettle. How ever not being a large trapline travel may not be a problem.
Thank you for sharing the great photos
Ron