Stein Valley Trails:

Map courtesy of BC Parks, Thompson River District.

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1. Trailhead to Devil's Staircase - 4 km:

After the Stryen Creek bridge the next four kilometers of trail are open boulder strewn pine flats giving away to moister Douglas fir forest with more undergrowth. A campsite is located at about the 2-kilometer point and another just before the Devil's Staircase.

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2. Devil's Staircase to TeePee Site - 4 km:

There are two talus (large rock) slope crossings, the first one is 300 meters long giving way to large boulders and an open area with a seasonal creek that floods over trail in spring. The second talus slope is about 200 meters long to the TeePee campsite.

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3. TeePee Site to Earl's Cabin - 3.5 km:

Rocky Terrain under Douglas fir until you get to Teaspoon Creek which has 4 channels. Trail winds through Douglas fir forests with increased vegetation to Earl's Cabin campsite.

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4. Earl's Cabin to Cable Crossing - 3 km:

The Earl Creek crossing is a bridge made of two logs and a handrail. The trail is good over the flats until about 12-kilometer where trail is a rocky surface and follows closely along southern bank of Stein River. Yet another talus slope which requires careful footing, then an open clearing and a small creek to cross. Cable crossing (over Stein River) to be used by one person at a time.

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5. Cable Crossing to Waterfall Creek - 3.5 km:

Travel along the floodplains of the Stein River. Cross East Fickle, West Fickle, and Shelter Creeks using the four logs as a bridge. The next large campsite is Waterfall Creek Camp.

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6. Waterfall Creek Camp to Ponderosa Camp - 5.5 km:

The Stein River Floodplain in spring promotes the ascent of Snake Bluffs. Use caution traversing the loose material covering the steep rock sections of Snake Bluffs. When you get back down to the floodplain the wet area continues for approximately 300 meters, stay at the foot of the hill and watch your footing. Fir and birch are prominent in this area. Ponderosa Creek has two crossings; one is a two-log crossing the second a single, flattened log with a handrail. The campsite is just west of the creek crossing.

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7. Ponderosa Camp to Wrong Turn Camp - 2 km:

Trail is flat and wandering under a canopy of Douglas fir and cedar until you reach Wrong Turn Camp at a tight bend in the river.

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8. Wrong Turn Camp to Cottonwood Creek - 6 km:

(Note: this is not a campsite.)

This section of trail is boggy and thickly vegetated. Cross 300 meters of talus slope west of Swamp Bluffs. Burnt Cabin Creek has a four-log bridge crossing. Burnt Cabin Creek to trail junction starts off rocky then a section of swamp; next an easy section of trail. Take south trail to Cottonwood crossing and campsite, the north trail goes to Blowdown Pass.

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9. Cottonwood Creek to Scudamore Creek Cable Crossing - 3km:

Some swampy sections to hike around in summer.

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9a. Cottonwood Creek to Blowdown Pass - 21 km:

Difficult trail with extreme elevation changes to Cattle Valley Creek. Lots of deadfall across trail. Best travelled west to east. Good campsites at Cattle Valley Creek and forks of Cottonwood Creek.

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10. Scudamore Creek Cable Crossing to Lookout Camp - 8 km:

Low wet areas turning to side hill with a lot of blowdowns. Trail markers are not always visible - a compass would be useful. Most of this area was burnt in 1996 - fire started by campers.

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11. Lookout Camp to # 3 Cable Crossing - 6 km:

More blowdowns to Mid-Canyon Camp where you overlook Avalanche Creek, upward to High View Camp. Some side-hilling after High View Camp then downhill to Island Camp and a short distance to #3 Cable Crossing.

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12. #3 Cable Crossing to Stein Lake - 6 km:

Travel along river bottom for 3 kilometers then climb up to North Stein Viewpoint. Drop back down to Stein Lake Camp and cross the North side of Lake on the logjam.

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13. Stein Camp to Tundra Lake - 10 km:

Very demanding part of the trail. Steep gradients, rock slope traverses and sudden weather changes make this section very difficult. Snow may be present throughout the year at higher elevations.

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13a. Stein Camp to Elton Lake - 4.5 km:

Not well marked and should be undertaken only by well-prepared and experienced hikers. Steep trail gradient.

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14. Tundra Lake to Lizzie Lake Trailhead - 22 km:

Very demanding section of trail around Tundra Lake.

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Back to Information on Stein Valley Nlaka'pamux Heritage Park

For more information on the Stein Valley Nlaka'pamux Heritage Park contact:
BC Parks
Thompson River District
1210 McGill Road
Kamloops, B.C. V2C 6N6
Telephone: (250) 851-3000
Fax: (250) 828-4633

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