DETAILED TRAILHEAD ACCESS INFORMATION

1) Gun Creek Trail (Jewel Creek Trailhead) and Slim Creek Trail

These 2 trailheads are accessed from the Slim Ck FSR which is 2WD to Jewel Creek Trailhead; then becomes 2WDHC. The simplest way to gain access to the Slim Ck FSR is from paved Road 40 (aka Highway 40). Look for the signed Slim Ck FSR junction (on N side) with Road 40 which is ~6.4 km E of the Hurley River FSR (aka Gwyneth Lake Rd)/Road 40 junction; and ~5.4 km W of unsigned “Tyax Junction” (junction of paved Road 40 with unsigned Tyaughton Lake Rd). There are several signs at “Tyax Junction” for local businesses.

Set your odometer to zero at the Road 40/Slim Ck FSR (signed Slim Ck Main) junction. Simply staying on the Slim Ck FSR will deliver you to these 2 obvious trailheads. Climbing steeply from Road 40 at first, the maintained gravel Slim Ck FSR levels off and smoothens before making a major junction with the unsigned Gun Lk W Rd at ~km 4.4 (however, the Slim Ck FSR is signed here). All significant side road junctions are shown on the map. Pass the unsigned, gated airfield side road to N at ~km 4.8. A little beyond, the Slim Ck FSR turns S and climbs steeply, tops out then begins descending gradually.

At ~km 7.3 at a junction with Branch 8 (sign may be missing) the Slim Ck FSR turns N downhill and gradually nears Gun Creek, passing a few clearcuts with associated spur roads on route. At ~km 12.7 a short side road turns off to the N and descends to the nearby visible, signed Jewel Creek Trailhead. The old Jewel Bridge was taken out in 2006 and was replaced by a new bridge just to the W. There is plenty of parking and camping space here as well as an outhouse. Nearby clear Jewel Creek to the W is a good source of water. Across Jewel Bridge to the N side of Gun Creek is the nearby Gun Creek Trail. Just W (upstream) on the Gun Creek Trail are several more campsites nearby.

Jewel Creek Trailhead - the old bridge on left was replaced by the new bridge on right in 2006

To access the trailhead for the Slim Creek Trail continue W on the Slim Ck FSR which is rated 2WDHC beyond the Jewel Creek Trailhead turnoff. There has been much logging in this valley over the past few years and so the Slim Ck FSR (which is the only main road in the valley) has become less obvious in some spots with new short side roads being created. Watch for logging trucks and equipment on the road. There are a few short rough sections along the Slim Ck FSR. A lesser side road forks off to the W at ~km 27.8 - stay right. The road then crosses to the N side of Slim Creek at ~km 28.0 and terminates at ~km 30.2 in a clearcut.

An old sign-in board for trail users is located just before the end of the road. Some parking space is available at road end. Though not well suited for camping here, a free standing tent or 2 could be pitched here in a pinch. Water source: nearby Slim Creek. Obvious Slim Creek Trail (rated as secondary trail) heads off to the W from road end.

The Slim Creek Trailhead and parking at the end of Slim Ck FSR

Note: Although we rate Slim Ck FSR as 2WDHC, we have driven the entire road in a 2004 Ford Taurus station wagon. With careful driving we were able to ‘scrape’ through the rough sections. However, as road conditions can change at any time due to natural or as a result of logging activity, we recommend 4WDHC vehicle for this road.

2) High Trail and Tyaughton Lake Trail

At “Tyax Junction” (junction of Road 40 and unsigned Tyaughton Lake Rd) set your odometer to zero. There are several signs at “Tyax Junction” for local businesses. From Tyax Junction head W along graveled Tyaughton Lake Rd (maintained year round). Approximately the first 8 km of Tyaughton Lake Rd is very well maintained.

Tyaughton Lake Rd climbs (initially to W) to skirt Mowson Pond (with signed campground) and forks at ~km 3.4 at Gun Ck Rd (to W). Continue climbing on Tyaughton Lake Rd, make the hairpin turn (known locally as 10mph corner) to head NE and just beyond at the 4 way junction at ~km 5.7, reset your odometer to zero here. At this junction, the gravel side road heading E is signed Hornal Rd. Turn N on the narrow, unsigned, gravel side road (Gun Ck Logging Rd) which climbs gently.

Heading N on Gun Ck Logging Rd, pass a side road (skidder road) to the W at ~km 0.25, a large clearing to the W nearby with a small side road to the E, then a second side road to the W (Gun Ck Logging Rd) at ~km 0.5. Continue N – follow the old signs pointing to Pearson Creek (which is where the High Trail leads to). The 3rd side road to the W at ~km 0.6 is the High Trail.

The main road which continues on, soon turns to the E and becomes a quad track which is the Tyaughton Lake Trail. This trail eventually drops down to join Tyaughton Lake Rd just across the road from the Friburg FRS campground.

The High Trail begins as a narrow, brushed-in, 2WDHC road and soon becomes a deeply rutted, rough 4WD road gradually turning to the NW. The way is obvious – simply stay on this old mining exploration road which has no side roads. About 2 km up, this road becomes impassable to 4WD vehicles due to a washout. There is a small parking/ turn around spot just downhill from the washout. The High Trail continues on as a quad track- steep, earthy and smooth. The High Trail turns off this quad track just beyond the park boundary sign near treeline and heads W side hilling as a well beaten, brushed out, unsigned primary trail.

3) Taylor Creek Trail

Set odometer to zero at “Tyax Junction” and begin driving N on Tyaughton Lake Rd. About 8.4 km up Tyaughton Lake Rd, the road passes signed Tyax Drive on the S side then becomes narrower and rougher but still 2WD. The road climbs steeply, has sharp turns and steep dropoffs – use caution. Tyaughton Lake Rd tops out, descends to make a sharp turn to the E and ends at a nearby 4 way junction at ~km 13.8. At this junction, only the Mud Ck – Taylor Ck FSR is signed (which heads to E). Reset your odometer to zero at this junction. There are 2 roads heading N from this junction. The more easterly of these 2 roads is signed “No Through Road” and deadends nearby on private property. The more westerly of these 2 is a well used road which is a continuation of the Mud Ck–Taylor Ck FSR (though unsigned) and this provides access to the Taylor Ck Rd (and Taylor Creek Trail).

Head N on this 2WDHC road which was recently decommissioned (culverts were removed leaving some shallow ditches across the road). Pass 2 skidder roads which strike off to the W at ~km 0.4 and ~km 0.9. At ~km 1.6 is the not-so-obvious junction of the unsigned Mud Ck-Taylor Ck FSR and the unsigned Taylor Ck Rd. Here, the larger Mud Ck-Taylor Ck FSR turns sharply W, climbs steeply and turns SW. Take the somewhat obscured and smaller Taylor Ck Rd which branches off here, descending gently to the N. 2WD vehicles should park at this junction – only 4WD vehicles are recommended beyond here.

The 2WDHC Taylor Ck Rd is heavily rutted in places and can be very slick when wet. Simply follow this road, ignoring all lesser side roads to access the 2 trailheads of the Taylor Creek Trail. The first well used track (skidder road) encountered at ~km 3.5 climbs off to the S through replanted forest. This is the first trailhead. By following the Taylor Ck Rd over a small creek close to its end at ~km 4.6 km in a clearing, 2 options arise for accessing the Taylor Creek Trail. All vehicles park here – camping space can be had here. There is a very steep, short, rocky track which connects this parking area to the Taylor Creek Trail above or a well beaten, earthy trail just to the W can be used to connect to the Taylor Creek Trail which is easier to ascend/descend.

The upper Taylor Creek trailhead and parking – the rough track on left connects to the Taylor Creek Trail above

Taylor Creek Trail follows an old abandoned mining road (track) which extends from the Taylor Ck Rd to the very headwaters of Taylor basin and into Eldorado basin. No motorized vehicles are permitted within park boundaries.

4) Tyaughton Creek Trail And Tyaughton Hiker’s Trail

At “Tyax Junction” set your odometer to zero. At the 4 way junction where Tyaughton Lake Rd and Mud Ck-Taylor Ck FSR meet at ~km 13.8, take the signed Mud Ck-Taylor Ck FSR to the E which descends to cross Tyaughton Creek at ~km 15.8 then climbs to its junction with unsigned Mud Ck FSR at ~km 17.2. Head N on Mud Ck FSR which descends alongside Tyaughton Creek to cross Noaxe Creek at ~km 18.4 then ascends – watch out for fallen rock and potholes. Mud Ck FSR is usually 2WD accessible but 2WDHC vehicle is recommended.

Just before the Mud Ck FSR begins turning to the E is the 2 forked junction with the signed Mud Ck-Paradise Ck FSR at ~km 23.6 which heads N – turn here. The Mud Ck-Paradise Ck FSR is rated 2WDHC. Reset your odometer to zero at this junction. Descending to cross Mud Creek at ~km 1.2, the Mud Ck-Paradise Ck FSR levels off then passes by the Tyaughton Creek Forest Recreation Site to the W at ~km 1.6. Just beyond at ~km 1.7 lies the junction with the unsigned Relay Ck Rd which heads N while the Mud Ck-Paradise Ck FSR turns to the W to cross Relay Creek (the confluence of Tyaughton Creek and Relay Creek can be seen just to the S).

Follow the Mud Ck-Paradise Ck FSR uphill to the Mud Ck-Paradise Ck FSR/Bonanza FSR junction (signed simply as ‘Ainsworth Bonanza’) at ~km 2.7. Take the Bonanza FSR to the W to access the Tyaughton Creek Hiker’s Trail. Head downhill to the nearby parking/picnic site on the N side of the gated bridge over Tyaughton Creek. On the N side of the road across from the picnic tables is the trailhead – an old sign marked ’Trail’ points the way. A moderately beaten, loose, earthy trail switchbacks upslope from here, then heads W above Tyaughton Creek. Close to the bridge is a narrow, slightly beaten trail which climbs to join the main trail nearby.

Tyaughton Hiker’s Trailhead off the Bonanza FSR – this trail was recently reported as overgrown. See Bulletin page for details.

To access the Tyaughton Creek Trail (which is recommended for general use and which is much easier to follow than the Tyaughton Creek Hiker’s Trail), continue driving the Mud Ck-Paradise Ck FSR uphill. At ~km 4.6 is the trailhead for Tyaughton Creek Trail. Here, an old skidder road/track heads off S climbing steeply with switchbacks. The trail follows this track for approx 2.25 km and climbs approx 200m before striking off as a well beaten trail which descends towards Tyaughton Creek, yet high above. Very little parking space exists close to the trailhead for Tyaughton Creek Trail.

Notes

2WDHC denotes 6” or more clearance. We recommend that 2WDHC vehicles be used on most FSRs in this map area as a precaution. Many newer cars have enough clearance to handle some of the back roads here and most are front wheel drive. A newer Toyota Corolla, for example, would likely have no problem (in all but very wet conditions) making its way to trailheads at Jewel Creek Trailhead, Tyaughton Creek Trail, Lower Tyaughton Hiker’s Trail, and even the Mud Lakes South FRS campground (but not further). This type of vehicle would be risky/unsuitable for the trailheads at Taylor Creek Trail, Slim Creek Trail, and all others. Any 2WD vehicle could be used to access the trailheads of Gun Creek Trail (at the W end of Gun Ck Road), High Trail, Tyaughton Lake Trail, and North Cinnabar Creek Trail/Route.

The odometer used to measure the distances shown here was checked against a highway test section to ensure accuracy. Hwy 99 has a test section E of Duffy Lake. It is recommended that you check your odometer to verify its accuracy, otherwise your distances may not jive with our trailhead access info above. Odometer accuracy also depends on tire pressure. Also, if you cut a lot of corners on the road the distances measured by your odometer will likely be on the low side. Expect your distances to be within 0.2-0.3 km of ours.

Detailed road access information for ALL trailheads in this map area will be available in our upcoming guidebook for the Southern Chilcotin Mountains.