The Dewdney Trail is an historic trail that runs about 720 kms through southern British Columbia. This post relates to the stretch that can be travelled from the Cascade Rest Area about 38 km west of Hope. From the rest area our group ascended the higher elevation Whatcom Trail and continued into Paradise Valley. That track was challenging with narrow trails, some brush over growing the trail and small creek crossings. The views at the top were a delight with Punchbowl Lake below us and Snass Mountain above. We decided to return to the parking lot at Cascade by descending the Dewdney Trail: BIG MISTAKE!
The trail in the summer is overgrown with all sorts of perennial grasses including STINGING NETTLES and HOGWEED. Often our pace slowed so that we could focus on route finding. As well, we saw numerous fresh deposits of bear scat. If you choose this route bring long pants and bear bells/deterrent. Better yet, choose the Whatcom Trail and enjoy the views.
Perhaps there are other months earlier in the spring or in the fall where the trail is worth the effort...
Comments please.