Upper Bugaboo Falls 
British Columbia is full of hikes that can lead to places with spectacular views, while sometimes challenging to hike to. Upper Bugaboo Falls is not one of those hikes. In my opinion it is more of a walk than a hike. The hardest and longest thing about this hike is the drive to the trailhead. This can be rough at times, but is worth the trip to see this amazing waterfall. I would recommend this adventure to anyone who loves waterfalls. It is easy access on foot and there are great areas to take pictures and get up close and personal with the Upper Bugaboo Falls.
Date of Adventure: August 2016
Driving To Trailhead: 1-2hrs
Hike Time: ~5 minutes
Hike Distance: 1 km
Location: Bugaboo Provincial Park
Nearest To: Golden, BC and Radium Hot Springs, BC
Advised: Bear country, loose gravel roads, active logging roads, frequent weather changes. Please check all advisory notices, restrictions, regulations, etc before heading out.
Upper Bugaboo Falls – What is that?!
The waterfall is definitely the main attraction! It is spectacular, a good 4m in height and a full on roaring waterfall as you get close. When we went, the river was a beautiful pastel green, and blue colour. Furthermore, besides the waterfall, there are a few other interesting things to spot on this small hike. There are some great boulders and rock configurations to see. These occur naturally as the terrain descends to the level of the river. Depending on the time of year you may see many different types of vegetation on the forest floor. These can include wildflowers, moss, and even mushrooms. Best to keep in mind not to touch or pickup any mushrooms or other vegetation; unless you are very familiar with the vast types that exist. It’s good to remember that the prettiest ones are sometimes the most dangerous!
Upper Bugaboo Falls – Are we there yet?
1. From the four-way stop in Radium Hot Springs drive north on Highway 95, towards Golden, for approximately 30 km.
2. Here you turn left off the highway and onto Brisco Road. (Continue a little ways further on the highway, and stop at the Brisco General store, located on the right side of the highway, to ask for directions and a map.)
3. Cross the railway tracks and follow Brisco Road across the Columbia River, this road will eventually turn into a loose gravel/dirty road. Stay right on Brisco Road until you reach a “Y” junction, here turn left onto a road leading up the hill. This is where the road becomes quite bumpy and rough for a while. Please be aware of all signs because these are sometimes active logging roads.
4. This will lead you to a four-way junction, this is roughly 6-7 km from the highway, here take the Bugaboo Forest Service Road.
5. Continue on this road for another 45 km or so. From here always stay right, even if there are other roads.
6. Finally, you will see a small wooden shack, that is an outhouse, and is on the right side of the road. This is where you should park, at the side of the road where the terrain permits. The hard part is now over!
Upper Bugaboo Falls – Trail
There is a small trail that leads down from the highway into the forest. Portions of the trail are protected by fences as you go along, although a few lookout spots are found at the top. If you follow the trail all the way down, you will come to the bottom of the waterfall. In addition, there is a larger pebbled shore and some big rocks that you can climb on to get close enough to be sprayed by the water.
Upper Bugaboo Falls – Recommendation
The Upper Bugaboo Falls makes for a good day trip especially as the drive isn’t too long and the hike is short and easy. I would recommend visiting this waterfall if you can while you are in the valley because it is worth the trip, in my opinion. If you want to add on a little more to and extend your day trip, you can continue on the same road which will lead you to the Canadian Mountain Holiday’s Bugaboo Lodge and Glacier.