Backpacking Poboktan Trail Successfully

Backpacking Poboktan trail successfully required some patience and determination. In the mountains, there’s always a chance of snow, especially in June. We encountered snow as well as other unexpected challenges. It took us forty-five minutes to climb over trees that had fallen all across the trail. We thought of turning around wondering if the trail would improve or if it would continue to be an uphill battle. Since we didn’t have a park pass for any other back country campsites, we decided to persevere; you might see why we were considering other options.

As we continued our expedition, water was flowing heavily down the trail encouraging us to walk beside it. We had to cross an overflowing creek hopefully without falling in it, followed by knee-deep snow to reach our campsite. With determination, we continued to the Waterfalls campsite. The trail had many challenges but with gorgeous waterfalls at our campsite, the difficulties we faced were worth it. Plus, it makes for a great story in the end.

Trees Fallen Down

Prepared for the Weather

We were prepared to stay positive while backpacking in the rain as it started to drizzle on us. We knew it was likely for the rain to show up since it poured on us at our Mount Kerkeslin campground campsite close by while getting ready in the morning.

Training for Backpacking Poboktan Trail Successfully

To ensure a hiker is fit for this backpacking trip, the Laughing Falls hike offers a good cardio workout. Hikes that have elevation are helpful to get in shape. An indoor activity such as Zumba, which is a great cardio workout also works to help get you in shape at home. The more exercise that gets done before a trip, the easier it will be backpacking.

First Challenge

Currently, the bridge crossing Poboktan Creek is out. From the parking lot, walk to the highway, cross Poboktan Creek, walk by the Warden’s cabin and start hiking.

While backpacking the Poboktan trail, close to the start, trees had fallen across the trail. We had to navigate and get over them to continue our trek. This video shows the difficulty we encountered. We weren’t sure how long it would take to get through this section. We considered turning around since it blocked a good portion of the trail. It created big detours for us to have to walk deep into the woods to avoid and get around this mess. This section of fallen trees on the trail lasted forty-five minutes. We did persevere but it was a tremendous amount of work to go over these trees or around them while carrying backpacks. Fallen trees aren’t normally something we contemplate having to encounter while backpacking, but it forces a hiker to adapt and roll with the punches when something unexpected shows up.

Mentally Preparing for Backpacking Poboktan Trail Successfully

I enjoy seeing these signs along the way while hiking, and especially while backpacking. It’s always encouraging to see how much further you need to backpack to arrive to the campground. My mom and I each put on our Samsung health tracker to get a rough idea of how far we were hiking.

At Maligne Pass Junction we had 1.2 km left to reach the first campground called Poboktan Campground. We stopped at Poboktan Campground for a pee break and a rest while taking off our packs and sitting down at a picnic table. After the unexpected forty-five-minute section of fallen trees, we were way too hungry to wait to have lunch at the campground; we had eaten lunch earlier. It was a nice break to sit down and take off our packs. Poboktan Campground is in a pretty location along the rushing Poboktan Creek. The distance to Waterfalls Campground was another 5.7 kilometres to our final destination that day.

Our health tracker recorded 12.66 kilometres one way. Other blogs have mentioned that it’s closer to eight kilometres. I’m not sure if our route was much longer since we had to detour many trees? Unfortunately, since the trail wasn’t in perfect condition, we don’t have an accurate reading for the Poboktran trail to Waterfalls Campground.

Water Flowing Down Trail

Second Challenge Backpacking Poboktan Trail Successfully

We encountered rushing water flowing down the trail further up past Poboktan Campground, on our way to Waterfalls Campground. On different parts of the trail, puddles had formed causing us to detour into the forest to avoid the excessive water. The amount of water flowing down was crazy. A lot of snow was melting from up above. Since we couldn’t walk on the trail, it took us longer to get to our destination.

Tip: Being prepared for the unexpected is always a good idea. On this trail, that seemed to be the best motto since the conditions constantly changed.

Gore-Tex Boots

Gore-Tex boots cover your ankles, and prevent them from rolling by keeping your feet steady and secure. These boots are a requirement on this trail to prevent feet from getting wet when stepping into two inches of water. Gore-Tex boots also help prevent snow from entering your boot when stepping in snow.

Tip: If you can prevent your feet from getting wet, you’ll be a much happier backpacker. When the weather isn’t the warmest or there’s a lot of moisture in the air, it can be hard to dry socks. If wet socks can be prevented, hiking will be more pleasant for the entire trip.

Backpacking Poboktan Trail Successfully with Snow

Challenge #3

As we continued upwards, we found deeper snow. For some trail sections, it felt like we should have brought our skis, with all the snow we encountered. We definitely could have made snowmen with the wet snow. The person leading had a harder time breaking the trail with each foot falling deep down in the snow. Thankfully the weather cooperated as you can see from the picture. We weren’t wearing thick jackets but having to put in a lot of effort to hike upwards in the nice weather caused us to sweat.

Tip: Take turns breaking trail not to cause one person’s exhaustion. Following the leader requires less energy once the footprints have been established.

Gaiters for Backpacking Poboktan Trail Successfully

It’s important to wear gaiters to prevent the snow from entering your boots at your ankles, especially when the snow is deep. Gaiters will protect your feet from mud as well as water, up to a certain extent. It’s one thing to have to dry quick-dry pants but to dry boots and socks is a much longer process.

Crossing a Creek with Large Volumes of Water

Challenge#4

We had to cross this creek with a large volume of water in June 2022 to continue backpacking the Poboktan trail to Waterfall Campground. We needed a steady footing to get to the other side without falling in. It was a bit tricky to figure out. Of course, the rocks are slippery which doesn’t help. The creek was rushing here and at many different spots along the creek. There wasn’t an easy spot to cross. There had been a previous bridge but had since been washed out as we could see the wood remains in the bush. The video shows Kris trying to steady his poles to get across. His gaiters were a terrific option to help prevent rushing water to soak his boots and feet.

Tip #1: Find a place to cross that has the shortest width possible to make your jump as easy as possible.

Tip #2: Ensure your feet are as far forward on the slippery rocks when jumping to allow a smaller area to cross to reach the other side.

Accomplishment Reaching Waterfalls Campground

These waterfalls at the Waterfalls Campground were a gorgeous sight to see. It made the challenges we faced while backpacking the Poboktan trail worth it. There was still a lot of snow higher up in the mountains as we could see by the large volume of water rushing down the creek and waterfall. The view was peaceful to look at during supper when our feet were taken out of our wet boots and switched into sandals. These sandals are perfect for backpacking ensuring you don’t stub your toe by having a toe guard, while still allowing for breathability. We did our best to protect our feet and boots from being drenched by wearing gaiters and ankle Gore-Tex hiking boots. Unfortunately with the amount of snow, rushing water on the trail and from the creek, it was unpreventable for our feet not to end up soaking wet.

Working as a Team at Camp

Setting up Camp

Finding a place to set up camp that wasn’t covered in snow proved to be difficult in the dedicated camping area. We did find a patch of dry ground near the top of the trail that was far enough away from the picnic tables and the bear proof bins. Not wanting to have soaking wet tents to sleep in, we opted to tent there. As a bonus, we had a view of the creek and the valley below us.

Tip: If the dedicated sleeping pads are bare, it’s mandatory to sleep there, but sometimes it’s essential to compromise to fit the weather conditions, if they are covered in mounds of snow.

Multiple Tasks Backpacking Poboktan Trail Successfully

To help with several tasks that needed to get done at camp, we worked as a team. Dad made the fire to dry out our socks, and boots and warm up our feet. My mom went to get the water from the creek to filter the water to refill their bottles. Kris helped fill up our water bladders from there as well. I gathered firewood to keep the fire going and did trips back and forth to the tent area to gather warmer clothes for Kris and my dad as they didn’t bring sandals to save on weight.

Tip: If your feet are soaking wet at camp and you need to remove your boots to dry them off and warm up your feet, it’s hard to be useful at camp when you can’t move because you’re barefoot, if you don’t bring sandals. Even though they are an added weight, you will be thankful that you can change into different footwear once at camp and air out your feet while your boots air out and potentially dry. Then you can also accomplish more tasks once you’ve arrived at your campsite.

Sun Arrived

We were lucky enough to find the sun shining down on us for part of the evening. If the weather is super sunny, it’s important to avoid sunburn and put on sunscreen.

Properly Storing Food

They used to offer poles with clips to hang up food but have since upgraded to storing food in bear-proof bins. This is what the bear-proof bins look like. There are four campsites at this location. Each tent pad occupant gets a designated bin to store the food. Anything that has a scent such as food, toothpaste, etc. is to be put in here. If any tomato sauce for example were to fall on your clothes, that would also be put into the bin to avoid attracting the bear to your tent.

Tip: Be extra cautious when backpacking; you don’t want any lingering smells on your clothes when storing them in the tent.

Mindset to Finish Backpacking Poboktan Trail Successfully

We knew there was a lot of snow for us to travel through at the beginning of our trip back. Knowing what to expect on the return trip made it much easier to have a positive mindset. We were prepared with our gaiters and Gore-Tex hiking boots to hike through the knee-deep snow and make our way back. The fallen trees were waiting for us at the end too but at least we’d be able to sit in our cars once we were done the trip. Thankfully, once we arrived at the rough section, someone had taken an axe and cut down some branches or trees, which was much appreciated!

Final Thoughts

Even with the challenges we encountered, it was a wonderful family trip! It’s always easier on the last day of backpacking to know that even if you’re covered in dirt or drenched to the bone, you can change into different clothing once you arrive at your car and eventually have a hot shower. This trip forced us to persevere as we were determined to get to the Waterfalls Campground. It created lifelong memories. We were all proud that we succeeded as a team, especially after the initial doubt that had set it as we encountered the fallen trees. My love for the outdoors continues to grow with trips like Backpacking Poboktan Trail Successfully. For more backpacking trips, check out the West Coast Trail.