Backpacking Poboktan Trail Successfully

Backpacking the Poboktan trail successfully presented its challenges, but with determination and perseverance, we overcame them. In the mountains, there’s always a chance of snow, especially in June, which we encountered. In 2022, the bridge across Poboktan Creek did not exist. From the parking lot, we walked to the highway, crossed Poboktan Creek, walked by the Warden’s cabin and started hiking.

Poboktan Trail

It took us forty-five minutes to climb over trees that had fallen across the trail due to a windstorm. We wondered if the trail would improve or if we should turn around. Since we didn’t have a park pass for any other backcountry campsites, we decided to persevere. It created significant detours, forcing us to walk deep into the woods to navigate around this mess. It was a tremendous amount of work to go over or around these trees while carrying backpacks. Fallen trees aren’t usually something we expect to encounter while backpacking. Still, it forces us as hikers to adapt and roll with the punches when something unexpected shows up.

We were prepared to stay positive while backpacking in the rain, as it started to drizzle. We knew it was likely to rain since it had poured on us at our Mount Kerkeslin campground, a nearby campsite, while we were getting ready in the morning.

Training for Backpacking Poboktan Trail Successfully

To ensure you’re a fit hiker for this backpacking trip, the Laughing Falls hike offers a good cardio workout. Hiking with elevation helps get in shape. An indoor activity, such as Zumba, which is a great cardio workout, can also help you get in shape from the comfort of your own home. The more exercise you do before a trip, the easier backpacking will be.

Mentally Preparing for Backpacking Poboktan Trail Successfully

I find seeing these signs along the way helpful to motivate us to keep hiking to our campground. My mom and I each put on our Samsung health trackers 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 break to use the facilities and rest, taking off our packs and sitting down at a picnic table. 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.

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 around 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

We encountered rushing water flowing down the trail further up past Poboktan Campground, on our way to Waterfalls Campground. At different points along the trail, puddles had formed, prompting us to detour into the forest to avoid the excess water. The amount of water flowing down was crazy. A lot of snow was melting from above. Since we couldn’t walk the trail, it took us longer to reach 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 were constantly changing.

Waterproof Boots

Gore-Tex boots prevent water and snow from entering your boots and, as an added bonus, protect your ankles from rolling by keeping your feet steady and secure. It will also keep your socks dry.

Backpacking Poboktan Trail Successfully with Snow

As we continued upwards, we found deeper snow.

For some trail sections, it felt like we should have brought our downhill skis, given the amount of snow we encountered. The person leading had a harder time breaking the trail, with each foot sinking deep into the snow.

It’s essential to wear gaiters to prevent the snow from entering your boots at your ankles, especially in deep snow. Gaiters will help protect your feet from mud and water. It’s easy to dry quick-dry pants, but drying boots and socks takes much longer.

Tip: Take turns breaking trail to avoid exhausting one person. Following the leader requires less energy once the footprints have been established.

Crossing a Creek with Large Volumes of Water

We had to cross this creek, which was running at a high volume, in June 2022 to continue backpacking the Poboktan Trail to Waterfall Campground. We needed a steady footing to reach the other side without falling in. It was a bit tricky to figure out. Of course, the rocks were slippery, which doesn’t help. The creek was rushing at many different points along its course. There wasn’t an easy spot to cross. There had been a previous bridge, but it had since been washed out, as evidenced by the wood remaining in the bush. The video shows Kris trying to steady his poles to get across. His gaiters were a terrific help in preventing rushing water from soaking his boots and feet.

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

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

Accomplishment: Reaching Waterfalls Campground

These waterfalls at the Waterfalls Campground were a gorgeous sight. 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 evidenced by the large volume of water rushing down the creek and the waterfall. The view was peaceful during supper.

KEEN Women’s Newport H2 Closed-Toe Water Sandals are perfect for backpacking, ensuring you don’t stub your toe with a toe guard, while still allowing your feet to breathe. We did our best to protect our feet and boots from getting drenched by wearing gaiters and Gore-Tex ankle-high hiking boots. Unfortunately, with the amount of snow and rushing water on the trail and from the creek, it was inevitable that our feet would end up soaking wet.

Working as a Team at Camp

Finding a place to set up camp that wasn’t covered in snow proved difficult in the designated camping area. We did find a patch of dry ground near the top of the trail, far enough from the picnic tables and the bear-proof bins. Not wanting to sleep in soaking-wet tents, we opted to camp 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 lots of snow.

Setting up Camp

To help with several tasks that needed to be done at camp, we worked as a team. My dad made a fire to dry out our socks and boots and warm up our feet. I gathered firewood to keep the fire going and made trips back and forth to the tent area to fetch warmer clothes for Kris and my dad while wearing my sandals.

Tip: The men opted not to bring sandals to save weight and ended up barefoot in the picnic table area. Saving on weight backfired! Even though they add weight, you will be thankful you can change into different footwear once at camp and air out your feet while your boots dry. You can also accomplish more tasks once you’ve arrived at your campsite.

My mom went to the creek to collect water to filter and refill the bottles. Kris also helped fill our water bladders.

We were lucky enough to find the sun shining down on us for part of the evening. If the weather is extremely sunny, it’s essential to protect yourself from sunburn and apply sunscreen.

Properly Storing Food

They used to offer poles with clips for hanging food, but have since upgraded to bear-proof bins for storing food. There are four camp sites at this location. Each tent pad occupant gets a bin to store their food. Anything with a scent, such as food or toothpaste, should be placed 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 lingering smells on your clothes.

Mindset to Finish Backpacking Poboktan Trail Successfully

We knew there was a lot of snow for us to travel through to get back to the trailhead. 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 with the trip. Thankfully, once we arrived at the rough section, someone had taken a chainsaw and cut a path through the 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 get a hot shower. This trip forced us to persevere, as we were determined to reach the Waterfalls Campground. It created lifelong memories. We were all proud to have succeeded as a team, especially after the initial doubt that had set in as we encountered the fallen trees. My love for the outdoors continues to grow, with successful backpacking trips on the Poboktan Trail. For more backpacking trips, check out the West Coast Trail.

What to Wear?

This is what we wore for a successful trip:

• 100% Merino Wool – Women’s Midweight Base Layer – Long Sleeve Crew – Burgundy 
• Columbia Women’s Powder Lite II Hooded Jacket, Black 
• Columbia Women’s Silver Ridge Utility Convertible Pant, Stone Green
• SmartWool Women’s Hike Light Cushion Margarita Crew Socks, Purple Eclipse
• OR gaiters
• La Sportiva Women’s Nucleo High II GTX Waterproof Hiking Boots
• KEEN Women’s Newport H2 Closed-Toe Water Sandals

Additional Links

• Guide to Winter Backpacking Into Jacques Lake Hut
• Ultimate WCT Packing List
• West Coast Trail: Exciting Food
• Epic 4-Day Jasper Summer Itinerary for Adventurous Couples
• Banff Unique Experiences: 3 Days Summer Itinerary
  

Trip Resources

• Book your flights with ​Expedia​
• Book your hostel through Hostelworld.com
• Book your hotel with ​Booking.com​ or ​Hotels.com​
• Book your vacation rental with ​Vrbo​
• Book your experiences through ​TripAdvisor​, ​Manawa​
• Book your guided trips through Viator or GetYourGuide