Bonnell Creek Falls

A short hike to the top of cascading waterfalls and ponds.

• Where – Nanoose
• When – Any time of year
• Why – Waterfalls
• How – Hiking
• Difficulty – Hard (steep hills with rope assists)
• Cost – walking is free

Directions / Location

• Parking & trail head location: 49.2544233, -124.1996194
• Bonnell Creek falls location: 49.2474597, -124.2035884

• From Highway 1, turn onto Summerset Road
• After 300 meters and arriving at Summerset Road, turn into Sea Blush Drive.
• Follow Sea Blush Drive for another 500 meters.
• Turn right on Sundew Place.
• Follow Sundew Place for 150 meters and park by the yellow gate.

• Google Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/F9PwZ2seYCXu9Hwx7

The Hike

(CAUTION: VERY STEEP UNKNOWN TRAIL! TRAVE AT YOUR OWN RISK!)

Hidden just off the highway in Nanoose, is a not widely known series of scenic waterfalls and ponds nestled in a canyon, known as Bonnell Creek Falls.

The creek drops from waterfall to a lake that flows to another waterfall and pond about four times before the last (5th) fall drops into the creek below at the bottom of the canyon. In the winter, the heave rain and water flow makes the falls spectacular, and in the summer, there is a rope swing at the top pond that people use for swimming. Either way, it is an extraordinary and fantastic spot to check out.

To get to the falls, start hiking the logging road from the yellow gate for about 950 meters until you find a overgrown abandoned long road off to the right. Around this area, you should be able to hear the falls in the distance, Continue on the abandoned logging for approximately 100 or more meters until you reach the canyon’s edge where the trail heads down (at this point, the sound of the falls can be heard). This part of the path can be dangerous during different conditions because of how steep and slippery it is. There are also rope assists that can help you get to the bottom. Once you reach the bottom of the trail and top of the falls, you will be able to explore the area a bit. Peering over the edge to see the other falls below. If you’re looking for a more challenging experience, there’s another trail for the next pond below. The trail consists of a narrow path and requires a bit of rock crawling to pass down, and back up, the 10-foot rock face.

Again, extreme conditions should be used if you are planning to check out this area as the steep hill sides can be slippery in the wet months due to rain and slippery in the dry months due to dust.