Stowe Creek is a hidden jewel that can be found in the Sayward Valley. It features a couple of nice waterfalls. These falls are a short distance from the road, but it’s still a struggle to reach them. But as you can see, reaching them will show you just how beautiful they are.
Stowe Creek has its headwaters in the Prince of Wales Mountains. Stowe Creek begins its way down the mountain on the north side of Milner Mountain and also from the backside of Mount H’Kusam. It eventually flows under the North Island Highway before joining the Salmon River. There are numerous waterfalls along this water course, all must be bushwacked to reach. A young friend of mine who has now passed away would tell me of the great fishing he had in pools below these falls. I have never dropped a line in so I can not comment on this.
The H’kusam Climb Trail follows the creek for quite some time as it builds up from a small creek up to a substantial flowing water course. The Mount Hkusam Trail is a wild and rugged 23 km loop trail. It heads up and over Mount H’Kusam and down the Stowe Creek watershed. Starting at sea level, hikers pass through some of the most spectacular scenery on Vancouver Island. They are treated to incredible views of mountain peaks and the Johnstone Strait. While the trail is open for year-round hiking, an organized event is held once per year on the summer solstice. The Kusam Klimb draws participants from around the world, hoping to conquer the mountain! We have a saying about this trail. Are you tough enough? Well, are you?
If you follow the Stowe Creek Road, it will take you up the mountain. Partway up, you will come upon a mountain cabin. Please respect this place. If you go up the trail, past the cabin, and walk the trail alongside Stowe Creek, you will hit a steep patch and then, suddenly, you are looking down on a small mountain lake, a mountain jewel.