The Chilliwack Valley and River cuts a deep east-west notch, eventually curving north to the Canadian border. The trail from Copper Ridge descends seemingly forever, getting more brushy near the bottom. At this point, there is no bridge; you must wade across the water. There are two channels to cross. Neither has a strong current, but it was very cold, even in August. The land between them had tall and thick brush to wade through. The southern channel also had spawning salmon hanging around. They didn't seem to be going anywhere.
Most hikers doing this loop then head west. But I turned east for a short two miles to get to Bear Creek and the camp of the same name, expecting that it would be more isolated - and I was right about that. I had bumped into a trail maintenance crew the day before, and was told that the trail east to Bear Creek had not been maintained for years. It showed, but was not too bad.
Salmon in the Chilliwack River.
The unmaintained trail to Bear Creek Camp.
The lone site in Bear Creek camp.
The bridge over Indian Creek.
Continue on to Whatcom Pass and Tapto Lakes.