#4 Selwyn Traverse Trail
The Selwyn Traverse is a 11km trail with a moderate elevation gain of 500' (150 meters) in the North to South direction and an extreme elevation gain of 1500' (450 meters) in the South to North direction. The trail will take you along the lower reaches of the Rocky Mountains just to the East of the town. There are several other trails that start along the Selwyn that lead to McKirdy meadow Alpine area above. There are several trails leading down from the Selwyn as it makes it's way along but you should plan on walking the entire route, most of the property below is private. The trail stays almost level past Selkirk Creek and Tapli Creek, the first of 5 small to medium mountain streams you will cross on the way. Forest cover varies from Douglas fir to almost pure Aspen. The trail crosses areas where 4 out of 5 stems have been cut to stimulate new growth for deer and moose to eat. At McKirdy creek a larger stream than the rest on this hike, the trail turns up along the stream and follows it closely. Just above an old intake dam the trail crosses the stream on a foot bridge and begins to climb more steeply. It crosses a small road right of way and then descends to a bench. Be sure to take the right hand branch here as this is the start of the McKirdy creek - McKirdy Summit trails. The trail follows along this higher bench for a distance and then descends steeply crossing Snowcourse creek along the way. You will understand the reason for hiking the trail this way after having to walk down this section of the trail. The elevation is needed to cross above the corners of private property lines. You will descend about 1000' before the trail levels out and crosses Home creek. Not far after crossing Home creek you will enter into a 1979 clear cut logging block that has grown up very nicely over the years. Once you enter the logging block you have about 3/4 km to where the Packsaddle trail takes off from the Selwyn and about 2.5 kms to go to get to the parking area at 5 km on the Canoe Forestry rd. This is where you should spot a vehicle. If you still have some energy left and daylight you can hike the Packsaddle trail as well. It is a 6 km loop that will take you right to the parking area at 5 km on the Canoe Forestry road.
Getting There: Drive to the end of 5th avenue and turn right after crossing the tracks, go a short distance then take the first left onto Hillside drive. Follow this watching for a sign indicating the Swift Mountain Forestry road, follow this road to the right up the hill for another 2.2 km to the Selwyn Traverse trail head sign on the first main switchback you come to. You will want to spot a vehicle at the other end as mentioned. To get there after crossing the rail road track on 5th avenue turn right and continue on the pavement for 4.3 km to the Canoe Forest Service rd. turn left here and drive to the parking area on the left at 5 km. This is the parking area for the Selwyn Traverse as well as for the Packsaddle loop.
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| Hike along a Mountain bench | View of Starratt Marsh | Looking West across the valley at the Premier Range of the Cariboo Mountains |