Kusam Klimb Trail Guide
This is a general guide to be used in conjunction with the Kusam Klimb map. During the annual official Kusam Klimb event, the trail will be marked with signs and flagging tape. Weather, natural hazards, animal traffic as well as other factors can alter the trail and the trail markings. Be alert and careful. Always travel in the back country well prepared, and be sure to let someone know your plans and when you are expected back.
Each leg distance in the descriptions below will be the distance from the last checkpoint. Elevations noted are from sea level.
LEG 1: Heritage Hall Start & Finish Line (9m) to Checkpoint 1 (390m).
(Also known as the first View Point)
Total Distance: 3.7km (2.2km pavement, 1.5km steady steep up wide trail.)
Elevation Gain: 381m
Cut Off Time at Check Point 1: 8:15am (1 hour 15 minutes from the start)
Heritage Hall is located on Sayward Road 3km from the Sayward Junction [gas station] (just past the fire hall.)
From the Heritage Hall you will be running along the shoulder of Sayward Road towards the Village of Sayward. At Sabre Road, 2km from the Hall, turn right. Follow the pavement uphill to where it bends right, but turn left, onto gravel road. There is a big trail sign on the right and hikers parking spot on the left. There are 2 trails on the right that run parallel, take your pick. Go up to a gate with the big trail sign and where Bills Trail carries on up through the trees beside Mayne Creek. Carry on uphill and onto the logging road, there’s a jog here: observe signs! Hike up past the outhouse which is 1km from Sabre Road. Continue to CP (checkpoint) 1.
TOTAL DISTANCE TRAVELED FROM HERITAGE HALL START IS 3.7KM
LEG 2: Checkpoint 1 (390m) to Checkpoint 2 (1482m).
Total Distance: 4.0km (Rough, steep cliffs and probable snow year-round.)
Elevation Gain: 1092m
From CP1 the trail divides. Left is the old route and it is narrow and steeper. A few sections offer ropes for assistance. Please note these ropes are for AID ONLY and should NOT be relied upon for their strength for safety purposes. 2014 we use old route.
Just beyond Grouse Bluff there is a side trail to a viewpoint. This is at about 820m above sea level. You will have climbed about 430m in a KM at this point.
It’s very steep as you enter the old growth plateau. Scramble up very steep and slippery places until Keta View Rock is reached (1270m, 2.2km along the trail) Elevation gain in the last 1.1km is 429m. The trail now levels out. Go right at the big Springer Peak trail junction sign and carry on through the Cypress (yellow Cedar) forest until the rock above the lake (1440m, 2.9km). The view is gorgeous. The lake is 87m below and CP2 is on the horizon. Sayward Valley is to the West and the spectacular sights of Mt H’Kusam are in front. It’s a steep climb down to the lake. Go left round the lake. Pass up through the spacious Hemlock forest to the last steep ascent before CP2.
HAZARDS: Depending on the season, there can be a lack of moving water between Checkpoint 1 and Checkpoint 2. Drink your fill at Checkpoint 1 and pack at least one liter of water. Most times of the year it is very dry for the first 3.0 km of this leg.
TOTAL DISTANCE TRAVELED FROM HERITAGE HALL START IS 7.7KM
LEG 3: Checkpoint 2 (1482m) to 2-3 Hut (914m).
Total Distance: 2.6km (Steep descent through old growth.)
Elevation Loss: 568m
Keep to the centre of CP2 ‘saddle’ as the trail from the top drops quickly within another old growth section. When you get near to the waterfall, keep the creek on your left, the whole way down. You will descend steeply to 2-3 hut and a single log bridge. Then you will enter an open area. 2/3 hut is a tarp shelter built to protect the medics who ‘man’ this place on Klimb day. There is an outhouse.
The route down from Checkpoint 2
TOTAL DISTANCE TRAVELED FROM HERITAGE HALL START IS 10.3KM
LEG 4: 2-3 Hut (914m) to Checkpoint 3 (750m).
Total Distance: 2.4km (Steady descent on old road trail.)
Elevation Loss: 164m
Once over the log bridge follow the trail to the right. It is open terrain with streams to cross.
CP3 is a refreshment station on Klimb day, with an outhouse and 4×4 vehicle access.
TOTAL DISTANCE TRAVELED FROM HERITAGE HALL START IS 12.7KM
LEG 5: Checkpoint 3 (750m) to Checkpoint 4 (268m).
Total Distance: 5.0km (Gravel Road)
Elevation Loss: 482m
Follow the road down, watch for the short cut. Cross the Stowe Creek ford, and on down to CP4 which you cannot miss. Take the trail beyond CP4. If you have come to a road junction on the right with a tarp hut that is old CP4, you can turn right here to get back onto the Klimb route.
VEHICLE TRAFFIC HAZARD!
TOTAL DISTANCE TRAVELED FROM HERITAGE HALL START IS 17.7KM
LEG 6: Checkpoint 4 (268m) to Heritage Hall (9m).
Total Distance: 5.5km (2.5km gravel road & pavement; 3.0km mostly gentle down trail.)
Elevation Loss: 259m
The “recycled” logging road /trail is really bumpy but interesting. Watch for the creek that changed dramatically in the last 30 years {?} It took over the road, hence the rougher trail through the bush! Soon you are onto a wide green serene old trail again, then you are crossing creeks and eventually heading down steeper until you cross a creek and find a rude climb up a bank to checkpoint 5. Outhouse here.
Total distance: 5.5km (trail, old logging road, and pavement)
Elevation loss: 250m
TOTAL DISTANCE TRAVELED FROM HERITAGE HALL START IS 23.2km
GPS Locations:
- Heritage Hall Start & Finish: 50º 20.212′ N x 125º 54.702′ W
- Checkpoint 1: 50º 21.010′ N x 125º 53.054′ W
- Checkpoint 2: 50º 20.585′ N x 125º 50.689″ W
- 2-3 Hut: 50º 20,402′ N x 125º 49.731′ W (TBC)
- Checkpoint 3: 50º 19.665′ N x 125º 49.145′ W
- Checkpoint 4: 50º 18.865′ N x 125º 15.736′ W
- Checkpoint 5: 50º 19.480′ N x 125º 53.190′ W
