Top 7 Waterfalls around Area D (Oyster Bay/Buttle Lake)

The Elk River Trail to Landslide Lake at the base of Mount Colonel Foster, Elkhorn Mountain, and Rambler Peak is a challenging day hike. After crossing a small ridge, the trail climbs gently for about 6 km in a 400-500 m elevation corridor, sometimes more or less away from the river, over hill and dale. Trees fallen by storms have been cleared away, or the tree trunks have been sawn through to create a passage. The trail appears to be well-traveled; even at this time of year, there are a few hikers along the trail. Most spend the night at one of the two campsites, Butterwort Flats Campsite (500 m) and Upper Gravel Bar Campsite (700 m). Several streams flow into the Elk River from the west; we cross them on logs, boardwalks, or wade through the streambed on foot, always trying not to get our shoes wet. Some streams cascade down as nameless waterfalls. After crossing the Elk River on a bridge at approximately 700 m, the valley opens with an expansive rocky slab. Enormous masses of water rush down a rocky gully into the valley below the impressive Landslide Falls. Cairns mark the path, which winds up to Landslide Lake (900 m). The lake lies before us, with patches of ice still covered in it, and the mountain peaks tower in the background. (May 14, 2025) https://strathconapark.org/park-maps-access/

Deer Falls is the middle of three waterfalls in Elk Falls Provincial Park. The drop over the basalt outcrop is minimal, about 1 Meter. Deer Falls probably only became visible after the Campbell River was dammed and the water flow in the river decreased significantly. https://www.worldwaterfalldatabase.com/waterfall/Deer-Falls-1909 While walking along the Riverside Loop Trail you have a good view of Deer Falls – be careful, the rocks are in the danger zone.

Moose Falls is the uppermost of three waterfalls in Elk Falls Provincial Park on the Campbell River below the John Hart Reservoir. The water flows from the reservoir over Moose Falls into Dolphin Pool. https://www.worldwaterfalldatabase.com/waterfall/Moose-Falls-1908 Walking along the Riverside Loop Trail, you have a good view of Moose Falls and Dolphin Pool with the John Hart Dam in the background - be careful, the rocks are in the danger zone.

Between the outlet at John Hart Reservoir and the large Elk Falls lie several small waterfalls. The rocky outcrop at the outlet of Dolphin Lake remains unnamed.

The 27-meter-high Elk Falls are located in Elk Falls Provincial Park near the town of Campbell River. Since 1948, the waters of the river of the same name have been dammed by John Hart Reservoir and largely diverted for hydroelectric power generation. The waterfall maintains a constant flow year-round, although this flow never reaches its original levels. https://www.worldwaterfalldatabase.com/waterfall/Elk-Falls-1910 The Campbell River Hydroelectric Facilities Discovery Centre/Museum at Campbell River displays a photo from December 2016, when BC Hydro released large amounts of water from John Hart Lake to reduce flood risk, plunging it over Elk Falls into the gorge.

Highlight of the hike

A true hiking highlight! A visit is definitely worthwhile.