Crossing The Squamish River
Getting to Box canyon requires crossing the Squamish river. For small groups, consider renting a canoe at the Squamish Adventure Center (closed after September 15th). It will fit 3 people including gear. Canoes must be returned at the end of the day so be sure to know when the Adventure Center closes. Depending on the season and time of day, the mosquitos are particularly vicious near the river banks. Some may dawn on a wetsuit to prevent mosquito bites but it is advisable to change into your wetsuit at the drop-in point.
Getting to Monmouth Canyon requires crossing the Squamish River. For small groups, consider Squamish Watersports. A rental canoe will fit 3 people + gear and must be returned at the end of the business day unless otherwise arranged. Squamish Watersports also offers water taxi services (and they currently feature hot showers, a hot tub, and a wetsuit rinse upon rental or taxi return).
Upon landing you may find that the mosquitos are particularly vicious near the river banks. Keep this in mind for the exit as well if your logistics require you to wait.
The hike in is steep but on a well-maintained trail. The trail usually features hand lines and chains to reduce exposure and erosion on root ladders.
The trail will present many opportunities for canyon scouting and entry on your left. A few branches fork right but these usually fade quickly into use trails used to access various views.
**Adapted from BC Canyoneers**
From Highway 99, turn west at the lights at Cleveland Avenue. After 400m, turn right on Bailey Street. The road quickly becomes gravel and comes to a fork. Keep to the right – this is Government Road. Continue north on Government road for 1.6km, crossing two sets of railroad tracks and getting back onto pavement. Turn left towards Squamish River Dyke Road (signed for Estuary Access and Squamish Spit) and return to a gravel road. After 350m, turn left onto the dyke road. Right here, beside the yellow gate blocking access to the north (right) you will find a short trail leaving the road, down to the river. This is the best put-in spot when the Squamish River is flowing particularly hard. Unload canoe/kayaks/gear here. You can park in the wide area on the other side of the road.
In lower flow, the river can be crossed further down.
Shuttle Vehicle
An optional shuttle vehicle can be placed 1.4 km further down the road. This makes the river crossing to and from the trail much easier. There is a wide area along the roadway, on your left as you drive. It ends, and the road narrows, just where the trail comes out of the woods. Ideally, place things like dry clothing into the vehicle that carries the canoe, and leave it at the take-out spot. If no shuttle vehicle is available, plan on about 15 minutes of walking to return to the vehicle at the put-in spot.
NOTE: Crossing a fast-moving river like the Squamish is potentially very dangerous! Depending upon the discharge rate of the river and the dynamic hazards therein, there may be standing waves, snags, partially submerged logs, etc. You can check on the current, recent and historical data here: http://www.wateroffice.ec.gc.ca/graph/graph_e.html?stn=08GA022
Put in to the river here, and strike out across the river. Work your way across the river, as you head downstream. You will find that the trees you see directly across from you are actually on a long narrow island. You want to round the lower end of the island, and head upstream into a much narrower, slower moving channel on the other side. During high tides, you can head along the shoreline of the island, and through a gap between the island and a large gravel bar. (In very high tides, you may not even see the gravel bar – just a large tree stranded on it further downstream.) If the tide is lower you may need to continue around the gravel bar, past the large tree lying on it, and then back up the other side. As you head up this channel on the other side of the island, you will soon come to a small cluster of old pilings on your left, close to the tree-covered shoreline. There are a couple of tiny coves here (N49.71469 W123.17253) where you can pull in and tie your boat to the trees. Note: the river here is still tidal and can go up and down a few feet while you are in the canyon – make sure you tie up the boat so it doesn’t float away while you’re gone, or else carry it up out of the river and into a clearing in the trees! Once you’re ashore, you’ll find yourself in a small clearing with a few narrow trails spreading out into the trees. Go to the north (upstream) end of the clearing and follow the trail there away from the river. After a couple of minutes, it will angle to the left, and in a few more minutes you will hear the chatter of Monmouth Creek.
Continue following the trail steeply up the hill. (For Box Creek, the route exits the trail shortly before the steep section begins.) You will reach a couple of viewpoints that give an exciting preview of the waterfalls to come. Stay on the main trail – it will take you away from the creek for a while, then return to it as the grade eases. Note: There are ground wasps in the area. One nest is located in the middle of the trail, about 45 minutes up from the riverside. People who are sensitive to wasp stings must be vigilant on the hike in.)
Approach hike to Monmouth Creek At about 425m elevation, you will come to a spot where the trail reaches the creek again, and turns upstream, This is the normal entry point (N49.71533 W123.18801). You can enter here, or continue up the trail for five or ten minutes to the upper entry point (N49.71511 W123.19111). The upper spot gives you a little bit of pretty canyon, downclimbing, and a short jump.