KOKUMMI PASS to Woss

The trail through Kokummi Pass crosses the divide into the Schoen Creek drainage, and then becomes a route to Schoen Lake and on down the Davie River.

From the Kokummi Pass wetlands, drop down a bit to cross a creek, now flowing northwards, and back into forest before crossing a snow avalanche track that’s brushy and with many snow-damaged conifer saplings. The last 100 metres is through the slash of a 2018 cutblock, dropping down onto a logging road that leads down the Schoen Creek valley to Schoen Lake. 

Now within the unceded territory of the ‘Namgis First Nation, the unmarked, unmaintained route follows logging roads down the valley to Schoen Lake Provincial Park (its boundary coincides with re-entry into old forest). Continue along the main logging road to a point nearing the western end of Schoen Lake. From here, the route cuts down (no trail) through mossy, old-growth montane forest of amabilis fir and western hemlock to near the lakeshore to pick up an old trail that leads to the log jam at the west end of the lake (this old trail is not sanctioned by BC Parks hence windfalls across the trail result from the lack of maintenance). Getting across the Davie River just as it flows out of Schoen Lake requires caution – in the summer, crossing over a grounded log jam is easy enough, but at higher lake levels following snowmelt (earlier in June) or from late fall over winter (not the usual hiking season) the log jam will be floating and potentially dangerous to cross. At lower flows, the river can be waded a short distance downstream, but going too far downstream will lead into lots of brush. Across the log jam you will enter campsite #7 in Schoen Lake Provincial Park – an excellent spot for an overnight stop. The campsite is managed for BC Parks by the ‘Namgis First Nation.

From the campsite, the route heads west down Davie Road and Mount Cain Road past Croman Lake to near Highway #19. From a large clearing just below the highway, do not go up to the Highway, but rather go onto the recently re-built 3-km long Hoomak Lake Main (with 2020-21 logging adjacent), thence directly onto an old, grown-in, logging railway grade to and alongside Hoomak Lake – passing just below the Hoomak rest-stop on the highway that has picnic tables and interpretive signage. One interesting sign here shows traditional ‘Namgis names throughout the Nimpkish valley. The old grade leads directly onto a recently active logging road  that you follow for about 900 m (passing one road on your left/south). Then, shortly go left, again onto old, grown-in rail grade, crossing beneath a collapsed trestle over Lukwa Creek to and past the former Woss Reload site and on westwards into Woss. Woss was formerly a large logging camp operated by Canadian Forest Products (later Canfor), the centre of early railroad logging and subsequent truck logging.

Woss is a logical re-supply point for through-hikers. The general store and its friendly owner/manager stock a somewhat limited range of foodstuffs, but its post-office does accept and will hold re-supply parcels for hikers. The adjacent small, ‘rustic’ motel may well have a bed if you are ready for a comfortable night’s sleep.