Nicoamen Falls

The falls are seen from a large gravel parking area adjacent to the Nicoamen River bridge about halfway between Spences Bridge and Lytton along Highway 1. The rough trail leading towards the base of the falls leaves the gravel road which crosses the river next to the Band Hall.Nicoamen Falls is a 272 foot tall two-stepped waterfall plunging out of an extremely narrow basalt gorge into a huge 400 foot deep amphitheater canyon shortly above the confluence of the Nicoamen and Thompson Rivers near the town of Lytton. The volume of the Nicoamen River isn't great by any measure, but its substantial enough to have worn a sinuous, twisting slot into the basaltic bedrock where the river enters the Thompson Canyon and its enough to sustain a consistent flow all year long (save for the winter cold snaps when it freezes). As a result of the narrow confines of the upper canyon, the falls appear to spring from a cave in the middle of the cliff from certain angles. Because of the rugged nature of the canyon it is very difficult to see the falls in entirety. The lower half of the falls are easily seen from just off Highway 1 and a rough path climbs towards its base but not all the way. A narrow gravel road climbs past the top of the falls from which foot access to the rim of the canyon is easy but completely unguarded and extremely precarious. Be extra cautious if visiting the edge of the gorge.