Hiway16 Magazine... about people and places in north-central British Columbia, Canada

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Finding the Falls on Byman Creek

by Debi Osborne

It's a short drive from Houston or Topley yet only a few of us have been to see the wondrous Byman Falls. Maybe you've never heard of them before?

The Forestry maps have overlooked the spot and other than an aged cottonwood tree bearing yellow flagging tape, no sign of the trail-head is visible from the road. Although that's the way some would like to keep it, I figure the beauty of nature should be shared by those willing to work a little to see it.

Yellow flagging tape is the only visible marker

There are no facilities of any kind and the journey down the steep bank can be treacherous, but once there you will immediately see and hear why you came. No crowds, no garbage and only the wonder of nature stretched out before you.

On a hot summer day, you might encounter a few people enjoying a cool dip in one of the three "swimming pools" (called Punch Bowls). The handful that know about the falls often pack their lunch, towels and suntan lotion and spend hours sunning on the rocks that follow the creek's edge. When they get too hot, they jump into a Punch Bowl. What was I thinking? Who would want to share this?

Using a rope to safely climb down along the falls

The creek was named after the Byman family of Perow and Houston, that moved to the area in 1919. One descendant, Tim Byman tells us, "I'm not sure if the Falls have another 'official' name, but folks around here call them Byman Falls because of the creek."

Then again, "nameless" Falls will never make it onto a Forestry Map, so maybe it's best if we keep this bit of information under our hats, OK?






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