Lake Joan and Canary Falls

2. Walking the route

Enter the forest and reach the main fork shortly after starting. For the recommended counterclockwise circuit, keep right, cross the small creek and follow the marked route over ridges before descending steeply to Lake Joan. Turn left along the shore toward the small spring, then climb briefly and descend across the main inlet creek to a T-junction. A right turn visits another lakeshore section beneath limestone cliffs; turn left for the forested gorge and Canary Falls. The climb beside the falls is steep and often slippery, after which the path returns to the first fork and trailhead. For a shorter direct falls visit, the left branch at the initial fork crosses the bridge and reaches the falls lip within about 100 m.

1. At the early fork, keep right for the recommended counterclockwise loop toward Lake Joan.
2. At the lake, go left toward the small spring, then follow the path over the rise and across the inlet creek.
3. At the T-junction, turn left toward Canary Falls. The right branch is an optional additional lakeshore visit.
4. Climb the steep path beside the falls to return toward the first fork and trailhead.

The return

The main outing is a circuit. For a shorter falls-only visit, the initial left branch crosses the bridge and reaches the falls lip in roughly 100 m; its return is along that same branch.