Hike to Gunsight Lake
Terrace, British Columbia
Details
Distance
9 miles
Elevation Gain
3000 ft
Route Type
Out-and-Back
Description
Added by Mike Fennell
Enjoy this beautifully serene, yet challenging uphill hike to a large pristine blue alpine lake in the heart of British Columbia's Kitimat Mountain Range.
From Terrace drive south for approximately 11 miles south along Highway 37 to Furlong Bay Provincial Park campground. The trailhead is accessed via the gravel pit road on the other side of the highway from the Park. Walk past the first gate and keep to the right prior to the gravel pit. Follow the old road paralleling the power line for approximately 200m until you reach the trailhead. Parking can be limited on weekends.
From the highway the trail follows along the north side of Granite Creek past a number of small waterfalls. After about a quarter mile from the trailhead, the remains of the original Dominion Government hatchery can be seen between the trail and the creek. The first 2 miles are are easy hike with a wide trail and little elevation gain, but once the trail crosses the creek over a wooden bridge, the trail immediately begins to climb steeply for about 3,000 ft of elevation gain over the next 2 miles. This part of the trail through the thick forest is narrow, but well marked with bright colored flagger tape. The trail will then emerge from the forest suddenly and flatten out into a beautiful alpine meadow. Gunsight Lake will be visible from this point and it is just another half mile to reach the lake.
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Hike to Gunsight Lake Reviews
Beautiful but difficult hike, a small sidetrail after the hatchery leads right down to falls and great summer swimming hole, trails leading up to the summit exist, but take up another 1-2 hours. In late summer the blueberry bushes along the entirety of the trail provide constant potential for snacks.
5.0
Leave No Trace
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