Kitimat Pacific Inland Coast Hiking Guide Kitimat, British Columbia, Canada 2010-2011
Sites and Trails Emergency Call 911 Police - Fire - Medical 2
Welcome to Kitimat This information was produced to assist you, the outdoor enthusiast to enjoy your hiking adventure both safely and memorably. Most of the trails are marked and traveled by residents of Kitimat and the surrounding area. Please be aware that the trails are all rustic and are subject to windfall. Check weather forecasts prior to departure. Never go in the wilderness alone, go out with a friend or group and stay together at all times. Have a trip plan and leave it with a friend. Ensure you are wearing appropriate footwear and clothing for your trip and carry the essentials, including enough food and water to complete your outdoor adventure. (Running shoes are not recommended for most moderate and advanced hikes) Use caution when encountering wildlife, keep a respectful distance so the animals do not feel threatened and always let them know you are in the area by making noise. For more information on being Bear Aware, visit www.bearaware.bc.ca Drive with caution on all logging roads. A copy of the British Columbia Provincial Emergency Program s Trip Plan For Outdoor Survival form is included in this booklet. Additional forms are available at the Kitimat Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Centre. To report a forest fire please call 1-800-663-5555 3
Kitimat Pathways Kitimat is a planned community with a great walkway system. Locals and visitors walk many of the loops for exercise or just to sight see. You can find a great view of the Douglas Channel from the path down Haisla Boulevard or take another to find one of our many child friendly parks. Detailed information can be found on one of the four Kiosks found in each neighborhood or at the Kitimat Visitor Centre. Kitimat does have a leash and pooper-scooper bylaw. Hirsch Creek Trails Take Highway 37 North, just after the Hirsch Creek Bridge turn left into Hirsch Creek Park. Within Hirsch Creek Park there are short hiking trails. Take the right fork of the park road and watch for hiking trail signs. The park has been closed for camping, but is an excellent place to hike amongst some exceptional coastal old growth forest. 4
Easy Hikes Fisherman s Trail Turn right off of Haisla Boulevard at the Rod & Gun Club just before you come to the Haisla Bridge heading west. Walk to the back of the Rod & Gun Clubhouse and you will find a Kiosk with detailed map and information about the trail. This trail was brushed out in 2009. This trail joins with Coho Flats Trail. Giant Spruce & Kitimat River Park your vehicle at the Riverlodge Recreation Centre parking lot and follow Columbia Street up to the gravel road, turn right and keep to the left hand side of the road in case of traffic. Take your first left turn down a small hill until you come to a cleared area on the left hand side. Follow straight through to the parking area. You will see the overhead sign to the Sitka Spruce. When you get to the park area you will find the 500 year old largest protected Sitka Spruce in British Columbia. If you continue on the main road past the cleared area, the road will take you right to the Kitimat River. 5
North Cove Trail 1 to 1.5 Hours Return Trip Drive past Rio Tinto Alcan and turn right on the Bish Forest Road (approximately 13 km from the Kitimat Chamber of Commerce office). Head south along the mainline for approximately 8 km. Directional signs are located about 1 km prior to the parking area located at the trailhead. The trail is 1 km in length and drops approximately 100 meters vertical distance to the beach. It is an easy walk down, however a little more difficult coming back. The trail ends on the shore of the Douglas Channel where you will find picnic tables, a fire pit and an outhouse. A second short trail will take you to the Mid Cove area where you will enjoy a beautiful view. This trail is of an easy to moderate hiking standard and providing you take your time, should be an enjoyable yet physically rewarding experience for all ages. If you look closely at some of the older cedar trees along the trail, you will notice old tapered or rectangular scars on them. Many of these scars are the remnants of past bark stripping, done by the local First Nations who gathered bark to make a variety of items, such as clothing, baskets and rope. 6
Easy Hikes Pine Creek Trail 45 Minutes to 1 Hour Return Trip Turn onto the Kitamaat Village Road and travel 2 km down the road, across two bridges and turn right at the Minette Bay Lodge sign. Travel approximately.5 km down this road to a bridge. The trail starts on the right just before the bridge; it is marked by a blue sign on the left hand side, across the bridge. It will take approximately 30 minutes to hike to the end (one way), you can either return the way you came, or, after reaching the end of the trail, turn right on the gravel road, then right again at the Minette Bay Lodge sign, to return to your vehicle. This is a great hike for all ages. 7
Coho Flats Trail 90 Minutes Return Trip The trail starts on Baxter Avenue at the back of an empty lot beside the Baxter Apartments. Detailed information and map is available at the trailhead kiosk. Vehicles may be parked in the vacant lot. The trail is well blazed and easy to follow. This trail will take you to the Kitimat River. The rock bluff to your right is an excellent place to fish. This trail joins with Fisherman s Trail. Page Clearwater Trail 8
Moderate Hikes Clearwater Lakes Trail 2 Hour Return Trip Drive towards Terrace on Highway 37 for 31 km and park at the pull-out area at Onion Lake. The 6 km trail leads you through old growth forest and around the Clearwater Lakes. At the lake you can turn either left or right and circle both lakes. A side trail leads to a viewpoint overlooking Lakelse Lake. Take your fishing rod with you as there are some nice fresh water trout in Big Clearwater Lake. This is a great way to spend a sunny afternoon with the whole family! 9
Let your adventure begin here Kitimat 10
Moderate Hikes Hirsch Creek Canyon Falls 2 Hour Return Trip Drive along Forest Avenue past the Kitimat Chamber of Commerce building and take the first left hand turn approximately 1 km from the Chamber of Commerce. Drive past a large metal gate (gravel pit) on your right hand side and drive to the old Hirsch Creek Bridge (approximately 1 km from the left hand turn). Park your vehicle before the bridge. About 35m from the bridge, on the right side of the road there is a large opening in the woods. Follow it down the small hill and watch for a sign on a tree on your right hand side. This marks the start of the trail. At the first fork in the trail (approximately 5 minutes from the trail head), proceed right. The left fork will take you down to the creek. You will reach a second fork in the trail; keep to the right. If you take the left it will take you down to the creek and a naturally formed pool, Egg Rock. At the third fork, proceed left. It will take you about 10 minutes from here to reach the lookout point and the trail to the creek. From this point on you can either take the trail to the left which will take you to the lookout area or you can take the trail to the right which will take you down to Hirsch Creek. 11
Robinson Lake Trail 5 to 7 Hours Return Trip Route 1 Start on the logging road passing the Kitimat Chamber of Commerce and drive for approximately 1.9 km. Turn right on to Wathl Main Road. There is a Wathl Main sign in the trees that marks the start of the road. Approximately 1 km from the start of Wathl Main Road there is a view of Kitimat. Drive along Wathl Main for approximately 3.5 km to reach the Robinson Lake trailhead. Signage is located on the left hand side of the road at the trailhead. The trail is well marked. Route 2 Turn off Highway 37 onto the Kitimat Village Road. Travel down this road for 2.3 km and after crossing the Cordella Creek Bridge turn left into the gravel pit. Head up to the right and follow the road for 0.7 km to the trailhead. The trail is 4 km long and takes you past a series of small lakes before reaching Robinson Lake. 12
Advanced Hikes Robinson Ridge Trail 5 to 7 Hours Return Trip From the trailhead to the cabin is only a 2-3 hour hike, however, due to the poor condition of the roads the trailhead can be reached only with a 4 x 4 vehicle and is a rough slow drive. From the Chamber of Commerce, head approximately 1 km up the gravel road to a fork; take the right turn (South Hirsch Main). Between the km 7 and km 8 markers, turn right onto Branch Road 100. Travel on this road until road conditions no longer allow. After stopping, follow the gravel road until it ends and the trail begins. The trailhead is approximately 4 km from the junction with South Hirsch Main. The trail is well marked and easy to follow and also serves as a winter trail for snowmobiles and skiers. This steep, challenging trail leads to a cabin and lake. From here, one can continue on to the ridge overlooking the Kitimat Valley and town site. (elevation 1300m) 13
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Advanced Hikes Clague Mountain 8 to 10 Hours Return Trip Clague Mountain is a difficult 6 km trail. From the Kitimat Chamber of Commerce, drive towards Kitimat, on Haisla Boulevard and over the Haisla Bridge to Service Centre. When you come to the Kitimat Hotel on Enterprise Avenue, turn right. Continue down this road until you reach the gravel road. Follow the gravel road over the railroad tracks and then turn right on the Eurocan Logging Road. Continue north on this road for approximately 1 km. Turn left and follow the side road for approximately 2 km. You will reach a wide-open area, park your vehicle here and continue up the mountain. The first part of the trail is very rocky and can be slippery. After approximately 2.5 hours you should reach the Miner s cabin. To carry on to the summit, follow the trail up a steep hill behind the cabin (approximately 45 minutes to the ridge). Walk along the ridge, through open country (approximately 1.5 hours) to reach the peak. (Elevation 1350m) 15
Mount Elizabeth 12 Hours Return Trip Drive north on Highway 37 and turn right when you see the Mount Elizabeth sign (approximately 7.5 km from The Kitimat Chamber of Commerce Office). Stay on North Hirsch Mainline for approximately 14 km. The hike begins on the left, 200m past the creek. There is a sign on your right indicating the trail. Park your vehicle here and continue up the deactivated logging road on foot. There is a fork in the road, keep to your left. At the end of this road (approximately 3 km from your vehicle) the actual trail starts on your left. Detailed information kiosk with map is located at the trailhead. Mount Elizabeth is a difficult trail and is only recommended for experienced hikers. Please be aware of sudden weather change, such as fog and low cloud, if this occurs turn back immediately. Proper footwear is recommended for this hike. Depending on your ability, you may choose to hike to one of the following: Lookout (2 to 2.5 hours one way) The lookout is approximately 2 to 2.5 hours up the trail and provides a great view of Kitimat for those one in a lifetime photographs. Little Elizabeth (3.5 to 4.5 hours one way) If you are an advanced hiker, you can continue to Little Elizabeth from the Lookout which is another two hours of hiking. This is a hard hike up rock and vertical hills. You usually encounter snow and broken shale, which can be slippery. Be sure to stay on the trail and use extreme caution along ridges. The trail is marked with a series of rock cairns inter-visibly placed from alpine to peak. (Elevation 1750m ) 16
Advanced Hikes Mount Elizabeth continued Summit of Mount Elizabeth (5-6 hours one way) From the peak of Little Elizabeth, expect another 1-1.5 hours of additional hiking time. Follow the trail due north, down a small hill and then up to the summit of Mount Elizabeth. This is a very difficult trail of loose rocks. The area is very slippery due to snow and ice. 17
18 District of Kitimat
Walking gets the feet moving, the blood moving, the mind moving. And movement is life. ~Carrie Latet Eat In - Seats up to 40 - Licensed Mon-Wed 11:00 am - 10:00 pm Thurs-Sat 11:00 am - 12:00 am Sundays 12:00 pm - 10:00 pm 250 639-9333 Lasagna Pick-up or Delivery 242 City Centre Kitimat, BC V8C 1T6 T - 250 639-9333 F - 250 632-7002 www.kitimatpizza.ca Portable Debit Machine Photo Credits: Fishing & Sightseeing Charters Jim & Laurie Gunning P.O. Box 97 Kitimat, BC V8C 2G7 Telephone: 250 812-3235 info@captainjims.ca www.captianjims.ca Andreas Handl Thane Bonar Lisa Krevenchuk Carl Johansen Wanda Ouwehand Michele Parsons District of Kitimat Kitimat Chamber of Commerce 19
Kitimat Visitor Centre PO Box 214, 2109 Forest Avenue Kitimat, BC Canada V8C 2G7 T 250-632-6294 F 250-632-4685 Toll Free 1-800-664-6554 kitimatchamber@telus.net www.tourismkitimat.ca