| Sleeping
Beauty Mountain Trail - To some accessing the
trailhead is as fun as the hike itself. The gravel roads leading
up the mountain to the hike are rough, narrow deactivated roads
that are no longer maintained. So, unless you are comfortable
driving a small 4x4 the last portion of this route should not
be explored.
There is however an area to park a vehicle 1.3
kilometres before the trailhead avoiding the most treacherous
part. The gravel roads taken to the Sleeping Beauty Trail starts
off as the same route used to access Pine Lake
and Redsands Provincial Park.
The 2.4 kilometre trail explores the alpine environment
in the region providing hikers with scenic views. The steep route
leads all hikers through alpine meadows, pass small ponds and
up to an alpine mountain lake. In spring the alpine meadows burst
with colors and scents worthy of a visit.
The first part of the hike is following a tunnel
of berry bushes and small trees for 600 metres. The trail then
heads up from there following a one kilometre series of switchbacks
climbing the side of the mountain. Once at the top the trail levels
out and continues until you reach an open massive meadow and some
fantastic views of Terrace BC.
For the hearty hiker and if 2-3 hours of time has
been allocated for the extended version of this hike then there
is a trail leading to more lakes and to 3 various mountain peaks
seen to the west. To access the peaks stay south of the ridge
and continue hiking the unmarked path. The second peak provides
another lake and incredible views of the mountains.
This trail is designated as a hiker only trail
therefore no mountain bikers permitted. Although the massive network
of gravel roads leading to the trail are heavily used in the summer
by mountain bikers and off roading vehicles. In the winter the
roads transform into snowmobile routes and xc skiing trails.
Contact information for
the local Terrace, BC accommodations, tours, guides, golf
courses, attractions, eco activities, artists, transportation
companies, realtors, etc. are posted under the links listed
to your right. |
How to
get to the Sleeping Beauty Trail:
Travel Hwy 16 west of Terrace, BC pass Fishermans
Park, over the Kalum River Bridge and take a right immediately
after the gas station onto the Kalum FSR (Forest Service Road).
Follow the brown directional signs for 8-9 kilometres to the first
Sleeping Beauty Trail turn off. From there proceed for another
10 kilometres to an unofficial parking area at the foot of the
final section of road before the trailhead. It is a 1.3 kilometres
stretch straight up to the trailhead marked by a very small sign
sunk into a rock slide. Parking is limited at the trailhead and
there is little room to turn around. Might consider parking at
the bottom parking area.
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