| (Copper)
Thornhill Mountain Trail - The mountain hiking
trail and rough gravel access road leading to the elevated views
of the whole valley is by far one of the best scenic routes to
explore when in the Terrace, British Columbia, Canada region.
The hiking trail is also referred to as the Vicki Kryklywyj Trail
and once was an old miner trail and a supply route for the Forestry
Lookout.
From the mountain peak the skies open up and explorers
can see for miles in every direction. The whole Skeena Valley
comes into view including the Village of Terrace, Lakelse
lake, the Kitimat & Bulkley Mountain Ranges and, even,
the Six Sisters on a clear day.
The scenery does take effort. To access the valley
views depends on what your group is capable of doing physically
on foot (as the trail is challenging) and by what vehicle your
group is equipped with (rough mountain gravel roads). Access to
the trailhead requires traveling a rough gravel road uphill for
a few kilometres by a good truck or 4x4.
Some mountain bikers and off road enthusiasts continue
forward along the gravel road past the trailhead to the top of
the mountain on the other side near the communication towers.
Near the end of the gravel road are a serious of downhill technical
mountain bike trails. Trails that are for experienced riders only.
During the winter the roads and trails are taken over by snowmobilers
and xc country skiers.
The 6 kilometre designated hiking trail is no easy
feat. It is an uphill route on a mostly single-trek trail navigating
through a forest of switchbacks, high stepping over exposed tree
roots eventually leading to a rocky mountain peak above the alpine
tree line with fantastic views. The round trip hiking time should
take between 5-8 hours depending on fitness levels. The trail
can get muddy and the forest sections can get dark quickly so,
please, allow for enough time to complete the entire adventure.
The gravel road that continues up the mountain
past the trailhead should be only attempted by 4x4 vehicles. It
is a route that provides many opportunities for extreme caution.
Especially since the road is more unstable as you climb higher.
There are large boulders, some washouts, tight switchback turns,
large potholes and some narrow sections hugging the cliff side.
Experienced drivers will enjoy the view and the drive up to the
top where the communication tower is located.
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 (Copper) Thornhill Mountain Trail:
Travel Hwy 16 east of Terrace, BC, Canada just past the main four
way stop. Just around the bend a commercial district appears.
At the first convenience store turn right onto Old Lake Lakelse
Road. Continue down the road for 6 kilometres and at the landfill
drive 800 metres further to an open gravel parking lot on your
left. In the back of the parking lot is a hidden access gravel
road with a directional sign pointing up the hill. Take the gravel
road and continue up the hill for 2.4 kilometres until a footbridge
appears on your right. This is the trailhead. Park in the very
small pull-out area and go at it.
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Thornhill