| Telegraph
Wilderness Trail is a historic trek developed
in the 1870's following the same route travelled by many pioneers
and settlers when laying down the Collin's Overland Telegraph
line linking North America to Europe. Soon later the line became
the Yukon Telegraph and the trail became one of the first transportation
routes in the region to access the Nechako Valley.
The Telegraph Trail is a hiking, mountain biking
and horseback riding route following a mainly loose gravel trail
deep into the backcountry wilderness regions near Mapes which
is located south of Vanderhoof, British Columbia, Canada.
The one-way hike is about 10 Kms long (20 Kms return)
and starts near Hogsback Lake. The route is considered to be moderately
difficult with some steep hiking sections plus it is a long distance
to cover. The adventure route eventually hooks up to Blackwater
Road on the other end. Some leave a car at both ends and do the
trail one way.
Others decide to do some camping at one of the
wilderness backpacking campsites located on the historical trail.
The adventure trail is very well marked with diamond shaped "Telegraph
Trail" tree markers leading the way.
The trailhead of the "Telegraph Trail"
is located near the south end of Hogsback Lake. One must drive
through the recreational campground first.
The campground is a lakefront recreation wilderness
site. The access road to the southend of the campground is a bit
rough going, on a high ridge and driving over big tree roots -
so those campsites are mostly designated for truck campers and
tenters. The first section of the recreational campground on Hogsback
Lake should be able to accommodate small RVs.
The campground is a great base camp for those wanting
to hike some history exploring the Telegrapgh Trail. At the trailhead
there are some amenities available for hikers and campers like
pit toilets, picnic tables, a boat ramp and fire pits.
Contact information for
the local Vanderhoof, BC accommodations, tours, guides,
golf courses and attractions, realtors, etc. are posted
under the links listed to your right. =) |
How to
get to
the Telegraph Trail: From the community of Vanderhoof
BC travel south on the Kenney Dam Road until you reach a fork
in the road. At the fork in the road stay left and you should
now be driving on Sinkut Lake Road. Stay right at the next fork
in the road therefore turning onto Blackwater Road. Continue driving
Blackwater Road to Hogsback Lake for about 8 Kms (5 mi.). Follow
the signs to the lake. Drive through the campground following
the road up onto a ridge overlooking the lake and then back down
to the more campsites and the trailhead.
|
Telegraph
Vanderhoof