This week's hike to Bell Mountain is another one of the great trails in the Robson Valley.
If you are not in top hiking shape or can never seem to make it to the alpine on our region's trails, but would like to explore beautiful alpine wildflower meadows, then this trail is for you.
It is one of the few trails in our region that the alpine can be reached by vehicle. This allows for lots of extra time to explore the alpine ridges and meadows. It may be getting to the tail end of the fantastic wildflower displays but regardless the views will not disappoint.
Directions
From the Yellowhead Bridge in Prince George drive 198 east on highway 16. (9.3 kilometres before McBride). Turn right on Bell Mountain Road. Stay right after 830 metres. Stay left at 3.6 kilometres. The Bell Mountain Ski Area is reached after 4.5 kilometres. There is a large parking area her with the ski cabin off to the left. It is possible to drive here in two wheel drive. The road continues to climb to 14.5 kilometres to the Bell Mountain Forest Recreation Site.
Four wheel drive is needed to reach this point and it is also a recommended place to park as the road is steeper and more rutted to the 16.7 kilometres road end. The road is cross ditched at this point and no vehicles or ATV's are permitted past here. The trail continues to the south over the cross ditch and into the alpine meadows.
Trail description
The trail climbs for 200 metres to a newly built cabin built by the local snowmobile club. Continue south past the cabin and parallel the poles from an old ski hill lift. It is a further 500 metres to the top of Little Bell Mountain.
There are great views of the surrounding peaks from here. Big Bell Mountain is just over 2.0 kilometres to the west. There is no trail but it is easy walking down through the alpine flowers to a small creek and then a gradual climb up to the peak. There are great views of the Cariboo Mountains and the Rocky Mountain Trench from Big Bell.
The route back to the cabin is straight forward as the cabin can be seen from the peak. It is two kilometres through alpine meadows and flowers to the cabin and trailhead.
For more information on this hike including airphotos, maps, GPS co-ordinates and trail photos refer the book Hiking Central BC which is available at local bookstores.
