LC Gunn Trail
The hike of the week is back again for 2012 and with the hiking season just underway, the LC Gunn Trail is a good choice to get out and give the legs an early season primer. The trail travels along the top of Fraser River Cutbanks and provides some of the best views of the downtown and specifically Ft George Park. This time of year it also provides a unique view of the rising waters of the mighty Fraser River. Watch out for the steep cliffs and do not get too close to the edge.
Directions
Drive 650 m past the end of the Yellowhead Bridge in Prince George, and turn right onto Guay Road. Continue for 600 m to the LC Gunn Trail parking lot. The trailhead parking lot is on the right side of the road. The trail leaves the parking lot on the northwest side beside a large boulder with an embedded plaque. The Highway 97 trailhead has no parking, but the trail can be accessed by parking elsewhere along the highway.
Trail Description
The trail heads in a northwesterly direction from the parking lot. It is about 400 m along the trail to the edge of the Fraser River Cutbanks. The trail follows the top of the cutbanks most of the way to Highway 97. The trail climbs steeply after another 700 m to a bench higher above the river. At 2.5 km from the start, the trail travels to the left, away from the river to wind its way around a large gully before making its way back to the edge of the cutbanks. The trail then descends down to the edge of Highway 97 just past the end of the Simon Fraser Bridge. There is no parking at this end of the trail. The trail is popular with local hikers and bikers. A full loop can be completed by hiking across the two bridges and through Fort George Park.
For more information on this hike including airphotos, maps, GPS coordinates and trail photos refer the newly released second edition of Hiking North Central BC, which is available at local bookstores.
