For those hikers that like the instant gratification of alpine hiking then Lucille Mountain is a good choice. A long and winding road climbs to the sub alpine where hikers can begin their relatively short ascent to one of the regions highest hiking trail elevations on top of Lucille Mountain. Do not wait too much longer this season to attempt this one as snow could start to blanket the summit in a few weeks.
Directions
From the Yellowhead Bridge in Prince George, drive east on Highway 16 to the town of McBride. Turn south onto Main Street in the centre of town. Follow this road for 700 m to the end and turn left on 1st Ave. Drive for 650 m, and turn right under a railway bridge. Continue on for another 2.2 km, and turn left onto the Lucille Mountain Forest Road. Drive 650 m to the lower parking lot. The road climbs steeply from this point on, so this may be a starting point to walk, cycle or ATV if you have a 2 wheel drive vehicle.
Continuing on past the lower parking lot there is a junction at 4.5 km, with the left fork heading to a communication tower and the right fork continuing up to Lucille Mountain. At 7.4 km, a logging landing is reached, and this is as far as most people would drive with a 4wd vehicle. The road/trail from this point onward is very steep and rough. At 9.3 km (834 m elevation), the boundary for summer motorized vehicles is reached. There is an area to park and turn a vehicle around if needed. The trail continues past the sign and up through the subalpine.
Trail Description
The trail heads into the non-motorized area along an old skid road. This boundary is an attempt to preserve the fragile alpine plants and environment. It is 900 m to the newly built snowmobile cabin which is situated at the start of the alpine. The cabin is in good condition and is well stocked.
The trail is not marked from this point to the peak. The Lucille Mountain Peak is 2.7 km from the cabin, and the trail heads uphill directly behind the cabin. Watch for a family of marmots about 300 m up hill from the cabin. The trail levels out slightly after the initial climb from the cabin. Great views of Bell Mountain to the west can be seen. The trail follows an alpine ridge before one last scramble along a rocky ridge to the summit.
There are spectacular 360 degree views from the peak. Glaciers to the south, alpine bowls to the east, Bell Mountain to the west and the town of McBride to the north can be enjoyed at the top.
For more information on this hike including airphotos, maps, GPS coordinates and trail photos refer the newly released 2nd edition of Hiking North Central BC which is available at local bookstores.
