Come out and celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the BC Parks System by hiking one of the most popular alpine trails in the region. It has all the qualities of a great hike; close proximity to Prince George, quick access to the alpine, amazing alpine flower displays, a backcountry cabin, a hiking loop option to the Grizzly Den Trail, and a scenic alpine lake which provides a cool dip on a hot day.
The quick access to the alpine allows plenty of time for hikers to explore the ridges above the lake or to continue on to Grizzly Den and complete the full loop.
On Saturday, July 16, the Caledonia Ramblers Hiking Club is holding a public hike day in celebration of the 100-year anniversary of the BC park system.
The hike will ascend the Raven Lake Trail in the Sugarbowl-Grizzly Den Park which about 80 kilometre east of Prince George. BC Parks staff will be assisting in this event. Old, and especially new hikers, are encouraged to attend. For more information please contact Dave at 250 564-8887.
Directions
From the Yellowhead Bridge in Prince George drive 90 kilometre east on Highway 16 to the Hungary Creek Forest Service Road Turn right onto the road and continue on for another 11.7 kilometre to a junction in the road. The left fork continues on for 9.4 kilometre to the Tumuch Forest Road. The right fork continues 0.9 kilometre to the Grizzly Den parking lot on your left side of the road. Continue across the bridge straight ahead a further 2.7 kilometre down the road to the Raven Lake trail parking lot. The Raven Lake trailhead leaves the parking lot on the west side and drops quickly down for 120 m to a bridge over Hungary Creek.
Trail Description
The Raven Lake Trail climbs steeply up for 3.4 kilometre to alpine and then levels off. This part of the trail can be muddy and slippery during wet weather. Once in the alpine the trail heads to the southeast for one kilometre and descends to Raven Lake and the cabin. The cabin is an A-frame and similar to the Grizzly Den Cabin. The cabin is located on the edge of the lake which is situated around a large alpine bowl.
The cabin is well stocked and has plenty of room fro people to sleep. It can be quite popular with other hikers during the summer so it is a good idea to bring a tent if planning on staying over night. There are tent pads and food caches at the rear of the cabin. There are great views of the lake from the front window of the cabin.
The trail from Raven Lake to Grizzly Den is 4.7 kilometre and from Raven Lake it heads east from the cabin. A creek draining Raven Lake is quickly crossed and then the trail cuts across a side slope and drops down to a subalpine meadow. The trail then climbs up to Pat's Pass and then descends gradually the alpine meadows to the Grizzly Den Cabin. The trail in the meadows is not well marked and caution should be used.
For more information on this hike including airphotos, maps, GPS coordinates and trail photos refer the book Hiking Central BC which is available at local bookstores.
