This week's hike leads to one of the many abandoned fire lookouts in the region. The old lookout access road provides the access to the lookout and the surrounding alpine. This hike would be perfect for the hiker that prefers stable footing and wide trails, but does not mind a strenuous workout.
Hikers will be rewarded with panoramic views of the Bowron Lakes from either of the Two Sisters Peaks. The alpine area provides many interesting opportunities with colorful carpets of wildlflowers, alpine lakes, great rock scrambling on the south sister and exploring the features of a fire lookout.
Directions
From Quesnel on Highway 97, turn east on Highway 26 and travel 74 kilometres to Wells. Drive 5.2 kilometres past Wells, and turn left onto the Bowron Lake Road. Stay left at the fork after 100 metres and continue on for 17.7 km. The trailheads for Jubilee and Yellowhawk Trails will be passed around six kilometres. Turn left onto Ketchum Creek Road (2300 Rd), and drive 4.6 kilometres to the trailhead.
Trail Description
There is no parking lot for this hike, only a slight widening in the road near the trailhead. Park on the edge of the road, and follow the trail which leaves from the west side of the road beside a large trail sign. The trail follows an old service road that was used to access the fire lookout on the north sister.
After two kilometres on the trail, a creek parallels the road for a while and provides a source of water. There is a sharp switchback at 3.4 kilometres, and access to the alpine is at 4.6 kilometres.
There are views of Two Sisters Mountain to the southwest from many points along the trail. The saddle between the two peaks is reached after 5.8 kilometres. From this point, it is 630 metres to the north along the service road to the fire lookout or a 1.1 kilometres scramble south to Two Sisters Mountain.
The trail to the lookout swings around the west side of the peak and climbs steadily to the lookout and peak. The lookout is not in use any longer but is still in good condition.
The trail from the saddle to the Two Sisters Peak begins with a gradual climb. The final ascent is a steep scramble through rock outcroppings to the top.
There are two VHF transmitters on the top. The sign at the base of the trail indicates 10 kilometres return. It is actually a minimum of 13 kilometres return from the lookout and 13.8 kilometres from the Two Sisters Peak.
For more information on this hike including airphotos, GPS co-ordinates and trail photos refer the book Hiking Central BC, which is available at local bookstores.
