Muncho Lake

Muncho Lake: M=436 KM=700 HM=456

Travelling along the world famous Alaska Highway, marvel at the beauty of Muncho Lake. The jade green lake is the showpiece of the Muncho Lake Provincial Park and the small community of Muncho Lake. The deep, cold lake is a haven for fishing and boating. From here, visitors can partake in whitewater rafting, hiking, fly-in camping, fishing, sightseeing and remote retreats.

Things to do:

Hiking/Biking/Riding

Peterson Canyon: M=432 KM=695 (Hike, Bike)

A moderately easy 12 km round trip trail following a decommissioned section of the Alaska Highway. Find wooden culverts still in use and marvel at the construction of original bridges still in place. Access the trail head 37 km past the Muncho Lake Provincial Park entrance sign, pull off the highway to the right onto a gravel road just past the “Sawtooth Mountains” viewpoint pullout. Follow the gravel road to the where the road is washed out. Non-motorized route.

Red Rock Canyon: M=436 KM= 703 (Hike)

A moderate 6 km round trip hike to a small waterfall in what has become known as Red Rock Canyon, so named because of the old, erosion exposed, reddish rock. There is no distinct trail, simply follow the creek bed upstream, and be prepared to hop over or wade through the creek to reach the falls. Trail is located in Muncho Lake Provincial Park, 40 km from the entrance into the park you will see a creek running under the highway, across from the highway maintenance yard, pull off highway to the right. Non-motorized route.

Old Alaska Highway Trail & Viewpoint: M= 438 KM=705 (Hike, Bike)

A 4 km trail starts easy with a long, gradual elevation gain off the alluvial fan with a moderately difficult side trail towards the viewpoint of Muncho Lake. Begin this trail at the Strawberry Flats campground. From the trailhead sign, the trail crosses and continues on the east side of the highway. Follow the cairns (trail markers) across the alluvial fan until the old highway heads off the fan and cuts into the side slope of the hill. The trail continues along for 2 km and concludes when the old highway meets the new highway. The side trail to the viewpoint offers excellent views of the entire lake. Non-motorized route.

Stone’s Sheep Trail: M=440 KM=707 (Hike)

A moderately easy trail that forks into two drainage routes: Northern drainage 4.1km roundtrip or Southern drainage 5.1 km round trip. Watch for Stone Sheep often seen close to the steep walls of the southern drainage. The start of this trail is found 2 km past the Strawberry Flats campground, turn off the highway to the right into a pullout with interpretive signs and space for parking. The trail begins on the left hand side of the pullout facing the alluvial fan. Non-motorized route.

Boulder Canyon: M=448 KM= 726 (Hike)

A moderately easy 4.6 km round trip trail has a small elevation gain but crosses ground that is uneven and rocky. The trail is best done n the fall when water levels are low. Access the trail, 5 km past the Muncho Lake Viewpoint on the Alaska Highway. The pullout is on the east side of the road and is distinguishable by the large boulders outlining it. Non-motorized route.

Mineral Licks Trail: M=454 KM=731 (Hike, Bike)

A moderately easy walk to viewpoints of the Trout River and mineral laden cliffs where wildlife can occasionally been seen licking the minerals found in the soil. The 1.3 km roundtrip trail takes you downhill to the viewpoints and offers a longer gradual uphill back to the parking area. The trail head is approximately 15 km past the Muncho Lake Viewpoint. Watch for the hiking/viewpoint sign to indicate where you turn off the highway.

Northern Rockies Lodge

Web: Northern Rockies Lodge

Email: liardair@northern-rockies-lodge.com

Phone: (250) 776-3481

Toll Free:(800) 663-5269

Fly in for a day hike in Nahanni National Park or hike through the amazing hoodoos in Wokkpash canyon.

Scoop Lake Outfitters

Web: Scoop Lake Outfitters

Email: scooplake@hughes.net

Phone: (250) 483-4356

While at Scoop Lake’s air access only Lodge, enjoy trail riding and mountain biking.

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Boating

Muncho Lake: M=436 KM=700

A beautiful long glacial blue lake with several bays to explore. Good lake trout fishing. Launch areas can be found in both provincial park campgrounds on the lake edge or at any of the lodges/RV parks along its length.

Trout River: M=443 KM=713

The first portion of this river is the outflow from Muncho Lake. At this point there is a small bay that acts as launch point to the upper portion of the river. This part is class 2 with small waves and some tight corners. It will take you almost 6 hours to reach the pull-out found at the Trout River Bridge on the Alaska Highway at M=455, KM=733.

The other option is to start at the Trout River Bridge (M=455, KM=733) and go to where the Alaska Highway starts pulling away from the river. Do not travel past this as the river does drop over a waterfall a little further on. Be aware of a very large rock and hole at Prochniak Creek not much past the start of your trip. This portion of the river could be classified at 3 or 3+ depending on water level.

Main Current Rafting Expeditions

Web: Main Current Rafting Expeditions

Email: maincurrent@telus.net

Ph/Fax: 877 909 7238 (toll free)

Mobile: (250) 877 2144

Choose from day trips suitable for families, first time rafters or whitewater enthusiasts to multi-day expeditions that take you deep into the wilderness where you will enjoy a fully catered journey through spectacular scenery. Also offer guided hiking, eco-adventures and wildlife viewing. Space is limited and reservations are recommended so call ahead.

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Wildlife Viewing/Flight Seeing

The Northern Rockies portion of the Alaska Highway provides visitors with many opportunities to see wildlife right from their vehicles. Watch for bear, moose, caribou and elk along the Alaska Highway from Prophet River to Watson Lake. Or choose a guided wildlife safari with one of our operators in the Muncho Lake area.

Northern Rockies Lodge

Web: Northern Rockies Lodge

Email: liardair@northern-rockies-lodge.com

Phone: (250) 776-3481

Toll Free:(800) 663-5269

Soar over the majestic peaks of the Northern Rockies or see Muncho Lake from the air.

Scoop Lake Outfitters

Web: Scoop Lake Outfitters

Email: scooplake@hughes.net

Phone: (250) 483-4356

Offering wildlife photo safaris, bird watching, butterfly watching and glacier viewing at their air access only lodge.

Main Current Rafting Expeditions

Web: Main Current Rafting Expeditions

Email: maincurrent@telus.net

Ph/Fax: 877 909 7238 (toll free)

Mobile: (250) 877 2144

Wildlife viewing opportunities on rafting day trips or multi-day expeditions. Space is limited and reservations are recommended so call ahead.

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Fishing

This is the place for Lake Trout fishing in the region. Deep, clear blue Muncho Lake offers up to 50 lb Lake Trout as well as Arctic Grayling, Dolly Varden and whitefish. Suggested fishing from late June through September (June-July best) with spoons, spinners, diving plug or weighted spoons.

Northern Rockies Lodge

Web: Northern Rockies Lodge

Email: liardair@northern-rockies-lodge.com

Phone: (250) 776-3481

Toll Free:(800) 663-5269

Experience world class fishing in the unspoiled wilderness of the Northern Rocky Mountains. Fly out daily from our comfortable lodge to remote mountain lakes and streams where very few anglers have been before.

Scoop Lake Outfitters

Web: Scoop Lake Outfitters

Email: scooplake@hughes.net

Phone: (250) 483-4356

Access Scoop Lake via air charter from Muncho Lake or Watson Lake. Stay at the main lodge at Scoop Lake or camp out at a rustic, self-contained outpost cabin on one of 16 other lakes.

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ATVing and Snowmobiling

Yedhe Creek Trail: M=424 KM=687 – 36 kms to end of motorized route

Turn left (south) off the Alaska Highway 225 km northwest of Fort Nelson just in front of the Petersen Creek bridge, inside Muncho Lake Provincial Park. If you’ve passed a closed service station named “The Village” you’ve gone too far. Once you’ve turned off the highway, continue through the gravel pit until you reach a bridge spanning the Toad River (also known as the Davis Keyes bridge). This is the extent of normal 4x4 vehicle access. From this point on, the route is only open to ATVs and snowmobiles, and to within 400m of each side of the trail.

West Toad Corridor: M=425, KM=689 – 23 kilometres to the end of motorized route

Turn left (south) off the highway 227 km northwest of Fort Nelson just after the closed service station “The Village”, inside Muncho Lake Provincial Park. The access road is quite difficult to find as it drops off the side of the road very quickly and is generally not very visible. If the highway has started to turn north and you are climbing a hill, you’ve gone too far. This trail is a full sized 4x4 route for its entire length but travel to each side of the route is restricted to within 10 m. There will be two main creek crossings, one near the beginning at Tandzie Creek and another across the West Toad. A few kilometres in you will pass through an outfitter’s lodge site on your way to the end of the route at Moose Lake.

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Camping and Accommodations

Double G Services M=436 KM=700 HM=456

Web: Double G Services

Email: ndreams@aol.com

Phone: 250-776-3411

Open year round. Restaurant, gas station and small motel.

Strawberry Flats Campground (Provincial) M=438 KM=705

15 site unserviced campground. Reservations not available.

Northern Rockies Lodge M=442 KM=712 HM=462 (RV sites available)

Web: Northern Rockies Lodge

Email: liardair@northern-rockies-lodge.com

Phone: (250) 776-3481

Toll Free:(800) 663-5269

Open year round. Lodge accommodation, a full serviced campground (open seasonally), restaurant and gas station

McDonald Campground (Provincial) M=443 KM=658

15 site unserviced campground. Reservations not available.

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