Summit Lake and Stone Mountain

Summit Lake: M=373 KM=601 HM Historic Mile=392

Summit Lake is the highest point on the Alaska Highway at 4 250 feet in elevation. Many hiking trails lead into alpine meadows within the Northern Rocky Mountains Provincial Park and Stone Mountain Provincial Park from the highway.

"The Cut": M=377 KM=607

A canyon where the highway is cut into the edge of rocky slopes, in Stone Mountain Provincial Park. Several pullouts here are a good place for viewing the almost always present Stone’s sheep. Please do not stop on the highway as most of the corners here are blind.

McDonald Valley/Wokkpash Valley: M=381/382 KM=613/615

McDonald Valley is a wide, picturesque valley named for a Cree Indian who helped road crews discover the easiest route for the highway during its’ construction.

The Wokkpash Valley is where nature has sculpted an other-worldly scene of imposing stone erosion pillars, called hoodoos, and on to Forlorn Gorge and the glacial blue Wokkpash Lake.

Things to do:

Hiking/Biking/Riding

There are many trails throughout the park, from a ½ km walk to a 65km trek. Stay a few days, and do them all. There are several trails suitable for horses within the park, please contact BC Parks for more information.

Summit Ridge M=372 KM=600 (Hike)

A moderate 4.5 km hike that offers a full panoramic view of the Northern Rockies at the top, and looks down onto Flower Springs Trail and Summit Tower Road on one side, and an unnamed river valley on the other. Trailhead is located 2 km inside Stone Mountain Provincial Park on the south side of the highway, opposite a large pullout.

Flower Springs Trail: M=373 KM=601 (Hike)

A 5 km walk that leads through valleys of alpine flowers to a lake and waterfall at the base of Mt. St. George. Trailhead is found at Summit Lake Campground.

Summit Peak Trail M=373 KM=601 (Hike)

A 5 km hike leading up Mt. St. Paul. Summit this mountain while enjoying panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains. Keep an eye out for camouflaged rock ptarmigan.

Summit Tower Road: M=373 KM=600 (Hiking/Biking/Riding)

This is a moderately easy 12 km walk follows a decommissioned road, through alpine landscapes to views of the McDonald valley and the Northern Rocky Mountains.

Erosion Pillar Trail: M=376 KM=605 (Hike)

This is an easy ½ km walk to the base of a naturally formed erosion pillar where you will enjoy views of the McDonald River Valley. Area is frequented by Stone Sheep and Caribou.

The Wokkpash Trail (Hike)

Located in the Northern Rocky Mountains Provincial Park, the Wokkpash Trail is a hiker’s paradise. Encounter dramatic scenery, abundant wildlife and pure wilderness on this multi-day trek (65 km/39 miles). Trail is accessed by a 19 km 4x4 road. A 21 km creek drainage with multiple backcountry camps and a well defined trail. This area is used extensively in the fall for hunting.

The “Cut” Trail: M=377 KM=610 (Hike, Bike)

A moderately easy 6 km walk along an old section of the Alaska Highway with a view of the highway and across McDonald Valley. The trailhead is located 4 km past the Summit Lake Campground, there is an old road on the north side of the highway.

Baba Canyon: M=378 KM=609 (Hike)

This popular 5 km hike leads up to and crosses the canyon’s creek several times before clambering up a small ridge to a viewpoint of the McDonald Valley. Several wildflower species dot the creek in early summer, including lady slipper orchids. Trailhead is on the north side of the Alaska Highway.

McDonald Creek: M=378 KM=609 (Hike, Ride)

This is a hike of any length for visitors to enjoy. Follow it for a few kilometers enjoying wildflowers and often seen caribou or take a multi-day trip and reach Wokkpash Lake. Trailhead is on the south side of the highway, at the same spot as Baba Canyon.

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Boating

Cement boat launch at Summit Lake for motorized or non-motorized boats.

Wildlife Viewing - GUIDED

Canadian Backcountry Adventures

Web: Canadian Backcountry Adventures

Email: info@canadianbackcountry.com

Phone: (403) 208-2813

Enjoy a multi-day backpack trip past miles of stone hoodoos in Wokkpash Gorge then onto Wokkpash Lake, nestled in a glacial U-shaped valley of Northern Rocky Mountains Provincial Park. You will be exposed to alpine plants and abundant wildlife throughout your trip.

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Fishing

Summit Lake

Anglers can try their luck for rainbow and lake trout and mountain whitefish in the lake. There is a cement boat launch, and motorized boats are allowed.

McDonald Creek

There are multiple highway accessible sections of the McDonald River available to fish for Arctic Grayling and Dolly Varden.

Hunting

Stone Mountain Provincial Park: M=373 KM=598

Trail leads off from Summit Lake Campground, leading into the Bathtub Creek area and the North Tetsa River Valley.

Wokkpash Corridor: M=382 KM=619

A 54 kilometre route with several non-bridged creek crossings, one at McDonald Creek, one at Wokkpash Creek and one at the Racing River. This is a full sized vehicle route (400 metre restriction off each side of the trail) until just after crossing the Racing River. At that point it becomes an ATV trail until its end. There are several camp areas to choose from along the route. This is a popular place for Moose, Stone’s Sheep and Caribou.

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ATVing and Snowmobiling

The Wokkpash Corridor is a 54 km route into the heart of the Northern Rockies. There are several creek crossings along the route.

Camping and Accommodations

Stone Mountain Provincial Park: M=375 KM=602 HM=392

Web: Stone Mountain Provincial Park

Provincial campground located at the Summit Lake area of the park with vehicle accessible campsites, on a first-come first-served basis. Backcountry camping is allowed, but no facilities are provided

Rocky Mountain Lodge M=378.6 KM=610 HM=397    CLOSED

Email: alcan397@hotmail.com

Phone: (250) 774-7001

Rocky Mountain Lodge offers a three room motel, private, un-serviced campground, gift shop and gas station, in addition to a shuttle service to the McDonald Creek crossing of the Wokkpash Trail. The lodge is open seasonally, so please contact the Lodge for more details.

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