A brand new cross-country ski trail is now open in Wells Gray Park.
This new trail was laid out and constructed with permission and guidance from Mike Rowden, B.C. Parks area supervisor for Wells Gray Park.
The new trail took two years to construct and goes from the viewing tower at the top of Green Mountain, along the Foot Lake Trail, branches off behind Foot Lake and traverses the rolling forests on the top of Green Mountain, ending 5.3 km later at a cliff edge viewpoint.
Located on the west side of Green Mountain, the viewpoint has a 270-degree outlook of the Clearwater River Valley and a spectacular view straight down into the Clearwater River. Dunn Peak, Mahood Lake, the Whitehorse Bluffs and the mist from Helmcken Falls are all clearly visible.
This trail was built entirely by Helmcken Falls Lodge and local volunteers with a great deal of help from Gord Jones and his crew from Clearwater Lake Tours.
To access the trail, park at the bottom of the Green Mountain access road. Go 4 km up the access road to the viewing tower. It is 5.3 km to the viewpoint, then 5.8 km down the West Tote Road to the yellow gate on Green Mountain, and then three km back down the Green Mountain road to the bottom.
The entire 18.1km is groomed by snowmobile with a drag, including the road sections.
Proponents hope that the addition of the new 18.1 km trail, adding to the existing 35 km of groomed and track set trails in Wells Gray Park, will enhance the tourism visitors to the area in the winter months.
The new trail is equally suited to cross-country skiers and snowshoers.
For an update on the trail conditions, contact Helmcken Falls Lodge at 250-674-3657.