Skip to guide
northward.NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA
Hikes · Wells, Barkerville & Bowron · Barkerville

Mount Agnes/Groundhog Lake

Groundhog Lake is a long walk into the mountains behind Barkerville, using the old mining-road approach before reaching a high lake and rustic cabin. The lake outing is published as approximately 8.5 km each way, or 17 km return. Mount Agnes rises beyond the lake and is a separate summit extension, with its own longer distance and greater ascent.

Sources reviewed . This is a research date, not a trail inspection.

Weather & trip plannerPrint guide & mapsSave offline guideDownload source line (GPX)
Distance
17 kmRound trip
Elevation gain
490 mPublished route measurement
Walking time
5-6 hour
Difficulty
ModerateThere and Back
Dawn over Groundhog Lake in the Cariboo Mountains south of Barkerville
Dawn over Groundhog Lake in the Cariboo Mountains south of Barkerville, 20 July 2008. The lake is the destination of the shorter outing; the Mount Agnes summit is a separate extension.Groundhog Lake (opens original source) · Dru! · CC BY-NC 2.0 (opens original source) · 2008-07-20. Source display image downloaded without local content edits. Display may crop; adaptations retain the stated image licence. · Noncommercial only; obtain a commercial licence or replace before commercial use.

Map & elevation

Opening the map…

Partial elevation profile

Mapped portion · walking direction unconfirmed · 7.50 km

This chart covers only part of the route. It does not establish the full hike or a return journey.

Elevation along one mapped source section; direction is not an established walking itinerary1300 m1550 m1800 m0 km1.9 km3.7 km5.6 km7.5 km
Explore the elevation with the chart or slider.
Coverage and elevation sources

7.50 km along source section 1 of 1, in its mapped direction. Approximate 90 m terrain model along this mapped section. Separate sections are not joined. This chart does not measure total trail ascent or establish current access; use the guide’s published outing measurements.

Copernicus GLO-90 terrain elevations via Open-Meteo (CC BY4.0); linework: Open Database License (ODbL) 1.0 · checked 2026-10-18 · CC BY4.0 elevation data; Open Database License (ODbL) 1.0 linework. Copernicus DEM 2021 GLO-90 via Open-Meteo. Linework source: https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/117600660. Sampled and rounded for display.

Mapped named trail. The source labels this a multi-use Mount Agnes route. Summer and winter alignments can differ; this is not a verified winter navigation track. Line source (opens original source).

Getting there & parking

From Quesnel, follow Highway 26 east through Wells to Barkerville and use the historic town’s parking area. The local trail society describes access through the visitor centre during opening hours and the entrance gate outside those hours. Confirm current trail-transit arrangements with Barkerville, particularly when the historic site is closed; sightseeing admission and access solely to the mountain trail may have different rules. Walk through the main street toward the Richfield courthouse to begin the old road approach.

Map position: 53.00667, -121.54972 · named destination reference point (not a trailhead). BC Gazetteer: Groundhog Lake; Lake; 53 00 23 N, 121 32 58 W; WGS84. Published named-feature location for regional orientation and weather. Does not mark trailhead parking or a specific route viewpoint.

On the trail

Beyond the main street, head toward the Richfield courthouse and follow the Cariboo Waggon Road uphill in the direction of Summit Rock. Continue on the signed route for Groundhog Lake. The old road climbs from the Barkerville area into the lake basin; allow a full day and keep enough time for the 8.5 km return. The cabin and lakeshore provide a clear turnaround. Continuing up either side of the lake toward Mount Agnes changes the objective to the summit route and should not be included within the lake-only distance.

Terrain: alpine.

Distance and elevation source notes

8.5 kms to Groundhog Lake

490 m

Source comparison: Published itinerary; 8.5 km; 490 m ascent; published distance to Groundhog Lake; return basis not explicit scope. This describes the main outing, or an unresolved source estimate, rather than a separate route.

Source comparison: Groundhog Lake; 17 km; 490 m ascent; round trip to Groundhog Lake: explicit 8.5 km each way scope. This is another description of the main outing, a duplicate endpoint, an unscoped source claim, or a related facility.

Conditions & seasons

Season-specific access has not been established in this guide. Read the dated notices and original land-manager information before choosing a departure date.

These are dated research notes. Open the trip planner for current available weather and advisory feeds; no alert found does not establish that a trail or road is open.

Check weather & available updates →

Camping & overnight plans

The older club description records a rustic cabin at Groundhog Lake, with variable cleanliness. It does not establish current booking rules, guaranteed shelter space or permission to pitch a tent nearby. Confirm overnight arrangements locally and carry independent shelter for a planned backcountry night.

Photos of Mount Agnes/Groundhog Lake

Dawn over Groundhog Lake in the Cariboo Mountains south of Barkerville
Dawn over Groundhog Lake in the Cariboo Mountains south of Barkerville, 20 July 2008. The lake is the destination of the shorter outing; the Mount Agnes summit is a separate extension.Groundhog Lake (opens original source) · Dru! · CC BY-NC 2.0 (opens original source) · 2008-07-20. Source display image downloaded without local content edits. Display may crop; adaptations retain the stated image licence. · Noncommercial only; obtain a commercial licence or replace before commercial use.
Early morning reflections at Groundhog Lake, 20 July 2008, before the photographer continued toward Mount Agnes
Early morning reflections at Groundhog Lake, 20 July 2008, before the photographer continued toward Mount Agnes. A lake view rather than a photograph of the summit route.Groundhog Lake Morning (opens original source) · Dru! · CC BY-NC 2.0 (opens original source) · 2008-07-20. Source display image downloaded without local content edits. Display may crop; adaptations retain the stated image licence. · Noncommercial only; obtain a commercial licence or replace before commercial use.

Original photo galleries

These galleries stay on their photographers’ original websites.

Take this guide with you

Choose a trip pack or an available individual sheet for your map case.

Full trip packDirections, planning notes & available mapsTopographic mapSource lines and published locationsPartial elevation sheetMapped portion only; not a complete outingSave offline guideDownload a copy to your device
Sources, dates & research notes

Descriptions are written for this guide from the linked evidence. Source review dates, published reports and field observations can differ. Photographs and route lines retain their own attribution and reuse terms.

  1. https://caledoniaramblers.ca/trails/mount-agnesgroundhog-lake (opens original source)
  2. https://catalogue.data.gov.bc.ca/dataset/d92224ee-03ef-4904-be53-b677d8e01ac4/resource/69738aa8-2cc0-4975-aec6-4dc2e30990bf/download/bc-gazetteer-2026-08-12.csv (opens original source)
  3. https://wellstrails.ca/seven-summits/ (opens original source)
OpenStreetMap line references (3)

These contributor-mapped features support the map geometry. They are separate from the written access and route sources.

  1. https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/117600660 (opens original source)
  2. https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/117600662 (opens original source)
  3. https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/117600664 (opens original source)
Details still being researched
  • dogs
  • accessibility
  • seasonal

Nearby and related guides