Valemount & Mount Robson / Full trip pack
Little Lost Lake picnic area
- Round trip
- 3.4 km
- Elevation gain
- 120 m Published route measurement
- Walking time
- 1¾–2½ hours depending on picnic or circuit option
- Difficulty
- Moderate Out and back with optional lake loop
return from highway trailhead
https://hikingprincegeorge.com/hikes/little-lost-lake-picnic-area
Climb then level approach to lakeside picnic spots.
1. Getting there and parking
From the Highway 5/16 junction at Tête Jaune Cache, travel east on Highway 16 for about 1.5 km. Park in the pullout at the avalanche-control gates beyond the weigh scales, keeping the gates and operational space clear. Cross the highway carefully, then walk a short distance back toward the trailhead sign among the trees on the north side. The lake is reached on foot; the roadside pullout is the vehicle access.
Road and vehicle: The local guide does not call for a high-clearance 4WD vehicle for this approach.
Drive from Prince George: 274.1 km · approximately 223 minutes. Estimate; allow for road conditions and stops.
Modeled one-way driving time from Prince George City Hall, using mapped road speeds. Forest-road sections can take substantially longer: surface, clearance, radio procedures, gates, washouts, plowing, and legal access are not verified by the router. No live traffic or invented forest-road multiplier is included. Allow extra time and check the dated access notes.
2. Walking the route
Climb the initial forest slope from the highway and continue on the gentler upper approach to Little Lost Lake, roughly 1.7 km from the start. Two picnic areas are described at the lake, with the second reached to the left along the shore. Turn around at the picnic area and return down the approach for about 3.4 km total. Continuing around the lake or up the steep viewpoint branch changes the outing. Picnic tables and an outhouse are listed by the local trail guide.
3. Route map
Published locations only. A complete route line is still needed.
Published locations
Numbered points match the map. Use the role beside each point. A summit or park reference point is not a parking location.
| Place and role | Coordinates | Source and notes |
|---|---|---|
| Little Lost Lake picnic area trailhead | 52.978960 -119.397232 | source-published; not field-verified https://hikevalemount.com/little-lost-lake/ |
5. Camping, facilities and seasons
Camping and tenting
The current local guide describes picnic facilities and an outhouse, and explicitly prohibits fires. It does not confirm an operating campground or current overnight permission; historical tent-pad references should not be treated as a present booking entitlement.
Toilets
An outhouse is listed at Little Lost Lake.
Season and access
The local guide recommends spring, summer and autumn for the ordinary lake walk. Mosquitoes can be persistent in summer; wet weather particularly affects the exposed Grind extension. Highway access and snow can change a winter visit.
Mobile service
The local guide reports intermittent cell reception.
Practical details checked 2026-10-17.
Your trip notes
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