Wells, Barkerville & Bowron / Full trip pack
Mount Agnes/Groundhog Lake
- Round trip
- 17 km
- Elevation gain
- 490 m Published route measurement
- Walking time
- 5-6 hour
- Difficulty
- Moderate There and Back
round trip to Groundhog Lake: explicit 8.5 km each way
https://hikingprincegeorge.com/hikes/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.
1. Getting there and 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.
2. Walking the route
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.
3. Route map
Mapped named trail
© OpenStreetMap contributors. Route geometry is available under the Open Database License (ODbL) 1.0. · Line source · Open Database License (ODbL) 1.0 · Source-line database: https://hikingprincegeorge.com/data/osm-route-lines.geojson
Partial elevation profile
Partial elevation profile
This chart covers only part of the route. It does not establish the full hike or a return journey.
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
Copernicus DEM 2021 GLO-90 via Open-Meteo. Linework source: https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/117600660. Sampled and rounded for display.
Source: https://open-meteo.com/en/licence
Licence: CC BY4.0 elevation data; Open Database License (ODbL) 1.0 linework · https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Profile source checked: 2026-10-18
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mount Agnes/Groundhog Lake named destination reference point (not a trailhead) | 53.006667 -121.549722 | 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. 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 |
5. Camping, facilities and seasons
Camping and tenting
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.
Measurement 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.
Your trip notes
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