Pine Pass, Chetwynd & Peace / Full trip pack
Mount Bickford Fire Tower
- Round trip
- 5.8 km
- Elevation gain
- 458 m Published route measurement
- Walking time
- About 3 hours
- Difficulty
- Unconfirmed
return
https://hikingprincegeorge.com/hikes/mount-bickford-fire-tower
A steep, poorly marked mountain route climbs from a powerline road toward the former fire-lookout ridge. The name is historical: a 2025 trip questioned whether the tower still exists, so it is not a dependable shelter destination.
1. Getting there and parking
From Chetwynd head toward Prince George on Highway 97 for roughly 53 km. About 700 m after Fisher Creek bridge, take the second right-hand turn after the bridge onto Fisher Creek Forestry Road. At the 3 km sign, turn left at the fork, then left again onto the signed powerline-access road. The older guide places the route start on the right just beyond the road’s highest point. The last 2–3 km are steep and rough, require 4WD in the guide and can be difficult when wet. The road is radio-controlled; verify access before travelling and add walking distance if you stop below the upper trailhead.
Parking: The old guide places the start on the right just beyond the highest point of the powerline-access road. A lower parking decision adds road walking.
Road and vehicle: The last 2–3 km of the access road are described as steep and rough, requiring 4WD; wet conditions can make them particularly difficult. Fisher Creek Forestry Road is radio-controlled.
2. Walking the route
The older route begins by a yellow metal marker at the powerline clearing, crosses wet ground on a log crossing and follows flagging through a cutblock to the forest edge. From there, a seismic line climbs toward the lookout ridge. Those landmarks come from a June 2018 review. An April 2025 snowshoe attempt reported very little marking and turned back in poor snow, so expect to navigate independently rather than follow an assured maintained trail. The basic guide gives 5.8 km return and 458 m of climbing. Return on the same approach unless you have separately planned and verified the Horse Trail connection. Water is limited in the later report, and neither mobile reception nor the old tower should be a trip dependency.
The return
The June 2018 guide gives 5.8 km return for the direct lookout route. A loop using the Horse Trail is an additional, separately planned connection.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mount Bickford Fire Tower start point of published trip track (parking unverified) | 55.599652 -122.327846 | Embedded trip-map feature 'Untitled Route': first recorded coordinate [-122.327846, 55.599652].
Point extracted from the original public trip map. A track start is evidence of where recording began, not certification of parking, legal access, road suitability or the complete route. Source date: 2023 https://hiking.princegeorge.tech/bickford-mountain-fire-lookout-in-the-pine-pass-bc/ |
5. Camping, facilities and seasons
Camping and tenting
A 2018 guide described an outhouse and shelter suitable for an overnight stop, but an April 2025 report questioned whether the lookout remains. Current shelter availability and overnight arrangements are unverified; do not plan on a roof or facilities.
Season and access
The summer route is distinct from a winter ascent. A snowshoe attempt on April 12, 2025 ended early in deteriorating snow; that report is not evidence of an established safe winter route.
Practical details checked 2026-10-17.
Your trip notes
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