Pine Pass, Chetwynd & Peace / Full trip pack
Mountain Creek Canyon Overlook
- Round trip
- 3.8 km
- Elevation gain
- 470 m Published route measurement
- Walking time
- Unconfirmed
- Difficulty
- Unconfirmed
return
https://hikingprincegeorge.com/hikes/mountain-creek-canyon-overlook
A steep forest climb from Heart Lake reaches two viewpoints over Mountain Creek. This is the shorter overlook outing; continuing toward Solitude Mountain is a separate, much less obvious backcountry route.
1. Getting there and parking
From Chetwynd follow Highway 97 toward Prince George for about 72 km, then turn left onto the gravel approach to Heart Lake Campground. From Prince George, approach the same signed campground through Pine Pass. The walking start is beside or opposite campsite 13, on the east side of the campground road. Use an appropriate visitor parking area and avoid occupying a reserved campsite simply to access the trail. Campground opening and overnight rules must be checked separately with BC Parks.
Drive from Prince George: 233 km · approximately 187 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
Find the trail sign near campsite 13 and follow the marked forest path. After approximately the first kilometre, the slope becomes substantially steeper on the approach to the two canyon viewpoints. The local club gives 3.8 km return and 470 m of climbing for the overlook route, reviewed in summer 2025. Pause at the viewpoints without approaching unprotected edges, then descend by the same path. Beyond this area, the route toward Solitude becomes easier to lose and should not be treated as a casual extension. A July 10, 2026 report describes much of the fallen timber cleared to the first two viewpoints, with mud and heavier vegetation higher up; it is a dated observation, not a maintained-status guarantee.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain Creek Canyon Overlook source-published trail sign opposite Heart Lake campsite 13 | 55.496050 -122.563790 | Trip report explicitly publishes trail-sign GPS 55.49605,-122.56379 opposite campsite 13. Chetwynd Outdoors independently starts Mountain Creek Canyon Overlook beside campsite 13; both describe the Mountain Creek viewpoints before the Solitude Mountain extension.
Shared access is confirmed by campsite number and route description. This coordinate marks the trail sign, not a campsite reservation or campground entrance. Mountain Creek overlook and the longer Solitude route remain separate records. https://hiking.princegeorge.tech/solitude-mountain-at-heart-lake-in-the-pine-pass-secret-trail-revealed/ |
5. Camping, facilities and seasons
Camping and tenting
Wilderness tent camping is allowed inside Pine Le Moray Park without developed facilities. Heart Lake is the separate vehicle-access campground and accepts campers first come, first served. Bring drinking water; the park has no drinking-water facilities.
Water
No drinking-water facilities are provided in Pine Le Moray Park.
Season and access
Club reviewed summer 2025.
Practical details checked 2026-10-17.
Your trip notes
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