Tumbler Ridge & Monkman / Full trip pack
Stony Lake
- Round trip
- 4 km
- Elevation gain
- Not established Cumulative ascent for this outing has not been established.
- Walking time
- 2 hours
- Difficulty
- Unconfirmed
return
Reach a section of the historic Monkman highway by paddling across Stony Lake, then walk west from the signed landing. Plan both the retraced walk and the return water crossing, which wind can make difficult.
1. Getting there and parking
Leave Boundary Road at the signed Stony Lake Forest Recreation Site turnoff about 54 km from Tumbler Ridge. Follow the dirt road roughly 1.6 km to the lakeshore and recreation site. The historic hiking section described here begins across the lake: a canoe or kayak crossing is part of the access, not an optional extra. Confirm suitable boat access and weather before leaving the shore.
- Turn right for Stony Lake recreation site about 54 km from Tumbler Ridge on Boundary Road.
- Follow the dirt approach 1.6 km to the launch. Cross the lake by canoe or kayak, then follow the far shore right around the corner to the Monkman Pass Memorial Trail sign.
2. Walking the route
Cross to the opposite shore, turn right around the shoreline corner and locate the Monkman Pass Memorial Trail sign. After landing at the signed access, follow the marked path to the old 1930s highway route and continue west for up to about 2 km before returning. Old ruts, corduroy crossings and hand-worked grades remain visible. The roughly 4 km return walking distance excludes the water crossing, launching and landing. Strong winds can make the short lake crossing unsafe; do not treat the recreation-site pin as a walk-in trailhead for this historic section.
- From the signed landing, follow the marked path to the old highway alignment.
- Continue west for about 2 km, then return to the boat.
The return
The published 4 km return covers walking only. Add the boat crossing in both directions; strong lake winds can prevent that crossing.
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.
3.28 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/197476064. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Stony Lake recreation site / boat access | 54.836715 -120.559977 | Official Stony Lake recreation-site point on the northeastern shore. WNMS says the hike is accessed by canoe or kayak from this recreation site to the trail on the opposite shore. This is the boat-access site, not a driveable trailhead. https://delivery.maps.gov.bc.ca/arcgis/rest/services/mpcm/bcgwpub/MapServer/280/301530969 |
5. Camping, facilities and seasons
Camping and tenting
The road approach ends at Stony Lake Forest Recreation Site. Its existence does not establish a campsite at the historical trail’s far-shore landing.
Season and access
Wind on the lake is a key access constraint even when the walking section is dry. The source does not establish a safe winter ice route to the opposite shore.
Practical details checked 2026-10-17.
More maps & trail files
Boundary Road routes — January 2025 guide (PDF)
Area guide covering several independent outings and access roads.
http://assets.wnms.ca/brochures/boundary-road-routes-jan-2025.pdf
Wolverine Nordic & Mountain Society · Publisher’s source page · checked 2026-10-17.
These links open files and maps maintained by their publishers. They require an internet connection and are not included in this saved guide.
Your trip notes
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