Backpack to the Maroon Mountain Meadows
Terrace, British Columbia
Details
Distance
10 miles
Elevation Gain
5000 ft
Description
Added by Mike Fennell
Enjoy some beautiful backcountry camping among the serene alpine meadows of British Columbia's fascinating Coastal Mountains, then for extra credit climb to the peak of Maroon Mountain!
Maroon Mountain is among the Kitimat Mountain Range, and can be accessed from the unincorporated town of Rosswood. Follow the Nisga'a Highway north of the city Terrace for 34.5 km. Turn right onto the Wesach Creek forestry road (1.3 km north of the Maroon Creek highway bridge), and follow the signs for the next 2.5 km to the parking area at Hall Creek. The Hall Creek bridge has been removed so you'll have to cross the footbridge at the parking area and walk an additional 1.5 km along the old forestry road to the official trailhead.
One the trailhead has been reached, the forestry road turns into a narrow dirt trail and immediately becomes steep and will switchback its way through the forest until it reaches the sub alpine level. It is very well maintained and marked with colored flagger taper all along the way. Every so often the trees break apart to provide some great views of the glacial blue Kitsumkalum Lake filling up the valley below.
Once you reach sub alpine level, there will be a very obvious split in the trail 3 km from the trailhead. There is a sign saying "lake" pointing to the left. The left trail will take you to the alpine meadows of Maroon Mountain where you can enjoy some wonderful backcountry camping. The main lake is about 1 km from the trail split, and is surrounded by multiple other smaller beautiful alpine lakes. I decided to set up camp on a ridge near the main lake and was able to enjoy epic views of the Coastal mountain range, and great view of Maroon Mountain peak just a couple kilometers away. The entire meadow area is very easy to traverse around, and if you make your way towards the peak, you will find a large glacial lake at the foot of the peak, just about 1 km from the main alpine lake that the trail ends at.
If you would like to summit the peak of Maroon Mountain you can reach it by going back to the main trail where it split at the lake sign, and this time taking the right fork. It is an additional 4 km from the trail split, and follows along the western ridge of the mountain once the trail reaches alpine level. The trail is narrow and has some loose rocks, but not technical and can be done by immediate level hikers if your legs are not too tired from the steep switchbacks up the forest trail.
Coordinates for where I camped: 54°48'39.84"N 128°39'49.45"W
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Backpack to the Maroon Mountain Meadows Reviews
This hike was definitely a challenge to complete. Took a little over 7 hours all together. If I ever do this hike again I will definitely bring gear to camp on top. I wish it was a clearer day. But it was still gorgeous. Wear good shoes. It’s very steep in some places!
3.0
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