Francois Lake area - Burns Lake Visitor Centre

Verdun Forest
19
Service Lookout
Cheslatta Trails
17
Remote–be prepared • Moderate
point of interest
Moderate
This takes one hour to drive from Southbank
on 50 kms of gravel forestry roads please
make sure your gas tank is full and your spare
tire and jack are handy. Small cars and large
travel trailers are not recommended.
Access
Cheslatta Trails
Cheslatta Trails
On leaving the Southbank Ferry Terminal turn
left onto Uncha Lake Road. Travel 12 km, turn
right on Campbell Road for 2 km. Turn right
on Binta Road, continue for about 7 km. Bear
right up the hill at the Binta Ootsanee FSR
junction. Stay on the Binta Ootsanee FSR
for several km until the road comes to a “T”
junction. Turn left on Sather Road proceed
for 100 m then turn right. Stay on this road
for about 4 kms which ends at Cheslatta Lake
with a fairly steep switchback.
Description While it takes some effort to get to Cheslatta
Lake and the old village site of Skatchola, you
will enjoy hiking on several trails. These paths
are gentle and wide, with many historical
trails traversed with numerous archaeological
sites. Follow massive monolithic face of basalt
that overlooks beautiful Cheslatta Lake, or
hike the historic Cheslatta Wagon Road.
Cheslatta Carrier Nation Exploration Path
18
1 km • Easy
Access
**The Cheslatta Nation asks for respect of the
cemeteries, culture sites and infrastructure;
stay on the trail and off the hillsides.
Follow travel directions to Southbank. On leaving the Southbank Ferry
Terminal drive straight up Keefe’s Landing Road for approximately 0.8
km. Turn right into the Cheslatta Carrier Nation office parking lot (big
blue building with flag poles).
Francois Forester Ferry
Description Need a break? Take a quiet meander through the forest following an
old wildlife trail. There are 2 benches that allow the hiker to relax and
take a restful moment to observe the variety of trees, plants, birds and
small animals that are common on the Southside.
Access
Trails and Points of
Interest in Burns Lake
(Francois Lake area)
a guide to
2
Accommodation
Bed & Breakfast
Campgrounds
Resort
Food
Gas
Point of Interest
Provincial Park
Francois Lake Loop
Highways
Other Roads
Streams
Lakes
Warning: Young children and pets are not
recommended on this trail as trail and cliffs may
be slippery when wet. Water levels can change
rapidly in river-please use caution.
Tchesinkut Lake
Heart of the Lakes District
Trina Bysouth
Ray Fletcher
Jan Owens
Mike Robertson
www.SparkDesignCo.com
printed on
20% recycled
d
Takysie
Lake
Ke
ot
Photos:
O
Produced in northern BC, 2014
efe
's
Wistaria
sa
Wistaria
Landing
-N
ad
i na
Road
Ootsa Lake
Tweedsmuir Park
Cheslatta Carrier Nation
Danskin
Nee Tahi Buhn
Grassy Hall
Grassy
Tatalrose
Lake
Plains
Ro
a
Noralee
Southbank
in g
Burns Lake & District
Chamber of Commerce
in
ak
me n
tt le
Se
Mollice
Lake
Uncha Lake
Takysie
Lake
Skin Tyee
Cheslatta
t R o ad
E
Skins Lake Spillway
Ch
Ea
st O
otsa
R
oad
es
lat
ta
Ro
Skins Lake Spillway
20
point of interest
Access
Once exiting the ferry drive straight
up the hill on Keefe’s Landing Road
following signs to Takysie Lake Resort
– 23 kms. Continue through Takysie
Lake traveling south on the Eakin
Settlement Road, past the junction
with the Cheslatta Road, until the East
Ootsa Road. Turn left on to East Ootsa
Road. Drive 2 kms until the Spillway.
Description Pack up the family, take a picnic lunch
or dinner and take a scenic drive to the
Skins Lake Spillway. Absorb the view of
the magnificent display of thundering
water. See the breathtaking view
of Ootsa Lake and the surrounding
mountains.
BB
Francois Lake
nd
A cooperative project of:
Description Cheslatta Falls are a must if you are exploring the
Southside country! Follow the hiking diamonds
through a peaceful pine forest on a ridge
overlooking the Cheslatta River. It winds around
and finally stops at the edge of a cliff directly
beside the falls allowing for a spectacular view.
Village of
Burns Lake
La
www.visitburnslake.ca
Once exiting the ferry, drive straight up the hill on
Keefe’s Landing Road following signs to Takysie
Lake Resort – 23 kms. Continue past Takysie Lake
traveling south on the Eakin Settlement Road for
10.5 km to the Cheslatta Road Junction. Turn left
and travel on Cheslatta Road for another approx.
11.5 km to the trailhead.
Binta
Lake
Skins Lake Spillway
BRITISH COLUMBIA
BB
Burns Lake
Recreation Sites & Trails BC
Ministry of Forests, Lands
and Natural Resource
Operations, Nadina/Skeena
Recreation District
Smithers, BC • 250-847-6300
www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca
Description Take in this stunning panoramic
view looking east at beautiful
Uncha/Binta Valley, Dayeezcha
and Llgitiyuz Mountains. While
looking north admire the
breathtaking view of Uncha
Mountain, Grassy Plains and
Francois Lake. Maybe you’ll be
able to see a spectacular sunset
over Colleymount to the west.
There are rustic trails leading
away from the lookout that
beckon to be explored. Great site
for a picnic!!
1.2 km • Moderate
Southside Information
Burns Lake Visitor Centre
540 Hwy 16, Box 339
Burns Lake BC V0J 1E0
Ph: 250-692-3773
[email protected]
Follow travel directions to
Southbank. Once exiting the
ferry, drive straight up the
hill on Keefe’s Landing Road
for approx. 11 km, turn right
at Keefe Landing/Ootsa Lake
junction, travel another 12 kms,
turning right on to Verdun Road.
Continue for 2 kms. The access
road is fairly rough.
21 Upper Cheslatta Falls
Legend
For more
information
regarding recreational
opportunities in the
Burns Lake
area contact:
Upper Cheslatta Falls
Access
ad
Cheslatta Lake
C
ut
e
re
k
Nourse Creek Trails
13
General information
Anders Lake
ree k
W
S
k
re e
Map Scale
1: 20,000
0
Kilometers
0.75 1.5
Ev
k
Nourse Creek
Hen ke l
Cre ek FS R
y3
Hw
t
ou n
le ym
Col
Other Roads
Red Hills
Main Road
Indian Bay
ch
Un
a
L
Cr
ee
k
Mulvaney
Lake
reek
Sn od grass C
13
Trail Markers
1
15
16
18
ut
Rd
Ferry
Landing
François Lake
Legend
5
Francois Viewpoint
14
ink
a ke
Streams
Rd
Nourse Falls
Ferry
Landing
es
Shaeffer Lake
Faber Lake
McClure Pit &
Government Point
McClure Pit &
Government Point
FranÁois Lake
re
e
Tc
h
3
Franco is Viewpoint
Bears feel threatened if surprised – hike in a
group and make loud noises. Whistle, talk, sing
or carry noisemakers such as bells or a can
containing stones. In dense brush and near
running water, don’t depend on your noisemaker
being heard. Use extra caution and watch for
evidence of bears. Most bears will leave if they
are aware of your presence. Stay in the open as
much as possible. Keep children close at hand on
trails. Be especially alert when travelling into the
wind; a bear may not get your scent and be
warned of your presence.
an
sC
Nourse Creek Trail
Warning: Use extreme caution with children
along these trails as it is narrow with steep
drop offs.
Tips for safe recreating in
bear country
E
in C
Description Wander along the banks of the Nourse
Creek Trail, rising in altitude for spectacular
scenic vistas over Francois Lake. Admire the
natural rock formations called “hoodoos”.
Observe the magnificent cascading (first set)
waterfalls 1.5 kms from the trail head; hike
another 1.9 km you will find the second set
of waterfalls bubbling and churning over the
carved rock of the stream bottom.
Please note that backcountry trails presented
in this guide are subject to occasional or
inconsistent maintenance. You may encounter
trees on the trail (windfall) or other hazards.
Please use caution. Avoid hiking during wind
storms. Road and trail conditions may change
quickly due to the weather; make sure you know
what the weather will be doing before
proceeding on any trails.
Highway 35 Trails
Overview:
Francois Lake Area
N
Al l
Directions to Ferry Landing: Turn south onto
Highway 35 from the junction of Highway 16 &
35. Continue for approximately 23 kms. Enjoy
the free ferry across beautiful Francois Lake
to Southbank.
Drive south on Highway 35, pass the Francois
Lake Ferry terminal continue for 14.1 kms
along Colleymount Road which meanders
along the scenic north shore of Francois
Lake. Turn right on the Henkel Forest Service
Road travel another approx. 1.5 km, turning
right into the trail’s parking lot.
ek
sink
u
Access
B
Cre
h
ea c
Tch
e
3.4 km • Easy to Moderate
Travel distances given are one way from the
starting point described in the access section for
each trail or point of interest.
t La
ke
Bea ch C
Lakes
Provincial
Recreations
Sites
Mollice Lake
Ca
R o mp b
a d ell
Keefes Landing Rd
When camping, keep a clean camp. Bears usually
avoid people, but can be attracted to human
food and garbage. Store and dispose of all food
and garbage properly. In unmaintained sites,
take your garbage with you. Take only pictures
leave only footprints. Clean up after your pets.
Uncha Lake North
Uncha Lake
Uncha Lake
Safety Tips
Takysie Lake
19
• Never hike alone.
Verdun Mtn
Lookout Rd
• Before leaving on a hike, let a responsible
individual know where you are going and
when you will be returning. Always contact
that individual when you return.
Binta Lake South
N
ing Rd
ee
W
C h s la
e tt
es
R
E
la
tta
R
d
600 m • Easy
Ea kin
S et
tl
e
n t Rd
me
FS
Ch
Ootsa
Landing
Hospital Point Trail
14
ta
ts
a
Bi n
Keefes Land
n
MAPS: Free Growing Forestry Inc.
Wapoose Lake
Oo
• Road conditions can be variable and access
closed or limited due to weather, especially
during winter months.
e
ta-
• Cellular phone coverage is limited in the Lakes
District area. Not all trails will have coverage.
Bi
nta
La
k
Bin
• In case of emergency dial 911. The nearest
RCMP detachment is in Burns Lake. For medical
emergencies The Burns Lake & District Hospital
is located at 741 Center Street in Burns Lake.
250 692 2400.
Southside
Trails Overview
Rd
• Drive with extra caution on logging roads.
Heavy industrial traffic may be encountered
any day of the week.
B in t a R
d
a
• Some trails are not clearly marked. Be
prepared and take a map, compass, food,
emergency gear, first aid kit and a GPS
Unit, if available. Plan as if you will be
staying overnight.
Hospital Point
Binta Lake North
TAKYSIE LAKE
20
Access
S
Map Scale
1: 30,000
Cheslatta
Falls Road
1
!(221
17
Ootsa Lake
Trails and Points of Interest
in Burns Lake (Francois Lake area)
0
Kilometers
1.5
3
Cheslatta Lake
Keefe’s Landing Cairn
15
Easy
Access
Easy
Moderate
Difficult
13. Nourse Creek Trails
• Snowmobilers! Some localized areas have
avalanche potential. Check any avalanche
bulletin(s) applicable for the area (www.
avalanche.ca) before leaving, and choose
terrain that is suitable for the level of hazard.
Make sure everyone in the group has a
transceiver, probe, and shovel and knows how
to use them.
14. Hospital Point Trail
Forest Fires
20. Skins Lake Spillway
Should you spot a forest fire phone
1-800-663-5555 (or *5555 where cellular phone
service is available). This is a free province wide,
forest fire emergency phone number.
21. Cheslatta Falls
15. Keefe’s Landing Cairn
16. Southbank Nature Path
17. Cheslatta Trails
Recreational features
Camping
Hiking
Find site #’s 1 – 12 in the accompanying brochure guide
Trails and Points of Interest in Burns Lake: 1
Follow travel directions to Southbank.
Located at the Southside Ferry Landing site.
Description Take a leisurely stroll to the Keefe’s Landing
Cairn overlooking beautiful François Lake.
Have a picnic lunch and watch the ferry come
and go.
Swimming
18. Cheslatta Carrier Nation Exploration Path
19. Verdun Forest Service Lookout
Description This easygoing trail is approximately 600
m on a graveled pathway overlooking
beautiful Francois Lake. There are two
viewpoints along this trail complete with
board walk and picnic tables.
6
Difficulty level
Follow travel directions to Southbank. Exit
ferry and turn right onto Hospital Point
Road, follow the road until you reach the
Hospital Point Hall.
Canoeing
Jogging
Walking
Fishing
Picnicking
Wildlife
Viewing
Southbank Nature Path
16
Easy to Moderate
Access
Ride the free ferry across spectacular
Francois Lake to Southbank. Exit the ferry
and turn left onto Uncha Lake Road; drive
100 m to start your walk.
Description A short trail that packs a big nature punch.
Trek through a wide variety of local flora
including spruce and raspberries and gaze
out upon the cool, sparkling, clear waters
of Francois Lake. The trail is very accessible
and is equipped for any level of hiker with
plank paths and hand rails. The trail is
open from spring to fall. Don’t miss this
little gem of a trail.