McMillan Creek Loop Trail, Prince George, British Columbia, Canada (Moderate)
Good Morning Trail Seekers
This morning I bring you a beautiful little trail full of ups and downs. It brings you up to a beautiful view of the north end of Prince George and down into a fairyland of moss and trees. This trail is only about 2.4 km long and only about and hr to hike. But even though you can hear the traffic rushing by on the highway not too far away, it brings a great sense of peace and rest as you walk through the moss surrounded trails. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Directions
Head north on Highway 97 over the John Hart bridge and up the hill. Turn right onto Hoferkamp Road. This will be the first right as soon as you come to the top of the hill. Head down Hoferkamp Road for about 100 meters and to your left you will see the parking lot to your left. You will see a big sign announcing the park.
This is where the trail begins. If you are using apple maps the location will bring you further down the road to the trailhead but do not park here. The little spot here is reserved for service vehicles only and its not advised to park on the road as the trail head starts on a 90 degree corner on a narrow road.
Trail
From the Parking lot head down the trail on the south end of the parking lot to the right of the sign.
As you head down hill for a little distance (about 20 meters) you will reach a Y in the trail.
The left will head down to the road and the right will head into the trees a bit. On the right trail about 2 meters down you will come to a slight trail to the left that leads to the creek.
This might seem like the trail but it is not. Head back to the Y in the trail and take the left trail down to the road. Turn right on the road and follow it up about 20 meters to the trail head on the right. There is a barrier on the road and behind the barrier is a gravel trail that is about a foot and a half wide that you can walk on if you don’t want to walk on the road.
Though if you have young children I would not recommend this as it is a very steep drop off into the creek below. Once you reach the trailhead on the right side of the road turn left into the trail and head up and into the switchback on the trail.
Follow the trail for about 30 meters and you will come to another Y in the trail.
To the left is the actual trail that brings you up through the trees and high above the city and the right trail will bring you straight to the lookout point (See Lookout Trail below). Turning right you head up for about 0.4 km. The trail then levels out for a short while then starts heading up again for another 0.2 kms. At 0.8 km you reach the peak and through the trees you start to see great views of Prince George.
This is not the lookout though. As you continue the trail levels out and you will come to a switchback and down you go using the little steps built into the trail. As you come to the bottom of the downhill stretch you will see a fence ahead. Just before the fence to the left there is a slight trail that leads to a great viewpoint.
If you have little children I would not advise taking them to this viewpoint as it is a straight drop-off over the edge. But if you continue down the trail along the fence you will come to the gorgeous viewpoint.
Along the fence is some information boards explaining some history of the area and the railroad. In the far right corner of the area is an outhouse if needed, tucked away in the trees. Also in the right corner is where the trail picks up again. Again there is an option of 2 trails. The trail to the left is the actual trail that leads into the fairyland of moss covered trees and the intricate art of the roots of the trees.
The trail to the right brings you straight back to the trail head. Taking the trail to the left you head up again into the trees. You will head up a few meters and it will look like the trail splits again but it doesn’t.
You can take the right trail and it brings you into a switchback that leads you up a couple of meters or you can do a little climbing and go straight up. You will continue to climb for another 0.1 km The trail then levels out for 0.2 km. In this area is a beautiful moss covered bench that if you choose to do so you can sit and enjoy the birds chirping and the wind through the trees surrounding you. As you continue the trail will start going downhill. Here they have created little steps in the downhill sloop.
The stairs continue for a couple meters then the trail evens out. You will head up a slight hill and you will come to a spit again. Head to the right and that will bring you back to the look out. But you want to head to the left and that will bring you back to the beginning of the trail. At this point you want to head back the way you came along the road, back into the trees, up the hill and into the parking lot where you left your vehicle. Enjoy and happy exploring!!!
The Lookout Trail (Easy)
If you are looking for an easier way to the lookout or wanting to bring someone that is unable to make the ups and downs of a hiking trail, this is the trail for you. As you come to the trailhead and head up the slight sloop at the beginning you will come to that first Y take the trail to the right. This trail will bring you straight back to the lookout. This trail is almost completely level with only a few areas that have a slight incline. There is also barely any roots exposed.
The only disadvantage of this trail is that the ground is soft but I see no reason why you would not be able to get a walker, wheel chair or stroller down this trail. The only difficult part of the trail would be the first 20 meters getting up the sloop to the level trail. If you take this trail it is only about 1.4 km there and back from the parking lot. It only took me about 20 minutes to walk to the lookout and back again.
Trail notes
This trail is very well maintained with no overgrown areas at all. Though there is signs to beware of the rocks, roots and fallen trees.
I never did encounter any fallen trees but there is a lot of exposed root and large rocks in some parts of the trail. If you are planning of hiking the actual trail I would recommend that you wear shoes that support like running shoes or such as you will be doing a lot of ascending and defending on the trail. The trail back to the lookout is a great trail for young children. If you are planning to bring someone that has some difficulties walking and are just planning to take the trail straight back to the lookout then I would recommend that instead of parking in the parking lot right away, drop the person off at the trailhead then drive back to the parking lot and park. From the parking lot to the trailhead it is only a 5 minute walk through the trail in the trees and down to the road. At the trailhead it may look like there is a spot to park but it’s not. This small spot is reserved for the service vehicles only. I never did see any signs of wildlife on this trail but there is signs up that there is bears in the area, so please be careful. The lookout area is a perfect spot to picnic, play and enjoy the great views if you want to make an afternoon of it.
