Hudson Bay Mountain
Smithers, BC V0J 2N0
Hike to the Prairie, Crater Lake and the South Peak of Hudson Bay Mountain, adjacent to Ski Smithers.
Directions: Follow the ski hill road to Ski Smithers. Drive past the parking lot and the lodge to the T-bar. Here, you'll see many of the private ski lodges. Hike away from the T-bar up the hill and onto the Prairie. Directly ahead and about a two hour hike will be the South Peak. Slightly off to your left is Crater Lake. An alternate route is hiking the ridge overlooking Smithers. This is off to your right. It's a longer, but less demanding route than the straight ascent to the South Peak. Keep your eyes alert across the gulch to the peaks on the opposite side. Mountain goats are often seen picking their way across these craggy slopes.
Description: Once you leave the T-bar area, you are above timberline. The Prairie is home to a flood of wildflowers earlier in the summer. Willow ptarmigan and marmots can also be seen. Avoid walking on cornices that may overhang Crater Lake early in the summer. The hike to the South Peak is moderately demanding but very rewarding. Sign the book kept in a cairn on the summit of the South Peak. Weather is very changeable, even in mid-summer so take extra clothing.
Exceptional hiking awaits you on Hudson Bay Mountain.
Hikers rest on the east ridge while getting a wonderful view of Smithers and the Babine Mountain Range in the distance.
