A campfire ban is currently in effect for this park. For more information about campfire bans and about provincial parks with park closures and campfire bans in effect, visit the BC Parks campfire ban webpage.
As of Sept 4, 2009:
Upgrades to the Burdette Cabin on the Onion Trail are being completed during the month of September and the cabin will not be open to the public. Visitors can expect to encounter limited motorized traffic on the Onion Trail. If you have any questions or concerns please contact BC Parks at 847-7320. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Due to mineral exploration activities on the Orange Trail access route into the Babine Mountains, please use caution if using this trail.
The Higgins Creek Trail and the Cronin Trail are not recommended from May through June due to high water levels in Cronin Creek.
There is no bridge over Cronin Creek and crossing the creek during this period is difficult and not recommended.View the latest trail report
This area within the Skeena Mountains ecosection offers some of the finest
hiking opportunities in west-central British Columbia. Glacier-fed
lakes, rugged peaks and extensive sub-alpine meadows provide day and
overnight hiking opportunities. Area habitat supports healthy populations
of mountain goat, moose, marmot and many species of birds. Rolling
alpine plateaus, rugged mountains and an abundance of snow provides
skiers, snowmobilers and snowshoers with experiences for all skill
levels.
Park Size: 32,400 hectares
Special Notes:
The Joe L’Orsa Cabin is available to the public year round.
It is located in the Silver King Basin of the Babine Mountains and
is accessible via the Silver King Trail. The cabin is heated
by a wood stove, firewood provided, and is fitted with a gray water
disposal system. There is a galvanized steel counter for visitors
to operate their camp stoves on and a pit toilet located outside the
cabin. There is a backcountry fee charge of $5.00 per person per night.
It can be paid in advance to BC Parks in Smithers or deposited into
a fee vault box located at the cabin. Dogs are not allowed
inside the cabin. Dogs must be under control when left outside
the cabin. The money generated from the cabin will assist BC Parks
with ongoing maintenance of the facility and firewood costs. The cabin
can accommodate 15-20 people comfortably and is subject to the first-come,
first server rule. Be prepared to camp overnight if the cabin is full.
BC Parks, in consultation with various user groups, has designated certain areas for snowmobiling. Please respect these boundaries. Skiers and snowshoers may travel in the designated snowmobile area if they wish. If you choose to do so, yield to snowmobilers, as you can hear them coming but they can't hear you
General Visitor Information
Bring your own water,
as potable water is not available in the park.
Access to the west end of the park is along the Old Babine Lake Road, which leaves Highway 16 just east of the Bulkley River bridge. Follow the signs to Driftwood Canyon Provincial Park. The parking lot and information map are located 5 km north of Driftwood Canyon. From there, the road is not passable to vehicle traffic. The closest communities, towns and cities are Smithers and Telkwa.
To access the east end of the park, turn left onto Babine Lake Road, 6 km east of Smithers on Highway # 16. The highway turnoff is at 0 km of what becomes the Burnt Cabin Road and then the Babine Lake Road. The Little Joe and Cronin Creek trailheads are found at 32 km and 34.5 km respectively along the route.
Nature & Culture
Conservation - The vegetation of the Babines
includes sub-boreal spruce and alpine tundra. In the lower timbered
areas are white spruce, subalpine fir, lodgepole pine, trembling
aspen, black huckleberry, bunchberry and feather mosses. In general,
the soils in the Babines are not particularly rich. The climate restricts
vegetative growth - in the lower areas vegetation is much quicker
to recover from disturbances and in high elevations the recovery
rate is extremely slow. One small area on the northern slopes of Mt.
Cronin has been proposed as an Ecological Reserve to conserve the
most northern known example of the Whitebark Pine. Flowers,
trees and shrubs are part of the park's natural heritage, please
don't damage or remove them.
Wildlife - The most noteworthy
species commonly observed in the area are mountain goats, moose,
black bear, ground squirrels, marmots and deer, as well as a host
of smaller animals. Of the larger animals, only mountain goats make
the area their year-round home. Occasionally grizzly bear, lynx and
wolverine have been observed. Park users
should always be aware of bears and other wildlife in our park environment.
Never feed or approach bears or other wildlife. Get more information
on bear safety.
Wood ticks are most prevalent between March and June.
These parasites live in tall grass and low shrubs, and seek out
warm-blooded hosts. As potential carriers of disease, they should
be avoided. Protect your legs by wearing gaiters, or pants tucked
into socks. After any outdoor activities, thoroughly examine yourself,
children and pets. If you find a tick embedded in your skin, the
best way to remove it is by grasping and pulling it, gently, straight
up and out with a small pair of tweezers, and disinfecting the
site with rubbing alcohol. You may wish to save the tick in a small
plastic or glass container for later inspection by your doctor
especially if a fever develops, or the area around the bite appears
to be infected.
Bicycles are permitted on Harvey Mountain Trail, Silver King Basin Trail, Onion Mountain Road/Trail, Cronin Creek Road/Trail and Higgins Creek Trail. For further information please review sections on hiking and walking trails. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.
Fishing
Fishing is allowed in the park at the Lower Reiseter Lake. Please read the BC Fishing Regulations and anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
Hiking
For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure.
Horses are permitted on Harvey Mountain Trail, Silver King Basin Trail, Onion Mountain Road/Trail, Cronin Creek Road/Trail and Higgins Creek Trail. Horseback riders must have a written letter of permission before heading out on the Lyon Creek Trail. This can be obtained from BC Parks in Smithers. For further information please review sections on hiking and walking trails.
Pets/domestic animals should be on a leash and under control at all times. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears. Porcupines are quite common in the park and many dogs get "quilled" each year.
A trapper operates in the park from November to the middle of February. Dogs not on a leash could get caught in traps.
Dogs are not allowed inside the Joe L'Orsa cabin. Dogs must be under control when left outside the cabin. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement appropriately.
Winter Recreation
There are cross-country skiing and snowshoeing opportunities in the park.
CAUTION - Skiers and snowshoers may travel in the designated snowmobile area if they wish. If you choose to do so, yield to snowmobilers as you can hear them coming but they cannot hear you. NOTICE - In the winter, the Driftwood Road is not plowed to the summer parking lot. It is an additional 4km from the winter parking lot to the summer parking lot, making the ski/snowshoe to the Joe L'Orsa Cabin substantially longer.
SILVER KING BASIN - From the parking area north of Driftwood Canyon Provincial Park, the trail follows an old mining road and climbs gradually through the heavily forested valley. Sunny Point is reached at 6 km, and at 12 km skiers reach the sub-alpine and views of the surrounding peaks. Exercise caution: under certain conditions there can be avalanche hazard from 12 km to near the Joe L'Orsa Cabin at approximately 13.5km.
LYON CREEK TRAIL AND HARVEY MOUNTAIN TRAIL - Ski tourers and snowshoers often take the Lyon Creek Trail, which leaves the Driftwood Road about 1.5 km beyond the winter parking lot. A loop can be made by coming back down the Harvey Mountain Trail.
CRONIN CREEK BASIN From the trailhead at 34 km on the Babine Lake Road, follow the Cronin mine road 9 km to the old mining camp at 1100 m elevation. Another 4 km brings you to Hyland Pass at the top end of the basin. A wide variety of ski terrain exists in the Cronin Creek Basin, ranging from easy to difficult. Parties attempting to use this trail in the winter should have the ability to evaluate avalanche hazards.
Snowmobiling:
CAUTION - Rugged terrain in some areas may produce zones of high avalanche hazard. It is recommended you familiarize yourself with such hazards and have at least one member of your party who has experience in evaluating avalanche hazards.
GANOKAWA BASIN AREA - From the parking area at the Old Babine Lake Road junction, follow the Old Babine Lake Road northwest (toward Smithers) about 3 km to the Onion Mountain Road. This road climbs for about 3 km to timberline. The Smithers Snowmobile Club maintains two day-use cabins in the area, the main cabin (out of the park) and the Burdette Cabin. Please contact the Smithers Snowmobile Association for information regarding cabin usage. Please check at the main cabin for a map of the snowmobile area boundaries and the visitors' sign in book.
HARVEY MOUNTAIN VIEWPOINT - The corridor to Harvey Mountain provides access to the viewpoint only. Please stay north of the posted boundary signs.
CRONIN CREEK BASIN AND FOUR LAKES AREA - These two areas are accessible to snowmobiles by special permit only. A limited number of permits are available on an annual basis. For further information, please contact BC Parks in Smithers.
Facilities Available At This Park
Cabins / Huts / Yurts
The Joe L'Orsa Cabin was named in memory of local resident Joe L'Orsa, who spearheaded the effort to create a park in the Babines. This cabin was made possible through the donations of many local businesses in the area. The Cabin is located in the beautiful Silver King Basin of Babine Mountains Provincial Park. Access to the cabin is via the Driftwood Road and the Silver King Trail. The cabin will sleep 15-20 people comfortably and is subject to the first-come, first-serve rule. Be prepared to sleep outside if the cabin is full. The cabin replaces the old bunkhouse that had been standing for 60 years. The cabin is 9x8.5 meters log construction. The Cabin is heated by a woodstove (firewood provided) and is fitted with a gray water disposal system. There is a galvanized steel counter for visitors to operate their camp stoves on and a pit toilet located outside the cabin. There is a fee to use this public facility. This can be paid in advance to BC Parks in Smithers or deposited into a fee vault box located at the cabin. The money generated from the cabin will assist BC Parks with ongoing maintenance of the facility and firewood costs.
Cabin Use Fee: $5.00 per person / night
Campfires
While campfires are allowed, we encourage visitors to conserve wood and protect the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using camp stoves instead, especially in alpine and subalpine environments. A fire ring is provided for outdoor fires behind the Joe L'Orsa cabin. Please use the wood provided in the wood shed and do not collect firewood from surrounding areas. When having fires in other parts of the park, please use dead, downed wood. Do not cut live vegetation. Please do not burn wood from old buildings.
Pit or Flush Toilets
Pit toilets are present at the summer parking lot on the Driftwood Road and at the Joe L'Orsa cabin.
Walk-In/Wilderness Camping
Wilderness, backcountry or walk-in camping is allowed, but no facilities are provided.
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