- Watershed: Morice
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Trail Length: 4.4 km
- Round Trip: 5 hours
- Distance from Houston: 10-30km
- Cell Coverage: Yes
- NOTICE: The trailhead location has changed due to re-routing around the 2023 fire.
Amenities
- Toilet
- Camping
- Cell Service
Links and Downloads
Description:
UPDATE OCTOBER 2024: Due to the 2023 wildfire, we re-routed the bottom section of the trail. This section is now cut out and ready to use. The new trailhead location is 800m closer to town. A new parking lot has been cleared on the left side of the road and the trailhead is on the right side of the road. Trailhead signs aren't currently up, but we hope to install them before winter. Use the geo-referenced map on this site to help you find the new trailhead.
The Story Lookout Trail was first ribboned out in the summer of 2010 to reach the lookout that was built in 1988. Set in a natural clearing atop a ridge extending north from the main mass of Morice Mountain, the square cabin has a commanding 360° view that takes in both the Upper Bulkley Valley to the northeast, and of the Morice River valley to the southwest. You get great view of the Telkwa Range, Morice Mountain, and the 2023 Peacock Fire as well.
The trail starts in an old plantation and then enters spruce and fir forest with devil's club in the understory (although none of it barring your way: the trail is well cleared). It ascends in gentle switchbacks up the side of a ridge, on top of whose broad back the under-story changes to blue- and huckle-berries, and you walk a surprising distance (for the Bulkley Valley) without going uphill. Finally the trail dips past a meadow surrounding a swampy lake, and then ascends the ridge to the lookout.
(some text adapted from Northword article by Morgan Hite)
The 2023 Peacock Fire burn the lower 1km of trail and the lower section was re-routed in late 2024.
Site Includes:
- Outhouse
- Room For Tenting
LOOKOUT INFORMATION:
The lookout has not yet been renovated. Overnight stay is NOT recommended yet. Once the planned renovations take place, it will be available for overnight camping.
DIRECTIONS: Approx 14.5km from Houston
- Head west of Houston and turn onto the Morice River Road.
- At approximately 8 km, turn left onto the West Peacock FSR (Note: The road sign is missing).
- Drive up the West Peacock for approximately 4.8 Km, the trail head is located on the right side of the road and a new parking lot has been cleared on the left side of the road. (km signs along the road may have changed since the fire or be may be missing entirely)
