Jones Lake WEST Forest Service Road

Jones Lake Forest Service Road is located close to the town of Hope, and leads to a picturesque Jones (Wahleach) Lake. There are two BC Hydro campgrounds by the lake (closed due to coronavirus COVID-19 during our visit), as well as several non-regulated camping spots right by the lake. The road is very rough, with numerous deep potholes. It is also fairly steep for the first 6.5 kilometers. It’s a good thing, in a way - otherwise, this place, so close to the Lower Mainland, would be simply overrun with people, while now only those brave enough to tackle this road can make it to the lake.

Aside from the BC Hydro campgrounds, there are also some residences near the lake. It takes 7.5 km to get to the first campground, and just over one kilometer more to get to the second one. After that, starting at about the 10 km mark, there are several good unregulated lake access points, with fine, if rocky, camping areas. Mountain views are all around. Some garbage may be present to taint an otherwise idyllic camping environment.

Zero your odometer at the Jones Lake FSR sign seen in photo #5, if you want to follow the table of the points of interest. There are good mileage markers too, but they are off by 200-400 meters (too late).
 

36. We are back on June 29, 2023, to check out now open Jones Lake West FSR and BC Hydro Campground (West Recreation Area). This split is at 7.5 km of Jones Lake FSR, and this is the same photo as #17b on the previous page.

37. Jones Lake West Forest Service Road starts on the right side.

38. Jones Lake West FSR is in decent shape, with no steep hills. At 420 meters from the split here.

39. At 1.21 km, we are at another split. This is the beginning of BC Hydro Jones Lake West Recreation Area (campground).

40. The rules of the place.

41. There is a spillway to the left of the split. It was closed during our visit.

42-43. There is a fine mountain view behind the gate. A bit of a zoom followed by a lot.

44. A sign indicates that Jones Lake West Recreation Area is very close.

45. Here it is. Yet another split makes it possible to either hike (or bike) on Jones Lake West FSR past the locked gate, or make a left turn and reach camping spots and a boat launch area. Coordinates: N 49⁰15.208’ W 121⁰36.598’. Elevation: 680 meters.

46. A camping spot across from the split. None of the spots appear to have a lake view. If you want to camp with a lake view, continue on Jones Lake FSR (taking a road on the left at the split seeing in photo #36), and you will get there.

47-48. We made a left turn at first, and got to a boat launch area. There is an info stand there with a map. A pit toilet and a garbage can are located nearby.

49. A boat launch is behind the info stand.

50. Campers like it here.

51. And so do bears.

52. Now it's time to check out the rest of Jones Lake West FSR. It's 3.16 km from this locked gate (same gate as seeing on the right side in photo #45) until a note prohibiting further access without permission due to an active worksite. We did hear some worksite-related sounds and met a pickup truck with four workers, so something is definitely going on there. All the following distances are from this gate, are based on a GPS odometer, and are approximate.

53. Jones Lake West Forest Service Road is just as good after the gate as before - rather smooth, with few potholes, and no steep stretches. Not even a cross ditch. At 190 meters from the gate here. We biked all the way.

54. There are many logged areas along Jones Lake West FSR, and a few pieces of equipment, such as this excavator.

55. The road starts going by the lake at about 500 meters from the gate, and the first decent lake view appears at the 1.08 km mark.

56-57. At 1.19 km, the view is quite open. Looking right, and then a panorama.

58. At 1.22 km from the gate.

59. Lots of logging here.

60. At 1.22 km, take a road on the left.

61. Another logged area at 2.85 km from the gate. There were two more gates after the first locked one, but they were open.

62. At 3.16 km, there is another split. Jones Lake West FSR continues straight ahead, but a notice states that permission is required to go further due to an active worksite.

63. Here is the split, just to the left of the notice. Coordinates: N 49⁰14.008’ W 121⁰37.192’. Elevation: 655 meters.

64. How about these trees at the split.

65. We took the road on the left, and here it is at 75 meters, going down rather steeply.

66. This side road is quite short, and, at 150 meters, we are almost at the end.

67. At 250 meters, we can see the end of the road, as well as a BC Hydro facility. A porta potty is located nearby.

68-69. There is a fine view of Jones Lake from this location. Looking right followed by a panorama.

70. With much zoom, we see a wild camping spot by the lake. You would need to continue on Jones Lake FSR past Jones Lake West split to get there.

Just like Jones Lake FSR, Jones Lake West FSR leads to several good Jones Lake views, and also to a BC Hydro recreation area. Highly recommended.

Other Trips in Hope BC Area:

Town of Hope Visit

Silver Skagit Road

Yak Peak Trail

HBC Heritage Trail	Sowaqua Creek FSR	Zoa Peak Trail Hike
Skagit River Trail	Skyline II Trail Hike	Mount Outram Trail
Othello Tunnels Visit	Eaton Lake Trail Hike	Mt Hope Lookout Trail
Flat Iron Peak Hike	Dog Mountain Trail	Thacker Mtn Hike
Sowerby Creek FSR		Needle Peak Trail

Other Trips:

ihikebc.com Trip 184 - Jones Lake WEST Forest Service Road (Near Hope BC) Page 2 of 2