Green Mountain Trail Hike

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Green Mountain Trail is located in the remote southwest part of British Columbia near Gold Bridge. It's takes a 103 km drive via a scenic BC Highway 40 from Lillooet to get to Gold Bridge, and then a drive for over 8 km on washboard-like Hurley River Forest Service Road (2WD regular clearance vehicles - ok, but ensure to have good tires and a spare). After that, there is an access road of about 2.8 km to the trailhead, then just over 3 km to an old and well-preserved fire lookout shack, and then further hiking of about 3 km to the end of the trail.

If you have a high-clearance short-wheelbase 4x4, you might be able to make it all the way to the shack. Otherwise, park by Hurley River FSR and start hiking. It's not a very difficult trail all the way to the shack (gets tougher after that), but there are absolutely no signs (save for one by the forest service road), and several splits where you either need to know where you are going, or have a GPS unit with this trail.

The views of mountains, valleys, and lakes are absolutely great, and the shack is in good enough shape to accommodate an overnight stay - it has 4 bunk beds and a stove. There is also an open air pit toilet (with a view!) near the shack. We first hiked this trail in May of 2021, but stopped about halfway to the shack due to deep snow. Unless otherwise noted, all photographs in this trip report are from the trip we took in September of 2024.

* All trail distances are based on a GPS odometer and are approximate.

63. At 2.99 km of Green Mountain Trail we are almost at the fire lookout shack.

64. Looking back where we came from.

65-67. And here it is, at 3.02 km, Green Mountain fire lookout. Coordinates: N 50⁰47.366' W 122⁰55.242'. Elevation: 2,030 meters (510 meters elevation gain from the trailhead for an average grade of 17%). Inactive for many years like the rest of them in British Columbia. But a very neat backcountry shelter and historical artefact. An open air pit toilet with a fine view is located next to a shed on the other side of the shack. All vehicles should not proceed further, as there is a very steep loose-surface descent coming soon. And, in any case, hiking-only trail begins 500 meters ahead.

68-69. Inside the shack there are bunks for 4 people, a stove, a sink, a lantern, and numerous small items. Visitors have left their names and dates of visit all over the walls.

70. A fine view from inside the Green Mountain fire lookout shack.

71-73. There is a also neat panoramic view outside the shack. Left to right.

74. A zoomed view of Gun Lake and a small Lajoie Lake in front of it.

75. There are several memorial plaques here as well. Commemorating Peter Richley (1921-2000), Ella Richley (1921-2017), and Dale Harwood (1938-2018).

Here is our video of the views inside and outside the Green Mountain fire lookout shack.

More ihikebc videos are on our YouTube Channel.

76. From the fire lookout shack, it is about 3 kilometers until the end of the trail. Things get more complicated, and hiking poles and boots are essential going forward. Here we are 35 meters from the shack.

77. At 120 meters, we see our next challenge ahead.

78. At 170 meters, here is that steep loose-surface descent. It is even steeper than it looks. Perhaps, with a diff lock it might be possible to climb up, but it likely would not be easy.

79. Make a right turn at the bottom of the hill. At 220 meters from the shack now.

80. Followed by a left turn at the 350 meter mark.

81-82. Looking back at 390 meters. Plain and zoomed.

83. At 470 meters. Looking forward...

84...and looking back.

85. Rather steep at 500 meters from Green Mountain fire lookout shack.

86. 40 meters later.

87. At the 630 meter mark. Still steep.

88. Another fine view looking back from this spot.

89. Looking back at 660 meters at all the steepness out there.

90. At 680 meters, the steep stretch is (almost) over.