Plan Seven Sisters Protected Area near Kitwanga with Oliver Creek, Watson Lakes, Cedarvale and Whiskey Creek trails, wildlife viewing, and snowmobiling.
Seven Sisters Protected Area is just south of Kitwanga between Terrace and Hazelton, named for the same peaks visible from Highway 16. BC Parks describes it as an exceptional natural setting for frontcountry and backcountry recreation, especially hiking and snowmobiling.
Most visitors reach the protected area by trails that start near Highway 16.
Why Visit Seven Sisters Protected Area
This protected area has one of the more detailed official trail networks in the BC Parks listings. Trails include Oliver Creek, Watson Lakes, Hell’s Bells, Cedarvale, Whiskey Creek, and Coyote Creek. The Watson Lakes Trail is an easy three-kilometre hike with 200 metres of elevation gain, three small lakes, picnic sites, and fishing.
Oliver Creek Trail is 17 kilometres long and climbs 1,500 metres through varied forest to an alpine basin. Cedarvale reaches treeline and goat-viewing terrain, while Whiskey Creek starts with mature forest before a difficult creek crossing and steeper access toward alpine scenery.
Things To Do
Hike, backpack, swim without lifeguards, portage a canoe or kayak, fish Watson Lake and small trail lakes with the proper licence, watch wildlife, mountain bike or e-bike only where allowed, ride horses on Oliver Creek Trail as far as the Hell’s Bells junction, hunt during open seasons, cross-country ski, snowshoe, or snowmobile in the permitted alpine bowl.
Planning Notes
The whole area is wilderness, so prepare for hazards and changing weather. ATVs, off-road motorcycles, and side-by-sides are prohibited on designated hiking trails. Boulder Creek Trail is not maintained because of terrain instability, Coyote Creek Trail is outside the park and not regularly maintained, and avalanche training is strongly recommended for snowmobiling.