The Joe L’Orsa Cabin is located in the Silver King Basin of the Babine Mountains at 54°54'37.56"N x 126°53'10.73"W. Access to the cabin is via the Driftwood Road and the Silver King Trail. It sleeps 15 to 20 people, and is available on a first come, first served basis. Be prepared to sleep outside if the cabin is full.

The log cabin is nine by eight and a half metres. It has firewood available for use in the wood stove, and a galvanized steel counter for cooking with camp stoves. Bring your own cooking stoves, pots, and utensils. There is a creek nearby for water. All water should be treated or filtered before drinking. Dispose of greywater in the cabin.

There are sleeping bunks in the cabin, but no mattresses or blankets are provided. There is a pit toilet outside the cabin.

A fire ring is provided behind the cabin. However, outdoor fires are discouraged due to the high cost of flying in firewood. Use the wood provided in the woodshed sparingly, and do not collect firewood from surrounding areas.

Corrals are provided. Horses must be kept in the corrals or tied to the hitching post at the tack shed. They should not be tied to trees or free ranged with hobbles. For more details, see the horseback riding section.

Fees

Deposit fees in the vault box at the cabin.

Cabin rules

We appreciate you keeping the cabin clean and safe for everyone.

1. Please respect the privacy of other cabin users.
2. Quiet time is between 10 pm and 7 am.
3. Smoking and alcohol are prohibited.
4. Do not burn candles, write graffiti, or put up posters.
5. Close the entrance door tightly at all times.
6. Use cooking stoves on the stainless-steel counter only.
7. Sweep floors and wipe off counters after use.
8. Dogs and other domestic animals are not permitted inside the cabin. They must be kept under control when outside the cabin.
9. Minimize firewood use. Split all firewood outside the cabin to prevent damage to the floor. Do not collect firewood from surrounding areas. Leave some kindling and split wood for the next group.
10. Bring all gear inside overnight to prevent porcupines and rodents from chewing on it. All food should be hung up or kept in a food storage bin so that it is not eaten by mice.
11. Pack out everything you brought in with you. Clean counters, sweep floors, and make sure the cabin is completely clean when you leave.

Report any damage or offences to BC Parks at (250) 847-7260.

Thank you for your help with the stewardship of Babine Mountains Provincial Park.

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 Babine Mountains. This cabin was made possible through the donations of many local businesses in the area. 
 

Wilderness camping is allowed. There are rudimentary campsites with pit toilets located at Lower Reiseter Lake, 6 km along the McCabe Trail, and 7.5 km along the Lyon Creek Trail. To protect alpine areas, camp at these or other previously used sites. Please practice Leave No Trace outdoor ethics.

Campfires are permitted, however, we encourage visitors to conserve wood and protect the environment by minimizing their use. Use camp stoves instead, especially in alpine and subalpine areas.

A fire ring is provided for outdoor fires behind the Joe L’Orsa cabin, however outdoor fires are discouraged due to the high cost of flying in firewood. Use the wood provided in the woodshed sparingly, 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 toilets are provided at the summer parking lot on Driftwood Road and at the Joe L’Orsa cabin. Small pit toilets are also located at the campsites on the McCabe and Lyon Creek Trails and at the Lower Reiseter Lake Campsite.

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.

For trail maps, see park and activity maps.

Moderate trails

Silver King Basin Trail

(9.2 km starting from Driftwood Road summer parking area, 2 to 3 hours one way)

This trail is an old mining road that is an extension of the Driftwood Creek Road. It follows an easy grade for most of the way, emerging into the basin after 7 km. Hikers will enjoy the sub-alpine meadows of Silver King Basin at peak bloom in mid-July. The Joe L’Orsa Cabin is at 8.5 km, and the trail continues on another 500 m to the abandoned Silver King Mine. From here, the Hyland Pass Trail climbs 1.3 km to Hyland Pass and then descends for 1 km to join the Cronin Creek Trail.

McCabe Trail

(10 km starting from Driftwood Road summer parking area, 3 to 4 hours one way)

Highly recommended for family and novice hikers, the McCabe Trail offers relatively easy access to the alpine. The trail departs the Silver King Trail immediately before Sunny Point. After ascending a steep mining road for 100m, the route narrows to a trail on an easy grade. The trail travels along the north slopes of Harvey and Pyramid mountains, and passes Copper Lakes at 8.3 km. It continues upward and eastward until reaching “The Summit”.

Higgins Creek Trail

(5.5 km, 3 to 4 hours one way)

The Higgins Creek Trail departs the Cronin Creek Trail approximately 600 m past the Cronin Creek crossing. This old road climbs the slopes above Higgins Creek to reach a historic mining camp. It continues to the head of the basin. The Eagle Pass Trail (2 km) can then be followed to join up with the Little Joe Creek Trail.

Difficult trails

Lyon Creek Trail

(11 km, 4 to 5 hours one way)

The trailhead is located 4 km past Driftwood Canyon Provincial Park. A steady climb leads hikers into the sub-alpine at 1,475 m. The trail is well-defined and boardwalk spans several swampy sections. In the sub-alpine the grade eases, and hikers can enjoy the spectacular views of the Bulkley Valley and the Telkwa Range. The trail swings east as it descends to cross Lyon Creek before traversing Ramrock Pass at 1,660 m. From this point, hikers descend into Ganokwa Basin. The trail then leads past two mountain lakes and climbs northeast onto a grassy slope. Trail markers lead hikers to “The Summit”, the divide of the Ganokwa, Driftwood and Little Joe watersheds and the intersection of the Lyon Creek, Little Joe Creek, and McCabe Trails.

Little Joe Creek Trail

(8.4 km, 3 to 4 hours one way)

The trail begins from a parking lot accessible by turning left at 30.5 km on Babine Lake Road. It follows a moderate uphill grade along the north bank of Little Joe Creek for 4 km and emerges into an open basin. The Eagle Pass Trail (2 km) into Higgins Basin leaves the trail in this area. The Little Joe Creek Trail does not lead to the Little Joe Lakes but parallels above them to “The Summit”.

Cronin Creek Road and Trail

(15 km, 5 to 6 hours one way)

This gravel road departs Babine Lake Road at 32.5 km. It stays quite level for 10 km. Then it leaves Cronin Creek and climbs steeply through a series of switchbacks for 3 km. Along the way, visitors will see remnants of past mining operations. At 1,800 m, the trail reaches a beautiful alpine environment on the northeast shoulder of Mount Cronin. The trail continues west and ends near the picturesque Hyland Lakes. From here, the Hyland Pass Trail (2.2 km) leads over Hyland Pass to meet up with the Silver King Trail at the abandoned Silver King Mine.

Hyland Pass Trail

(1.5 km, 1 hour one way)

This trail serves as a connector between the Cronin Creek and Silver King Basin trails. The pass is the saddle between Mount Cronin and Mount Hyland, the two highest peaks in the park.

Harvey Mountain Trail

(5 km, 2 hours one way)

The trailhead is located 1 km south of the Silver King Trail parking lot. A steady climb takes hikers into an open alpine hillside with views of Silver King Basin, Hudson Bay Mountain, and the Bulkley Valley. A short hike through the alpine leads to the summit of Harvey Mountain (1,744 m).

Fletcher-Gardner Trail

(13.5 km starting from Driftwood Road summer parking area, 4 to 5 hours one way)

This trail is most enjoyable as an overnight hike to Lower Reiseter (Two Bridge) Lake. The first half of the trail is an old cat-track, while the second half is a single-track trail that ends at the lake. An alluvial fan located 100 m along the southern shore of the lake provides an ideal campsite. This is a user-maintained site. Please pack out what you pack in. The lake provides fishing opportunities for small Rainbow trout. For details, see the fishing section.

Onion Mountain Road and Trail

(8.6 km, 3 to 4 hours one way)

This trail leaves Old Babine Lake Road 3.5 km northwest of the Babine Lake Road junction. It provides access to the open meadows of Ganokwa Basin, a special attraction in July when the meadows are in bloom. 

Fishing is allowed in the park at Lower Reiseter Lake.

Porcupines are common in the park and many dogs get “quilled” each year. To avoid disturbance to wildlife and other users, and for your pet's safety, dogs and other pets should be on a leash and must be under control at all times.

A trapper operates in the park from November to the middle of February. Dogs not on a leash could get caught in traps.

You are responsible for your pets’s behavior and must dispose of their excrement appropriately.

Dogs and other pets are not allowed inside the Joe L’Orsa cabin.
 

Bicycles are permitted on the Harvey Mountain Trail, Silver King Basin Trail, Onion Mountain Trail, Cronin Creek Trail and Higgins Creek Trail. They are not permitted on McCabe, Lyon Creek, Little Joe Creek, or Eagle Pass trails.

Cyclists should stay right on dual track trails and  limit speed to 15 km/hr when travelling downhill.

For more trail information, see the hiking section.

For details on e-biking within Babine Mountains Park, see the e-biking section.
 

Bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are permitted on signed or designated trails, provided they meet the definitions and criteria for e-bike use as outlined in the BC Parks cycling guidelines.
 

Horses are permitted on the Harvey Mountain Trail, Silver King Basin Trail, Onion Mountain Trail, Cronin Creek Trail, and Higgins Creek Trail.

Horseback riders must have a written letter of permission before heading out on the Lyon Creek Trail. To request permission, contact the local BC Parks regional office in Smithers at least three business days before your trip.

Corrals are provided behind the Joe L'Orsa Cabin. Horses must be kept in the corrals or tied to the hitching post at the tack shed. They should not be tied to trees or free ranged with hobbles.

For more trail information, see the hiking section.
 

Hunting is allowed in the park. All hunters to the area should refer to the current BC Hunting & Trapping Regulations Synopsis.

Avalanche risk

Babine Mountains Park contains significant avalanche terrain. Winter users should be properly trained and able to manage risk while travelling. Visit the Avalanche Canada website for current avalanche conditions, trips, and terrain ratings.

Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing

Skiers and snowshoers must yield to snowmobilers while travelling in the designated snowmobile area. You can hear them coming but they cannot hear you.

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 or snowshoe to the Joe L’Orsa Cabin substantially longer.

Silver King Basin

From the parking area north of Driftwood Canyon 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. Under certain conditions, there can be avalanche risk from 12 km to near the Joe L’Orsa Cabin at approximately 13.5 km.

Lyon Creek Trail and Harvey Mountain Trail

The Lyon Creek Trail leaves the Driftwood Road at about 1.5 km beyond the winter parking lot. The Harvey Mountain Trail leaves the Driftwood Road at 4 km beyond the winter parking lot. A loop can be made by ascending the Lyon Creek Trail and coming back down the Harvey Mountain Trail.

Snowmobiling

Fees

The Smithers Snowmobile Association collects trail fees for use of the groomed snowmobiling trails leading into Babine Mountains Park. Association members with an annual membership are not required to pay trail fees. Non-members require a day pass. Snowmobile day passes can be purchased on the Smithers Snowmobile Association website, on the trail, or in Smithers at:

• Trails North Powersports
• Evergreen Industrial Supplies

Fees go towards grooming the trails, maintaining emergency shelters, providing insurance, and promoting avalanche awareness.

Snowmobiling is permitted only in designated areas. Check the Babine Mountains Snowmobile Map [PDF] and the KML file of designated Babine Mountains snowmobile areas (for use with Google Earth of similar application) for boundary details. Skiers and snowshoers may be encountered travelling in the designated snowmobile area.

Ganokawa Basin Area

From the junction of Old Babine Lake Road and Babine Lake Road, follow the Old Babine Lake Road northwest toward Smithers. It is about 3 km to the Onion Mountain Trail and parking area. This trail provides access to the Ganokwa Basin snowmobiling area. The Smithers Snowmobile Association grooms the trail and maintains the Burdette Cabin. Contact the Smithers Snowmobile Association for information about using the cabin.

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. To request a permit, please contact the BC Parks regional office in Smithers.