Giscome Portage Trail Protected Area

Highlights in this protected area

Giscome Portage Trail is a designated Heritage Trail that is located 40 km north of Prince George and 6 km off Highway 97 North on Mitchell Road. The Giscome Portage is a route approximately 8.5 km in length, crossing the Continental Divide, which separates the Pacific and Arctic watersheds and provides a link for north and south water-bound travelers.

Historically the route was known and used by the indigenous peoples of the area, and was investigated by the North West Company during the fur period. However, it did not come into prominence as a transport route until the discovery of gold in the Omineca and Peace River areas in the 1860s created a demand for quick and efficient access to the goldfields. It remained as the main northern access route until 1920 when it became obsolete with the construction of a road from Prince George to Summit Lake.

Know before you go

Advisories

Safety information

Use caution at road crossing on North Fraser Forest Road. High use by logging trucks.
There are many bugs in the swampy and wet areas; insect repellent is recommended.
Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park.

Review the detailed guides under visit responsibly for more information on staying safe and preserving our natural spaces.

Visit responsibly

Follow these guides to ensure your activities are safe, respectful, and ecologically friendly:

Maps and location

Park Map [PDF]

Getting there

Giscome Portage Trail is located 40 km North of Prince George and 6 km off Highway 97 North on Mitchell Road. There is also another access point where the trail comes out at Barney Creek Road (close to Summit Lake), which is 48 km North of Prince George on Highway 97. The closest communities are Prince George and Bear Lake.

Things to do

Hiking

This trail is an easy 8.5 km long and there are trail heads at both ends of the trail. In winter this trail is used for cross-country skiing.

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.

Fishing

There are fishing opportunities.

Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.

Wildlife viewing

There is no viewing platform, but there is wildlife viewing along the trail.

Pets on leash

Pets and domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or park buildings. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.

Cycling

Cycling is permitted. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.

Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within Giscome Portage Trail. E-bikes are restricted to park roads and areas where motorized use is permitted. The only exception to this policy will be for authorized and identified trail maintenance bikes conducting work on behalf of BC Parks.

Hunting

Hunting is allowed in the park. Please check the BC Hunting & Trapping Regulations for more information.

Anyone hunting in British Columbia must comply with BC hunting regulations. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.

Winter recreation

Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing is allowed in the park but there is no track setting. There is a one-way 8.5 km trail and is easy rolling terrain.

Facilities

Pit or flush toilets

There are pit toilets at the Huble Homestead Regional Park Site.

About this protected area

Cultural heritage

The Portage, which means, “carry”, was first used by the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation as a trade route and for harvesting plants and animals. The first reference to a Portage in the vicinity of what would later be known as the Giscome Portage is found in the journals of Simon Fraser (1806).

The gold strikes on Germansen and Manson Creeks led to the Omineca Gold Rush in the late 1860s. In 1863, a guide from the Lheidli T’enneh lead two Black miners across the trail, John Robert Giscome of Jamaica and Henry McDame from the Bahamas. These two men originally came to North America for the California Gold Rush, but arriving near the end of the rush they headed to the gold fields of the North. The trail now bears the name of Giscome as one of the first non-natives to travel across the portage.

After being petitioned, the government constructed a wagon road over the Giscome Portage, and the navigation on the Crooked River was improved in 1871. Despite the numerous travellers using the Giscome Portage, no actual community developed there until the early years of the 20th century. This community was later to be known as the Huble Homestead.

World War I initiated the decline of Giscome Portage and the decline accelerated with the construction of a road between Prince George and Summit Lake in 1919. Giscome Portage was bypassed as the transportation method shifted from water to road.

History

Giscome Portage Trail was designated an official Heritage Site July 17th, 1997. BC Parks took over management of the trail when it was designated a Protected Area in the year 2000.

Wildlife

Park visitors are able to view many species of native wildlife within a natural setting. Frequently sited wildlife species include moose, deer, black bear, beaver, grouse and eagles.

Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples

BC Parks honours Indigenous Peoples’ connection to the land and respects the importance of their diverse teachings, traditions, and practices within these territories. This park webpage may not adequately represent the full history of this park and the connection of Indigenous Peoples to this land. We are working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples to update our websites so that they better reflect the history and cultures of these special places.

Contact