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Silverking Basin, Our Shangri-la
by Debi Smith (Osborne)
It's not surprising that so many people already use this trail. It's an easy hike into what should have been called the "Shangri-la of the North", but instead is named the Silverking Basin. The trail goes to the centre of the Babine Mountain Recreation Area, now a Provincial Park with an elaborate system of alpine trails.

The three hour walk (9 km) is on a gradual grade up a well-worn road, once used by prospectors, now only driven by Park Rangers that have a key to the gate at the bottom. Which is where we should start. At the bottom.

The trail meets the basin

(photos courtesy of Jane Merkley)
To arrive at the bottom, you follow signs along Highway 16 to the Driftwood Canyon Provincial Park. Turn east, 3 km south of Smithers on the Old Babine Lake Road. Turn left at the Telkwa High Road intersection, then right at Driftwood Road and go past the entrance to the Driftwood Canyon Park for another 2 km.

Don't pull into this first parking area unless your vehicle has very little ground clearance or you want to add a 6 km stretch to your day. Keep driving to the end of the rough road, where the locked gate crosses the road. The parking lot area is known as Sunnypoint. There are usually forestry maps of the trail in a box that will show you where to go, but they're not needed. The way is well marked and unless it's a rainy day, you will meet others, guaranteed!
Creek crossings now have foot bridges
If you plan to stay overnight, I suggest you head out early, especially when touring on a weekend. Although we only met a Dad with two kids (one 8 and one 11), I've heard stories of up to 30 people trying to camp together at the lodge that has been built at the end of this rainbow!

The trail is very popular for mountain bike or horseback travel but no motorized vehicles are permitted. In the winter, the Silverking Basin trail is very popular for cross-country ski touring.

There is a long-standing tradition in our region that everyone packs out what they bring in, to keep the wilderness as close to pristine as possible.

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