The Aspens and Vallee Face Loop

2.60 km
63m gain
1.00 hours
Level 2.0/5
2.0/5
Difficulty
Easy
2.60
Distance
kilometres
63
Elevation Gain
metres
1.00
Est. Time
hours

About This Trail

 The Aspens and Vallee Face Loop is a 1.6-mile (2.6km) moderate loop trail in the Barrett Hat / Vallee Lake Recreation Area, 14.5km west of Houston. With 206ft (63m) of elevation gain — the most of any lake trail in the Houston area — the route passes through beautiful aspen groves and along the face above Vallee Lake, offering scenic views of the lake and the Morice-Bulkley Valley. The trail is part of the well-maintained MORS (Morice Outdoor Recreation Society) network, which features over 1,500 visits per year and includes a handicap-accessible viewing platform on the south end of Vallee Lake and a bird-watching platform on the north end. Suitable for hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing, and skiing. Open year-round. Dogs welcome. Located on the unceded traditional territory of the Wet'suwet'en people.

Leave No Trace

Please follow Leave No Trace principles: pack out all waste, stay on designated trails, respect wildlife, and be considerate of other visitors.

Interactive Trail Map

Elevation Profile

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Getting There

Directions

 From the Houston Tourist Information building, drive west on Highway 16 for 14.5km. Turn left (south) onto Barrett Hat Road (not Barrett Station Road) and travel 1.4km to the junction with Parish Road. The trail network begins at the west side of this intersection. Follow the well-signed trail to access the Aspens and Vallee Face Loop. Download the MORS trail map from houstonhikers.ca before visiting.

Parking

Free parking at the Barrett Hat Road / Parish Road junction trailhead, 14.5km west of Houston. No formal facilities. Picnic tables, benches at viewpoints, and boardwalks are available within the trail network.

Safety & Preparation

 The Vallee Face section has some elevation change sturdy footwear recommended. Bears are present in this area carry bear spray and make noise. The trail is well-signed but download the MORS map before your first visit. Some sections can be wet in spring. Blowdown is occasionally reported after storms check the MORS Facebook page for current trail status. Mountain bikers and other users share these trails be aware of other trail users and yield appropriately.

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