Mineral Licks Trail

Hiking the Mineral Lick Trail offers visitors an excellent chance to spot large wildlife in Muncho Lake Provincial Park. The trailhead is located 275 kilometers northwest of Fort Nelson, and approximately 15 kilometers past the viewpoint at the north end of Muncho Lake. The parking area at the trailhead is located down a short gravel road on the left side of the highway if you are traveling north on the Alaska Highway. 

As this trail is a loop, hikers can go either direction from the trailhead, where there is an interpretive sign and mapping of the area for reference. Heading left from the trailhead, the trail descends down toward a series of viewpoints and can be considered the easier option because most of the hike will be downhill. 

The trail is easy to follow as it meanders through the trees and toward the white sandstone slopes above the Trout River Valley. The mineral licks become visible from here, and there is a small spur trail that leads to another viewpoint with some interpretive signage explaining the area's unique geology. Continuing down the trail loop will eventually lead to a slight elevation gain before returning to the parking area and trailhead. 

Special Note: The sandstone slopes above the Trout River contain essential minerals that attract wildlife such as moose, caribou, and stone sheep. It is likely that your chances to spot wildlife will be in the early morning or evening hours when the weather is cooler. July and August are also great months to identify some of the many wildflower blooms that are present in the subalpine of the Northern Rockies.