An esker is a long, narrow, steep-sided ridge of sand and gravel deposited by streams flowing between the icy walls of two glaciers, or through a meltwater tunnel inside a glacier. These glacial features dominate Eskers Provincial Park, a popular day-use area located 25 miles (40 km) northwest of Prince George near Ness Lake.
Visitors are able to enjoy canoeing, fishing, and the walking is easy here; the trail to Pine Marsh and Circle Lake is accessible even by wheelchair. There are about 9 miles (15 km) of trails wending their way around the many small lakes in the area. The longest trail runs almost 4 miles (6 km) to the tip of Kathy Lake. Pine Marsh in particular is a great place for bird-watching, but moose and beavers also inhabit the park.
A series of tiny lakes linked by portages lets you experience a day or three of wilderness paddling in close proximity to Prince George. The only real danger here is getting lost, and with a bit of preparation even that is pretty easy to avoid. Simon Fraser himself paddled through this area more than 100 years ago.
You’ll find rainbow trout in Camp and Kathie Lake. Lakeshore casting may produce a brook trout in Bow or Butterfly Lakes. Eskers Provincial Park provides day-use areas with water available from the hand pump at Pine Marsh in the summer. In the winter, one can enjoy ice fishing, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing amidst the eskers.
Eskers Provincial Park is located 40km northwest of Prince George in Northern British Columbia. Turn west off Highway 97 onto Chief Lake Road, and continue west for 27km.
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