Petgill Trail is a well-shaded trail that gives you the pleasure of entering a scenic wilderness area. It starts with a climb up a bushy slope on the east side of busy Highway 99. After a series of switchbacks, the trail enters second growth forest and then onto an old logging road, which has almost returned to a stony natural state.
About 1,800 metres along this old road, the trail re-enters the forest and goes up and down gullies for approximately 1,400 metres before emerging on a small ridge overlooking the small lake. Some sections are difficult to traverse due to fallen trees and encroaching bushes. The passage is through sensitive natural terrain and the trail is kept narrow by design as it is only intended to be used by hikers.
This is a wilderness trail and as such gets no regular maintenance. Trail markers are sparse, but you should be able to keep one in sight either ahead or behind. If not able to do so, take a few steps either ahead or back. If still in doubt, go back out; do not search in faint hope of stumbling onto the proper trail. There are old logging roads and faint game trails that can lead you well astray.
Petgill Trail is not accessible by vehicles, nor is it patrolled. You are on your own and you must accept responsibility for your health and safety. Honestly assess your skill and equipment. Know your limits and those of all in your group. Plan to finish during daylight hours. Pack out everything that you carry in. There are a few open spaces along the trail that offer scenic vistas rivalling those from the Stawamus Chief. The warm waters of the lake are a pleasant reward.
This is the “Neverland” for which hikers search, an imaginary and magical faraway place made popular by Peter Pan, written by J.M. Barrie (1860-1937).
Bears travel this area. Cougars, bobcats and coyotes are also occasional visitors. Be cautious and do not approach any wildlife. Our wildlife neighbours need to range for food, and we need to diminish our interference with their perennial and natural quest.
The staff of the Sea to Sky Gondola and independent volunteers will be working to link Petgill Lake with the gondola trail system. There is an old logging road along the Shannon basin loop and this will be brushed back. This should complete the missing two kilometres to Petgill Lake and will provide a good long distance hike for gondola patrons. Richard McKellar is already on this task and welcomes assistance from any other independent person with brush back tools and time.
This is a wild area, not only in the sense of not being developed, but also in not being directly controlled by human needs or interests. It has remained undisturbed since the loggers left a half century ago. Hikers will experience a feeling of reverence and gain an understanding of nature as they walk in solitude among the ancient rocks and trees. We all need to help in preserving such areas for the future.
