Last Updated on June 21, 2022
Sub-Alpine Meadows
We have been trying for what feels like years to find time to make our way into some sub-alpine meadows for gorgeous wildflowers. The Trophy Mountain hike in Wells Gray is one of the most easily accessible sub-alpine meadows in British Columbia. Blooms are at their peak in July and August, making this trail one of the most popular hikes in Wells Gray Provincial Park. If you’re looking for a great location to go see fields of wildflowers in BC, Trophy Mountain meadows is a great option.
With our luck, we missed the first wildflower bloom by a week and were too early for late bloom by a couple of weeks; our visit fell smack dab in the middle of the blooms. Even if we did not get to see all the beautiful fields of wildflowers at their peak, the hike was still completely worth it. The views around us were jaw-dropping.
The alpine meadows and basins of Trophy Mountain are accessible less than an hour from the trailhead.
Trail Difficulty
The trail is accessed via 11 km of gravel logging road (Bear Creek Correctional Centre road). The difficulty level is listed as a 4-6, which means to take your time because there will be some elevation gain and challenging terrain.
About Wells Gray Provincial Park
Wells Gray Provincial Park is a large wilderness park in British Columbia, Canada in the Thompson Nicola Region of Interior BC. The park covers an area of more than 5,000 square kilometers and is British Columbia’s fourth-largest park, and is almost the size of the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island.
It is home to a variety of wildlife, including grizzly bears, moose, and caribou. Visitors to the park can enjoy a range of activities, such as hiking, canoeing, and camping. Wells Gray Provincial Park is also famous for its waterfalls, including Helmcken Falls, which is the fourth tallest waterfall in North America.
Trophy Mountain Trail
The trail will take you through the old-growth forest until you reach the alpine. We wished we could have carried on beyond the alpine meadows, but it was not in our time frame that day. We only had the first part of the day to do what we could on this hike. Plus, four pairs of little legs make things go a little more slowly. There is so much to see within Wells Gray Provincial Park, that we tried to fit in as many different hikes and scenery as we could on this trip. It was still a fantastic hike with the scenery, but we would love to get back one day to hike farther. If you continue on past the alpine meadows, you would be able to venture towards Sheila Lake or head to summit Trophy Mountain (six hours, one way).
Snowball Fights!
We also found some patches of snow on the way up and the kids loved it. We stopped both on the way up and back down for a couple of snowball fights; it was a great way to cool off on a hot day. Trophy Mountain can actually get snow any time of year!
Related Story – Chasing Waterfalls While Camping At Wells Gray Provincial Park
Related Story – Chasing Iconic Waterfalls In Wells Gray Provincial Park
We had the most beautiful day doing this hike. This was such a great hike, and a nice little challenge to take the kids on. We find that the more rugged the trail, the more fun the kids have and the more they enjoy it.
Know Before You Go
- Be backcountry prepared; never underestimate the demands of the backcountry.
- Take adequate clothing: high elevation weather can change without notice.
- Wells Gray’s mountains can receive snow 12 months of the year.
- Trophy Mountain trail is usually open from late June until early October.
Where have you seen some wonderful sub-alpine wildflowers?
Love it? Pin it for later!
