Carrie Jane Grey Park to Ft George Park

This is a beautiful, scenic route which runs from Carrie Jane Grey Park in the west, under highway 16 and crosses into the VLA residential area (across a football field and several recreational areas) of Prince George before following the Hudson’s Bay Slough to it’s drainage point in the Fraser River. As you go under the highway you pass another recreation area in a South-East residential area of Prince George. There is a football/soccer field, a child's play area and a path over to a convenience store ("Big Al's Food Mart"), cold Beer store and the "First Liter Party Shack" pub. (other diversions, but we won't dwell on that)

This part is compacted gravel and dirt and some of the hills are steep. We would not recommend this part for light duty electric mobility aids. Walkers, canes and bikes would find it a good workout; it is well worth the trip with a Heavy duty electric aid (Use caution; others use the trail). The slough is a “Ducks Unlimited” wild bird sanctuary with plenty of markers to display information on resident wildlife. We recommend taking small children on this walk; they will have loads of educational fun.

Just before going down the final hill to the Queensway street exit, there is a trail branching off to the right at the top of the hill. This leads to an elementary school playground with monkey bars and a sand pit (former South Fort George Elementary). It is a good spot to picnic with the kids. If you go down the hill on the original trail you will see a huge clearing, a water pump (It is safe to drink this water) and picnic benches. Watch for ants though, there is a huge hill just on the edge of the brush in this area.

After you cross Queensway and follow the path (Paved to Cottonwood Island now!) further along the slough, crossing a small bridge across the drainage channel to the Fraser River behind Ft George Park. Just b4 the bridge, there is a trail branching off behind you which leads to Regent Cresent past an abandonded ball feild. You can get to another river rest area down along Regent Cresent, "Paddle Wheel Park" which is a great area to relax across from a kiddie park (Yet another diversion- Will we ever get this trip over???).

Back on the Heritage Trail; this is a spectacular part of the trip with loads of diversions. It follows the Fraser River to where the Nechako flows into it. It is within the Bird Sanctuary on this side, Fisheries manage it as well. After the bridge, you join another trail and turn right. You can access the trail at this point from 20th avenue (behind Magnolia Gardens) if you skipped the first part from Carrie Jane Grey park.