Giscome Portage Trail Protected Area

Giscome Portage Trail is a designated Heritage Trail that is located 40 km north of Prince George and 6 km off Highway 97 North on Mitchell Road. The Giscome Portage is a route approximately 8.5 km in length, crossing the Continental Divide, which separates the Pacific and Arctic watersheds and provides a link for north and south water-bound travelers.Historically the route was known and used by the indigenous peoples of the area, and was investigated by the North West Company during the fur period. However, it did not come into prominence as a transport route until the discovery of gold in the Omineca and Peace River areas in the 1860s created a demand for quick and efficient access to the goldfields. It remained as the main northern access route until 1920 when it became obsolete with the construction of a road from Prince George to Summit Lake.