The Jesmond Lookout is at the north end of the Marble Range.   It is the last peak of the range and all the lands north of the Lookout are the relatively flat. high plateau of the Cariboo.   The Jesmond Road follows a valley west of the Marble Range from Kelly Lake to Big Bar Lake.   Both ends can be accessed from Clinton.   The hike to the top of Jesmond Lookout starts near the junction of the Big Bar Ferry Road and the Jesmond Road.   A signed gravel double track bears east.   We drove the lower part of the route, then parked our trucks to hike to the top.

The whole route is on a double track which could be driven by a 4WD up to the gate near the top.   It is a popular route for quads and snowmobiles.   We chose to hike the last 6km up to the top and back.   Much of the route is in the forest, but the last kilometer opens up.

At the top at 1970m (6463 feet) is the Jesmond Fire Lookout.   There was a newer BC Rec Sites and Trails sign above the deck and the building had clearly been restored with care.

To the west is the Fraser River and beyond the Camelsfoot and Shulaps Ranges.   The 8000+ foot peaks still had a mantle of snow.

Looking over the Cariboo lands to the north we could spot and identify a number of lakes.   Big Bar Lake was closest, but Meadow Lake and Green Lake were also identified.

Directly south is Mount Bowman, one of the finest hikes of our area.   To the left is Mad Dog Mountain, scheduled to be climbed this year.

To the southeast was an arm of Wild Horse Ridge with Mt. Kerr in the distance.

The hike down the mountain takes about 2 hours.   There were a number of wildflowers along the way – jacob’s ladder, globeflower, chickweed, alum root, sedum, and others.

We have been hiking the Marble Range for a few years.  This remote area sees few hikers, but the trails are very rewarding.   There are some challenges with route-finding, remote and rugged terrain, long uphill routes, few water sources, and the possibility of meeting wildlife in the back valleys and ridges.   We have hiked Mt. Bowman, Lime Ridge, Porcupine Ridge, Jesmond Lookout, and Wild Horse Ridge.   This year we hope to add Mt. Kerr (a 22km hike), Mad Dog Mountain, and Lime Ridge South.