Hiking in the Okanagan Valley and Monashee Mountains

The Monashee Mountains
"Mountains of Peace"

The Monashee Mountains boasts some of the most spectacular hiking areas in all of British Columbia. Walk through the Interior Rain Forests where the Cedar trees have stood for hundreds of years and the moss covers the forest floor. Follow the trails up to the Alpine meadows, jagged peaks and stunning white glaciers. If it's fishing you love, the Monashee Mountain Range has numerous pristine lakes that are full of healthy trout. All hikers are encouraged to use extra caution when on the trails, due to frequent sightings of grizzlies and Black bears. The mountains are also home to Goats, Wolverines, Moose, Cariboo, Cougars and you never know if your lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the ever so elusive Sasquach. From Lumby, drive 20km east on highway 6 to Cherryville. Turn Left onto Sugar Lake Road, and drive another 48km to the Park turn-off. Another 11km will bring you to the parking lot. This 7,513-hectare park incorporates over 30km of maintained trails with some of the areas most spectacular mountain vistas. Mount Fosthall, the park's highest peak, reaches 2679 meters. This area is mainly suited for the more experienced hikers, although there are trails suited to the willing beginner. Spectrum Lake is an easy one-hour hike from the parking lot, and Little Peters Lake is a difficult three and a half hour hike. Peters Lake makes a good base-camp for many other day hikes. Please remember that there are no dogs allowed in the Monashee Provincial Park. Guides are available equipped with Satellite imagery of the area, Global positioning units, Emergency communication devices, first aid training and a vast knowledge of the areas trails and attractions. So come and visit the Monashee Mountains and treat yourself to a truly unique wilderness experience. Use caution, this is Grizzly country.

Kate Lake, Sitkum Lake, Sugar Mountain & Goat Mountain

On your way to Monashee Provincial Park, you may want to stop and hike into Kate Lake. This Pristine Lake is set in a mountain bowl, surrounded by forested hills. To get there, drive east from Lumby about 20km and turn left onto Sugar lake Road. Follow Sugar Lake road for about 15km until you reach Kate Lake forest service road on your right. If you come to a bridge that crosses the outlet of Sugar Lake you have driven about a quarter kilometer to far. Follow Kate Lake Forest service road for approximately 2km where you will come to a fork in the road. Stay to the right here. At 2.5km, 3.5km, and 8.2km keep left. At 11.2km you will drive past the road to Sitkum Lake. Stay right at the following junction, and then keep left for the next three junctions. Now you will cross Sugar Creek, and about 100 meters past the bridge you will turn right. This road is only suitable for a well-equipped four-wheel drive. You may have to walk the 5.5km to the trailhead, as this road is very rough. The trailhead is clearly marked, on the left-hand side. From here it is a short 2.5km hike to the lake. Altogether, this is an 8km hike (depending on how far you can drive in), which takes about 2 hours. Your final altitude will be 1500 meters, with a gain of 600 meters. If you continue past the Kate lake trailhead and follow the road, you will reach the summit of Sugar Mountain where you will find an old forestry lookout that provides you with awesome views of the valleys below. If you want to hike into Sitkum Lake or Goat Mountain, the Sitkum Lake turn off is at 11.2km on the Kate Lake forest service road. Turn right and travel on the Sitkum Lake forest service road for 12km until you reach the trailhead. This 8km sub-alpine trail has some steep, rocky areas, and is therefore recommended for experienced hikers only. Use caution, this is Grizzly country.

Tsuius Mountain Trails

Follow Sugar Lake Road for approximately 49km from highway 6. Turn left just past the turn off for Monashee Provincial Park, and follow the signs to the trailhead. This sub-alpine hiking area is difficult and is recommended for experienced hikers only. There are trailheads at Tsuius Creek, Tourmaline Creek, and just east of Mirror Lake. This is approximately a 6-hour hike, but longer ones may be arranged. Use caution, this is Grizzly country.

The Pinnacles & Monashee Lake

The pinnacle mountains are located just south of the Monashee Mountains and contain well marked trails to sparkling lakes and vantage points that enable you to see for hundreds of miles. Wild flowers blanket the Alpine meadows creating a mosaic of pastel colors and fresh mountain air. On a clear night the view of the stars is beyond belief. Its astonishing to see what's happening in our night skies with the total absence of artificial light. The Pinnacles are accessed off South Fork Road, which is 26.5 kilometers east of Lumby on Highway 6. Turn left onto South Fork Road. At 2.3Km and 6.2Km keep right. At 12.5Km and 15.3Km keep left--Make sure you do not cross Monashee creek. At 18Km keep right for the Pinnacles, or left to reach the Monashee Lake trailhead. At approximately 23Km (Pinnacles), and 24Km (Monashee), you will park at a landing and find the trailhead sign. Follow the Cow trails into the woods, and watch for the red ribbons marking the trails. After reaching the Monashee Lake or Pinnacle Lake you will find that there are many day hikes available to the more experienced hiker. The altitude is approximately 1900 meters, with a gain of about 700 meters. These easy hikes cover a distance of 4.5km, with a hiking time of about 2 hours. Use caution, this is Grizzly country.

Beaven Mountain Trail

This 7km trail is located on South Fork Road, on your way to the Monashee Lake trailhead. 18km up south Fork Road, turn left, as though going to Monashee Lake. A few Kilometers from this turn-off, turn left again and drive to logged area, where you may park. From here you can see the trailhead to Beaven Mountain. Use caution, this is Grizzly country.

Camels Hump

Imagine yourself standing on top of a once active volcano, taking in the panoramic view of the Okanagan valley. Camels hump hiking trail provides you with this opportunity. With its distinctive geographical features and breathtaking views the hike is well worth it. The trail is well maintained and suitable for most hikers of average health. Care should be taken on the loose ground when approaching the edge of the 200 meter plus sheer vertical drop. About 1.5km east of Lumby on highway 6 you will reach Creighton Valley Road on your right. Turn onto Creighton Valley road, and follow it for approximately 15km, until you reach Clier Lake Road on your left. Keep your eyes open for Clier Lake Road because it can easily be missed. Follow Clier Lake road and turn left at the fork when you reach the small lake. Continue on this road until you reach the Parking lot where you will find the signs pointing out the location of the trailhead. The trail Travels up the first hump, down into a valley, and up the second hump. This is a fairly easy hike, which covers about 6km, and takes around two and a half hours to complete. There is a gain of 630 meters, with the top of the peak reaching about 1200 meters.

Dennison Lake Trail

This 6-hectare fishing lake is at an elevation of approximately 1460 meters. From Lumby, Travel east to Creighton Valley road. Turn right onto this road and drive almost to Barb Lake, which is just over 15km. Turn right onto Bonneau Lake Forest Service Road and follow it to the trailhead. This 2km hike is fairly easy, and well suited for beginners. Be sure to watch for the spectacular rock formations along the way.

Bluenose Mountain

This short, but steep trek rewards you with an exclusive view of the valley between Vernon and Lumby. Bluenose is a great place for a picnic or afternoon hike. The trail head is accessible by car and only 10 minutes from civilization. From Lumby, drive west towards Vernon until you reach the Lavington Shell Station where you turn left onto School Road. At the end of School Road you will reach Learmouth Road. Turn left onto Learmouth and follow it up the hill until you reach Aberdeen Road. Now turn left onto Aberdeen Road. Bluenose Mountain trailhead is 4.5km up Aberdeen Road. You will reach a cleared area on the left hand side of the road after turning a sharp corner to the left where you will see the hiking trail sign. Park here. Go into the Timber at the top of the clearing, and follow an old track up the hillside until you reach the trail that zigzags its way up the mountain. About three quarters of the way up you will reach a junction where the left-hand fork will take you to the first peak, and the right-hand fork will take you to the third peak. The second peak is private property, so there are no public trails leading to it. This hike is well suited for beginners and will take about 2 hours round trip at a leisurely pace. The final altitude is 1199 meters, with a gain of 200 meters.

Vista Pass & Barnes Creek Trail

This is a 6km-hiking trail to the South Pinnacle Ridge. Turn Left onto South Fork Road off of highway 6, 26.5km east of Lumby. Follow the directions to the Pinnacles, but at 23km don�t stop. Just a couple of Kilometers further will bring you to the trailhead. The trail is found on the North side of the creek. This trail meets up with the Barnes Creek Trail, which is an 8km Horseback riding/Hiking Trail. The Barnes creek Trailhead can be reached by turning left on to the gravel road to Keefer Lake, 60km east of Lumby on highway 6. Continue past Keefer and Holmes Lake to a four-wheel drive road. This is a scenic trail with a great view of the Pinnacles. Use caution, this is Grizzly country.

Twin Lakes

Drive 22km east from Lumby on Highway 6 and turn left onto the North Fork Road turnoff. Drive to the end of North Fork Road and turn onto Severide Creek Road. Continue down this road until you come to the parking lot, which also has an outhouse and the Twin Lakes hiking trail sign. This is a 6km hike, which takes approximately one and a half hours. Use caution, this is Grizzly country.

Mable Lake Provincial Park

Coming from Vernon to Lumby, turn left at the red flashing light in the center of town. Follow this road for about 37km until you reach the park gates. From the parking lot, there is an easy, one-hour walk along the interpretive rainforest trail. On your way to Mable Lake, be sure to stop at the Shuswap Falls recreation area, where you can view the Wilsey Dam, have a picnic, or walk along the canoeists' portage route.

Outdoor Travel Tips

Be prepared for your chosen recreation - Stick to your turnaround time, take the proper equipment, have a trip plan, and use reference and guide books.

Always carry the essentials - Always be ready to stay out over night.

Never hike alone - Hike with a group and keep together. Travel at the speed of the slowest person. If a person becomes separated by going ahead or falling behind, they are more likely to become lost.

Do not Panic - Maintain a positive attitude if you become lost. Being lost is not dangerous if you are prepared.

Stay where you are - People who carry on after they become lost usually get further from the trail and from those who are looking for them.

Use signaling devices - Blowing a whistle, lighting a fire, and staying visible will help searchers find you. Remember that animals will not be attracted to your signals.

Build or seek shelter - Protect yourself from rain, wind and excessive sun. Be as comfortable as possible, but during daylight hours make sure you are visible to searchers in helicopters or planes.

Thanks to Sarah Lesowski for help with the information on these hiking trails.

Photo credits : Gay Jewitt & Cory Rudsvick

These hikes are just a sample of what our area has to offer. The number of hiking trails located in the North Okanagan and Monashee area is immense. Guides are available for all hikes and are recommended so that you don't miss those secret locations that only a few people know about. Remember to tread lightly and always stay on the trails to help us preserve these ecological wonders that we all truly enjoy.

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