monashee

Camel's Hump Trail

Bluenose Mountain

This 6 hectare fishing lake is at an elevation of approximately 1,460 meters. From Lumby, travel east to Creighton Valley Road. Turn right onto Creighton Valley Road and drive almost to Barb Lake, about 15 kilometers. Turn right onto the Bonneau Forest Service Road and follow it to the trailhead. This 2 kilometer hike is fairly easy and is well suited for beginners. Be sure to watch for some spectacular rock formations along the way.

The Pinnacles & Monashee Lake

The Pinnacles is a popular hike with the locals. It is accessed off South Fork Road, 26.5 kilometers east of Lumby on Hwy. 6. Turn left onto South Fork Road, and at 2.3 kilometers and 6.2 kilometers keep to the right, then at 12.5 kilometers and 15.3 kilometers keep to the left - make sure not to cross Monashee Creek! At 18 kilometers keep right to reach the Pinnacles, or left to reach the Monashee trailheads. At approximately 23 kilometers on the way to the Pinnacles and at 24 kilometers on the way to the Monashee, you will find the trailhead signs. Follow the cow trail into the woods, and watch for the red ribbons marking the trails.

You have now reached your destination of either Pinnacle or Monashee Lakes. Experienced hikers will find many day-hikes from here, while the beginners may be content to relax next to one of the pristine glacier fed lakes.

The altitude is approximately 1900 meters, with a gain of about 700 meters. These hikes cover a distance of 4.5 kilometers, with a hiking time of about 2 hours.

Beaven Mountain Trail

This 7 km trail is located on South Fork Road (on your way to the Monashee Lake trailhead). 18 km up South Fork Road, turn left as if you were going to Monashee Lake. A few kilometers from this turn-off, turn left again and drive to a logged area, where you can park. From here you can see the trailhead to Beaven Mountain.

Vista Pass & Barnes Creek

This is a 16 km hiking trail to the South Pinnacles Ridge. Turn left onto South Fork Road off Hwy. 6, 26.5 km east of Lumby. Follow the directions to the Pinnacles, but at 23 km, 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 8 km horseback riding/hiking trail. You can also reach the Barnes Creek trailhead by turning onto the logging road to Keefer Lake, 60 km east of Lumby on Hwy. 6. Continue past Keefer and Holmes Lakes to a 4-wheel drive road. This is a scenic trail with a great view of the Pinnacles.

Twin Lakes

Drive east from Lumby on Hwy. 6, approximately 22 km, to the North Fork Road turnoff. Turn left and drive up this road to the end (approx. 20 km), 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 Creek Lakes hiking trail sign.

This is a 6 kilometer hike, which takes about one-and-a-half hours.

Rottacker Lake

Drive along Sugar Lake Road about 15 kilometers from the turn off Highway 6 until you reach the Kate Creek Forest Service Road. Follow this road for 20 kilometers, and you will reach the Rottacker Lake trailhead. This 3 kilometer hike is rough and "brushy", but is suitable for the willing beginner.

Tsuius Mountain Trails Area

Follow Sugar Lake Road for approximately 49 kilometers 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 hiking, and is recommended for experienced hikers only! There are trailheads at Tsuius Creek, Tourmaline Creek, and just east of Mirror Lake (the most popular). This is approximately a 6-hour hike, but longer ones may be arranged.

Sitkum Lake & Goat Mountain

As mentioned previously, the road to Sitkum Lake is accessed 11 kilometers along the Kate Creek Forest Service Road. Follow the Sitkum Lake Forestry Road for an additional 12 kilometers, and you will reach the trailhead to Sitkum Lake/Goat Mountain.

This 8 kilometer sub-alpine trail has some steep, rocky areas, and is therefore recommended for experienced hikers only!

Sugar Mountain Trail

This 7 kilometer hike leads to an old lookout on Sugar Mountain. The trailhead is at the start of an old 4-wheel access road at the 21 kilometer mark on the Kate Creek Forest Service Road, just past Sugar Creek. It is a suitable hike for beginners, but be cautious of grizzly bears in the area. The lookout provides some awesome views of the valleys below.