Needle Peak
How to get there
Take Highway 1 east to hope, then highway 5 north. After 30 minutes from the junction between Highway 3 and 5, you will pass through an avalanche tunnel. Approximately 3km from the end of the tunnel, and just before the south face of Yak Peak, take the Zopkios Ridge exit onto a small gravel road. Turn right towards two large gravel sheds. In the past, the trail started just west of the maintenance shed, after crossing a creek. To access the new trailhead, turn right instead of continuing up to the maintenance shed. Follow the gravel road, which parallels the highway, until the landing at the end. It's about a 2 or 2.5 hour drive from Vancouver. Needle Peak is located within the Coquihalla Summit Provincial Park boundary, so open fires are strictly prohibited.
Scrambling
The easiest way to get to the top of Needle Peak is via the West Ridge. At the end of the road, there is a sign which says Needle Peak trail. The trail crosses a creek, and head into the trees following orange markers. Once out of the trees, the trail crests onto a flat bench. Follow the trail south along the sparesly treeded ridge, which leads to a bench and eventually the toe of the west ridge. There is some moderate scrambling here, and routes are possible to the left or right of a large round boulder. Follow an akward left trending crack with slopey holds to easier ground. Continue along the ridge crest for 500m, until the base of the summit pyramid. Follow a ramp right of a large block into a gully. Ascend the gully over boulders to a chimney, which is the crux of the route. There is moderate scrambling here, with little exposure. From the top of the chimney, follow ledges and ramps to the summit. (A short version of Matt Gunn's route description). This is only the easiest route and many variations are possible on the ridge, so go explore and have fun.
Other routes on Needle Peak include the north ridge, which has some 4th class sections.
Skiing
<<TBD - some info about ski touring around needle peak>>
- Great Sking is to be had all around this area.
October 21, 2006 trip
Richard So is organizing a trip to Needle Peak. The group will leave Vancouver at 6:30am, have breakfast in Hope and be hiking by 10am.
Sign up
- Richard So
- Andrew McGechaen
- Matthew Zieleman (I'll try anyways)
- Natalie Stafl
- Ashlee j.
- Marc Gr
- Mahdi Eynian
- Piotr Forysinski
Cars
- Andrew (6 seats total) leaves from Agronomy and West Mall at 6:00AM
- Andrew
- Natalie
- Ashlee
- Richard
- Mahdi
- Piotr
- Driver (no. of seats) Leaves from..