Mt. Henning

Jocelyn Timmermans
21 hours ago
2 min read

April 9, 2026 -- Tulameens

Stats: 12.4 km / 810m gain / 1833m high / 4 hours MT

It had been many years since I'd last done this route. We were waiting for that perfect weather day and we got it! Avalanche conditions had dropped down and it was a balmy 7C, leaving us hiking without jackets on. A feel good day all round. To our west were the North Cascades with it's many familiar peaks in the Coquihalla Summit Recreational Area. And to our east were the rolling hills that lead to the interior of BC.

The snowmobile club left a packed track. We took our snowshoes along but did not end up using them, keeping our micro-spikes on instead.

Although the ground was packed, it was still a grunt on often steep inclines -- southwest.

Not even 1.5 hours later we were at the large warming hut where we had a snack and made good use of the spacious outhouses. At this point we had done just 550m gain which left only 260m to go. But it would not be easy, having to inch our way up a very steep upcoming slope.

The purple and then orange lines are the routes we took.

This photo doesn't quite capture the steep grade of this slope. Heavy breathing and focused steps in snow that was becoming softened by the sun, made conversations cease. Joe had his butt slider with him which he put to good use on the return journey.

Breath, step, breath step...

Jim Kelly and Coquihalla Mt. peak come into view -- southwest.

The Needle & Markhor, Alpaca, Vicuna & Guanaco -- west.

Looking back, thankful that the grade has eased off -- east.

Jim Kelly, Coquihalla & Illal peaks.

Group shot, back row, L to R; Patty A, Lonja J, Brian H, Joe K, Stelian A, David G, Sue A

Front row; Al S, me, Sheri K, Janice H, Mary R, John McL = 13

As we were munching on our lunch and basking in the views and sun, two snowmobilers zoomed up to the base of our summit slope. They looked surpised to see us and said, "Wow! You guys have walked all this way?"