Yak Peak

Jocelyn Timmermans
2 days ago
2 min read

July 2, 2025 -- Coquihalla Recreational Area

Stats: 8.1 km / 915m gain / 2025m high / 4:30 hours MT

I would hesitate to call this excursion a hike. It was more like a climb that involved a full body workout. Thankfully there were branches that we could grab onto and pull ourselves up. Some of the rock was so large and smooth, that there were no foot or hand holds. And there was a lot of scree in the foot-path, making it that much more treacherous.

We parked at exit 217 by the restrooms and walked east along the highway for about 10 minutes before veering off into the forest. We had to cross this boulder slope to get to the base of the near vertical granite rock wall.

Then we headed east along the base for about 10 minutes.

From there it was a non-stop steep climb to the peak.

Rose Spirea Penstemon & Flox

There was one rope to aid the way.

Markhor (1890m) + the Needle (1920m) -- south.

Jim Kelly + Coquihalla Mt (2040m) -- southeast.

Heather

Ahh - finally a descent trail. White & pink heather dotted the meadows that led up to the col between the two peaks.

The last section to the summit was very steep. We stayed on the right side of the snow but on the descent we stayed on the opposite side, which proved to be the better route.

Nak Peak -- east.

Views from the summit -- south.

This group shot was taken by Mark who was my childhood neighbor boy. I hadn't seen him since I got married in 1979! He was the only other hiker on the trail.

me, Owen Williams, Redina Borros + Brigitte Gietema