Zupjok Summit

Dec. 2, 2024 -- Coquihalla Summit Recreational Area

Stats: 11.60 km / 742m gain / 1851m high / 4:10 hours MT (2:30 to summit)

This is one of the more challenging snowshoes I've done. The steep seemingly unending slope of Zupjok Mt. and sticky snow that clung like glue to our snowshoes, made us very relieved to reach the summit. And what a payback for our efforts!

We parked below the smooth slopes of Yak Mt (1950m), by the restrooms at exit on exit 217 off of Hwy 5.

There wasn't alot of snow yet, but enough to warrant wearing snowshoes for the duration of the excursion.

Until this creek, the trail was fairly level.

Yak Mt. -- east.

After about an hour we reached the meadow where we could see Great Bear (1710m) & Iago (1737m) Mountains. The latter is a popular snowshoe for the club.

We did not have to break trail until we turned onto the steep slope of Zupjok where Jan took the lead. Frequent stops were required to check the GPSs (and to catch our breath) as there wasn't much of a footpath in the forest on the south-facing slope. We were getting snow-bombed with the temperatures beginning to hover above 0 and the snow on the branches beginning to melt.

About halfway up Zupjok's slope, we got this view of the Needle & Markhor Mtns.

"Aren't we there yet???"

Phew. Destination in sight. Looking at the Zupkios Range (1921m) -- northeast.

Almost there. We made futile efforts to knock the snow off of our snoeshoes but it didn't take long before we were carrying more weight on our feet again.

The backside of Yak Mt.

Gamuza (1890m), Steinbok (1800m), Ibex (1860m) + Chamois (1980m) Peaks.

Searching for a place to settle for lunch that was not in the cold wind.

Alpaca (2083m), Vicuna (2010m) + Gaunaco (2070m) Peaks -- northwest.

southwest

west

east

The Needle -- southeast.

Group shot, left to right, back row: me, Mark S, Lori Y, David G, Jan S, Denise D, Lonja J + Don F

Front row: Lori B, Rose S, Irene H + Sue A

Missing is Christine F who's snowshoe straps broke before she even left the parking lot. She used spikes and waited at the meadows for us.

Markhor & the Needle -- south.

On our way down. Great Bear (1719m) & Iago (1737m) to the right -- south.

Back at the meadow.

By 3:00pm we were back at the vehicles.