East Vernon Hill Hike
Hiking Trail Information
Use of this information is entirely at your own risk and the VOC accepts no liability whatsoever for your use of any trail information on this website. VOC clears and flags trails to facilitate group hikes lead by a VOC member. Hazards may exist on the trails and route finding skills and navigation aids such as a GPS and/or map and compass may be required. You must assess your own ability and readiness to hike any trail mentioned on this website.
East Vernon Hill Hike Description
© Vernon Outdoors Club 2021
Statistics
Hike distance 10.8 km round trip Altitude gain 640 m
Hiking time 3.75 hrs round trip Max altitude 1220 m
Difficulty Moderate Topo Map
East Vernon Hill provides great views over Vernon and the Coldstream Valley. Easily reached it makes a super hike for anyone with about 4 hrs to spare within a 15 min drive of Vernon. Sections of the trail are exposed to the sun for most of the day so on a hot day bring lots of water, sunscreen etc.
Two trail heads are shown on the map. One trail head at the end of Ranchland Place and the other at the north end of Ravine Drive. From the parking area at the end of Ranchland Place walk due east through the gateway with the RDNO Grey Canal Trail marker and turn hard left up the fence line. Climb steeply along the fence line and you will come to a fork where you can go left or right.
The right fork ascends gently around a ravine containing a creek and then climbs up East Vernon Hill though open grasslands and wooded areas and then loops back to cross the same ravine you initially crossed again at a much higher elevation. The left fork loops to the NW initially and climbs gently to the power line visible from many parts of Vernon. The open grasslands you traverse are managed for the community by RDNO and form an important wildlife habitat and have a healthy rattlesnake population. Keep dogs on a leash and watch any children in your party!
The alternative trail from Ravine Drive intersects with this trail underneath the power line. There is then a steep “grunt” up the hill under the power line on a largely direct uphill route. Keep climbing uphill until you can see the FSR on the ridge above you. There are many side trails cut by mountain bikers and off road motorcycles in this area so keep note of the route you use.
As shown on the map you can make a loop route or ascend to the FSR visible above you and walk the 1.3km to Becker Lake Rec Site, which makes an attractive lunch spot.
Note: use of these directions is entirely at the risk of the user.
Driving Directions – East Vernon Hill Trailhead
© Vernon Outdoors Club 2021
Option 1 – Ranchland Place Trailhead
- Drive east on Highway 6 from Vernon to the traffic lights at Aberdeen Rd in Coldstream (where the RDNO offices are located)
- At the lights turn left (north) onto N. Aberdeen Rd.
- Almost immediately turn right onto Buchanan Rd.
- Follow Buchanan Rd. to the intersection on your left with Cypress Drive. Approx 2 kms.
- Turn left onto Cypress Drive
- Take the second road on your right, Ravine Drive
- Turn right onto Ranchland Place. Drive along Ranchland Place to the end where you will find a turn around area and park where allowed. One side of the road has no parking signs.
- The trailhead is to the east at the end of a short path visible from the turning area.
Option 2 – Ravine Drive Trailhead
- Drive east on Highway 6 from Vernon to the traffic lights at Aberdeen Rd in Coldstream (where the RDNO offices are located)
- At the lights turn left (north) onto N. Aberdeen Rd.
- Almost immediately turn right onto Buchanan Rd.
- Follow Buchanan Rd. to the intersection on your left with Cypress Drive. Approx 2 kms.
- Turn left onto Cypress Drive
- Take the second road on your right, Ravine Drive
- Drive to the end of Ravine Drive and park in the parking area. The trail starts at the concrete traffic barriers.
Both trailheads are a 10-15 min drive from Vernon. Use of these directions is entirely at your own risk.