Joss Mountain 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.
Joss Mountain Lookout Description
© Vernon Outdoors Club 2021
Statistics
Hike distance 12km round trip Altitude gain 986 m
Hiking time 6.5 hrs round trip Max altitude 2374 m
Difficulty Difficult
This hike offers fabulous views of numerous peaks in the Monashees, notably Mount Tsuius, another hike destination enjoyed by the Vernon Outdoors Club. The Joss Mountain hike summits at a rather decrepit fire lookout which is no longer in use. Hikers should be aware that bears are frequent users of this trail.
The trail initially climbs moderately steeply and steadily from a forest service road; there is a short bit of bushwhacking entailed before picking up the trail. After a short push through the woods, sightlines begin to open up and the trail flattens just as the hiker begins to enter more open, subalpine, terrain.
After a pleasant walk through fairly open terrain, a steeper ascent to the ridgeline leading to the fire lookout begins. The trail is not visible from the beginning of this ascent, but the terrain is open and, after an initial climb up a boulder filled draw, the ridgeline is obvious. Parts of the climb is up a steep, grassy, slope; good footwear and hiking poles are strongly recommended.
Once on the ridge line, follow it to the fire lookout. Should hikers be ambitious, it is possible to descend into a tarn-strewn alpine plateau below on the south side, but such would require climbing back up to the ridge before returning.
Hikers should be aware that the openness of the alpine offers little protection from the weather, which can be quite changeable at altitude. Even the forest lookout offers little shelter. That place is used as a staging area for helicopter-supported mountain bikers; note that the mountain bikers ride a different route than that described here and are sometimes surprised at hikers who ascend without the aid of a helicopter!
Note: use of these directions is entirely at the risk of the user.
Driving Directions – Joss Mountain Lookout Trailhead
© Vernon Outdoors Club 2021
- Drive from Vernon to the Three Valley Gap and turn right onto the Wapp Lake Forest Service Road at approx. 123.55 km from Vernon. Three Valley Gap is located on Highway 1 near Revelstoke. The turn is approximately half way along Three Valley Lake.
- Travel on the Wapp Lake FSR for 6km heading south.
- Turn onto Industry logging road (Wap Spur Rd #5) travel for 10.1 km heading in a generally southerly direction
- You will find the Trail Head at 50.839367°N 118.498904°W at an altitude of 1585m
Note: A high clearance 4WD vehicle is recommended as you will be travelling on forest service roads. Use of these driving directions is entirely at your own risk. Logging traffic may be encountered at any time. Carrying and using a radio for FSR frequencies is advised.
