Monashee Lake 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.
Monashee Lake Hike Description
© Vernon Outdoors Club 2020
Statistics
Hike distance 12.6 km round trip Altitude gain 748 m
Hiking time 7 hrs round trip Max altitude 2026 m
Govt of Canada topo map 82 L/1 Difficulty Difficult & Technical
Use of these directions is at your own risk.
The Monashee Lake trail is set in a dramatic landscape of pinnacles, an expansive sub-alpine bowl, and a high alpine lake. This is a 12.6 km out-and-back trail with 748 metre elevation gain, reaching an altitude of 2,026 metres. Return hiking time is 7 hours including a lunch stop at the destination of Monashee Lake itself. The VOC rating for this hike is ‘Difficult & Technical’ with steep sections, including a boulder slope. The footing in the boulder slope is secure, but requires good foot placement, up and down.
The trail starts by the south end of the Mark Berger Traverse. From the parking spot, follow VOC flagging along cow tracks into the timber. The trail goes through a magnificent stand of mature cedars. As you progress further, you hike for about an hour through alder growth across an old avalanche slide track. This takes you into a more open sub-alpine setting and across several creeks. Here there are views to imposing bluffs on the left. The trail swings to the left (north-east) and up the boulder slope. Proceed about 400 metres up the centre of this boulder staircase. Follow VOC flagging to exit right off the boulder slope. This is right after you get above a small, smooth glacial rock slope. Follow VOC ribbons into flatter terrain of meadows which lead to Monashee Lake.
There is an option to go beyond Monashee Lake and summit Sunny Peaks. This is an extra two hours and involves steep pitches and scrambling. Sunny Peak at 2,380 metres has stunning views of the deep-blue Riloux Lake to the north.
![Monashee_Lake_Trail[2206]](https://www.vernonoutdoorsclub.org/img/s/v-10/p2431714307-5.jpg)
Driving Directions – Monashee Lake. Last Updated August 2020.
© Vernon Outdoors Club 2021
- From Vernon drive East on Hwy. 6 towards Lumby.
- At the intersection of Hwy.6 and 15th Street in Vernon, set trip meter to zero.
- Continue East on Hwy.6 towards Cherryville.
- At 47.7km is Franks Store. Good for a bathroom break and last-minute supplies.
- Continue East on Hwy.6. At 61.2km turn left onto the South Fork FSR (RR-30).
- At 77.3km stay left (hiking trails sign).
- At 80.6 km take left turn onto the Mt Beaven/Monashee Rd (right is to Vista Ridge). fork.
- Monashee Lake trailhead is at 86 kms (5.7km from the Vista turnoff).
Road conditions: High clearance SUV or truck with 4WD and good tires for rough gravel roads recommended. Use of these directions is entirely at your own risk.