Hiking Needle Peak in the Coquihalla Recreation Area
Contents
Needle Peak Hike Information
Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: 10.30Km
Elevation Gain: 820m
Highest Elevation: 2,090m
Average Gradient: 15.92%
Effort/Reward Ratio: High / Very High
Time Needed:
– Slow: 6 – 7 Hours
– Moderate: 5 – 6 Hours
– Fast: 4 – 5 Hours
Dogs Permitted?: Yes – but most would struggle with the scrambling
Season: Late June to October
4×4 / High Clearance Required? No
Scrambling / Exposure: Two short scrambles with limited exposure. Some tricky route finding.
Needle Peak Trail
Trailhead Coordinates: 49°35’41.9″N 121°07’19.0″W
Needle Peak Overview
Needle Peak is likely the most popular hike in the Coquihalla Summit Recreation Area, seeing many visitors during its short summer window when the peak is snow free.
While the hike to Needle Peak is a relatively short one, the final 1km to the summit involves some technical scrambling with mild exposure, requiring some nerve. As much as the scramble isn’t the most technical by any stretch of the imagination, it should not be underestimated and should only be attempted by confident hikers.
Due to the steep scramble, when the peak is snow covered this hike becomes treacherous and should only be attempted by capable mountaineers, as such the hiking season for Needle Peak is quite short, typically late June to October. The Coquihalla Summit is also famed for its unpredictable weather, with the peaks there frequently socked in clouds with powerful winds swirling around. I would not suggest this hike on a rainy day as the scramble covers many rocks that would be slippery. Even a cloudy day would not be advised.
The views from Needle Peak, and even well before the summit, are quite stunning. You’ll get staggering views of the Flatiron, Yak Peak, Vicuna Peak, Guanaco Peak, Zopkios Peak, Coquihalla Mountain, Silvertip Mountain, Mount Baker and the Zupjok/Llama/Alpaca Peak trio to name some.
Many people opt to combine Needle Peak with the Flatiron into one longer day trip, which I strongly advise if you have the time. Camping is also extremely popular in the area, with many people camping at the lake beneath the Flatiron.
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Is Needle Peak worthwhile?
Needle Peak is extremely popular for a reason, the views in the area are stunning, and this summit offers the best vantage point for them all. Even if you are unable to complete the scramble I’m pretty sure you won’t go home disappointed, you can always have the Flatiron as a backup, which is a great hike in itself and much simpler than Needle Peak.
The only drawback of hiking to Needle Peak is you are actually atop the most scenic peak in the area, so you don’t get the best views of the peak itself. The Flatiron hike offers incredible views of Needle Peak, hence I recommend doing both if you have the time.
How difficult is the hike to Needle Peak?
Physically speaking this hike isn’t overly challenging. The average gradient is fairly steep but nothing crazy, it’s a fairly short hike, and a lot of the elevation gain is towards the beginning in simple forest terrain. Once you’re out of the forest the gradient is moderate up until the scramble, where of course it becomes steep again. Since you scramble pretty slowly compared to hiking though, it’s not so physically challenging.
Obviously the most challenging part of Needle Peak is the scramble. I am by no means an experienced scrambler, and I found the scrambling to be challenging. It is essentially two short scrambles, with a simple (and scenic) ridgeline walk between them. The first scramble is not very exposed but does require you to climb up a rope covering a 10ft rockface. The second scramble to the summit is trickier, including some challenging route finding. An experienced scrambler will find this quite straightforward, a novice will likely be pushed. That being said, it is easy to stop whenever you want and head back. Many people can likely pass the first scramble and get to the ridgeline before the second scramble, which is a beautiful spot in itself. If you want to stop here, no worries!
Needle Peak Route Information
The hike begins on the Needle Peak trail just off of Highway 5. You’ll want to take exit 217 on the Coquihalla Highway, and just before the tunnel to cross under the highway, there should be some parking spots on the side of the dirt road. If these are taken, continue through the tunnel and park in the Zopkios Rest Area, then walk back through the tunnel to the other side of Highway 5 to the trailhead. The beginning of the trail isn’t super obvious but it is marked by a sign so keep an eye out. Once on the trail it is easy to follow and overall well marked with orange markers.
The trail immediately enters the forest and begins climbing quite steeply right away. The first kilometer ascends over 250m and is really just a grind in the forest with little of interest, covering a few switchbacks. Depending on when you go the trail here can be in rough shape, as the snowmelt can leave streams running down the trail in the early summer especially.
After the first kilometer or so the views behind you start to break out, with the ever present Yak Peak on full display, as well as Zopkios & Zupjok Peak. While you’re largely out of the forest now the steep ascent isn’t over. The next 500m or so continue to be a grind but at least you have nice views from here on out.
After this stretch the gradient levels off for a little while as you gain a ridgeline with your first views of the imposing Needle Peak and Markhor Peak. You might wonder how you’re going to get up this prominent peak from this angle, but it’s not as bad as it looks.
For the next kilometer or so the gradient is mellow as you continue in and out of patches of forest with occasional views of Needle Peak to the east and the vast valley to the west. The trail should be obvious and marked by orange markers on the trees.
From the 2.5km mark you will break out of the treeline for the rest of this hike and the views will now be endless. You will continue along the ridge line with Needle Peak becoming more and more prominent as you progress. A lot of the trail will now be on granite for the most part, so be careful with footing as it can be quite slippery if wet.
Soon you will reach the col where the trail for the Flatiron splits from the trail up to Needle Peak. You will see the obvious flat summit of the Flatiron ahead, but you’ll want to turn to your left and start working your way up to the start of the west ridge to Needle Peak. Check your map if you’re not sure exactly.
The ridge starts off fairly steep but straightforward hiking, before quickly becoming more of a scramble. Keep an eye out for markers to guide the way, and definitely check your map to ensure you’re on the right path. The trail should be fairly obvious as it is well worn, but there are certainly a few different routes up at times, so pick the easiest line for you.
After some simple, unexposed scrambling, you should reach a steep rock face, ideally with a rope hanging down. Without a rope this would be technical (but still manageable), with the rope it is a lot easier, but obviously requires some upper body strength to pull yourself up. It’s still not really exposed, so hopefully you can manage as this is the end of the first scramble.
After this section you get to enjoy a nice long ridge line walk with staggering views to the north, south and west. The views of Needle Peak to the east will also be stunning, and make for some of the best photos of the day. Take your time walking along this wide open ridge and soak in the views, as the final scramble is right up ahead.
The scramble up to the summit looks pretty ominous, but as you get closer you’ll see it’s relatively straightforward, just following a well worn trail through gigantic boulders. There will be a brief class 3 scramble with limited exposure, after which the rest should be simple. The summit is a small area that won’t fit too many people.
The views from the summit are of course 360 degrees, now offering amazing views to the east in particular, notably the nearby Markhor Peak (which the extremely capable can actually continue to scramble towards).
After soaking in the views, you simply head back the way you came, taking care on the descent of the scrambling section.
When should I hike Needle Peak?
Needle Peak is really a summer only option due to the tricky scrambling. For that reason it’s ideally suited for peak summer (July – September), but anytime between late June and October should work. As long as the scramble is snow free you should be fine.
I advise going on a categorically sunny day, as the Coquihalla is renowned for its questionable weather reports. Often the weather report will say partly cloudy, only to turn up and be completely socked in clouds, especially on the summits. You don’t want to try this scramble if the summit is clouded over, it’s not only risky, there’s also little point as you’ll have no views. I also advise against going in rain, naturally, as this would make the rocks incredibly slippery.
Top Tip
If you have the time, definitely combine Needle Peak with the Flatiron to make for one outstanding day out. If you like to take it slow, camp overnight at the small lake beneath the Flatiron.
You’ll certainly want excellent grip on your boots for this hike, as much of the scramble is on slippery rock. You also might consider bringing a helmet as some added security.
Route finding on the scramble is important, and as such an offline map is paramount for this hike. Even then it is a challenge, so do pay attention to markers and well worn trails to understand the route.
