Hiking Slollicum Peak near Harrison Hot Springs
Contents
Slollicum Peak Hike Information
Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: 14.50Km
Elevation Gain: 1,215m
Highest Elevation: 1,575m
Average Gradient: 16.75%
Effort/Reward Ratio: High / High
Time Needed:
– Slow: 8 – 10 Hours
– Moderate: 6 – 8 Hours
– Fast: 4 – 6 Hours
Dogs Permitted?: Yes
Season: May – November
4×4 / High Clearance Required? No
Scrambling / Exposure: None
Slollicum Peak Trail
Trailhead Coordinates: 49°23’01.3″N 121°44’34.6″W
Slollicum Peak Overview
Slollicum Peak is an easily accessible summit situated slightly east of Harrison Hot Springs, offering panoramic views from the top and for much of the ridgeline approach.
This is a lightly trafficked hike that is gaining in popularity as people broaden their horizons beyond the usual hiking regions, and it’s one of the few easily accessible peaks in the Harrison area. Indeed, Slollicum Peak is a 2WD accessible hike, with the East Harrison FSR in decent shape all the way to the trailhead. A high clearance vehicle is able to drive up the beginning of the trail, shaving off around 1km (each way) and 100m elevation.
Much of the hike to Slollicum Peak is forested, with a good stretch of plodding along a deactivated FSR before a steep forest grind to the ridgeline. Once on the ridge the views open up and improve further as you hike the 1km along the ridge to the summit. From here the views are 360 degrees, with stunning views of Harrison Lake, Slollicum Lake, the Fraser Valley, Mount Judge Howay, Mount Robie Reid, the Old Settler, Mount Urquhart, Mount Outram, the entire Cheam range and Mount Baker, to name some.
Slollicum Peak tends to be a summer hike due to its steep gradient, with a few notably steep sections and multiple creek crossings that could prove difficult in fresh snow. Due to its lower elevation summit than many other peaks, the season for Slollicum Peak might be a little longer, with people hiking this between May and November. You will likely still have to deal with some snow up to and including June, though spring snow is much easier to manage than winter powder on these gradients. Due to the steepness, if you expect to hit snow you will definitely need microspikes, and if you hit ice you may even need crampons and an ice axe.
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Is Slollicum Peak worthwhile?
Most of the hike to Slollicum Peak is fairly uninspiring, with stretches of FSR plodding and steep forest grinding. That being said the views once you reach the ridge are fantastic, getting even better once you reach the summit. Given this is a somewhat shorter hike than many at 14.50km (less if you have high clearance), the views are pretty impressive. It reminded of a somewhat upgraded version of Mount St. Benedict. Overall it’s definitely a worthy hike that everybody should do at least once.
How difficult is the hike to Slollicum Peak?
With an average gradient of 16.75% this is a steep hike that is going to challenge most people. The first half of the hike is relatively straightforward with a moderate climb along an old FSR. You’ll cross several creeks here, and depending on the season you might struggle to get over some of them without getting your boots wet. The second half of the hike is a very steep forest climb up to the ridge, with the final kilometer a stunning saunter along the ridge to the summit.
Physically speaking this is a difficult hike, especially the second half which is particularly steep. Technically the hike is pretty straightforward with no scrambling or exposure. There are some steps along the ridge where you’ll want to take care, but it’s usually easy to avoid anything risky.
Slollicum Peak Route Information
The trailhead for Slollicum Peak is several kilometers down the East Harrison FSR, which is a spacious, mostly smooth FSR with potholes here and there that should be easy to avoid. You’ll reach a junction with another FSR to the right, which is where the trail begins. 2WD’s will want to park here, but high clearance vehicles can drive up this FSR for around a kilometer or so. There are several sizable cross ditches on this stretch, so take care and drive slowly.
Wherever you park the trail will simply continue along the same FSR, so just hike along it. You’ll immediately have excellent views of Harrison Lake, so take it in as you won’t see it again until the summit. At around the 1.3km mark of the trail (if you start at the bottom), pay attention to your map and surroundings as the route suddenly leaves the FSR and climbs steeply up a rocky embankment. It’s not a very obvious junction at all, but there is a sign stating the way if you look for it.
The next few hundred meters will be navigating a small, steep, mossy boulder field, which can be very slippery if the rocks are wet/icy. The route here isn’t super obvious, but it is marked with cairns and your map will guide the way. You’ll soon be off the boulder and in the forest, where shortly ahead the trail will reach a deactivated FSR. Once here you’ll want to go left on the FSR, with the trail leveling off as it traverses beneath a steep rocky bluff.
You’ll soon cross a series of creeks, some of which may be quite challenging to cross without getting wet feet. I’m sure in mid-summer these will be straightforward, but with recent rainfall they could prove tricky. Beyond the creeks you’ll continue along the FSR for another kilometer or so, all of which is a very manageable gradient. Now you will reach a spot in the FSR where a couple of creeks converge, and the route is not very obvious, so pay attention. This is not helped by the inexplicable amount of trail markers directing you to continue on the FSR, when in fact if you look closely there will be a trail climbing steeply up the embankment adjacent to a raging creek. This is again signposted if you look for it, but it wasn’t obvious at all.
Once you’re on the right trail though, it’s very straightforward to stay on it as it is well worn. The gradient, however, becomes much steeper, and continues in the same manner until you reach the ridgeline. After climbing steeply for 500m or so the trees will thin out and you’ll find yourself on a rocky outcropping with some nice views out towards Harrison Lake. This is a good place for a break before the grind continues. Back on the trail you’ll climb a little more, before dropping down and crossing yet another creek, before the steep climb continues.
The final kilometer or so before reaching the ridge the gradient picks up even further, and the trail now traverses across some steep hillsides. Soon enough you’ll reach the ridge and be immediately rewarded with a stunning view of Slollicum Lake and the Old Settler backdrop.
Now it’s simply a case of following the ridge northbound towards the true summit. The peak itself is only actually 30m or so higher than the start of the ridge, but there is a fair bit of undulating between the start and end. Some people opt to just stop at the start of the ridge, but I assure you the views are far better from the actual summit.
Working your way along the ridge is relatively straightforward, even in snow. There are some steep and a few narrow spots to navigate, but it’s simple stuff and you should never be exposed to any serious fall. Though it looks quite far, the summit is only 1km from the start of the ridge, and should only take 20 minutes or so to reach. From the summit the views fully open up, with stunning views of Harrison Lake and its background peaks now on full display. On a clear day you’ll see for miles, with Mount Baker and the Chilliwack River Valley peaks way off in the distance, and Mount Judge Howay and Robie Reid nearer. The Old Settler will also be a standout peak.
After resting up and soaking in the views you simply head back the way you came. I found descending to be fairly slippery at times, with tree needles atop hidden rock faces causing one or two significant slips. Any ice/snow will make this even worse, so take care.
When should I hike Slollicum Peak?
If you are looking to keep things simple and want to avoid snow, the best time to go would be between July and October. Many people still hike Slollicum Peak a little earlier in May/June, and also a little later in November, but they likely have to deal with snow and as such need to go prepared for such. Slollicum Peak is likely doable in mid-winter, but would make for a long and challenging day with difficult navigation, and should be left to experienced parties only.
Top Tip
There are multiple creek crossings along the trail and as such you can carry little water as there are plenty of re-fill spots. I’d suggest waterproof boots in case you have to step into a creek.
If you have a high clearance vehicle I suggest driving up the first kilometer, you’ll save some time and effort. That being said, don’t be put off by using a 2WD, it’s a nominal difference.
If you expect to hit snow you will at least need to take microspikes and hiking poles. If the trail is icy you may even need an ice axe, especially for the final ascent onto the ridge where the trail traverses across some steep slopes. A slip here would result in a long fall.
Intrepid explorers may be able to find a way down to the nearby Slollicum Lake.
