Hiking Vicuna & Guanaco Peak near the Coquihalla
Contents
Vicuna & Guanaco Peak Hike Information
Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: 19.20Km
Elevation Gain: 1,210m
Highest Elevation: 2,127m
Average Gradient: 12.60%
Effort/Reward Ratio: High / High
Time Needed:
– Slow: 8 – 10 Hours
– Moderate: 7 – 8 Hours
– Fast: 6 – 7 Hours
Dogs Permitted?: Yes
Season: ~July to October
4×4 / High Clearance Required? No
Scrambling / Exposure: Guanaco – None, Vicuna – Class 4+
Vicuna & Guanaco Peak Trail
Trailhead Coordinates: 49°38’26.5″N 121°05’31.6″W
Vicuna & Guanaco Peak Overview
Vicuna and Guanaco Peak are a duo of summits located near the Coquihalla Summit Recreation Area, visible from almost every mountain in the region thanks to the striking shark fin shape of Vicuna in particular. As these peaks are both accessed via the same, fairly long approach, most people will tackle them together, however you can certainly opt for only one of them if you prefer. This would only reduce the total stats by under 1km and around 100m of elevation gain though, hence most people will try for both at the same time.
Of the two, Guanaco Peak is the easiest to summit, with the climb up mostly following a faint hiking trail with little to no scrambling required. Vicuna, on the other hand, is much more challenging, with a short, steep crux that goes at Class 4 or even Class 5 scrambling. Typically there is a rope/chain to assist those looking to summit Vicuna, and if for any reason it is not there, most people will likely not be able to summit as there are so few hand holds available on the smooth granite. Up to and beyond the short crux the scramble is mostly Class 2 / 3 (Full disclaimer: I stopped at the crux on Vicuna, so any description of it / beyond that point is merely by my observation and feedback of others in my party that did do it).
Access to these peaks typically comes from the Zum Peak Recreation Site. The Coldwater FSR to reach this is somewhat rough but mostly fine for an SUV with some ground clearance. That being said, the road is typically overgrown, so expect to be brushing against plenty of bushes to reach this point. It’s actually possible to drive significantly further down the FSR (reducing the hiking stats by several kilometers) if you don’t care about the paint on your vehicle. If you start from Zum Peak Recreation Site and you have access to a dirt bike / ATV or even mountain bike, it is recommended to bring them, as the start of this hike is a ~6km hike along a mostly flat FSR otherwise.
In terms of seasonality, it’s best to save these mountains for peak summer when snow won’t interfere with the long approach or the steep climb up to the saddle between the peaks. With that said, July to October is the best time to go.
Dogs are welcome on this trail, though you almost certainly won’t get one up Vicuna as there is no way up for a dog other than being carried, which will be impossible as you need both your hands to climb the rope/chain. If you can put your dog in a backpack of some sort, maybe you will get it up, otherwise it’s not likely feasible.
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Are Vicuna & Guanaco Peak worthwhile?
Vicuna and Guanaco Peak are an iconic couple of mountains in the Coquihalla region, and in fact they are both some of the highest peaks in the area as well (higher than Yak, Needle and Alpaca, for example). Many people will be familiar with the striking beauty of Vicuna Peak in particular, especially if you have hiked the Zupjok, Llama and Alpaca traverse, which offers great views of both these peaks. In terms of views, this hike is up there as one of the best in the Coquihalla area.
Unfortunately the approach isn’t so pleasant, with a long 6km plod through an overgrown FSR each way. Still, it’s easy stuff and fast travel, so don’t let it put you off. As noted if you don’t mind sacrificing your vehicle paint, or you have an ATV/dirt bike/mountain bike, this approach will be much more tolerable.
How difficult is the hike to Vicuna & Guanaco Peak?
The hiking stats for this are somewhat skewed as they include the long, flat FSR walk. The entire climb/descent is therefore over just 7.5km, which gives a true average gradient in the region of 30%, making this a very steep hike once it actually gets going. That being said, as there are two peaks and plenty of views along the way, there’s lots of opportunity for breaks and it doesn’t really feel like a soul crushing grind like some hikes can. You’ll start to get really nice views after ascending just a few hundred meters, so there’s lots to enjoy along the way.
Technically speaking the hike up to the saddle between the peaks is steep but straightforward, and Guanaco Peak is a simple hike following a faint trail. There is no exposure and no real scrambling required. Vicuna looks ominous from almost all angles, but once you start working up the NE ridge you start to realize it’s (mostly) simpler than it looks. It’s class 2 or easy class 3 to the crux without too much exposure, so check it out even if you don’t think you can do the crux. The crux is definitely steep and pretty much requires the rope/chain. A capable climber could probably find a way without the assistance, but the majority of hikers and scramblers will need it, especially on the descent. The crux is short, perhaps a 5 meter climb before you’re back to easier scrambling, but it’s enough to stop many people in their tracks as a fall would be consequential. Don’t be ashamed if you back out, you won’t feel hard done by as the views from Guanaco and up to this point are fantastic either way. You’re not actually missing out on that much as the views from Guanaco are largely the same as Vicuna (if not better).
Vicuna & Guanaco Peak Route Information
As noted the trailhead for Vicuna and Guanaco for most starts from the Zum Peak Recreation Site. There is parking for a few vehicles here and it’s not a busy spot. The road even to this point is generally overgrown and you will almost certainly be brushing past bushes as you drive. Beyond this you can continue driving along Coldwater FSR, and the first few kilometers might be much of the same (light bush). Eventually though, the bush grows in significantly, and you’ll essentially be bushwhacking with your car (there’s a road, but you probably can’t see it at this point). Most people should probably stop before it gets this bad, as there aren’t many turnaround points along the road either.
Assuming you park at the Zum Peak Rec Site you’ll instead hike this road (or bike it). It’s around 6km long and is practically flat the entire time. Thankfully it’s quite fast and it should only take a little over an hour to reach the end. You’ll cross a few smaller creeks along the way, but once you cross over Coldwater River the FSR ceases and you’ll be climbing up a narrow, heavily overgrown trail for a little over 500m. At this point you’ll want to keep an eye out for flagging on your left, as the hike turns into the forest here.
The forest ascent is steep and typical PNW forest, but it’s easy to follow and there is no real bush. After around 250m or so of climbing you’ll start to break out of the trees onto the boulder fields. There’s a neat natural staircase in one large boulder here, then beyond that you’ll reach a boggy stretch of the trail. Over a few hundred meters you’ll work your way through some fairly muddy sections, doing your best to avoid wet feet. Sometimes it’s unavoidable, but others it’s quite manageable, it just depends on the year.
Beyond the marsh you’ll continue climbing, with the sheer SE face of Vicuna looming high above, with notable similarities to the Yak Peak hike if you’ve ever done it. After climbing around 200m you’ll reach the base of this SE face, with nothing but granite slabs towering overhead. To the east of Vicuna you’ll see Guanaco, and the trailheads in that direction as you climb up towards the col between the two peaks. The trail now enters the meadows between the peaks, where views fully open up.
From the saddle you can pick whichever peak to do first. If you like to start easy go for Guanaco, if you prefer a challenge to begin, Vicuna.
Guanaco Peak
From the col you should easily identify a trail heading towards Guanaco’s SW ridge. The views of Vicuna will constantly be drawing your attention, and there’s no doubt you’ll go home with way too many photos of it. Working your way up Guanaco should be obvious as the terrain generally draws you towards the easiest route. There’s definitely some scrambling for those that want to find it, but the easiest route up should just be hiking, so if you find anything challenging, have a look around as you may be off route.
From the col it’s actually not far at all to the summit, less than 1km and around 150m of gain, so it should be less than half an hour to the top. From here the views are of course 360 degrees, with excellent views of Vicuna, and the rarer views of the north side of Yak/Nak. Needle, Coquihalla, Jim Kelly, Baker, Breckenridge and countless more will be visible on a clear day.
Once rested at the top, return to the col to begin the Vicuna climb.
Vicuna Peak
From the col the route up Vicuna is very obvious, following a well worn trail to the scramble. The scramble is also very obvious as it’s the only possible way up, with well worn footprints in the sandy climb up. Reaching the crux is mostly Class 2 / 3 with light exposure (you’re mostly exposed to just falling back down what you climbed, there are no cliff edges etc.). The crux is a little over half way up the climb, and the views back towards Guanaco will be excellent even if you don’t climb the crux.
At the crux you’ll be faced with a short, very steep slab of granite with a narrow crack in it. Hopefully there is a rope/chain dangling down, otherwise I’d seriously question whether to try climbing it. While you’re able to jam your feet into the crack, there are few hand holds, if any, hence the rope is pretty essential and you will most likely need both hands to climb it. It’s fairly short, maybe 5 meters before it’s over, but even a fall of that height is enough to do damage. Of course you should be wearing a helmet for this.
Beyond the crux (so I’m told, I didn’t go) the remainder of the scramble to the summit is similar to the initial scrambling, mostly Class 2 / 3. It’s not that far now and it won’t be long until you’re there. The views aren’t too dissimilar to Guanaco.
Heading back down is supposedly trickier than going up, and you’re more reliant on the rope. You will essentially be abseiling down the rope until you’re able to find hand holds again. Once down from the crux the remainder of the descent to the col is straightforward, if not a little loose with sandy terrain here and there.
Back at the col you now simply return to the FSR back the way you came. The FSR plod back to Zum Peak Rec Site is a monotonous one, but thankfully it’s mostly flat, so at least it’s not tiring.
When should I hike Vicuna & Guanaco Peak?
You’ll want to save this one for peak summer as any snow along the trail will for sure cause difficulties. As such, July to October is the best time to go.
Top Tip
If you have a mountain bike, dirt bike or ATV it will save a lot of time for the FSR.
Once the snow has fully melted there are no water sources anywhere once you cross over the Coldwater River (essentially the entire climb/descent has no water sources).
Camping up here is excellent (assuming you bring water), with an unbelievable camp / bivvy site on the top of Guanaco. There’s room for one small tent or a couple of bivvies, and the views of Vicuna at sunset/sunrise would be unreal. There are no doubt some spots on the col between the peaks too.
Bears are quite common in this area as it sees very little traffic, so be prepared for possible encounters, especially along the FSR.
Of course, bring a helmet if you plan to summit Vicuna, Guanaco won’t need it.
