Hiking Zupjok, Llama & Alpaca Peak in Coquihalla Region
Contents
Zupjok, Llama & Alpaca Peak Hike Information
Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: 22.5Km
Elevation Gain: 1,390m
Highest Elevation: 2,083m
Average Gradient: 12.36%
Effort/Reward Ratio: High/High
Time Needed:
– Slow: 8 – 10 Hours
– Moderate: 7 – 8 Hours
– Fast: 6 – 7 Hours
Dog Friendly?: Yes
Season: Year-Round (Summer Preferred)
4×4 / High Clearance Required? No
Scrambling / Exposure: One very short climb with no exposure
Zupjok, Llama & Alpaca Peak Trail
Trailhead Coordinates: 49°35’46.3″N 121°07’20.0″W
Zupjok, Llama & Alpaca Peak Overview
Zupjok, Llama & Alpaca peaks are a trio of peaks in the Coquihalla Recreation Area that are safely & easily connected into a fantastic day hike, in a lesser hiked region near Vancouver. With incredible vistas in all directions throughout the hike, and a gradual saunter between each of the oscillating peaks once you’ve reached Zupjok, these three peaks make for an excellent day trip.
At 2,083m, Alpaca Peak is the final and highest destination, offering incredible panoramic views of the region, including the jaw dropping Vicuna/Guanaco peak nearby to the east, as well as the impressive Anderson River Group to the west boasting countless peaks in a breathtaking panoramic backdrop. If you do feel like making this a shorter trip, you can always stop at either Zupjok or Llama Peak. The views from Llama are still incredible, however Zupjok alone may not be worth the effort.
At 22.5km long and 1,390m elevation gain, this trio of peaks is a fairly difficult hike, but it’s more than possible to do even for an intermediate hiker. With an average gradient of 12.36%, though, this is a relatively steep hike, most of which is at the beginning, on the ascent of the first peak, Zupjok.
Zupjok, Llama and Alpaca Peaks are possible to hike year-round, but it makes for a very long day in the winter and should only be attempted by experienced hikers. For that reason it’s preferred as a summer hike when the peaks are snow free.
Hiking in the Coquihalla Pass area is certainly growing in popularity, with the nearby Flatiron via Needle Peak being a very popular hike, as well as Yak Peak. That being said, when I hiked Zupjok, Llama & Alpaca Peaks, I saw a solitary person the entire day, albeit on a weekday. I firmly believe this is one of the best lesser known hikes in southwest BC, though that might not be for long.
Maintaining this website requires a significant investment of both time and money, if you find this website a useful resource, please consider making a donation using this button.
Is Zupjok, Llama & Alpaca Peak worthwhile?
Zupjok, Llama and Alpaca Peaks are an underrated gem of a hike on the Coquihalla Pass and I’m not sure why it isn’t more popular. It offers views throughout much of the hike, which is a huge bonus for me in a region where you often only get rewards at the end.
How difficult is the hike to Zupjok, Llama & Alpaca Peak?
With an average gradient of 12.36% this hike is fairly steep. A lot of the elevation gain is at the very steep beginning of the hike up to Zupjok. Thereafter the elevation is undulating and spread throughout the outbound and inbound portion, so you don’t notice it as much. Overall though, this is a fairly difficult hike with a lot of elevation over a moderate distance.
Technically the hike isn’t super challenging. There is one section where you will have to climb with your hands, but it is very brief and not exposed. A lot of the hike is on rock faces that can be deceptively slippery if there is any moisture in the air, which is common here, so you need to be careful with your footing.
Zupjok, Llama & Alpaca Peak Route Information
The hike begins at the Zopkios Rest Area, which has the added benefit of well maintained bathrooms and a hot dog/drink stand for the truckers (definitely a nice post hike benefit!). Any vehicle can access the parking lot, but do note that in winter the Coquihalla Pass can receive a lot of snow and M&S tires are mandatory.
Heading east you’ll quickly cut into the forest and make your way up an overgrown road. It might seem like you’re not on the trail, but you are. The gradient is gradual here so I like to go a good clip to warm up and get ready for a real ascent. I’m not going to lie it was kind of spooky hiking this one alone as it feels like some abandoned old road in the middle of nowhere.
After around 3.5km, it’s time to pay attention as you’ll reach a (not obvious at all) fork where you need to cut right into the bushes. If you keep going straight you’ll end up at Ottomite Mountain, which I hear is quite uninspiring so I didn’t bother checking it out. Soon after the turn off, this is where a large chunk of the elevation gain is earned on the hike. Over approximately 2km you’ll climb around 430m (21.5% gradient). This portion of the hike isn’t the best, there’s nothing to see, it’s seriously steep and will leave you gasping for breath. The trail isn’t well maintained either, but it is easy to follow and is well marked with tape. I went on a dry day, I can imagine this part is rough if it’s wet…
After a lung-busting ascent, you’ll reach the first peak, Zupjok. If you’re lucky, unlike me, you’ll have some great views here of Zopkios Peak & Yak Peak, as well as a vast valley area. Catch your breath, take a break, that’s (easily) the hardest part of the hike over and done with.
From here on out, the hike is breathtaking. You’re now in the mountains and you’ll undulate in elevation as you stroll from Zupjok Peak to Llama Peak. Don’t forget to look behind you as Zupjok is an incredible peak from this angle, and the valley views to the east keep getting better and better. There’s still a lot of elevation to be lost and gained mind you, don’t make the mistake of thinking this is easy sailing from here on out, you’ll still huff and puff, but nothing like the climb up Zupjok.
At Llama Peak the views to the west really open up, with a jaw-dropping view of numerous mountains in the distance to the west and the final summit of Alpaca Peak to the north. After another break here the trail starts to become mostly self-guided, but it’s obvious where you’re going and if you’re lucky you’ll find markers guiding the way, though they’re really not necessary.
You’re basically on rock for the rest of the hike, which can be deceptively slippery, even for the grippiest of boots. I mistakenly assumed a part of the rock was dry and ended up on my butt after I discovered it was like walking on slick algae. So be careful with your footing whenever you’re traversing a rock as it could easily be as slippery as ice.
Continuing north towards Alpaca Peak, the views to the east become ridiculous. Vicuna Peak in particular is staggeringly photographic and will make you want to add it to the top of your to-hike list. You can save that for another day if you like, it’s doable as a scramble.
Hopefully you have managed to avoid finding yourself in the clouds up until now, I had a mix of crazy weather when I did this hike, which the Coquihalla is famous for, and Alpaca Peak was buried in fog as I ascended. Still I continued, and it was a good job that I did as the fog cleared up for the most part by the time I summitted, though the howling gale never let up.
Once you reach Alpaca Peak you’ll be blessed with views in all directions, with the latest view to the north of a gargantuan stone valley that leaves you speechless. Again the view of Vicuna Peak and the mountain range to the west are in full view. If weather permits, take your time at the top, for me it was blowing a gale so I quickly headed back down to the ridge between Llama and Alpaca where the views are arguably as good and the weather far better.
Luckily for me the weather improved drastically on my wander back to Llama and Zupjok, so I managed to get a good few blue sky photos on route to replace the fog filled ones from earlier. You’ll simply head back the way you came, traversing the undulating hills between each of the peaks, appreciating the views in the opposite direction, before finally reaching Zupjok. The descent from Zupjok is steep, but I blitzed it down the mountain in good stride, finding it easier on the knees to go fast rather than slow. The final 3.5km back to the car through the forest will feel much longer now, but at least it’s flat and you already know there’s a hot dog waiting for you when you’re done.
When should I hike Zupjok, Llama & Alpaca Peak?
The weather in the Coquihalla Pass is renowned to be brutal. Even during the shoulder season you can expect snow and ice on the nearby mountains. With that in mind, and the fact the rocks can be slippery throughout, this hike is best during the peak summer season of July – September on a definitively sunny day. I went on a “partly sunny” day and ended up spending half the hike in clouds/fog.
While this is possible as a snowshoe trip in the winter, I’d only recommend that for people with avalanche experience/education, as well as all the necessary gear.
Top Tip
Fog stays on the mountains here in the morning much more than other regions. For once I might advise leaving a little later in the day to allow time for the fog to be blown off. I wasted half my hike in the fog as I began hiking so early it had had no chance to lift. That doesn’t sit well with my “beat the rush” attitude of leaving very early, but I suspect this hike is quiet enough, and the parking ample enough, that you should be fine.
