Monashee Provincial Park
Monashee Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada
About Monashee Provincial Park, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Monashee Provincial Park is located in a remote wilderness area situated in the Monashee Mountain range in between the Okanagan Valley and the Kootenays region of British Columbia, Canada. It consists of a large protected swath of mountainous areas that contains old-growth cedar, spruce, and hemlock trees that have remained untouched by man for many millennia. The park’s ecology ranges from lush green forests in the valley bottoms and, in the higher elevations, you will find beautiful alpine meadows full of wonderful wildflowers and many different kinds of edible berries.
Spectrum Lake is fairly easy to get to and sits at the base of dramatic Mount Fosthall and Slate Mountain. Little Peters, Peters, and Margie Lakes are an arduous hike up into the alpine and show off their incredible beauty as they sit at the foot of the behemoth known as Mount Fosthall which is the highest peak in Monashee Provincial Park.
The park is remote and walk-in only so as you can imagine there is plenty of wildlife and the park is grizzly bear territory. Some animals you may witness when you visit the park include mountain caribou, wolverine, snakes, mule deer, ground squirrels, and pikas.
Exploratory Glory YouTube Channel
Monashee Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada
How to Get There
Getting to Monashee Provincial Park requires a good solid vehicle as the roads are mainly used for logging purposes.
Address: North Okanagan E, BC
Map of Monashee Provincial Park
Monashee Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada
Hiking Trails in Monashee Provincial Park
Spectrum Creek Parking Lot - the main parking lot where most hikers start their journey. A great trail that will take you to Spectrum Lake and beyond. it is a fairly easy trail that meanders through the wonderful lush BC rainforest and past several trickling creeks, which are the perfect place to get your drinking water. Read More About Spectrum Lake.
Distance - 6 km
Hike Time - 2 hours
Difficulty - Easy
Little Peters Trail - this is a difficult trail that ascends the mountain and includes 55 switchbacks as It leads you away from peaceful Spectrum Lake. The trail allows for scenic views down to Spectrum Lake and will take you to the rest of the lakes.
Distance - 5 km
Hike Time - 3-4 hours (from Spectrum Lake)
Difficulty - Hard
Big Peters Trail - if you continue on after you reach the first lake which is Little Peters Lake you will reach the largest lake in the park called Peters Lake.
Distance - 9 km
Hike Time - 4-5 hours (from Spectrum Lake)
Difficulty - Hard
Margie Lake - continue on through the rugged alpine landscape for another 5km to reach this spectacular lake.
Distance - 5 km
Hike Times - 1 1/2 - 2 hours (from Peters Lake)
Difficulty - Easy
Fawn Lake - from Margie, you can head even further into the remote wilderness by hiking up to Fawn Lake and making an elevation change of approximately 300 meters.
Distance - 4 km
Hike Times - 1 1/2 - 2 hours
Difficulty - Moderate
South Caribou Pass - this alpine hike provides spectacular views of the surrounding Monashee Mountains and even allows for mountain biking.
Distance - 3 km
Hike Time - 1.5 - 2 hours
Difficulty - Hard
Mount Fosthall - this is the hardest trail in the park and should not be attempted by inexperienced climbers and may require climbing equipment to ascend the peak and has an elevation change of approximately 1000 meters
Distance - 5.2 km
Hike Time - 3 - 4 hours
Difficulty - Hard
Monashee Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada
Rainbow Falls
Aside from the gorgeous aqua blue Shuswap River and the free campsites, you will see when you enter the park that Rainbow Falls should be the first stop on your adventure. It is just a short drive from the park entrance and is a quick 5-minute hike down to the falls where you will be blown away by this stunning attraction.
Monashee Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada
Monashee Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada
More Okanagan Valley Hiking Trails
