Monashee
Park
Monashee Provincial Park is situated northeast of
Vernon, in the heart of the Monashee Mountains, part of the Central Columbia Mountain
landscape. It contains 7,513 hectares of undeveloped mountain wilderness.
Follow Highway 6 east from Vernon for 60 km, through Lumby to Cherryville, turn north on
Sugar Lake Road and proceed for 48 km until you reach the turn-off to Monashee Provincial
Park. Travel 11 km to the parking lot; from here a trail crosses Spectrum Creek and
heads into Spectrum Lake campground.
This park protects substantial stands of old-growth cedar, spruce
and hemlock. Lush green forests grace the valley bottoms; in spring the alpine
meadows higher up blossom with lupine and daisy, fireweed and lily, monkey flower and
columbine. The park is also noted for some of the oldest rock formations in Western
Canada as well as its clear, glacier-fed lakes - more than 100 in all - many teeming with
rainbow trout.
Wildlife often seen include deer, marmot, squirrel, hare and black bear.
The more elusive mountain goat and pika, and caribou and grizzly bear live at
higher elevations. Experienced hikers will appreciate the park's virgin wilderness
and the spectacular views that reward a challenging climb. The
highest peak is Mt Fosthall at 2,679 m. There are also plenty
of opportunities for beginners. The park has over 30 km of well maintained trails,
10 wilderness campsites with picnic tables and pit toilets and 6 overnight shelters.
The first campsites are located at Spectrum Lake, about 6 km from the
parking lot. Peters Lake, 12 km further up also has campsites and is a good starting
point for day hikes to Margie, Mikes and the Fawn Lakes. Peters, Margie and Spectrum
Lakes are noted for their excellent fishing.
Monashee Provincial Park is a wilderness area without supplies of any
kind. In places, the park terrain is very steep and the going difficult. Dogs
are not allowed in this park and fires are restricted to designated firerings in all
areas.
For further information, please link:
wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/monashee.htm
BC PARKS - OKANAGAN DISTRICT
Box 399
Summerland, BC VOH 1Z0
PH: 250 494-6500