Needle Peak

July 26, 2019

Distance: 8.5km

Elevation gain: 821m

Time required: 4.5-5 hours

Needle Peak is a mountain in the Coquihalla Summit Recreation Area. It is not long though does require a class 3 scramble to reach the summit. To someone with scrambling experience, it will be easy. However, it can unnerve beginners.

The parking lot is off of a brake check/rest area just past the tunnel with the bear designs on it. I actually missed this exit twice and twice had to drive way past the exit, turn around, go back through the tunnel, exit, and turn around again. I had been driving for 3 hours once I actually parked.

The trail starts in the forest for the first 30 minutes before coming out onto the exposed ridge. It's beautiful and the trail is very well marked. Eventually I got the Needle/Flat Iron saddle and went left to make my way to Needle Peak. From here, it's 1km of choose-your-own-adventure to reach the summit. There are some rope assist sections and high class 3 moves. It took me 2 hours to reach the summit.

Near the saddle looking over to Needle Peak

Getting closer

Looking north towards Alpaca Peak, Vicuna Peak, Guanaco Peak from Needle Peak

Looking north at Yak Peak (biggest rocky peak)

Looking back on the Needle ridgeline with the Flatiron ridgeline behind it (click to expand)

It was another 2 hours back down for a short but sweet day hike.