Guanaco Peak (from Zopkios Rest Area)

Yale, BC, Canada
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Roundtrip: 20.0km
Elevation gain: 915m
High point: 2127m
Time needed: 9 hours
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Tags:
2WD steep-trail bushwhacking winter-routefinding peak
NEARBY TRAILS
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DIRECTIONS: Heading east on Hwy 1, take the Hwy 5 turn-off 11 kms after Hope. 44 kms later, at Exit 217 (about 3 kms past the tunnel of the Great Bear snow shed), turn into and across a storm drain tunnel to arrive on the other side which is the Zopkios rest area. create
SUMMARY: Park (1200 m elev.) and then walk south along the highway for 200 meters. Near the point where the rest area on-ramp meets the highway is a creek and a culvert. After walking past the creek, turn right and head across a gravel area towards the forest. There, you will find the overgrown Ottomite Mountain Road. Just after the 2 km mark, you will encounter a creek. Turn right towards the lowest point of the ridge due north, staying on just the left side of the creek the entire time. At the end of the creek, the ascent to the Zupjok-Zopkios Ridge saddle (1540 m) will be in sight. Then descend into the Coldwater Creek basin and navigate to Guanaco by sight and with the aid of compass & topographic map or GPS, especially if visibility is reduced.

Notes:

- Despite nominal gain of only 915 m, the cumulative elevation gain on a round-trip is closer to 1800 m as one has to hike up the saddle twice: on the way to Guanaco peak and when coming back.
- There is an avalanche runout path you are likely to cross beneath the Vicuna-Guanaco col. Staying close to the trees was our solution.
- The north side of the Vicuna-Guanaco saddle is a cliff where cornices or snowy overhangs loom large, especially late in the winter/spring season. Be very cautious when walking close to the edge.
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POSTS FROM NEARBY TRAILS
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