The Wild Ones: Get lost in the Monashees

Please Note: Although Monashee Provincial Park is open to use, please use extreme caution when going anywhere in the backcountry, or save this trip for some cooler fall weather.

Can you remember the last time you sat in complete silence, with no distractions or to-do lists running through your mind? It’s easy to get caught up in the craziness of life, we’re all guilty of it, but it’s important to take the time to do what you love most. For me, that means strapping on a backpack and wandering into the woods with nothing but the necessities.

Things become clearer when you take things down to the bare minimum. When there’s nothing but your burning muscles, the ground a blur beneath your feet, rocks at your fingertips and the day stretching out before you.

So, if you find yourself constantly dreaming of your next adventure, this is for you.

Monashee Provincial Park is a great place for both beginner and seasoned backpackers alike. So, if you’ve always wanted to try it out, this is a great place to start. With an easy rolling 6 kilometres into Spectrum Lake, you can choose to push further up into the mountains to Little and Big Peter’s Lake, or drop down into Spectrum Lake and set up camp.

We got a bit of a late start, on the Sunday of a long weekend, as it took us longer to navigate the 32 kilometres of dirt road than I thought it would, so we chose to stay at Spectrum Lake. The campsite is developed right on the sloping landscape that comes with mountain lakes, with tent pads and small shelters, so it’s easy to find a peaceful spot in the trees.

After setting up camp, we chose to go for a quick swim in the lake, and then settled in for the evening. Some complain there isn’t much to do at this particular spot, but in my opinion, that’s the point! Play some cards, read a book or just sit in silence without the constant temptation to grab your phone and scroll through Instagram (there is no cell reception in the park).

As far as food goes, we chose to keep things simple, especially with the high fire risk. You can skip cooking altogether with some helpful tips here. Be sure to make use of one of the three bear cache’s and don’t store food in your tent!

We got up early and started the hike up towards Little Peter’s Lake, but with limited time and a wrong turn (be sure to follow the little orange triangles), we had to turn back just as we were breaking into the subalpine. The trail is technical, switchbacking its way up the mountain. Although it’s only 6.5 kilometres from Spectrum Lake, give yourself three to four hours one way to Little Peter’s Lake, and another hour to Big Peter’s Lake.

There is endless exploring to be done in Monashee Provincial Park, and you can easily fill a three- to four-day backpacking trip, camping at the various lakes along the way — we will definitely be going back when we have more time! However, it’s nice to have the option of camping at Spectrum Lake, and doing day hikes from there, and it’s the perfect beginner’s backpacking trip.

Directions

I promise it’s not as confusing as it sounds, but it’s also a bit of a drive, so be prepared with plenty of gas, snacks, water and your road trip playlist!

Head east from Vernon on Highway 6 through Lumby. At 50 kilometres, just after entering Cherryville, turn left onto Sugar Lake Road and reset your odometer here. Follow Sugar Lake Road (it will eventually turn to dirt) and cross the bridge. Here you get a stunning view of Sugar Lake and, if you have time, it’s a great spot to stop for a swim.

This part will feel like it goes on forever, and there is some active logging so be aware. When your odometer hits 48 kilometres, look out for a large fork in the road with a small sign pointing right into Monashee Provincial Park. From here you have 13 kilometres to the parking area, with signs at any major intersections. You see when you’ve reached the parking lot with a large park sign, an outhouse and the trailhead just to the left of the sign.

Notes:

The road does get rough in places, but is 2WD accessible if you drive responsibly. Please check the BC Park’s website before heading out for any updates or warnings within the park as well.

There are outhouses, but other than that, this is a wilderness campground. Be sure to bring your own toilet paper, and a water filtration system (there is no drinking water other than the lake!)