Dragon's Back Trail/KW'OKW'ECHIWEL STL'ALEQEM:
Hope, BC
Summit
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Dragon's Back Trail/kw’okw’echiwel Stl’aleqem
Hope, BC
Trail Key:
Moderate, steep, stairs, view(s), cliffs at the summit, dog friendly, kid friendly
Elevation: 500 meters/8 km's
Dogs: Yes
Pit Toilet: no
Hiking Checklist:
Backpack, poles, Micro-spikes, 10-essentials, tell someone
Directions: Drive to Silver-Skagit Road and follow road about 1.5 km's up to a road on the right side. Follow the road up to a parking lot. The trail head starts here. If you can't make it up the road follow the road just around the bend and park in a pull out on the left. A trail from the road leads up to the parking from here as well.
Trail: Follow the trail from the sign post at the end of parking lot. It starts off with a lot of fresh cut. Just before the trail sign on the right side is a swing. It's a little scary so be careful. Follow the snaky trail up. Soon it starts to climb, steep at times. There's a few stairs, bridge and waterfall.
There's a bit of a break after the stairs but don't too comfy as it climbs again. There's a little lookout. Not long after the switchback starts and log stairs. A little hilly and a snaky trail.
Don't forget to stop and look at the boulders and big tall trees. There's more stairs and the trail keeps climbing. After a bit you start to descend along a log bridge and boardwalks.
You will come to the Stone Garden. Take time to look at these big beauties. Then trail stars to climb. Very steep at times. Finally, you reach the loop junction to the summit. Go left or right. Left longer/right shorter. Some slippery rocks parts and stone steps if you go left. The trail keeps climbing up. There are two rope assist descents. One is before the summit and the other is after.
Finally you arrive at the summit. There are two views and one is a nicer safer spot to sit and enjoy your lunch. The other is sitting on the side of the trail so not a real safe spot. Once you are finished your lunch keep heading tot he right and follow the trail as makes its way back to the loop junction. If you went left in the beginning the loop back will be shorter and you will descend the rope assists. If you went right you will climb the rope assists.
Once back at the loop junction make your way carefully down as its very steep in some sections. As of March 13, 2021 the trail is open but is still being built and more gems will be added in weeks/months to come.
Happy & safe hiking!
Moderate, steep, stairs, view(s), cliffs at the summit, dog friendly, kid friendly
Elevation: 500 meters/8 km's
Dogs: Yes
Pit Toilet: no
Hiking Checklist:
Backpack, poles, Micro-spikes, 10-essentials, tell someone
Directions: Drive to Silver-Skagit Road and follow road about 1.5 km's up to a road on the right side. Follow the road up to a parking lot. The trail head starts here. If you can't make it up the road follow the road just around the bend and park in a pull out on the left. A trail from the road leads up to the parking from here as well.
Trail: Follow the trail from the sign post at the end of parking lot. It starts off with a lot of fresh cut. Just before the trail sign on the right side is a swing. It's a little scary so be careful. Follow the snaky trail up. Soon it starts to climb, steep at times. There's a few stairs, bridge and waterfall.
There's a bit of a break after the stairs but don't too comfy as it climbs again. There's a little lookout. Not long after the switchback starts and log stairs. A little hilly and a snaky trail.
Don't forget to stop and look at the boulders and big tall trees. There's more stairs and the trail keeps climbing. After a bit you start to descend along a log bridge and boardwalks.
You will come to the Stone Garden. Take time to look at these big beauties. Then trail stars to climb. Very steep at times. Finally, you reach the loop junction to the summit. Go left or right. Left longer/right shorter. Some slippery rocks parts and stone steps if you go left. The trail keeps climbing up. There are two rope assist descents. One is before the summit and the other is after.
Finally you arrive at the summit. There are two views and one is a nicer safer spot to sit and enjoy your lunch. The other is sitting on the side of the trail so not a real safe spot. Once you are finished your lunch keep heading tot he right and follow the trail as makes its way back to the loop junction. If you went left in the beginning the loop back will be shorter and you will descend the rope assists. If you went right you will climb the rope assists.
Once back at the loop junction make your way carefully down as its very steep in some sections. As of March 13, 2021 the trail is open but is still being built and more gems will be added in weeks/months to come.
Happy & safe hiking!