Zoa Peak, Coquillia Highway
Hope, BC
Trail Key: M~2~ST~V~KF~DF
Length: 11 Km's
Elevation: 800 meters
Pit Toilet: No
Dogs: Yes
This is my favorite snow shoe. It is difficult to find the trail and very steep but the views at the top are spectacular. Drive on highway 5, north of Hope and take the Falls Lake exit #221, at the bottom of the hill turn left, and go under the highway turning left again, park here. The Falls Lake parking lot to the road are not plowed in the winter months so it is best to park here and walk in. Zoa Peak is 11 km's return and will take you about 3 hours up and 1-1/2 down. If you go to Zoa's false summit minus a couple of km's but add in one more as it will be about a km from the road to the parking lot. Don't forget your camera and go on a sunny day.
There are many ways to access the trail head but I will tell you the route I took. Start at the Falls Lake parking lot and walk over a frozen creek and past the Falls Lake sign. Just past a Cattle Guard sign is a steep trail to the left with a hand painted Zoa sign that leads from Coldwater Rd up to the Pipeline, go left. If you stay on the lower road you will not find Zoa Peak, you must turn to the upper road. Follow this wide road for about 80 meters to the crest where there used to be a cairn. To the left with a little flagging tape and another hand painted Zoa Peak sign is where the actual trail starts. There is nothing easy and gentle about this hike...You go up for about the next hour and soon come to a meadow area, covered in snow. A couple of more hills and you are at Zoa's false summit. There on a dead tree is the third and final Zoa sign, although the actual peak is straight ahead you must be aware of possible avalanche risks in the valley below. The false summit is a beautiful spot for resting, lunch and taking many pictures. There are many ways to return to your car but it's best to go the way you came. A slippery carpet is a good way down as it is steep and hard on the knees & toes. Happy & safe ss'ing.
Hope, BC
Trail Key: M~2~ST~V~KF~DF
Length: 11 Km's
Elevation: 800 meters
Pit Toilet: No
Dogs: Yes
This is my favorite snow shoe. It is difficult to find the trail and very steep but the views at the top are spectacular. Drive on highway 5, north of Hope and take the Falls Lake exit #221, at the bottom of the hill turn left, and go under the highway turning left again, park here. The Falls Lake parking lot to the road are not plowed in the winter months so it is best to park here and walk in. Zoa Peak is 11 km's return and will take you about 3 hours up and 1-1/2 down. If you go to Zoa's false summit minus a couple of km's but add in one more as it will be about a km from the road to the parking lot. Don't forget your camera and go on a sunny day.
There are many ways to access the trail head but I will tell you the route I took. Start at the Falls Lake parking lot and walk over a frozen creek and past the Falls Lake sign. Just past a Cattle Guard sign is a steep trail to the left with a hand painted Zoa sign that leads from Coldwater Rd up to the Pipeline, go left. If you stay on the lower road you will not find Zoa Peak, you must turn to the upper road. Follow this wide road for about 80 meters to the crest where there used to be a cairn. To the left with a little flagging tape and another hand painted Zoa Peak sign is where the actual trail starts. There is nothing easy and gentle about this hike...You go up for about the next hour and soon come to a meadow area, covered in snow. A couple of more hills and you are at Zoa's false summit. There on a dead tree is the third and final Zoa sign, although the actual peak is straight ahead you must be aware of possible avalanche risks in the valley below. The false summit is a beautiful spot for resting, lunch and taking many pictures. There are many ways to return to your car but it's best to go the way you came. A slippery carpet is a good way down as it is steep and hard on the knees & toes. Happy & safe ss'ing.
