Needle Peak - Coquihalla Hwy - Difficult w/ Scrambling + Exposure - 13km - 6-7hr

The Coquihalla Summit area's most popular hike, with amazing views from the ridgewalk and two challenging scrambles.

*** Put your name on the waitlist and I will screen you through. ***

NOTE: This hike has a minimum weather threshold of super awesome bluebird sunny day! If the weather is anything less I will come up with a Plan B to hike somewhere along this driving route and reschedule Needle for another day.

http://www.clubtread.com/forumPix/27000/27522.jpg

Photo Credit: willyz, Club Tread

WHAT TO EXPECT...
I would have classified this hike as intermediate if it had not been for the scrambling sections required to peak.

The first 45 min to an hour is a set of steep switchbacks which brings you the top of the ridge with converts to an easy mountain meadow walk with fabulous vistas. We then continue along the ridge until the last hour or so where the trail turns east and changes to a scramble up to the ridge line that runs up to the base of the peak. Once you reach the base of the last scramble to the peak, you take the route to the right to make your final destination or if like to be even further challenged you take the route to the left. (this scrambling is some tricky stuff folks, make sure you are ok with some exposure)

Well done! You have bagged the peak... and now you have bragging rights and a strong sense of accomplishment coupled with incredible views from the summit of Needle Peak.

TRAIL DETAILS

Description: Needle Peak
Rating: Difficult (scrambling/exposure)
Total Distance: 13.4 km
Hiking Time: ~ 7-8 hrs (moderate pace)
Elevation Gain: 882 m
Cumulative Gain: 982+ m
Approx Return Time: don't make plans cause you never know!
After Hike Plans: The Hideaway in Chilliwack for dinner?
Bring: Water, lunch, snacks, hiking boots, poles (optional), sunglasses and sunscreen (mandatory if sunny), proper layers (rain, wind and cold protection), ID, camera, money for your driver ($5/hr) and the essentials (http://www.northshorerescue.com/education/what-to-bring/).

TRAIL RESOURCES

http://livetrails.com/index.php?viewTrail=1&trailid=98
http://www.clubtread.com/routes/Route.aspx?Route=1

Guests
I do not allow guests to join my events. If you have a friend you wish to bring along please have them go through the normal registration process and RSVP for the event.

Dogs
No dogs allowed.

Toilets
No facilities

DIRECTIONS TO TRAIL HEAD (we will be arriving ~8:30am)

Drive north from Hope on Highway 5 (Coquihalla Highway) to the Zopkios Ridge rest area (exit #217). Instead of turning under the highway towards the rest area, turn right as though you're heading towards the nearby highway maintenance shed. We will be parking near the green maintenance shed (but out of the way of the public works vehicles). The trail head is off of the pipeline service road, immediately after the small creek next to where you parked.

If you are planning on meeting us at the trailhead please indicate that in the comments area once you are accepted to join the group.

CARPOOLING SUGGESTIONS

Carpooling requests should be made by comment with your RSVP. Please remember to reimburse your driver for gas. The suggested rate is $5.00 per passenger per hour of driving time on flat road. Please put muddy hiking boots in a clean plastic bag and change into runners after the event/activity. Please be on time.

BE PREPARED!
The weather as we all know can and often does change so please ensure you bring the items I mention in the "Things to bring" list.

Please be on time. I will be leaving the carpooling area and parking lot meetup locations within 10 minutes at the stated time.

HOW DO RSVP's AND WAIT LISTS WORK?

First of all, there is no need to RSVP "No", if you are not attending. We only need to know who is attending. The "No" feature is there for people who need to change their RSVP.

The "YES" list is for people who are SURE they will attend an event. If you think you may be able to make it, please do not click "YES". As always, if you are on the "YES" list, we expect you to show up. If you don't, you will be flagged and if it occurs again we will remove you from the group.

The "Wait list" is activated when an event is full. If you are on the Wait list, you are waiting for someone from the "YES" list to cancel, then you can take his spot. Do not show up at an event unless your name appears on the "YES" list.

Legal Stuff - Liabilities, Obligations and Responsibilities
We are a group composed of volunteers. We are NOT a professional organization or pro trail guides and/or pro event organizers. However, as a group of friends and acquaintances, we will look out for each other. The organizer and any/all assistant organizers and other attendees are in no way responsible and liable for your personal safety and health state, before, during and at anytime after this event. By RSVPing "Yes", for this event, you acknowledge that you fully understand and accept the aforementioned conditions and following event attendance conditions and, you are solely responsible for your own health, safety and well-being before, during and at anytime after the event as stated previously. All attendees shall forever hold harmless the organizers and other attendees and unconditionally waive any liabilities resulting from attending and/or participating in this event.

Guests and Any Other Group Event Attendees
I do not allow guests to join my events. If you have a friend you wish to bring along please have them go through the normal registration process and RSVP for the event.

The organizers and/or assistant organizers are not responsible in any way for event group attendees/members. Event group attendees/members who RSVP "YES" for this event are solely and totally responsible for their own health, safety and well being before, during and at any time after the conclusion of the this event. The event organizer(s) and assistant organizer(s) shall be held harmless and shall be unconditionally free forever of any and all liabilities, obligations and responsibilities to any of the event attendees and group members.

The organizer(s) reserves the right to turn away any member who shows up without RSVP, unprepared and/or ill-equipped to handle this event. Please read the instructions carefully and come to each event prepared.

We respectfully request that you do not RSVP "Yes" to any event unless you are certain of your attendance. We volunteer our time to organize events in order to bring together dedicated members with similar interests who are committed to participating in various activities with other like-minded members. If you are unable to get onto an event, please put your name on the waiting list. Every effort will be made to accommodate members who demonstrate an interest in attending at a later date.