Monashee Provincial Park
Monashee Provincial Park is approached from the west side of the Monashee Divide. Almost all of the approaches to the Monashees are difficult. This is true wilderness and there are not many roads that penetrate the ranges.
The trailhead is reached by traveling west from Vernon through Lumby to Cherryville, and then north to Sugar Lake. Drive 46 km north past the end of Sugar Lake and then turn onto the Spectrum Lake Road and follow it for another 16km. The trailhead starts at the parking area.
The first leg of the hike is an easy 6km to Spectrum Lake. This is a pleasant (but not spectacular) spot. When I camped here, there was no one else even though there are 16 spots and a shelter.
The next part of the hike is a four hour (9.5 km) climb to Big Peters Lake. This section feels long. Hikers have to choose to take the shorter backpack into Spectrum Lake and or take the long hike into the Peters Lakes area. If I had an early start, I would backpack all the way in and establish a camp at Big Peters Lake. This spot, though, can be buggy in July.
There are 10 basic sites at the upper campground next to the lake. The views are good here, but you can hike up high the next day for wider views of the highest peaks on the Monashees Divide, the Arrow Lakes, and beyond. If you camp at Peters Lake, there are some good hikes choices: through South Cariboo Pass to go up Mount Fosthall (the next post) or over to the Valley of the Moon.