The lower trails in the valley and the upper slopes of Mount Morrisey at Sun Peaks are best hiked in late summer-fall.   The nordic trails dry out by summer and the mosquitoes thin out by August.   We hike various routes on Mount Morrisey in October when fall colors and drier conditions offer a good climb and some longer routes.   Access roads, double tracks, and ski runs can be used and there are some single tracks created by mountain bikers too.   The Morrisey Backcountry Cross Country Trails can also be used, but they can be hard to follow.   The main nordic trails are double tracks and there are signs at junctions, a good choice for those new to Mount Morrisey.

We chose to go up the front side to the top, then followed the Holy Smokes Trail down the southeast side to a single track which linked us back.

A double track gravel road winds up the front face to the top of the chairlift.   Heading south from the top is a sign that reads “Nordic Trails.”    Follow this good trail south, then east, then north.   As the route comes to a corner, look for a single track that follows the fireguard north, linking back to Morrisey’s front-side roads.   There are many possible routes, but the track shown above was 13.1 km, about 3 hours of steady hiking.

By November, there will be snow on Morrisey so September and October are good months for hiking on the mountain.   We picked a foggy-wet-cloudy day, but enjoyed a good long walk nonetheless.

More info:

• Morrisey Backcountry Trails
• Sun Peaks Nordic Map