Needle Peak is a destination hike in the Coquihalla Summit for hikers, skiers, and snowshoers from the Coast, Fraser Valley, and Interior of BC.   There is an abundance of information on this hike online and in guidebooks.   We start at the Zopkios Ridge Rest area (through the tunnel and bear west) and we climb steeply through the cedar-hemlock forest to the end of the ridge.   The second leg follow the ridgeline in a sub-alpine zone up to the top of the meadow that separates The Needle from the Flatiron.   From the meadow, the trail climbs through rockbands to the base of bluffs.   This is the most difficult section and hikers have to scramble up the cliffs.   Some exposure will be encountered so the upper section is not for everyone.   Once on top of the summit ridge, we bear east to the base of the final peak and we have to go through the Eye of the Needle (a chimney) to get to the top, a small area surrounded by cliffs.   This track was taken on the way down, starting just below the Eye.

The trail up is a steep one.  The views improve all the way up though.   The Needle stands above the trail to our southeast.

An equally pleasing hike is to follow the Needle Trail but bear west at the top of the ridge meadow over to The Flatiron.

From the top of the Needle, views extend down through the Cascades south, over to the Coquihalla Summits north and east, and over to the Coast Range to the west.

The Needle has become a must-do hike and can be a busy spot, especially on weekends in the summer, but it is also skied and hiked in the winter.   I do enjoy The Needle, but think that The Flatiron, Guanaco, and Zupjok Peak (and beyond to Alpaca) are excellent too.   Do The Needle once, then try the others too.

Notes:

• Trailhead start – N49 35.705 W121 07.524
• Steep forested section – 1.1 km
• Lower Ridge section – 2.7km
• Junction – The Flatiron or The Needle – N49 34.179 W121 07.524
• Junction to Peak – 1km
• Summit at 2074 m (6805 ft.)
• Total elevation gain – 870m (2854m)
• Not recommended for wet conditions; the route is steep, rocky and rooty which becomes very slippery (many falls and injuries have happened on this trail)