Conway Peak

Conway Peak in Hope, BC is one of those hikes you really have to earn. This 19.2 km out-and-back with about 1300 m of gain is a full-value slog that usually takes 8 hours or more, and it feels every bit “difficult.” The payoff is big mountain scenery and glacier views, but you’ll spend a long time in rough forest before you get there.

The route to Conway Peak starts on a rough forest service road, then dives into dense, overgrown trail where you’re pushing through brush, stepping over creeks, and side-hilling through the trees. Flagging is generally good, and once you finally break out of the forest around the alpine, the views over the Cheam Range and nearby glacier make the grind worthwhile. Many hikers are happy to enjoy the glacier outlook and skip the true summit, which sits a bit farther back from the ice.

Current reports say the FSR to the Conway Peak trailhead is drivable with AWD and decent clearance, but expect branches scraping the paint and at least one rough ditch. The trail is very overgrown but still followable, with snow starting around 1300 m in spring and lingering into early summer; snowshoes, spikes, and poles are often needed in shoulder seasons. There’s little water for a few kilometres near the mile-high campsite, very limited tent spots, fresh bear sign at times, and a couple of creek crossings that can be awkward on hot melt days, so start early, bring extra layers and water, and plan for a long, slow day in serious terrain.