Thar Peak

Thar Peak above Yale, BC is one of those steep grinds that makes you earn every bit of the view. The route is only 6.9 km out and back, but with about 703 m of gain to roughly 1,899 m, it feels tougher than the stats suggest. Strong hikers can move fast, but most folks should expect a demanding, route-findy mountain day rather than a casual walk.

The climb up Thar Peak wastes no time, heading straight into steep terrain and patchy, overgrown sections before breaking into open alpine slopes. On a clear day you’re rewarded with big views toward Yak Peak and the surrounding Coquihalla summits, plus a real high-country feel for the relatively short distance. It’s the kind of hike where you spend more time looking at your feet on the way up, then soak in the scenery from higher up once you’ve done the work.

Right now, recent hikers are reporting heavy powder, poor snow quality, avalanche debris, and a lot of downed trees and alder, especially low down, with sections of the old Thar Peak trail basically erased past the pipeline road. Expect slow progress, possible trail breaking, and real exposure higher up; several people have turned around short of the top or near Nak Peak. This route is better tackled in a solid winter or late-winter window (late January to March) when there’s a supportive crust, with full avalanche gear, navigation skills, and a willingness to back off if conditions feel sketchy.