Trip 323 - September 18, 2024 (Wednesday)

Sunshine Mountain Trail Hike

Near Bralorne, BC

Page 4 of 4

Trailhead Location: At the end of Noel Creek Forest Service Road, 4.4 km from Bralorne, British Columbia, Canada.

Liked: Bralorne Powder Club clubhouse by the trailhead, valley and mountain views, alpine views, shade in the forest, no bugs.

Of Note: Remote wilderness area, high altitude trail, dangerous trail in the alpine due to steepness and loose rocks - suitable for properly equipped experienced hikers only, hiking poles and boots are essential in the alpine (recommended up to that point), motorized traffic (motorcycles) possible up to the alpine, Noel Creek FSR to Sunshine Mountain Trail trailhead requires at least a medium clearance vehicle past the 2.3 km split due to cross-ditches (or the hike would be extended by 2 km each way), 2WD ok all the way (with good tires), several steep stretches on Noel Creek FSR past the 2.3 km split, watch for a bump at the end of the FSR - long wheelbase vehicles with insufficient clearance might get high-centered.

Vancouver, Coast & Mountains Backroad Mapbook (2019 edition) Coordinates : Page 51 (Gold Bridge) B6.

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Sunshine Mountain Trail is located near Bralorne, BC, which itself can be found 12 km from the end of 103 km-long BC Highway 40, which connects Lillooet with Gold Bridge. This trail has four distinctive parts: an unremarkable hike through a forest, then a neat sub-alpine area, then a dangerous trek across steep and loose-surfaced stretch of the alpine area, followed by a very pleasant nearly flat alpine area close to the peak of Sunshine Mountain.

Unless you are a well-equipped experienced hiker, please limit the hike to the sub-alpine, as the alpine area is a disaster waiting to happen, unless you know what you are doing and have hiking poles and boots. We have all of the above and still managed to fall twice, broke a hiking pole, injured an elbow, and suffered a minor abrasion. The fine views made up for the hurt, but it is a very remote trail, and help will take a long time to arrive should you ever need it.

* All trail distances are based on a GPS odometer and are approximate.

89. We then headed to the peak of Sunshine Mountain, across the alpine from the "bump". At 5.95 km of the hike, with the peak area partially visible on the left side.

90-92. Now at 6.10 km, we are looking straight ahead, then to the right, then back (towards the bump).

93-94. Found one of a kind (in this area, anyway) stone on the ground nearby. We left it there, so you might find it too!

94. At 6.15 km of Sunshine Mountain hike.

95. Looking right at 6.17 km. Would have been good to hike down there too.

96. Now climbing the peak area at 6.20 km.

97. 90 meters later.

98. A neat stone pile to climb at 6.34 km.

99. Looking left (towards the bump) from the same spot.

100. At 6.37 km, we are getting close to the peak of Sunshine Mountain near Bralorne, British Columbia, Canada.

101. And here is Sunshine Mountain peak, at 6.60 km of the hike. Coordinates: N 50⁰43.433' W 122⁰46.347'. Elevation: 2,320 meters. Since we went past the peak to check out "the bump" and then came back, it is possible to save about a kilometer of hiking (each way) by going straight to the peak. But then you would miss some of the best views of the hike which come from the "bump" viewpoint.