The Markhor-Needle Traverse is a classic loop in the Coquihalla Summit Recreation Area that links Markhor Peak and Needle Peak via an aesthetic granite ridgeline. The route begins on a steep climber’s trail through forest and slabby granite leading to the summit of Markhor. A slabby downclimb off the south aspect of Markhor marks the beginning of the traverse toward Needle Peak. Expect reasonably good rock interspersed with sections of kitty litter, a bit of bushy terrain, and healthy exposure in sections. The crux is a 4th class downclimb on an exposed arete, but the difficulties are short-lived and most of the scrambling is very cruisy (2nd and 3rd class), following a beautiful line up to the summit of Needle. The descent follows Needle’s west ridge and reconnects with the well-travelled main trail, from which the run back down to the car is short-lived. All in all, a fantastic scramble with enough difficulty to keep things engaging, in a stunning zone!
Markhor Peak/Needle Traverse — The Mountaineers
The route uses (1) Needle Peak Trail and (2) Markhor Peak Trail
Please use caution and safety equipment if required.
Comments
Note for any future attempts - the trailhead for Markhor is unmarked and slightly ambiguous, and the Needle trailhead has been rerouted a few times due to pipeline work (should be well-marked now).Â
For simplicity, all efforts should start & end on the pipeline road - this is the easiest demarcation of the start & end points.Â