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17071 Hits
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4 Votes
Page Type:
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Mountain/Rock |
|---|---|
Lat/Lon:
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50.61023°N / 120.64186°W |
Activities:
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Hiking, Scrambling, Skiing |
Season:
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Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter |
Elevation:
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5902 ft / 1799 m |
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Overview
Greenstone Mountain highpoint tops out at 5,902 feet with a prominence of 987 feet. The views from the summit are amazing for such an easy access. Getting to the summit is simple, so it is deceiving when mountain weather settles in. I have been on the peak in July and have experienced snow. Greenstone Mountain Provincial Park is situated in the Thompson Valley, southwest of Kamloops, BC. Spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, lakes and the Thompson Valley can be seen from atop Greenstone Mountain.Surrounding vegetation consists of high elevation grasslands, bluebunch wheatgrass, forb and sagebrush. Greenstone Mountain (5,902 ft) is one of the highest elevations at which big sagebrush grows. The forests are a mix of lodgepole pine, Douglas-fir, aspen and spruce. Nearby talus and cliff faces contrast with the rest of the park and provide habitat for a variety of bird species.
There are no camping or day-use facilities provided at this park. The Greenstone Mountain Trails provide many trails on the mountain and throughout the park suitable for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and snowshoeing. Depending on snow levels and vehicle access, you can snowshoe and snowmobiling is permitted. A forest service look-out at the top of the mountain has been refurbished and is maintained by local snowmobile and ATV groups for the use of the public as an emergency shelter and viewing destination. This lookout is not on park land. You can drive the rough 4x4 road to the communication towers. From there it is a short hike to the true summit and also a fire lookout.
There are also other routes to do some rock scrambling. In the summer of 1998 the Greenstone Mountain fire burned most of the northeast slope from highway 1 to the summit. There are many nearby lakes that offer some amazing Kamloops Rainbow Trout that love to take a fly. Check local Fishing Regulations for license and seasons at http://www.fishing.gov.bc.ca/
Getting There
Greenstone Mountain MapIf you view this in google earth; input 50.61000-120.64278.
External Links
For more information on camping, Fees and further details. Click on this link below.http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/greenstone_mtn/
Also a nice local spot to stay would be Mile High Resort. Their information can be located at http://www.milehighresort.com
Staying at their central location will offer days of fun outdoor activities.
Images
Some of the photos were taken by Ryan. View more of his amazing work at http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryanandsabina/. Be sure to look into his hiking and best of the best collection.