If you love unrelenting uphill hiking combined with long distances, this trail is for you! 1500 metres of elevation gain on a 15 kilometre round trip make for a long day and a fun challenge. Teepee Mountain is almost as high as Mount Fisher but not nearly as famous and, unlike Mount Fisher, it doesn’t pose any exposure challenges. Up, up, and more up with only a short break between kilometres 1 and 2. The trail breaks out of the trees at around 3.5 km. There are intermittent views to the south to keep you distracted as you continue climbing until you reach Mount Stevens Pass at about 5 km. Turn north here and continue up the rocky alpine ridge to the summit of Mount Stevens at 5.5 km. Teepee Mountain doesn’t look that far away. But it’s another 2 km to the summit at a height of 2800 metres. Take a break, you’ve earned it, before starting the relentless and equally demanding downhill trek back to your vehicle. You might want to save this one for the fall after you’ve spent the summer building up your hiking fitness level.
Set your odometer to zero at the traffic lights on Highway 93/95 at the Invermere junction. Head south past Canal Flats. At 94 km turn left on Wasa Lake Park Drive. At 94.5 km turn right onto Lazy Lake Road. At 105 km turn right onto Lewis Creek Road. Follow this rough, gravel road for 5.6 km. Turn left onto an unnamed road that follows the west side of Lewis Creek. The trailhead is 100 m up this road.
Variable outdoor terrain
Summer, early fall