Columbia Valley Greenways Trail Alliance

Coyote Campsite/Sugarloaf (one way distances) - Top of the World - Recreation Sites and Trails BC

Columbia Valley Greenways Trail Alliance
Top of the World Provincial Park - Southeast of Canal Flats

5.93 km
Distance
366.91 m
Elevation Gain
1746.15 m
Trail Head Elevation
2113.00 m
Maximum Elevation
503.32 m
Cumulative Elevation
5-7 hour(s)
Average Time

Trail Description

This is a mainly forested trail heading northeast toward Sugarloaf Mountain. The first 1.3 km is pretty steep, climbing about 150 m. Then it’s time to give back some of that hard won elevation gain as the trail drops back down through an avalanche chute, crosses the valley bottom and then climbs back up again on the other side. The next kilometre provides a brief respite from the forest with some great views as you travel along the edge of a south facing slope. At 4.8 km, about 2 hours into the hike, you reach the junction to Sugarloaf Trail, a rounded(not grassy) knoll visible on the hike in to Fish Lake. From the rounded knoll, a well-defined trail heads north to an alternate road access to the area on a marked trail 5 km away. Stay right if you are heading for Coyote Creek Campsite. It’s another 5.5 km away, about 2.5 hours hiking time. There’s an added bonus once you reach the campsite. An easy trail runs from the campsite to the summit. You’ll be rewarded with great views of the surrounding valleys and mountains. This hike is a 12-14 km return trip from Fish Lake (see separate trail description.)

Directions to Trail Head

Pavement and good gravel roads /no need for a high clearance vehicle. Set your odometer to zero at the traffic lights on Highway 93/95 at the Invermere junction. Head south past Canal Flats. At 53 km turn left at the Whiteswan Provincial Park sign. At 71 km pass Lussier Hot Springs on the right. At 74 km turn right at the Y-junction onto White-Lussier Forest Service Road (left goes to Whiteswan Lake). Stay on the main road following the Top of the World signs, ignoring offshoot roads. At 105 km there is a parking lot on the left signed Top of the World. 2 hours from Invermere.