As days get longer and more sun is in the forecast, the snow is melting fast around the Okanagan signaling the start of spring hiking season. For those of us who like to bring the dogs along, there are plenty of dog friendly hiking trails in the area. You can now leave the snowshoes at home if you’re hoping to check out the view with your furry best friend at the top of Pincushion Mountain in Peachland.
View from the top of Pincushion Mountain
With panoramic views of Okanagan Lake at the top, this is a hike you don’t want to miss! Keep in mind that because of the spring snowmelt, it will likely be muddy along parts of the trail until at least April. Bring a dog towel and leave it in the car for use after your adventure, especially if you are hoping to keep the car seats clean!
Bring along your pooch
Your pooch is welcome along the Pincushion Trail! Snow at the summit is still possible, but most of the snow at the trailhead has melted. Remember to bring a leash, poop bag, and water.
Getting to the gate where the trailhead is located, is an easy drive. Go along Hwy 97 through Peachland until you get to the Ponderosa Drive intersection. Turn away from the lake and up the mountain until you get to the very top. Something to consider is that there is limited parking so you might want to go during non-peak hours.
Directions via Google Maps can be found here.
View from the trailhead
The start of the trail begins at 570 metres or 1874 feet. Because you gain about 250m in elevation from the trailhead to the top of the mountain, depending on what season you hike, there may still be snow when you approach the summit.
These signs will guide you to the top
The distance of the trek is 1.8 km and the average time to walk up is between 45 minutes to an hour. Hiking shoes are recommended as there will be some slippery spots. For those who like to use a walking stick, bring it as there are parts of the trail that are steep. There are stairs for the first few minutes of the trail and then within ten minutes, you will get to a wide path. Turn right and after a minute or two, look for the trail sign to your left to continue on your way.
Packing water is also a good idea not only for you but also for your dog as there are no streams along the trail. As always, if you’re planning to take a picnic, remember to pack out what you pack in. You will sometimes see fitness buffs trying to beat their personal best times on this trail but we recommend taking your time especially if you’ve never hiked this trail before as there are many great rest spots to take in the view along the way. If you’re lucky you might even see wildlife on your trek.
