[TR] Markhor and Needle Peak - Traverse 07/07/2025

[JasonG]

Trip: Markhor and Needle Peak - Traverse

Trip Date: 07/07/2025

Trip Report:

 

I am too behind on everything right now to write much, but I figured some of you may be interested in a lesser known romp across the valley from Yak Peak off the Coquihalla.  It is quite the scenic and reasonable outing for the mature mountaineer, but I think most would enjoy the lovely ridgeline between Markhor and Needle Peaks.  It starts with a steep grunt up the climber's trail up Markhor, with expanding views of Yak Peak across the way:

 

Within an hour or two, the summit of Markhor comes into view, with nothing more challenging than some exposed class 3 standing between the car and the summit:

The view expand greatly, with the shapely Needle peak beckoning across a kilometer (we're in Canada, eh) or two of ridgeline:

The bugs were a bit on the bad side so I didn't waste much time picking my way down Markhor to a rap station and fixed line which greatly aided the descent down a slabby section.  I wrapped a prusik around the thin line which was a nice hand hold as I slid it down and scrambled lower.  Here's looking up at the slabby bit below the summit of Markhor after clearing it:

And then the really good stuff lay ahead.  Always scenic, often exposed, sometimes a bit on the kitty litter side, it was nonetheless "distinctly alpine and a pure joy" to quote Fred from some peak or other in the North Cascades (Logan?).  It was usually pretty easy, although a few sections edged into exposed 4th class where a fall would end very badly:

I caught a glimpse of another couple behind me as I scrambled along:

And soon was on the summit of Needle, alone with the festive summit register:

The bugs here were terrible as well so I didn't stay long, mosying down the well trod Needle Peak trail that was very scenic the entire way. Yak Peak on the left and Markhor on the right:

Partway down there was a nice viewpoint where I could take in the entirety of the Markhor to Needle ridge traverse:

 

And soon was spit out at the well marked Needle Peak trailhead:

I think it took me about 5-6 hours for the loop, including stops, which was a bit longer than the drive, thankfully.  The only bummer is that it isn't longer!

 

Gear Notes:
helmet and approach shoes. Brought a 30m RAD line to rap but fixed line in place on slab downclimb

Approach Notes:
Park at Needle Peak Trailhead and find flagged route up Markhor to the east, starting in pipeline swath. Descend well marked Needle Peak trail after traverse