Vista Pass

Vista Pass is at the southern end of the Pinnacles in the southern Monashee mountains. The pass provides panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and peaks. In the photo below, you can see the south-face of the South Pinnacle (left side).

The Hike

To reach the trail-head, drive toward Cherryville, BC onward to the South Fork Forest Service Road (FSR). In recent years, be aware that the start of the FSR has been rerouted further south. The drive to the trail-head is straightforward; during the weekdays, there may be logging traffic. Follow the marked signs to the trail-head.

At the trail-head, you'll find a reasonable space for vehicles to park with an outhouse. At the start of the trail, you'll want to follow the dirt road to the left of the parking lot. After a short distance, you'll enter the forest (photo below).

In the lower section, the trail is well-established. It ascends gently.

As the trail enters into sub-alpine areas, it begins to fade a bit. However, it's not difficult to follow.

In some areas, there are some muddy spots.

Once the trail transitions into the alpine meadows, it vanishes. From here, the route is obvious to the crest of the ridge.

Looking back, you can see the distant ridge.

As you ascend toward the top of the ridge, you'll see views of the pinnacles.

Without a doubt, the highlight of the hike is the view of the south-face of the South Pinnacle.

Beyond the South Pinnacle, you can see Mount Severide in the distance.

Final Thoughts

The hike to Vista Pass lead to rolling alpine meadows, panoramic views of the nearby mountains, and many areas to explore beyond. In the early summer, you'll likely find snow with good spots for camping overnight. In mid-summer, I highly recommend timing the hike for a day with warm weather and clear skies. In the late fall, you may find grizzlies foraging in the area.