White Lake Lookout

South Shuswap

Trail Information

Distance2.5 km (one-way) km
Duration
DifficultyMore Difficult to Most DifficultMore Difficult to Most Difficult
Geo Referenced PDFView Map
Access MapGoogle Maps
Latitude / Longitude50.8855564, -119.31049495
ActivitiesEquestrianHikingMountain BikingPicnicingSnowshoeingWildlifeViewpoint
Warnings:
Steep, narrow sections. Watch for other trail users. Mountain bikers keep your speed in check.

About

This trail was originally built as a downhill mountain bike trail. It is a short, steep hike to a lookout with wonderful views of White Lake, Little White Lake, Tappen Valley, and Mt Ida in Salmon Arm. The total trail length is 2.5 km long, but the best viewpoint is only 1 km from the bottom of the trail. 

Start from the John Evdokimoff Bike Park. Hikers start at the west side of the parking lot, taking the trail past the playground, along the stream, up to the FSR. Bikers start at the east side of the parking lot, taking the climb trail through the bike park up to the FSR.

At the FSR, turn left (west) and follow the FSR for a short distance then turn right, just before the stream crossing at the bend of the FSR, onto an ATV track. Stay right at the first junction on the ATV track and then turn left a little further up where the singletrack trail leaves the ATV track. A signpost after a couple switchbacks marks where the White Lake Lookout trail leaves the White Lake Traverse, turning right up the hill. From there, the trail climbs steeply through the forest emerging along rocky bluffs looking over White Lake. 

At the first lookout, take a moment at the memorial plaque placed in honor of Jonathan Halper, a local mountain biker who loved this trail, and be sure to sign the locally maintained trail register. Watch for Chocolate Lilies, Glacier Lillies, and Arnica in the spring. 

The final climb takes you up through a wonderful open grassy forest before popping out at the radio tower (and the whimsical trail sign also erected in honor of Jonathan). From the tower, proceed to the right (northeast) along the quad track and look for a narrow trail on your right, watch for abundant wild strawberries here. . .and bears! Follow this trail weaving until it emerges at a forestry landing and knoll with more views over White Lake and the Reinecker Creek valley. Return the way you came. 

For a longer mountain bike loop (9 km), take the ORV route on the White Lake FSR above John Evdokimoff Park, staying right at first FSR junction and continuing approx. 3.8 km. At the junction take the skid road to the right climbing to a ridge line for another approx. 2.8 km to the forestry landing and viewpoint knoll. From here ride the White Lake Lookout trail downhill to complete the loop.


Access

Approx 9.3 km east of Sorrento on Hwy 1 at the Balmoral Rd junction, turn right immediately onto White Lake Road (behind Balmoral Store). Watch for the John Evdokimoff Bike Park sign on your left about 7 km from the Balmoral Store on White Lake Road. Park here.


Photos Submit photos

White Lake Lookout
Top of the world
White Lake Lookout
Turkey Vulture
Memorial sculpture
White Lake Lookout
White Lake Lookout

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Exploring Respectfully

Shuswap Trails

Fostering a healthy, engaged community in the Shuswap Region – economic/environmental/social – through well designed, maintained, and promoted trails connecting people, culture, and landscape

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