Hiking Guide for Hyde Mountain Lookout

North Okanagan hike in Sicamous, British Columbia

Getting to Hyde Mountain Lookout Trail

Hyde Mountain Lookout hiking trail is about an hour's drive from Vernon or Revelstoke and 1.5 hrs from Kamloops, BC. The turnoff for Hyde Mountain is located on HWY 1, coming from either direction. If you are coming from the Kamloops area, the turn-off is just before the 'Welcome to Sicamous' sign onto the FSR on the right-hand side. If you are coming from Revelstoke, the welcome sign is about 1km from the Sicamous bridge on the left-hand side (**It is recommended to drive 3km past the sign to the rest area to turn around as there is no turning lane off the highway**). It is 400m on the FSR, stay right at the fork (follow the trail sign).

Hyde Mountain Lookout Hiking Trail Trailhead

There's a small parking lot and the start of the trailhead is just down the road a little. Walk until you see the trailhead sign where there's also a larger map of the area (this trail connects to Larch Hill Traverse-a 38km cross-country trail).

Those 33 Switchbacks

Okay before you start panicking, they're not as bad as you're imagining them to be. These switchbacks on the Hyde Mountain Lookout Hiking Trail will take you uphill for 3.6km but it's a pleasant incline and quite doable for most people. The trail is well used and marked, however, follow the orange trail markers in the trees.

Forest Service Road on Hyde Mountain Lookout Trail

Around the 4km mark, you will venture out of the trees and onto a Forest Service Road (this is where you can connect to the Larch Hill Traverse). Follow the road until you get to the signpost for Larch Hill Traverse. Go left, back into the trees (you can also stay on the road and follow that around) before connecting back again with the FSR. The road will slowly start to narrow as you enter back into the forest, eventually turning into a foot trail. Follow the foot trail until you get to an opening where you overlook Mara Lake and the North Okanagan.

Note: there are berry bushes along the FSR which attract bears. Please proceed with caution when using this section.

Mara Lake Viewpoint

There will be an opening where the Hyde Mountain Lookout Hiking Trail ends, along with a few man-made benches for Mara Lake and the North Okanagan views. Likewise, have your lunch here, taking in the view.

 Hiking Guide for Hyde Mountain Lookout, Sicamous, BC