pat and ryan go to divide lake

So, im an effort to further document my adventures, I have created this new old post. The adventure happened before my blog was a thing, hence the chronological mystery of how did this post appear in the past of 2009. This was my first trip up okanagan mountain. There are trails all over the mountain, some were changed after the fire of 2003, before i lived here. We parked on lakeshore rd and began the steep hike up. the trail soon joined the service road that leads to the towers at the top.  It's gated at the bottom to keep vehicles out of the park.

the trail through the brush near the bottom of okanagan mtn.

soon we joined the rd, and the landscape changed. from low brush to standing burnt trees.

the trees added an eerie feeling but looked cool

We reached the top in the early evening and camped homeless style. no tent. it was an awesome night sleeping under the stars, except for the bugs.

evening view west to okanagan lake

our homeless style camp in the morning

After breakfast, we left our bags at the campsite and explored around the lake and hiked to the top of the mountain.

the service rd to the top

looking down through the burn area.

divide lake

divide lake is long and narrow. you could almost throw a rock across it, but it's about 500 meters long. a cool mountain lake for sure. we got back from the explore, went for a swim and started down. there is a cabin at the top, and it's in pretty good shape. no stove or anything inside, but would do in a pinch.

the cabin at the top.  sleep-in able.  maybe

patrick swimming

hiking down

just before the parking.  almost home.  sigh.

It was a solid hike. I've been up there again since with Jeff and Partick to check out the old plane crash. , and will do it again for sure. It's a steep hike, so be ready for 3 hours of climbing, mostly on a rocky road. but its so worth it.